Systemax Inc.
Annual Report 2014

Plain-text annual report

Proxy Statement and 2014 Annual Report to Stockholders Dear Fellow Stockholders, In 2014, we made significant progress in our efforts to strengthen our businesses, optimize our operations and improve our competitive positions. We continued to invest in our ability to bring more value to our customers and deepen our relationships, through improved service levels, an expanded product offering and the introduction of new solutions capabilities. Our financial performance for the year included a nine percent increase in our business-to-business (B2B) sales, offset by soft consumer revenues, which resulted in a modest consolidated revenue gain. These results highlight the focus we have placed on our B2B operations the past several years and the opportunities we see in this marketplace. Our Industrial Products Group delivered another year of outstanding performance with 2014 revenue up 17% to $556 million, and adjusted operating income of $43 million. Global Industrial continues to gain market share and we are making prudent investments in the business that will further strengthen our competitive position and enhance our ability to execute on our operating plan. As part of this strategy, in January 2015 we closed on our acquisition of the Plant Equipment Group (P.E.G.) from TAKKT America, which includes the C&H Distributors brand in the U.S. and the Avenue brand in Canada. P.E.G. is a great addition to the Industrial family that provides us with an experienced and dedicated employee base, expands our ability to serve the MRO market, and broadens our geographic footprint. In addition, we are bringing additional value to customers by adding customized expertise to our sales force. In our EMEA Technology business, 2014 revenue increased almost nine percent as we benefited from our acquisition of SCC Services in the Netherlands, a strong performance in France and favorable currency exchange rates. During the year we completed our transition to a pan-European operating model as we moved additional functions from legacy countries to our shared services center in Hungary. We expect to see a more normalized cost structure moving forward and to capture some of the benefits we anticipated when we began this restructuring more than two years ago. In June 2014 we acquired SCC Services, which we’ve rebranded as MISCO Solutions. This acquisition allows us to provide additional value to our customers through an expanded services offering, an effort that is a key strategic initiative across our EMEA operations. In 2014 our North American Technology Products Group delivered, year-over-year growth in our B2B business, though consumer results remained challenging. Performance in 2014 and in prior years, along with continuing trends in the first quarter of 2015 led us to the strategic and operational decision to accelerate our B2B and public sector customer focus in North American Technology. We have taken a number of actions across the business to optimize our operations in-line with this focused approach on the B2B marketplace and its higher lifetime value customers. Under this new strategy, we also made the decisions to serve the consumer market exclusively through our ecommerce platforms and to exit from substantially all our bricks and mortar retail stores. These strategic decisions are difficult, but reflect the opportunity we see in B2B. We expect most of these actions to be completed by the middle of 2015 and that our North American Technology business will emerge from this process as a focused B2B IT products and solutions provider with a streamlined operating structure. With the strategic actions we are taking in North American Technology, all of our operations across Europe and North America will be B2B centric, a market we have served continuously since Systemax’s founding 65 years ago, and one where we see continued opportunity across all our geographies. Our entire company is now focused on serving the business marketplace and with a strong balance sheet we are well positioned to continue to invest in our businesses. I would like to thank all of our shareholders for their support, and our employees for their dedication and commitment. Sincerely, Richard Leeds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer April 29, 2015 TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY PLEASE SEND A WRITTEN REQUEST TO: CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS: Systemax Inc. 11 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, NY 11050 516-608-7000 ext. 7181 Email: investinfo@systemax.com Web Site: http://www.systemax.com INVESTOR RELATIONS: Brainerd Communicators, Inc. 1370 Broadway, 14th Floor New York, NY 10018 Attention: Mike Smargiassi (212) 986-6667 Email: smarg@braincomm.com Website: http://www.braincomm.com TRANSFER AGENT: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC 6201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 (800) 937-5449 Email: info@amstock.com Web Site: http://www.amstock.com SEND CERTIFICATES FOR TRANSFER AND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC 6201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 STOCK EXCHANGE: The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SYX. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Copies of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available online at www.systemax.com or to stockholders without charge upon written request to the Company’s address listed above, Attention: Investor Relations. In addition, on the Corporate Governance page of the Company’s website, www.systemax.com, stockholders can view the Company’s Corporate Ethics Policy, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter and Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles. Systemax Inc. (www.systemax.com), a Fortune 1000 company, sells industrial and technology products through a system of branded e-Commerce websites, relationship marketers and retail stores in North America and Europe. The primary brands are Global Industrial, MISCO, Inmac Wstore and TigerDirect. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14a-101) SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_] Check the appropriate box: [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [_] Definitive Additional Materials [_] Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12 Systemax Inc. (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) ________________ (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies (1) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: (2) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: (4) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ (5) Total fee paid: [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. Amount Previously Paid: (1) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ (3) Filing Party: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ (4) Date Filed: Systemax Inc. 11 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, New York 11050 April 29, 2015 Dear Stockholders: You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Systemax Inc. (the “Company”) which will be held at the Company’s corporate offices, located at 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2015. I look forward to greeting those stockholders who are able to attend. On the following pages you will find the formal Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. For the Annual Meeting, we are pleased to use the “Notice Only” rule adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish proxy materials to stockholders over the Internet. We believe this process will provide you with an efficient and quick way to access your proxy materials and vote your shares, while allowing us to reduce the environmental impact and the costs of printing and distributing the proxy materials. On or about April 29, 2015, we mailed to most stockholders only a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that tells them how to access and review information contained in the proxy materials and our annual report for fiscal year 2014 and vote electronically over the Internet. If you received only the Notice in the mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail unless you request the materials by following the instructions included in the Notice. At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to: (1) elect seven Directors; and (2) ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2015. Your Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares “FOR” proposals (1) and (2). These proposals are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, please vote your shares over the internet at www.proxyvote.com or by telephone at (800) 690-6903 until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 7, 2015, or if you received a paper proxy card, date, sign and return the proxy card as soon as possible in the envelope provided or to the address set forth in the voting instructions therein. Your cooperation will ensure that your shares are voted. If your shares are held in “street name” in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you must provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares in order for your shares to be voted on important matters presented at the Annual Meeting. If you do not instruct your broker on how to vote in the election of directors and on compensation matters, your shares will not be voted on these matters. I hope that you will attend the Annual Meeting, and I look forward to seeing you there. Sincerely, RICHARD LEEDS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 2 Systemax Inc. 11 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, New York 11050 ____________ NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS To Be Held On June 8, 2015 Dear Stockholders: The 2015 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Systemax Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s offices, 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York, on Monday June 8, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. for the following purposes, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement: 1. To elect the Company’s Board of Directors; 2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2015; and 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 14, 2015 as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Stockholders are invited to attend the meeting. Whether or not you expect to attend, we urge you to vote your shares. YOU CAN VOTE YOUR SHARES OVER THE INTERNET AT www.proxyvote.com OR BY TELEPHONE AT (800) 690-6903 UNTIL 11:59 PM EASTERN TIME ON JUNE 7, 2015. IF YOU RECEIVED A PAPER PROXY CARD BY MAIL, YOU MAY ALSO VOTE BY SIGNING, DATING, AND RETURNING THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED OR TO THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED THEREIN. If you attend the meeting, you may vote your shares in person, which will revoke any previously executed proxy. If your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to attend the meeting you must obtain a letter from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming your beneficial ownership of the shares and bring it to the meeting. In order to vote your shares at the meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name. Regardless of how many shares you own, your vote is very important. PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE OR IF YOU RECEIVED A PAPER PROXY CARD BY MAIL, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED TODAY. Sincerely, ERIC LERNER Senior Vice President and General Counsel Port Washington, New York April 29, 2015 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 8, 2015. ....................................................................... 5 Voting Procedures ........................................................................................................................................... 6 PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS ...................................................................................................... 9 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ................................................................................................................................. 11 Independence of Directors ............................................................................................................................. 11 Meetings of Non-Management Directors ...................................................................................................... 11 Corporate Governance Guidelines ................................................................................................................ 11 Corporate Ethics Policy ................................................................................................................................. 12 Communications with Directors .................................................................................................................... 12 Director Attendance at Annual Stockholders Meetings ................................................................................ 12 Board Meetings ............................................................................................................................................. 13 Committees of the Board ............................................................................................................................... 13 Board Leadership Structure ........................................................................................................................... 15 Risk Oversight ............................................................................................................................................... 16 REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE* ............................................................................................................... 18 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ........................................................................................................................................... 19 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT ................................ 20 Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance ......................................................................... 22 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS ...................................................................................................... 22 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION .............................................................................................. 23 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ............................................................................................................................... 24 Compensation Discussion and Analysis ........................................................................................................ 24 Compensation Committee Report to Stockholders*...................................................................................... 38 Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation .................................................................... 38 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE .................................................................................................... 39 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS ..................................................................................................... 40 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END 2014 ..................................................... 41 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED .......................................................................................... 42 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL ................................. 42 Termination of Employment Without Change In Control ............................................................................. 44 Change In Control Payments ......................................................................................................................... 45 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION ................................................................................................................................. 46 Director Compensation For Fiscal Year 2014 ............................................................................................... 46 PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ................ 47 ADDITIONAL MATTERS ......................................................................................................................................... 48 4 IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 8, 2015. Our Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available online at: www.proxyvote.com 5 Systemax Inc. 11 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, New York 11050 ______________ PROXY STATEMENT ______________ This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Systemax Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on June 8, 2015 (the “Annual Meeting”). The Company has made the proxy materials available to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 14, 2015 at www.proxyvote.com beginning on April 29, 2015 and is first mailing such materials to stockholders that requested printed copies of such materials on or about April 29, 2015. You can ensure that your shares are voted at the meeting by voting your shares over the internet at www.proxyvote.com or by telephone at (800) 690-6903 until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 7, 2015 or by signing, dating and promptly returning a proxy, if you received a proxy by mail, in the envelope provided or to the address contained in the voting instructions therein. Voting your shares over the internet, by telephone or by sending in a signed proxy will not affect your right to attend the meeting and vote in person. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York 11050. Voting Procedures Proxies will be voted as specified by the stockholders. Where specific choices are not indicated, proxies will be voted, per the Board of Directors’ recommendations, FOR proposals 1 and 2. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote at their discretion. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, (1) the affirmative vote of a plurality of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Shares”) entitled to vote and present, in person or by properly executed proxy, at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be required to elect the nominated directors of the Board (Proposal 1); and (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote and present, in person or by properly executed proxy, at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants (Proposal 2). Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds and Robert Leeds (each a director and officer of the Company), together with trusts for the benefit of certain members of their respective families and other entities controlled by them, as applicable, beneficially owned as of our record date more than 50% of the shares of common stock, and they have each separately advised us that they intend to vote all of such shares of common stock they each have the power to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors on each of the items of business identified above, which will be sufficient to constitute a quorum and to determine the outcome of each item under consideration. A quorum is representation in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting of at least a majority of the outstanding Shares. Abstentions will have no effect on the election of directors (Proposal 1). Abstentions on other matters will be treated as votes cast on particular matters as well as shares present and represented for purposes of establishing a quorum, with the result that an abstention has the same effect as a negative vote regarding such other matters. Where nominee record holders do not vote on specific issues because they did not receive specific instructions on such issues from the beneficial owners, such broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast on a particular matter, and will therefore have no effect on the vote, but will be treated as shares present or represented for purposes of establishing a quorum. 6 If your shares are held through a broker, bank or other nominee, you must provide voting instructions to such record holder in accordance with such record holder’s requirements in order to ensure that your shares are properly voted. Please note that the rules regarding how brokers may vote your shares have changed. Brokers may no longer vote your Shares on the election of directors, or any other non-routine matters, in the absence of your specific instructions as to how to vote. We encourage you to provide instructions to your broker regarding the voting of your Shares. If you do not provide your broker or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your “street name” Shares, your broker or nominee will not be permitted to vote them on such non-routine matters (a broker “non-vote”). Please note that Item 1 (Election of Directors) is a non-routine matters, and so Shares subject to a broker “non-vote” will not be considered entitled to vote with respect to Item 1 and will not affect the outcome of the vote on that Item. A list of stockholders of the Company satisfying the requirements of Section 219 of the Delaware General Corporation Law shall be available for inspection for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting during normal business hours at the offices of the Company at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting. Revocability of Proxies Any person signing a proxy in the form accompanying this proxy statement has the power to revoke it prior to the Annual Meeting or at the Annual Meeting prior to the vote pursuant to the proxy. A proxy for a stockholder of record may be revoked by any of the following methods: • • • by writing a letter delivered to Eric Lerner, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, stating that the proxy is revoked; by submitting another proxy with a later date (i.e., by signing and submitting a new proxy card or by re-voting by phone or by Internet as instructed above); only your latest proxy card, phone or Internet vote will be counted; or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Beneficial holders whose shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee may revoke their proxy at any time before it is voted by following the instructions of their broker, bank or other nominee. In addition, please note, that if a stockholder’s shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and that stockholder wishes to vote at the Annual Meeting, the stockholder must bring to the Annual Meeting a letter from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming that stockholder’s beneficial ownership of the shares. On April 14, 2015, the record date, there were outstanding and entitled to vote (excluding Company treasury shares) 36,818,158 Shares, entitled to one vote per Share. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof. Stockholders will not be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with any of the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Internet Posting of Proxy Materials Why did I receive a notice regarding the internet availability of proxy materials instead of paper copies of the proxy materials? We have implemented the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, “Notice Only” rule that allows us to furnish our proxy materials over the Internet to our stockholders instead of mailing paper copies of those materials to each stockholder. As a result, beginning on or about April 29, 2015, we sent to most of our stockholders by mail a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials over the Internet and vote online. This notice is not a proxy card and cannot be used to vote your shares. If you received a notice this year, you will not receive paper copies of the proxy materials unless you request the materials by following the instructions on the notice or on the website referred to in the notice. 7 If you own shares of common stock in more than one account—for example, in a joint account with your spouse and in your individual brokerage account—you may have received more than one notice. To vote all of your shares by proxy, please follow each of the separate proxy voting instructions that you received for your shares of common stock held in each of your different accounts. How can I access the proxy materials over the Internet? Your Notice of the Internet Availability of the proxy materials, proxy card or voting instruction card will contain instructions on how to view our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet. Our proxy materials and annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2014, as well as the means to vote by Internet, are available at www.proxyvote.com How may I obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials? If you receive a Notice of the Internet Availability of the proxy materials, you will find on your notice instructions about how to obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials. If you did not receive the notice, you will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. What is “householding”? SEC rules allow a single copy of the proxy materials or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing the same address and last name, or who we reasonably believe are members of the same family in a manner provided by such rules. This practice is referred to as “householding” and can result in significant savings of paper and mailing costs. In accordance with SEC rules, stockholders sharing the same address and last name, or who we reasonably believe are members of the same family, will receive one copy of the proxy materials or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. How can I find voting results of the Annual Meeting? We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and we will publicly disclose the results on a Form 8-K within four business days of the Annual Meeting, as required by SEC rules. 8 PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Annual Meeting, seven Directors are to be elected to serve until their successors have been elected and qualified. Information regarding such nominees is set forth below. Each of the nominees served as a director during fiscal year 2014. The accompanying proxy will be voted for the election of the Board’s nominees unless contrary instructions are given. If any Board nominee is unable to serve, which is not anticipated, the persons named as proxies intend to vote, unless the Board of Directors reduces the number of nominees, for such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may designate. If voting by proxy with respect to the election of Directors, stockholders may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold their votes as to all nominees or withhold their votes for specific nominees. There are no family relationships among any of our Directors or executive officers or nominees for Director or executive officer, except that Messrs. Richard, Bruce and Robert Leeds are brothers. Except as disclosed herein, regarding Messrs. Richard, Bruce and Robert Leeds, there were no arrangements or understandings between any Director or nominee for Director and any other person pursuant to which such person was selected as a Director or nominee for Director. Nominees Name of Nominee Richard Leeds Principal Occupation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company Age 55 Director Since April 1995 Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Lawrence Reinhold Robert Rosenthal Vice Chairman of the Company Vice Chairman of the Company and Chief Executive of the Company’s North American Technology Products Group Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Long Island Investors LLC Stacy Dick Chief Financial Officer of Julian Robertson Holdings Marie Adler-Kravecas Retired President of Myron Corporation 59 59 55 66 58 55 April 1995 April 1995 March 2009 July 1995 November 1995 June 2009 Richard Leeds joined the Company in 1982 and has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 1995. Mr. Leeds graduated from New York University with a B.S. degree in Finance. Mr. Leeds, together with his brothers Bruce and Robert Leeds, are the majority stockholders of the Company and the sons of one of the Company’s founders. Mr. Leeds was selected to serve as Chairman of our Board due to his experience and depth of knowledge of the Company and the direct marketing, computer and industrial products industries, his role in developing and managing the Company’s business strategies and operations, as well as his exceptional business judgment and leadership qualities. Bruce Leeds joined the Company in 1977 and has served as Vice Chairman of the Company since April 1995. Mr. Leeds graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. degree in Economics. Mr. Leeds, together with his brothers Richard and Robert Leeds, are the majority stockholders of the Company and the sons of one of the Company’s founders. Mr. Leeds was selected to serve as a director on our Board due to his experience and depth of knowledge of the Company and the direct marketing, computer and industrial products industries, his role in developing and managing the Company’s business strategies and operations, his experience in international business as well as his exceptional business judgment. Robert Leeds joined the Company in 1977 and has served as Vice Chairman of the Company since April 1995. From April 18, 2011 to October 2011, Mr. Leeds served as the Interim Chief Executive of the Company’s North American Technology Products Group. On March 1, 2013, Mr. Leeds was selected to serve as the Chief Executive of the Company’s North American Technology Products Group. Mr. Leeds graduated from Tufts 9 University with a B.S. degree in Computer Applications Engineering. Mr. Leeds, together with his brothers Richard and Bruce Leeds, are the majority stockholders of the Company and the sons of one of the Company’s founders. Mr. Leeds was selected to serve as a director on our Board because of his experience and depth of knowledge of the Company and the direct marketing, computer and industrial products industries, his role in developing and managing the Company’s business strategies and operations, his significant computer and technology industry experience as well as his exceptional business judgment. Lawrence Reinhold joined the Company in January 2007 and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since that date. Additionally, Mr. Reinhold has served as a Director since March 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Reinhold was the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of medical devices; the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded communications software company; and a regional Managing Partner of a Big 4 International Public Accounting Firm. He received his B.S.B.A. degree, summa cum laude, and M.B.A. degree from San Diego State University. Mr. Reinhold is a Certified Public Accountant. From 2011 through 2013, he also served on the board of directors and audit committee of Pulse Electronics, a publicly traded electronics manufacturer. Mr. Reinhold was selected to serve as a director on our Board due to his contributions since joining the Company and his extensive experience and expertise in business, strategy, finance, accounting, SEC reporting, public company management, mergers and acquisitions and financial systems as well as his serving as a CFO of other public technology companies and a partner with an international accounting firm. Robert Rosenthal has served as an independent Director of the Company since July 1995. He has been the lead independent director since October 2006. Mr. Rosenthal is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Long Island Investors LLC, which he co-founded in 1983. Mr. Rosenthal is a 1971 cum laude graduate of Boston University and a 1974 graduate of Hofstra University Law School. Mr. Rosenthal is the chairman and CEO of a wealth management company that invests in numerous public companies and is also an attorney and member of the bar of the State of New York. Mr. Rosenthal was selected to serve as a director on our Board due to his financial, investment and legal experience and acumen. Stacy Dick has served as an independent Director of the Company since November 1995. Mr. Dick has served as Chief Financial Officer of Julian Robertson Holdings since November 2008 and, since 2011, as Chief Financial Officer of Tiger Management Advisors LLC. Mr. Dick was a Managing Director of Rothschild Inc. from 2001 to 2008 and served as an executive of other entities controlled by Rothschild family interests. Mr. Dick graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. degree magna cum laude and a Ph.D. in Business Economics. He has served as an adjunct professor of finance at the Stern School of Business (NYU) since 2004 and adjunct professor of law at NYU Law School since 2012. Mr. Dick was selected to serve as a director on our Board due to his exceptional knowledge and experience in the areas of business, finance and economics. Marie Adler-Kravecas has served as an independent Director of the Company since June 2009. Ms. Adler- Kravecas joined Myron Corporation, an international, business-to-business direct marketing company, in 1984 and served as President from 1999 to 2004. In 2005, Ms. Adler-Kravecas founded Wellconnected, LLC, a consumer direct marketing company which was sold in 2008. Ms. Adler-Kravecas is currently retired. Ms. Adler-Kravecas received a B.S. degree in Marketing and Business Administration from George Washington University. She has been a member of the Young President’s Organization since 2003 and The Executive Group from 2004 to 2008. Ms. Adler-Kravecas has been on the Board of the Children’s Aid and Family Service since 2004. Ms. Adler- Kravecas was selected to serve as a director on our Board due to her practical experience in direct marketing and international business. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES, WHICH IS DESIGNATED AS PROPOSAL NO. 1. 10 Independence of Directors CORPORATE GOVERNANCE In connection with its annual review of director independence, the Board has determined that each of the following Directors or nominees of the Company meets the standards for independence required by the New York Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission rules: Robert Rosenthal, Stacy Dick and Marie Adler- Kravecas. The Board made this determination based on (a) the absence of any of the express disqualifying criteria relating to director independence set forth in Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and (b) the criteria for independence required of audit committee directors by Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. Although the Board has not adopted categorical standards of materiality for independence purposes (other than those set forth in the NYSE listing standards and the Exchange Act), information provided by the Directors to the Company did not indicate any relationships (e.g., commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, or familial) which would impair the independence of any of the non-employee Directors. The Board has determined that there is no material relationship between the Company and each of Mr. Rosenthal, Mr. Dick and Ms. Adler-Kravecas (directly or as a partner, stockholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company) and that each of them is independent pursuant to the NYSE listing standards. In making its determination, the Board took into consideration that certain Systemax directors and executive officers, have each invested funds with a private investment firm, of which Robert Rosenthal is Chairman and CEO, and may continue to do so in the future. The Board (in each case with Mr. Rosenthal and the investing directors being recused) determined that such relationship was not material to Mr. Rosenthal. In addition in making its determination, the Board took into consideration that the asset management firm of which Stacy Dick is the CFO invests proprietary and third-party capital in a number of investment funds that are managed by independent investment advisory firms. Some Systemax executive officers and directors have made investments in these independently managed funds. Mr. Dick does not receive any direct or indirect compensation from any of these funds or their independent advisory firms. The Board (in each case with Mr. Dick and the investing directors being recused) determined that such relationship was not material to Mr. Dick. As a “controlled company,” the Company is exempt from the New York Stock Exchange requirement that listed companies have a majority of independent directors. A “controlled company” is defined by the New York Stock Exchange as a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, group or other company. The Company is a “controlled company” in that more than 50% of the voting stock for the election of directors of the Company, in the aggregate, is owned by certain members of the Leeds family (including Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds and Robert Leeds, each of whom is an officer and Director of the Company) and certain Leeds’ family trusts and other entities controlled by them (collectively, the “Leeds Group”). The members of the Leeds Group have entered into a Stockholders Agreement with respect to certain Shares they each own. See “Transactions With Related Persons” below. Meetings of Non-Management Directors The New York Stock Exchange requires the “non-management directors” or independent directors of a NYSE-listed company to meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management and to disclose in their annual proxy statements (1) the name of the non-management director who is chosen to preside at all regularly- scheduled executive sessions of the non-management members of the board of directors and (2) a method for all interested parties to communicate directly with the presiding director or with the non-management directors as a group (this method is described below under “Communications with Directors”). The Board’s non-management or independent directors meet separately in executive sessions, chaired by the Lead Independent Director (currently Robert Rosenthal), at least quarterly. Corporate Governance Guidelines The Company has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on the Corporate Governance page of our website at www.systemax.com. The Corporate Governance Guidelines were last amended in April 2010. 11 Our Corporate Governance Guidelines establish our corporate governance principles and practices on a The responsibilities, composition and variety of Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee assesses the Guidelines annually and makes recommendations to the Board on any changes to implement. Our Guidelines address, among other things: functioning of the Board. including topics, the • • • • • • • • the role and functions of our Board of Directors and management; director qualifications, including our director independence standards and director nomination and selection; the requirement to hold separate executive sessions of the independent directors; the conduct of Board meetings; policies for setting director compensation; director orientation and continuing education; policies regarding director access to management, employees and independent advisors; and the annual self-assessment of the Board to evaluate its own effectiveness. Corporate Ethics Policy The Company has adopted a Corporate Ethics Policy that applies to all employees of the Company, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller, its principal accounting officer. The Corporate Ethics Policy is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, full and accurate disclosure of information requiring public disclosure and the prompt reporting of Policy violations. The Company’s Corporate Ethics Policy is available on the Company’s website (www.systemax.com). We intend to disclose on our website, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, amendments to, or waivers from, our Corporate Ethics Policy. Our Corporate Ethics Policy was last amended in January 2014. Communications with Directors Stockholders of the Company who wish to communicate with the Board or any individual Director can write to Systemax Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 or send an email to investinfo@systemax.com. Your letter or email should indicate that you are a stockholder of the Company. Depending on the subject matter of your inquiry, management will forward the communication to the Director or Directors to whom it is addressed; attempt to handle the inquiry directly, as might be the case if you request information about the Company or it is a stockholder related matter; or not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic. Interested parties, including non- stockholders wishing to communicate directly with the Lead Independent Director or the non-management members of the Board as a group should address their inquiries by mail sent to the attention of Robert Rosenthal, Lead Independent Director, at the Company’s principal executive office located at 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050. All communications will be promptly relayed to the appropriate recipient(s). Interested parties, including non-stockholders wishing to communicate directly with the Chairman of the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee as a group should address their inquiries by mail to the attention of Stacy Dick, Audit Committee Chairman, at the Company’s principal executive office located at 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050. All communications will be promptly relayed to the appropriate recipient(s). Director Attendance at Annual Stockholders Meetings At last year’s annual meeting of stockholders held on June 9, 2014, one Director attended the meeting. The Company does not have a policy with regards to Directors’ attendance at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders annual stockholder meetings. 12 Board Meetings During fiscal year 2014, the Board of Directors held seven meetings, the Audit Committee held nineteen meetings (eight of these meetings were ordinary course meetings and eleven of the meetings were special meetings held with independent outside counsel regarding a current investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation); the Compensation Committee held five meetings; the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee held five meetings; and the Executive Committee held no meetings. All of the Directors attended at least 85% of all of the meetings of the Board and 95% of the committees meetings of the Board of which they were members. Committees of the Board The Board of Directors has the following standing committees: Audit Committee The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board with oversight of (i) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independence and qualifications of the Company’s external auditors, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and external auditors. It is the Audit Committee’s responsibility to retain or terminate the Company’s independent registered public accountants, who audit the Company’s financial statements, and to prepare the Audit Committee report that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires to be included in the Company’s Annual Proxy Statement. (See “Report of the Audit Committee” below.) As part of its activities, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accountants at least annually to review the scope and results of the annual audit and quarterly to discuss the review of the quarterly financial results. In addition, the Audit Committee receives and considers the independent registered public accountants’ comments and recommendations as to internal controls, accounting staff, management performance and auditing procedures. The Audit Committee is also responsible for establishing procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, and discussing with management and reporting to the Board regularly, the Company’s risk assessment and risk management processes. While it is the job of senior management to assess and manage the Company’s exposure to risk under the oversight of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management the Company’s risk management process. In addition, the Audit Committee works together with the Compensation Committee regarding the Company’s compensation policies for all of the Company’s employees as the policies relate to the Company’s risk management goals and objectives. The Audit Committee also discusses with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Audit Committee Charter was last amended in August 2012. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website, www.systemax.com. The current members of the Audit Committee are Stacy Dick (chairman), Robert Rosenthal and Marie Adler-Kravecas. None of the current members or nominees of the Audit Committee are officers or employees of the Company. The Committee meets regularly both with and without management participation. As noted above, in the judgment of the Board, each of the members of the Audit Committee meets the standards for independence required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Dick and Mr. Rosenthal are “audit committee financial experts” as defined by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not have a standing policy on the maximum number of audit committees of other publicly owned companies on which the members of the Audit Committee may serve. However, if a member of the Audit Committee simultaneously serves on the audit committee of more than two other publicly-owned companies, the Board must determine whether such simultaneous service would impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Audit Committee. Any such determination will be disclosed in the Company’s annual proxy statement. 13 Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things (i) identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommending to the Board nominees to stand for election at any meeting of stockholders, (ii) identifying and recommending nominees to fill any vacancy, however created, in the Board, and (iii) developing and recommending to the Board a code of business conduct and ethics and a set of corporate governance principles (including director qualification standards, responsibilities and compensation) and periodically the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are Robert Rosenthal (Chairman), Stacy Dick and Marie Adler- Kravecas. In nominating candidates to become Board members, the Committee shall take into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate, including the experience, skill, integrity and background of the candidates. The Committee may consider candidates proposed by management or stockholders but is not required to do so. The Committee does not have any formal policy with regard to the consideration of any Director candidates recommended by the security holders or any minimum qualifications or specific procedure for identifying and evaluating nominees for Director as the Board does not believe that such a formalistic approach is necessary or appropriate at this time. The current members of the code and principles. reviewing The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and recommending to the Board a set of risk management policies and procedures, including the Company’s compensation policies for all its employees as they relate to risk management, and to review these policies and procedures annually. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, in seeking qualified Board members, does not have a policy regarding utilizing diversity, however defined, in its selection process. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee looks for individuals who have very high integrity, significant business experience and a deep genuine interest in the Company. We believe that each of the director nominees and other directors bring these qualifications to our Board of Directors. Moreover, they provide our board with a diverse complement of specific business skills, experience and perspectives. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter was last amended in August 2012. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website (www.systemax.com). Stockholder Nominations for Director Stockholders may propose candidates for Board membership by writing to Systemax Inc., Attention: Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 so that the nomination is received by the Company by December 31, 2015 to be considered for the 2016 annual meeting. Any such proposal shall contain the name, Company security holdings (direct or indirect; of record and/or beneficially) and contact information of the person making the nomination; a description of all direct and indirect related party transactions, compensation and other material monetary arrangements, agreements or understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationship, if any, between the stockholder and its respective affiliates or associates, or others with whom they are acting in concert, on the one hand, and the nominee and his or her respective affiliates, associates and others with whom they are acting in concert, on the other hand; the nominee’s name, age, address and other contact information; any direct or indirect holdings, beneficially and/or of record, of the Company’s securities by the nominee; any information regarding the nominee required to be disclosed about directors under applicable securities laws and/or stock exchange requirements; information regarding related party transactions with the Company and/or the stockholder submitting the nomination and/or the nominee; any actual or potential conflicts of interest; the nominee’s biographical data, current public and private company affiliations, employment history (including current principal employment) and qualifications and status as “independent” under applicable securities laws and stock exchange requirements. Nominees proposed by stockholders will receive the same consideration as other nominees. Compensation Committee The Compensation Committee’s responsibility is to review and approve corporate goals relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and, after an evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals, to set the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee also approves (a) the annual compensation of the other executive officers of the Company, (b) the annual compensation of certain subsidiary managers, and (c) all individual stock-based incentive grants. The Committee is also 14 responsible for reviewing and making periodic recommendations to the Board with respect to the general compensation, benefits and perquisite policies and practices of the Company including the Company’s incentive- based and equity-based compensation plans. The Compensation Committee also prepares an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the annual proxy statement. (See “Compensation Committee Report to Stockholders” below.) The current members of the Compensation Committee are Robert Rosenthal (Chairman), Stacy Dick and Marie Adler-Kravecas. In addition, it is the Compensation Committee’s responsibility to consider, and work together with the Company’s Audit Committee regarding, the Company’s compensation policies for all its employees in the context of how such policies affect and promote the Company’s risk management goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee Charter was last amended in May 2013. The Compensation Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website (www.systemax.com). Executive Committee The Executive Committee consists of the Chairman of the Board and any Vice Chairman and such other Directors as may be named thereto by the Board. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds, Robert Leeds and Robert Rosenthal, the Lead Independent Director. Among other duties as may be assigned by the Board from time to time, the Executive Committee is authorized to oversee the operations of the Company, supervise the executive officers of the Company, review and make recommendations to the Board regarding the strategic direction of the Company and review and make recommendations to the Board regarding all possible acquisitions or other significant business transactions. The Executive Committee is also authorized to manage the affairs of the Corporation between meetings of the Board; the Committee has all of the powers of the Board not inconsistent with any provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or other resolutions adopted by the Board, but does not generally exercise such authority. Board Leadership Structure As noted above, our Board currently includes three independent Directors. Richard Leeds has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since April 1995. Our independent directors have designated, Robert Rosenthal, one of the independent directors, to be the Lead Independent Director. We believe that the current mix of employee directors and non-employee independent directors that make up our Board, along with the independent oversight of our Lead Independent Director, benefits the Company and its stockholders. Although the Board does not have an express policy on whether or not the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board should be separate and if they are to be separate, whether the Chairman of the Board should be selected from the non-employee Directors or be an employee, the Board believes that it should have the flexibility to make a determination from time to time in a manner that is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders at the time of such determination. At this time, the Board of Directors believes that Mr. Leeds’ service as both Chairman of the Board and CEO is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. Mr. Leeds possesses in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing the Company and its businesses and is thus best positioned to develop agendas that ensure that the Board’s time and attention are focused on the matters that are most critical to the Company and its stockholders. His combined role has produced decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability, and enhances the Company’s ability to communicate its message and strategy clearly and consistently to the Company’s stockholders, employees, customers and suppliers, particularly during times of turbulent economic conditions. The Board believes that the independent directors provide effective oversight of management. Moreover, in addition to feedback provided during the course of Board meetings, the independent directors have regular executive sessions. Following an executive session of independent directors, the Lead Independent Director acts as a liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman regarding any specific feedback or issues, provides the Chairman with input regarding agenda items for Board and Committee meetings, and coordinates with the Chairman regarding information to be provided to the independent directors in performing their duties. The Board believes that this approach appropriately and effectively complements the combined CEO/Chairman structure. 15 We recognize that different board leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations and believe that no one structure is suitable for all companies. We believe our current Board leadership structure is optimal for us because it demonstrates to our employees, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders that the Company is under strong leadership, with a single person setting the tone and having primary responsibility for managing our operations. Having a single leader for both the Company and the Board eliminates the potential for confusion or duplication of efforts, and provides clear leadership for the Company. We believe the Company, like many U.S. companies, has been well-served by this leadership structure. Lead Independent Director The independent Directors elect one independent Director to serve as a Lead Independent Director. In addition to presiding at executive sessions of nonemployee Directors, the Lead Independent Director has the responsibility to coordinate the activities of the independent Directors, and to perform the following functions: (a) advise the Chairman of the Board as to an appropriate schedule of Board meetings, seeking to ensure that the independent Directors can perform their duties responsibly while not interfering with the flow of the Company’s operations; (b) provide the Chairman with input as to the preparation of agendas for the Board and committee meetings; (c) advise the Chairman as to the quality, quantity, and timeliness of the flow of information from the Company’s management that is necessary for the independent directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties, and although the Company’s management is responsible for the preparation of materials for the Board, the Lead Independent Director may specifically request the inclusion of certain material; (d) recommend to the Chairman the retention of consultants who report directly to the Board; (e) assist the Board and the Company’s officers in assuring compliance with and implementation of the corporate governance policies; and be principally responsible for recommending revisions to the corporate governance policies; (f) coordinate and develop the agenda for, and moderate executive sessions of, the independent directors of the Board, and act as principal liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman on sensitive issues; and (g) recommend to the Chairman the membership of the various Board committees. Our Board conducts an annual evaluation in order to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. As part of this annual self-evaluation, the Board evaluates whether the current leadership structure continues to be optimal for the Company and its stockholders. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, as amended in April 2010, provide the flexibility for our Board to modify or continue our leadership structure in the future, as it deems appropriate. Risk Oversight Our Board as a whole is responsible for overseeing the Company’s risk management process. The Board focuses on the Company’s general risk management strategy, the most significant risks facing the Company, and seeks to ensure that appropriate risk mitigation strategies are implemented by management. Risk management is a recurring Audit Committee and Board quarterly agenda item, and is considered part of strategic planning. The Board is also apprised of particular risk management matters in connection with its general oversight and approval of corporate matters and receives information relating to material Company risk from management and from the Company’s Legal, Risk Management/Insurance and Internal Audit Departments. The Board has delegated to each of its committees oversight of certain aspects of the Company’s risk management process. Among its duties, the Audit Committee reviews with management (a) Company processes with respect to risk assessment and management of risks that may be material to the Company, (b) the Company’s system of disclosure controls and system of internal controls over financial reporting, and (c) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Compensation Committee is responsible for considering and working together with the Audit Committee regarding the Company’s compensation policies for all its employees in the context of how such policies affect and promote the Company’s risk management goals and objectives. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and recommending to the Board a set of risk management policies and procedures, including the Company’s compensation policies for all its employees as they relate to risk management, and to review these policies and procedures annually. All committees report to the full Board as appropriate, including when a matter rises to the level of a material or enterprise level risk. The Company’s senior management is responsible for day-to-day risk management. Our Internal Audit Department serves as the primary monitoring and testing function for company-wide policies and procedures, and 16 manages the day-to-day oversight of the risk management strategy for the ongoing business of the Company. This oversight includes identifying, evaluating, and addressing potential risks that may exist at the enterprise, strategic, financial, operational, compliance and reporting levels. The Internal Auditor reports directly to our Chief Financial Officer and Audit Committee quarterly, and the Audit Committee considers risk management issues as part of its quarterly agenda. We believe the division of risk management responsibilities described above is an effective approach for addressing the risks facing the Company and that our Board leadership structure supports this approach. 17 REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE* The Audit Committee of the Board operates under its Charter, which was originally adopted by the Board in 2000 and was most recently revised in August 2012. As set forth in its Charter, the Audit Committee’s job is one of oversight. Management is responsible for the Company’s financial statements, internal accounting and financial controls, the financial reporting process, the internal audit function and compliance with the Company’s policies and legal requirements. The Company’s independent registered public accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and for issuance of a report thereon, and for monitoring the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls; they also perform limited reviews of the Company’s unaudited quarterly financial statements. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to engage the independent registered public accountants, monitor and oversee these accounting, financial and audit processes and report its findings to the full Board. It also investigates matters related to the Company’s financial statements and controls as it deems appropriate. In the performance of these oversight functions, the members of the Audit Committee rely upon the information, opinions, reports and statements presented to them by Company management and by the independent registered public accountants, as well as by other experts that the Committee hires. The Audit Committee met with the Company’s independent auditors to review and discuss the overall scope and plans for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Audit Committee has considered and discussed with management and the independent auditors (both alone and with management present) the audited financial statements as well as the independent auditors’ evaluation of the Company’s internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2014 were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management and Ernst & Young LLP to review and discuss the December 31, 2014 audited consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 Communication with Audit Committees), as amended and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee also received written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by Rule 3526 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and the Audit Committee discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the firm’s independence. Based on the review of the representations of management, the discussions with management and the independent registered public accountants and the review of the Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, to the Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the financial statements of the Company for fiscal year 2014 as audited by Ernst & Young LLP be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AUDIT COMMITTEE Stacy Dick (Chairman) Robert Rosenthal Marie Adler-Kravecas * The information contained in this Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference into any such filing. 18 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS There are no arrangements or understandings between any officer and any other person pursuant to which such person was selected as an officer. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company as of April 14, 2015. Name Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Perminder Dale Eric Lerner Thomas Axmacher Manoj Shetty Age Position 55 59 59 55 61 54 57 56 54 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Director Vice Chairman; Director Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Company’s North American Technology Products Group; Director Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Director President of the Company’s Industrial Products Group Chief Executive of the Company’s EMEA Technology Products Group Senior Vice President and General Counsel Vice President and Controller Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer For biographical information about Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds, Robert Leeds and Lawrence Reinhold, see pages 9 and 10 of this Proxy Statement. Robert Dooley was appointed President of the Company’s Industrial Products Group in January 2012. Mr. Dooley originally joined the Company in 1982 and served in numerous roles until March 2004, including Senior Vice President, Worldwide Computer Sales and Marketing. He also was a Director of the Company from June 1995 through March 2004. Mr. Dooley left the Company in 2004 but returned in December 2007 as Vice President, Internet Marketing for the Global Industrial business. Mr. Dooley graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in Physics. Perminder Dale joined the Company in January 2012 as Chief Executive of the Company’s EMEA Technology Products Group. Mr. Dale has over 20 years of experience in the information technology industry: from 1996 to 2010 Mr. Dale held various significant executive positions with Dell Computer Corporation, including Director of Server Business for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Director of UK Corporate Sales, Vice President and General Manager of Emerging Markets (2000 to 2008) and Vice President and General Manager of Global Distribution Channels (2008 to 2010). Mr. Dale also held various management positions with other well-known technology companies, including Sun Microsystems, Siemins NixDorf and Hewlett Packard. Mr. Dale earned his M.B.A. in international business and marketing from University of Bradford Business School. Eric Lerner was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel in May 2012. He was previously a senior corporate partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, a corporate partner, Co-Chair of the National Corporate Department and member of the Board of Directors of Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman, and a corporate partner and Chair of the Corporate Department of Rosenman & Colin. He received his JD degree from the University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree from SUNY Binghamton. Thomas Axmacher was appointed Vice President and Controller of the Company in October 2006. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of Curative Health Services, Inc., a publicly traded health care company, and Vice President and Controller of Tempo Instrument Group, an electronics manufacturer. Mr. Axmacher received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Albany University and his M.B.A. from Long Island University. Manoj Shetty was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company in August 2014. Mr. Shetty originally joined the Company in 2000 and has served in several Information Technology 19 roles since that time. Prior to joining Systemax, Mr. Shetty was employed at Mercator (ultimately acquired by IBM) and in the manufacturing sector. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table provides certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Shares as of April 14, 2015, by (i) each of the Directors, (ii) each of the Named Executive Officers listed in the Summary Compensation table, (iii) all current Directors and executive officers as a group and (iv) each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities. As used in this table “beneficial ownership” means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. A person is deemed as of any date to have “beneficial ownership” of any security that such person owns or has a right to acquire within 60 days after such date. Any security that any person named above has the right to acquire within 60 days is deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the ownership percentage of such person, but is not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the ownership percentage of any other person. Unless otherwise stated, each person owns the reported shares directly and has the sole right to vote and determine whether to dispose of such shares. The address for each beneficial owner, unless otherwise noted is c/o Systemax Inc., 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050. A total of 36,818,158 Shares were outstanding as of April 14, 2015. Richard Leeds (1) Bruce Leeds (2) Robert Leeds (3) Lawrence Reinhold (4) Robert Dooley (5) Eric Lerner (6) Robert Rosenthal (7) Stacy Dick (8) Marie Adler-Kravecas (9) All current Directors and executive officers of the Company (12 persons) (10) Other Beneficial Owners of 5% or More of the Company’s Voting Stock Prescott General Partners LLC (11) 2200 Butts Road, Suite 320 Boca Raton, FL 33431 Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (a) 12,643,830 11,277,452 12,384,752 386,574 104,400 37,500 72,391 45,267 28,163 25,640,962 Percent of Class 34.3% 30.6% 33.6% 1% * * * * * 69.8% 2,118,192 5.8% (a) Amounts listed in this column may include shares held in partnerships or trusts that are counted in more than one individual’s total. * less than 1% (1) Includes 1,981,477 shares owned by Mr. Richard Leeds directly, 1,500,000 shares owned by the Richard Leeds 2015 GRAT, 742,283 shares owned by the Richard Leeds 2012 GRAT, 766,290 shares owned by the Richard Leeds 2011 GRAT and 362,026 shares owned by the Richard Leeds 2010 GRAT. Also includes 1,838,583 shares owned by a limited partnership of which Mr. Richard Leeds is a general partner, 235,850 shares owned by a limited partnership of which a limited liability company controlled by Mr. Richard Leeds is the general partner, 4,697,521 shares owned by trusts for the benefit of his brothers’ children for which Mr. Richard Leeds acts as co-trustee and 519,800 shares owned by a limited partnership in which Mr. Richard Leeds has an indirect pecuniary interest. 20 (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Includes 2,919,357 shares owned by Mr. Bruce Leeds directly, 700,000 shares owned by the Bruce Leeds 2015 GRAT, 466,064 shares owned by the Bruce Leeds 2012 GRAT, 467,613 shares owned by the Bruce Leeds 2011 GRAT and 234,028 shares owned by the Bruce Leeds 2010 GRAT. Also includes 1,838,583 shares owned by a limited partnership of which Mr. Bruce Leeds is a general partner, 4,132,007 shares owned by trusts for the benefit of his brothers’ children for which Mr. Bruce Leeds acts as co-trustee and 519,800 shares owned by a limited partnership in which Mr. Bruce Leeds has an indirect pecuniary interest. Includes 1,074,913 shares owned by Mr. Robert Leeds directly, 2,100,000 shares owned by the Robert Leeds 2015 GRAT, 910,003 shares owned by the Robert Leeds 2012 GRAT, 881,658 shares owned by the Robert Leeds 2011 GRAT and 374,139 shares owned by the Robert Leeds 2010 GRAT. Also includes 1,838,583 shares owned by a limited partnership of which Mr. Robert Leeds is a general partner, 4,685,656 shares owned by trusts for the benefit of his brothers’ children for which Mr. Robert Leeds acts as co-trustee and 519,800 shares owned by a limited partnership in which Mr. Robert Leeds has an indirect pecuniary interest. Includes options to acquire a total of 250,000 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, options to acquire a total of 37,500 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and 17,500 restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan that will vest within 60 days. Also includes 500 shares held by Mr. Reinhold’s spouse, of which Mr. Reinhold disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes options to acquire a total of 10,000 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and options to acquire a total of 37,500 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Includes options to acquire a total of 37,500 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Includes options to acquire a total of 7,000 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 1995 and 2006 Stock Incentive Plans for Non- Employee Directors and 4,171 restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors that will vest within 60 days. Includes options to acquire a total of 7,000 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 1995 and 2006 Stock Incentive Plans for Non- Employee Directors and 4,171 restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors that will vest within 60 days. Includes options to acquire a total of 5,000 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors and 4,171 restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors that will vest within 60 days. (10) Includes options to acquire a total of 42,500 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and options to acquire a total of 86,250 shares that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. (11) Based on information supplied by Prescott General Partners LLC (“PGP”), Prescott Associates L.P., Thomas W. Smith and Scott J. Vassalluzzo in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2015. The address of the parties is 2200 Butts Road, Suite 320, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Prescott General Partners LLC, Prescott Associates L.P. and Messrs. Smith and Vassalluzzo have the shared power to vote or dispose or to direct the vote or the disposal of 2,118,192; 2,044,691; 768,518; and 192,018, respectively. PGP, as the general partner of three private investment limited partnerships (the 21 “Partnerships ”), may be deemed to share the power to vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of 2,118,192 shares held by the Partnerships. Mr. Smith has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote of and to dispose or to direct the disposition of 600,000 shares. Mr. Vassalluzzo has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote of and to dispose or to direct the disposition of no shares. In their capacities as investment managers for certain managed accounts, Messrs. Smith and Vassalluzzo may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or to direct the vote of 168,518 and 92,018 shares, respectively, and to dispose or to direct the disposition of 168,518 and 192,018 shares, respectively. Voting and investment authority over investment accounts established for the benefit of certain family members and friends of Messrs. Smith and Vassalluzzo is subject to each beneficiary’s right, if so provided, to terminate or otherwise direct the disposition of the investment account. The 13G/A is Amendment No. 6 to the joint filing on Schedule 13G by Thomas W. Smith, Scott J. Vassalluzzo and Steven M. Fischer originally filed with the SEC on July 13, 2009, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the SEC on February 16, 2010, Amendment No. 2 filed with the SEC on February 14, 2011, Amendment No. 3 filed with the SEC on January 5, 2012, Amendment No. 4 filed with the SEC on February 14, 2013 and Amendment No. 5 filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014. Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s executive officers and Directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, Directors and ten- percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of Section 16(a) forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes its Executive Officers, Directors and ten-percent stockholders complied with all such filing requirements for fiscal year 2014; except for the following filing made on behalf of the named persons that were inadvertently filed late by the Company: a Form 5 for Eric Lerner filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS Under the Company’s Corporate Ethics Policy, all officers, Directors and employees (collectively the “Company Representatives”) are required to avoid conflicts of interest, appearances of conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest. A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Company Representative’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict can arise when a Company Representative takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when a Company Representative, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company. Company Representatives cannot allow any consideration such as the receipt of gifts or financial interests in other businesses or personal or family relationships to interfere with the independent exercise of his or her business judgment and work activities to the benefit of the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, Company Representatives are prohibited unless permitted by law and authorized by the Board or a Committee designated by the Board. If a Company Representative becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest he or she must communicate such potential conflict of interest to the Company. The Company’s written corporate approval policy requires transactions with related persons, including but not limited to leases with related persons and sales or purchases of Company assets by related persons, to be reviewed and approved or ratified by the Company’s Audit Committee as well as by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. In this regard, all such transactions are first discussed with the Chief Financial Officer and are submitted to the General Counsel’s office, including for an initial determination of whether such further related person transaction review is required. The Company utilizes the definition of related persons under applicable SEC rules, defined as any executive officer, director or nominee for director of the Company, any beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, or any immediate family member of any such person. In reviewing these transactions, the Company strives to assure that the terms of any agreement between the Company and a related party is at arm’s length, fair and at least as beneficial to the Company as could be obtained from third parties. The Audit Committee, in its discretion, may consult with third party appraisers, valuation advisors or brokers to make such determination. 22 Leases The Company has leased its facility in Port Washington, NY since 1988 from an entity owned by Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds and Robert Leeds, Directors of the Company. Rent expense under this lease totaled $975,000 for fiscal year 2014. The Company believes that at the time the lease was signed, these payments were no higher than would be paid to an unrelated lessor for comparable space. Stockholders Agreement Certain members of the Leeds family (including Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds and Robert Leeds) and family trusts of Messrs. Leeds entered into a stockholders agreement pursuant to which the parties agreed to vote in favor of the nominees for the Board designated by the holders of a majority of the Shares held by such stockholders at the time of the Company’s initial public offering of the Shares. In addition, the agreement prohibits the sale of the Shares without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Shares held by all parties to the agreement, subject to certain exceptions, including sales pursuant to an effective registration statement and sales made in accordance with Rule 144. The agreement also grants certain drag-along rights in the event of the sale of all or a portion of the Shares held by holders of a majority of the Shares. As of the end of fiscal year 2014, the parties to the stockholders agreement beneficially owned 25,286,700 Shares subject to such agreement (constituting approximately 68.7% of the Shares outstanding). Pursuant to the stockholders agreement, the Company granted to the parties demand and incidental, or “piggy-back,” registration rights with respect to the Shares. The demand registration rights generally provide that the holders of a majority of the Shares may require, subject to certain restrictions regarding timing and number of Shares that the Company register under the Securities Act all or part of the Shares held by such stockholders. Pursuant to the incidental registration rights, the Company is required to notify such stockholders of any proposed registration of any Shares under the Securities Act and if requested by any such stockholder to include in such registration any number of shares of Shares held by it subject to certain restrictions. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses and indemnify any selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Shares pursuant to such agreement. EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION Information for our equity compensation plans in effect as of the end of fiscal year 2014 is as follows: (a) (b) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights 1,102,250 — 1,102,250 Plan category Equity compensation plans approved by security holders Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders Total (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) $16.11 — $16.11 6,637,636 — 6,637,636 (1) The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the shares issuable upon outstanding restricted stock units vesting, which have no exercise price. 23 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Compensation Discussion and Analysis In this section, we discuss the material elements of our compensation programs and policies, including the objectives of our compensation programs and the reasons why we pay each element of our executives’ compensation. Following this discussion, you will find a series of tables containing more specific details about the compensation earned by, or awarded to, the following individuals, whom we refer to as the Named Executive Officers or NEOs. This discussion focuses on compensation practices relating to the NEOs for our 2014 fiscal year. Under SEC rules, the disclosure on executive compensation is being provided for each of the following: • • each person who served as chief executive officer or chief financial officer at any time during 2014; and the three other most highly compensated persons serving as executive officers at year end. In addition, we have included executive compensation disclosure for Bruce Leeds (Vice Chairman) in order to provide full disclosure with respect to our most senior executives. Our NEOs in 2014 (based on the criteria noted above) were as follows: Name of NEO Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Position Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vice Chairman Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Company’s North American Technology Products Group Lawrence Reinhold Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Dooley President of the Company’s Industrial Products Group Eric Lerner Senior Vice President and General Counsel Central Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Programs The Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to achieve a number of important objectives, including attracting and retaining individuals of superior ability and managerial talent, rewarding individual contributions to the achievement of the Company’s short and long-term financial and business objectives, promoting integrity and good corporate governance, and motivating our executive officers to manage the Company in a manner that will enhance its growth and financial performance for the benefit of our stockholders, customers and employees. Accordingly, in determining the amount and mix of compensation, the Compensation Committee seeks both to provide a competitive compensation package and to structure annual and long-term incentive programs that reward achievement of performance goals that directly correlate to the enhancement of sustained, long-term stockholder value, as well as to promote executive retention. Our Compensation Committee seeks to design compensation programs with features that mitigate risk without diminishing the incentive nature of the compensation. The Company’s variable pay programs are designed to reward outstanding individual and team performance while mitigating risk taking behavior that might affect financial results. Risk taking behavior includes the risk that an executive will take action that is detrimental to the Company’s long-term interest in order to increase the executive’s short-term performance-based compensation. We believe our programs encourage and reward prudent business judgment and appropriate risk-taking over the long- term. We believe the following factors are effective in mitigating risk relating to our compensation programs: • Multiple Performance Factors. We use multiple performance factors that encourage executives to focus on the overall health of the business rather than a single financial measure. 24 • Award Cap. Our 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 NEO Cash Bonus Plans each cap the maximum award payable to any individual. • Clawback Provision. Our NEO Cash Bonus Plans provide the Company the ability to recapture all or a portion of cash awards (i) from our executive officers to the extent a bonus resulted from reported financial results that upon restatement of such results (other than as a result of changes in accounting principles) would not have generated the bonus or would have generated a lower bonus or (ii) from an executive officer if the Board learns of any misconduct by the executive officer that contributed to the Company having to restate all or a portion of its financial statements. In addition, the Board may recapture cash bonus awards from an executive if the Board determines that the executive engaged in serious ethical misconduct. • Management Processes. Board and management processes are in place to oversee risk associated with the Company’s operations. Our Board as a whole is responsible for overseeing the Company’s risk management process. The Board focuses on the Company’s general risk management strategy, the most significant risks facing the Company, and seeks to ensure that appropriate risk mitigation strategies are implemented by management. Risk management is a recurring Audit Committee and Board quarterly agenda item, and is considered part of strategic planning. The Board is also apprised of particular risk management matters in connection with its general oversight and approval of corporate matters and receives information relating to material risks affecting the Company from management and from our Legal, Risk Management/Insurance and Internal Audit departments. • Long-Term Equity Compensation. A number of factors mitigate risks inherent in long-term equity compensation, specifically the vesting period for stock options and restricted stock unit grants, which we believe causes our executives to focus on long-term achievements and on building stockholder value. We believe that our compensation policies for employees generally throughout our organization are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company. From time to time a limited number of key managers are eligible to receive stock options and/or restricted stock units in varying amounts based on the judgment of the Compensation Committee. However, all awards are subject to years long vesting periods. Elements of Our Executive Compensation Programs To promote the objectives described above, our executive compensation programs consist of the following principal elements: • Base salary; • Non-equity incentive cash compensation, referred to for discussion purposes as bonuses; • Stock–based incentives; and • Benefits, perquisites and other compensation. The Committee does not maintain formal policies for specifically allocating compensation among current and long-term compensation or among cash and non-cash compensation elements. Instead, the Committee maintains flexibility and adjusts different elements of compensation based upon its evaluation of the Company’s key compensation goals set forth above. The Company does not have a formal policy regarding internal pay equity. Base Salary - Salary levels are subjectively determined based on individual and Company performance as well as an objective assessment of prevailing salary levels for comparable companies, derived from widely available published reports of the average of prevailing salary levels for comparable companies (based on industry, revenues, number of employees, and similar factors) in the Company’s geographic regions. Such reports do not identify the component companies. Mr. Reinhold’s and Mr. Lerner’s minimum salary is set pursuant to their respective employment agreements. 25 Cash Bonuses - Incentive cash compensation of the Company’s NEOs under the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 NEO Cash Bonus Plans described below (and implemented under our 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, described below), is disclosed in the Summary Compensation table below as Non-Equity Incentive Compensation, and is based primarily upon an evaluation of Company performance as it relates to three general business areas: • Operational and Financial Performance (utilizing standard metrics such as net sales, operating income, consolidated net income, earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”), gross margin, operating margin, earnings per share, working capital, return on invested capital, stockholder equity and peer group comparisons); • Strategic Accomplishments (including growth in the business, implementation of systems, process and technology improvements, and growth in the value of the Company’s assets, including through strategic acquisition transactions); and • Corporate Governance and Oversight (encompassing legal and regulatory compliance and adherence to Company policies including the timely filing of periodic reports with the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, environmental, employment and safety laws and regulations and the Company’s corporate ethics policy). In addition, Mr. Dooley and Mr. Lerner have a portion of their cash bonus tied to specific business unit or personal objectives, as described below. Pursuant to SEC rules, and except for disclosure of any actually achieved 2014 and future financial targets and the Company’s actual performance relative to any such achieved 2014 and future targets, the Company is not disclosing the specific performance targets and actual performance measures for the goals used in its 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 NEO Cash Bonus Plans because they represent confidential financial information that the Company does not disclose to the public, and the Company believes that disclosure of this information would cause us competitive harm. The Company believes that these performance goals were reasonably challenging to achieve. Targets are set such that only exceptional performance will result in payouts above the target incentive and poor performance will result in diminished or no incentive payment. We set the target performance goals at a level for which there is a reasonable chance of achievement based upon forecasted performance. Scenarios were developed based upon a range of assumptions used to build our annual budget. We did not perform specific analysis on the probability of the achievement of the target performance goals given that the market is difficult to predict. Rather, we relied upon our experience in setting the goals guided by our objective of setting a reasonably attainable and motivationally meaningful goal. In determining the compensation of a particular executive, consideration is given to the specific corporate responsibilities that such executive is charged with as they relate to the foregoing business areas. Stock-Based Incentives - Stock-based incentives, at the present time consisting of (a) non-qualified stock options granted at 100% of the stock’s fair market value on the grant date (based on the NYSE closing price of the Company’s common stock on that date) and/or (b) restricted stock units granted subject to certain conditions, constitute the long-term portion of the Company’s executive compensation package. Stock based compensation provides an incentive for executives to manage the Company with a view to achieving results which would increase the Company’s stock price over the long-term and, therefore, the return to the Company’s stockholders. Stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants must be approved by the Compensation Committee; however, the Compensation Committee is permitted to delegate this authority to officers of the Company regarding awards to employees who are not officers or directors of the Company and who are not, and are not expected to become, “covered employees” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We do not use any specific allocation percentage or formula in determining the size of the cash and equity based components of compensation in relation to each other. The Compensation Committee is cognizant of the timing of the grant of stock based compensation in relation to the publication of Company earnings releases and other public announcements. Stock based compensation grants generally will not be made effective, until after the Company has disclosed, and the market has had an opportunity to react to, material, potentially market-moving, information concerning the Company. 26 Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds and Robert Leeds have not historically received stock options or other stock- based incentives as part of their compensation since the Company’s initial public offering, and did not receive any such compensation in 2012, 2013 or 2014. As described below, Mr. Dooley received stock options and restricted stock units in 2012; Mr. Lerner received stock options in 2012, 2013 and 2014 pursuant to his employment agreement. Benefits, Perquisites and Other Compensation - The Company provides various employee benefit programs to its employees, including NEOs. These benefits include medical, dental, life and disability insurance benefits and our 401(k) plan, which includes Company contributions. The Company also provides Company-owned or leased cars or automobile allowances and related reimbursements to certain NEOs and certain other Company managers which are not provided to all employees. Certain Company executives also have or are entitled to receive severance payments, and/or change of control payments pursuant to negotiated employment agreements they have with the Company (see below). The Company does not provide to executive officers any (a) pension benefits or (b) deferred compensation under any defined contribution or other plan on a basis that is not tax-qualified. Tax Deductibility Considerations - It is our policy generally to qualify compensation paid to executive officers for deductibility under section 162(m) of the Code. Section 162(m) generally prohibits deducting the compensation of executive officers that exceeds $1,000,000 unless that compensation is based on the satisfaction of objective performance goals. Our long-term incentive plans (the 1995 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, the 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, the 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors, and the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan) and the Systemax Executive Incentive Plan are structured to permit awards under such plans to qualify as performance-based compensation and to maximize the tax deductibility of such awards. However, we reserve the discretion to pay compensation to our executive officers that may not be deductible. Role of the Compensation Committee and CEO in Compensation Decisions The Compensation Committee’s responsibility is to review and approve corporate goals relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and, after an evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals, to set the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee also approves, upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer (following consultation with the two Vice Chairmen, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executives of the North American and EMEA Technology Products Groups and the President of the Company’s Industrial Products Group), (a) the annual compensation of the other executive officers of the Company, (b) the annual compensation of certain subsidiary managers, and (c) all individual stock incentive grants to other executive officers. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for reviewing and making periodic recommendations to the Board with respect to the general compensation, benefits and perquisite policies and practices of the Company, including the Company’s stock-incentive based compensation plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain third party compensation consultants to provide assistance with respect to compensation strategies, market practices, market research data and the Company’s compensation goals. The Compensation Committee did not retain any such consultant in 2012, 2013 or 2014. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan In 2010, the Board of Directors approved, and the stockholders of the Company approved at the 2010 Annual Meeting, the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan in order to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by (i) attracting and retaining exceptional executive personnel and other key employees, including consultants and advisors to the Company and its affiliates; (ii) motivating such employees, consultants and advisors by means of performance-related incentives to achieve longer-range performance goals; and (iii) enabling such employees, consultants and advisors to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company. The 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards (which may be in the form of cash) or other stock-based awards. Any of the foregoing is referred to as an “Award.” Subject to adjustment in the case of certain corporate changes, Awards may be granted under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan with respect to an aggregate of 7,500,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. During a calendar year, Awards may be granted to any individual with respect to a maximum of 1,500,000 shares (or $10,000,000 in the case of cash performance awards). 27 Any employee of the Company or of any affiliate and any individual providing consulting or advisory services to the Company or an affiliate, is eligible to receive an award under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee administers the Plan and determines, in its sole discretion, the terms and conditions of any Award. The Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors may delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company the authority to designate the individuals who will receive Awards under the Plan provided that the Compensation Committee shall itself grant all Awards to those individuals who could reasonably be considered to be subject to the insider trading provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act or whose Awards could reasonably be expected to be subject to the deduction limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Compensation Committee determines the persons who will receive Awards, the type of Awards granted, and the number of shares subject to each Award. The Compensation Committee also determines the prices, expiration dates, vesting schedules, forfeiture provisions and other material features of Awards. The Compensation Committee has the authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it deems necessary or appropriate. All decisions and determinations of the Compensation Committee are final, binding and conclusive on all parties. The 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides that granting or vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards may be conditioned on the achievement of specified performance goals. These goals must be established by the Compensation Committee within 90 days of the beginning of the year (or other period to which the performance goals relate) or, if shorter, within the first 25% of the performance period. The performance goals may be based on one or more of: share price, revenues, earnings (including but not limited to EBITDA), earnings per share, return on equity, expenses, and objective strategic and governance business goals. Each such performance goal may (1) be expressed with respect to the Company as a whole or with respect to one or more divisions or business units, (2) be expressed on a pre-tax or after-tax basis, (3) be expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, (4) employ comparisons with past performance of the Company (including one or more divisions) and/or (5) employ comparisons with the current or past performance of other companies, and in the case of earnings-based measures, may employ comparisons to capital, stockholders’ equity and shares outstanding. To the extent applicable, the measures used in performance goals set under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan are determined in a manner consistent with the methods used in the Company’s Forms 10-K and 10-Q, except that adjustments will be made for certain items, including special, unusual or non-recurring items, acquisitions and dispositions and changes in accounting principles. 2015 NEO Cash Bonus Plan In 2015, pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan previously adopted by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting, our Compensation Committee, with input from our Chief Executive Officer, established our 2015 NEO Cash Bonus Plan (“2015 Bonus Plan”) providing for target cash bonuses for the NEOs based on the achievement of certain financial and non-financial performance-based criteria in 2015. The 2015 Bonus Plan implements for 2015 the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and pertains specifically to the payment of non-equity incentive compensation to NEOs for 2015. The following discussion applies to 100% of the 2015 total non-equity incentive compensation for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold; the 25% portion of Mr. Dooley’s 2015 total non-equity incentive compensation that is based on the 2015 Bonus Plan; and the 50% portion of Mr. Lerner’s 2015 total non-equity incentive compensation that is based on the 2015 Bonus Plan. For 2015, such financial and non-financial goals, the percentage of the executive’s entire cash bonus tied to such goals and the weighting of each component under such goal, are as follows: • Financial Goals for 2015 (80% of total cash bonus target) – Adjusted Operating Income Performance (60%): The Compensation Committee believes this is the most important individual component and aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders, in addition to building long-term value. Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income adjusted for unusual or nonrecurring items as determined by our Compensation Committee. 28 – Sales Performance (20%): The Compensation Committee believes sales performance is key to our Company achieving the scale necessary to remain competitive with larger companies. Sales are defined as sales revenue net of returns on a constant currency basis. Sales are further adjusted for the impact of any acquisition which is completed during the plan year. • Non-Financial Goals for 2015 (20% of total cash bonus target) – Strategic Accomplishments (16%): established Strategic goals were surrounding accomplishments within our Industrial Products Group, and our North American and EMEA Technology Products Groups. These distinct goals relate to various strategic initiatives including enhancing our worldwide information technology systems by continued migration to a new platform specially designed for our needs; improving performance in our UK Operations as well as stabilizing the performance of our Shared Service Center in EMEA; integration of the PEG Group acquisition and continued organic growth within our Industrial Products Group, and successful completion of the previously announced restructuring activities for our North American Technology Products Group. The Compensation Committee believes these initiatives will enhance the Company’s operational infrastructure and efficiency. – Corporate Governance Goals (4%): These goals relate to continuing improvements in our internal control processes, ethics compliance procedures and safety protocols that the Compensation Committee believes will generally benefit stockholders as evidenced by the absence of material weaknesses in internal controls and financial reporting, prompt investigation and disposition of any ethical or governance issues that may arise, and the absence of any serious OSHA matters. Achievement of each of the target financial goals generates a variable target bonus payment (base case); reduced bonuses are payable on a pro rata basis for each financial goal component. The bonus for the sales target financial component is payable starting at achievement of in excess of 80% of the sales target financial goal component amount up to 140% of the sales target financial goal component amount. Each 1% variance in actual achievement from the 100% level generates a 5% variance in the target bonus amount. No bonus is payable in respect of this component if achievement is 80% or less of the sales target while increased bonuses (up to 300% of the target bonus amount for this financial component) are payable on a pro rata basis for over achievement of the sales target financial goal component. The adjusted operating income financial goal component is payable at a level of 100% if the target is achieved. Each $500,000 variance in actual achievement below the 100% level will generate a 5% negative variance in the target bonus amount. Each $500,000 variance in actual achievement above the 100% level will generate a 5% positive variance in the target bonus amount up to 300% of the target bonus amount for this financial component. The non-financial goals are measured based on whether or not the goal is either accomplished or not accomplished during the fiscal year. Accomplishment can be measured at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% levels with target bonus paid out accordingly. Under the 2015 Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee set the following cash bonus target amounts for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold, assuming achievement of the 2015 Bonus Plan financial and non-financial goals at 100% base case target levels; and in the case of Mr. Dooley achievement of such 2015 Bonus Plan goals at 100% base case target levels (25% of the bonus) as well as achievement of the financial and non-financial goals of the Industrial Products Group at 100% base case target levels (75% of the bonus); and in the case of Mr. Lerner achievement of such 2015 Bonus Plan goals at 100% base case target levels (50% of the bonus) as well as achievement of performance objectives established for him by the Company (50% of the bonus): Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner $1,400,000 $ 877,500 $ 877,500 $1,020,000 $ 475,000 $ 265,000 The Compensation Committee believes these bonus levels are appropriate for each of our named executive officers. The 2015 salary increases discussed below reflect the Compensation Committee’s view that such increases are appropriate in light of the current business performance and expected accomplishments in 2015. 29 The 2015 Bonus Plan imposes a cap on the total bonus that could be payable to any executive whose bonus is 100% earned based upon the NEO plan at 260% of the target base case bonus. The cap on Mr. Dooley’s total bonus is 200% of the target base case bonus, and the cap on Mr. Lerner is 180% of the target base case bonus. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to adjust financial targets based on such events as acquisitions or other one-time charges or gains, or other unforeseen circumstances that can skew normal operating results. Targets and bonuses are also subject to adjustment to prevent unreasonable results in the strict application of these formulas. Executives must generally be employed with the Company at the time the bonuses are paid out to receive the bonus. In addition, the Board can demand repayment to the Company of any cash bonuses paid in the event that (i) the executive’s misconduct caused the Company to restate its reported financial results; (ii) the reported results created a bonus that would not have been paid based on the restated results, or (ii) the executive engages in serious ethical misconduct. As indicated above, 75% of Mr. Dooley’s cash bonus is tied to achievement of certain Industrial Products Group objectives, 80% of this portion of the bonus (60% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of financial objectives and 20% of this portion of the bonus (15% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of strategic objectives for the Industrial Products Group. The financial objective is based on an operating income target and each $1.0 million variance above or below the target generates a 10% positive or negative variance of the bonus payable. The bonus payout for over achievement of the financial objective is capped at 200% of the target amount. The strategic objectives are tied to achievement of various sales, customer service, integration and marketing initiatives and are measured on whether or not the goal is achieved. As described above, 50% of Mr. Lerner’s cash bonus is tied to achievement of certain legal group objectives, 20% of this portion of the bonus (10% of total target bonus) is tied to cost management and 80% of this portion of the bonus (40% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of individual strategic objectives including enhancing efficiency, automation and cost of the contract and litigation management process. 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan In 2014, pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan previously adopted by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting, our Compensation Committee, with input from our Chief Executive Officer, established our 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan (“2014 Bonus Plan”) providing for target cash bonuses for the NEOs based on the achievement of certain financial and non-financial performance-based criteria in 2014. The 2014 Bonus Plan implements for 2014 the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and pertains specifically to the payment of non-equity incentive compensation to NEOs for 2014. The following discussion applies to 100% of the 2014 total non-equity incentive compensation for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold; the 25% portion of Mr. Dooley’s 2014 total non-equity incentive compensation that is based on the 2014 Bonus Plan; and the 50% portion of Mr. Lerner’s 2014 total non-equity incentive compensation that is based on the 2014 Bonus Plan. For 2014, such financial and non-financial goals, the percentage of the executive’s entire cash bonus tied to such goals and the weighting of each component under such goal, are as follows: • Financial Goals (80% of total cash bonus target) – Adjusted Operating Income Performance (60%): The Compensation Committee believes this is the most important individual component and aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders, in addition to building long-term value. Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income adjusted for unusual or nonrecurring items as determined by our Compensation Committee. – Sales Performance (20%): The Compensation Committee believes sales performance is key to our Company achieving the scale necessary to remain competitive with larger companies. Sales are defined as sales revenue net of returns on a constant currency basis. • Non-Financial Goals for 2014 (20% of total cash bonus target) 30 – Strategic Accomplishments (16%): established Strategic goals were surrounding accomplishments within our Industrial Products Group, and our North American and EMEA Technology Products Groups. These distinct goals relate to various strategic initiatives including enhancing our worldwide information technology systems by continued migration to a new platform specially designed for our needs; transforming our EMEA operating model to a Pan- European approach, including substantially completing the implementation of our shared services center in Hungary; expanding the Industrial business through foreign sales initiatives and continued organic growth; and continued shift to a B2B oriented operation along with a stabilization of a profitable consumer business for our North American Technology Products Group. The Compensation Committee believes these initiatives will enhance the Company’s operational infrastructure and efficiency. – Corporate Governance Goals (4%): These goals relate to continuing improvements in our internal control processes, ethics compliance procedures and safety protocols that the Compensation Committee believes will generally benefit stockholders. Achievement of each of the target financial goals generates a variable target bonus payment (base case); reduced bonuses are payable on a pro rata basis for each financial goal component. The bonus for the sales target financial component is payable starting at achievement of in excess of 80% of the sales target financial goal component amount up to 140% of the sales target financial goal component amount. Each 1% variance in actual achievement from the 100% level generates a 5% variance in the target bonus amount. No bonus is payable in respect of this component if achievement is 80% or less of the sales target while increased bonuses (up to 300% of the target bonus amount for this financial component) are payable on a pro rata basis for over achievement of the sales target financial goal component. The adjusted operating income financial goal component is payable at a level of 100% if the target is achieved. Each $500,000 variance in actual achievement below the 100% level will generate a 5% negative variance in the target bonus amount. Each $500,000 variance in actual achievement above the 100% level will generate a 5% positive variance in the target bonus amount up to 300% of the target bonus amount for this financial component. The non-financial goals are measured based on whether or not the goal is either accomplished or not accomplished during the fiscal year. Under the 2014 Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee set the following cash bonus target amounts for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold, assuming achievement of the 2014 Bonus Plan financial and non-financial goals at 100% base case target levels; and in the case of Mr. Dooley achievement of such 2014 Bonus Plan goals at 100% base case target levels (25% of the bonus) as well as achievement of the financial and non-financial goals of the Industrial Products Group at 100% base case target levels (75% of the bonus); and in the case of Mr. Lerner achievement of such 2014 Bonus Plan goals at 100% base case target levels (50% of the bonus) as well as achievement of performance objectives established for him by the Company (50% of the bonus): Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner $1,340,000 $ 832,500 $ 832,500 $ 967,500 $ 450,000 $ 255,000 The Compensation Committee believes these bonus levels are appropriate for each of our named executive officers. The 2014 salary increases discussed below reflect the Compensation Committee’s view that such increases are appropriate in light of the current business performance and expected accomplishments in 2014. The 2014 Bonus Plan imposes a cap on the total bonus that could be payable to any executive whose bonus is 100% earned based upon the NEO plan at 260% of the target base case bonus. The cap on Mr. Dooley’s total bonus is 200% of the target base case bonus, and the cap on Mr. Lerner is 180% of the target base case bonus. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to adjust financial targets based on such events as acquisitions or other one-time charges or gains, or other unforeseen circumstances that can skew normal operating results. Targets and bonuses are also subject to adjustment to prevent unreasonable results in the strict application of these formulas. Executives must generally be employed with the Company at the time the bonuses are paid out to receive the bonus. 31 In addition, the Board can demand repayment to the Company of any cash bonuses paid in the event that (i) the executive’s misconduct caused the Company to restate its reported financial results; (ii) the reported results created a bonus that would not have been paid based on the restated results, or (ii) the executive engages in serious ethical misconduct. As indicated above, 75% of Mr. Dooley’s cash bonus is tied to achievement of certain Industrial Products Group objectives, 80% of this portion of the bonus (60% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of financial objections and 20% of this portion of the bonus (15% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of strategic objectives for the Industrial Products Group. The financial objective is based on an operating income target and each $1.5 million variance above or below the target generates a 10% positive or negative variance of the bonus payable. The bonus payout is capped at 200% of the target amount. The strategic objectives are tied to achievement of various sales, customer service, and marketing initiatives and are measured on whether or not the goal is achieved. In 2014, the Industrial Products Group’s adjusted operating income performance resulted in an earned bonus of 80% of the bonus tied to this Industrial Products Group financial objective. The strategic objectives were met or partially met, and Mr. Dooley achieved 70% of the bonus for this component. As described above, 50% of Mr. Lerner’s cash bonus is tied to achievement of certain legal group objectives, 20% of this portion of the bonus (10% of total target bonus) is tied to cost management and 80% of this portion of the bonus (40% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of individual strategic objectives including enhancing the contract management process, enhancing the litigation management and budget process and strengthening the Company’s overall risk management function. The cost management and the strategic objectives were met or exceeded in 2014, resulting in a 219% payout of this bonus component. 2013 NEO Cash Bonus Plan In 2013, pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan previously adopted by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting, our Compensation Committee, with input from our Chief Executive Officer, established our 2013 NEO Cash Bonus Plan (“2013 Bonus Plan”) providing for target cash bonuses for the NEOs based on the achievement of certain financial and non-financial performance-based criteria in 2013. The 2013 Bonus Plan implements for 2013 the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and pertains specifically to the payment of non-equity incentive compensation to NEOs for 2013. The following discussion applies to 100% of the 2013 total non-equity incentive compensation for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold; to the 25% portion of Mr. Dooley’s 2013 total non-equity incentive compensation that is based on the 2013 Bonus Plan; and to the 50% portion of Mr. Lerner’s 2013 total non-equity incentive compensation that is based on the 2013 Bonus Plan. For 2013, such financial and non-financial goals, the percentage of the executive’s entire cash bonus tied to such goals and the weighting of each component under such goal, are as follows: • Financial Goals (80% of total cash bonus target) – Adjusted Operating Income Performance (60%): The Compensation Committee believes this is the most important individual component and aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders, in addition to building long-term value. Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income adjusted for unusual or nonrecurring items as determined by our Compensation Committee. – Sales Performance (20%): The Compensation Committee believes top line sales growth is key to our Company achieving the scale necessary to remain competitive with larger companies. Sales are defined as sales revenue net of returns on a constant currency basis. • Non-Financial Goals for 2013 (20% of total cash bonus target) – Strategic Accomplishments (16%): These goals relate to various strategic initiatives including enhancing both the North American and EMEA Technology Product Group’s information technology systems, reducing our costs in Europe, including implementing our shared services center in Hungary, expanding the Industrial business through foreign sales initiatives and the commercial launch of a new online revenue channel for the Industrial business and the 32 implementation of website enhancements and retail strategy initiatives to enhance North American Technology performance. The Compensation Committee believes these initiatives will enhance the Company’s operational infrastructure and efficiency. – Corporate Governance Goals (4%): These goals relate to continuing improvements in our internal control processes, ethics compliance procedures and safety protocols that the Compensation Committee believes will generally benefit stockholders. Achievement of each of the target financial goals generates a variable target bonus payment (base case); reduced bonuses are payable on a pro rata basis for each financial goal component. The bonus for the sales target financial component is payable starting at achievement of in excess of 80% of the sales target financial goal component amount up to 140% of the sales target financial goal component amount. Each 1% variance in actual achievement from the 100% level generates a 5% variance in the target bonus amount. No bonus is payable in respect of this component if achievement is 80% or less of the sales target while increased bonuses (up to 300% of the target bonus amount for this financial component) are payable on a pro rata basis for over achievement of the sales target financial goal component. The adjusted operating income financial goal component is payable at a level of 100% if the target is achieved. Each $1 million variance in actual achievement below the 100% level will generate a 5% negative variance in the target bonus amount. Each $750,000 variance in actual achievement above the 100% level will generate a 5% positive variance in the target bonus amount up to 300% of the target bonus amount for this financial component. The non-financial goals are measured based on whether or not the goal is either accomplished or not accomplished during the fiscal year. Under the 2013 Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee set the following cash bonus target amounts for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold, assuming achievement of the 2013 Bonus Plan financial and non-financial goals at 100% base case target levels; in the case of Mr. Dooley achievement of such 2013 Bonus Plan goals at 100% base case target levels (25% of the bonus) as well as achievement of the financial and non-financial goals of the Industrial Products Group at 100% base case target levels (75% of the bonus); and in the case of Mr. Lerner achievement of such 2013 Bonus Plan goals at 100% base case target levels (50% of the bonus) as well as achievement of performance objectives established for him by the Company at 100% base case target levels (50% of the bonus), as discussed above: Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner $1,100,000 $ 750,000 $ 750,000 $ 825,000 $ 414,000 $ 248,000 The Compensation Committee believes these bonus levels are appropriate for each of our Named Executive Officers; these bonus levels are the same as those that were set for the Named Executive Officers in 2012 (other than for Mr. Dooley and Mr. Lerner). The 2013 salary increases reflect the Compensation Committee’s view that such increases are appropriate in light of 2013 NEO bonuses being set at the same level as 2012. The 2013 Bonus Plan imposed a cap on the total bonus that could be payable to any executive whose bonus is 100% earned based upon the NEO plan at 260% of the target base case bonus. The cap on Mr. Dooley’s total bonus was 185% of the target base case bonus, and the cap on Mr. Lerner was 180% of the target base case bonus. The Compensation Committee had the discretion to adjust financial targets based on such events as acquisitions or other one-time charges or gains, or other unforeseen circumstances that can skew normal operating results. Targets and bonuses are also subject to adjustment to prevent unreasonable results in the strict application of these formulas. Executives must generally be employed with the Company at the time the bonuses are paid out to receive the bonus. In addition, the Board can demand repayment to the Company of any cash bonuses paid in the event that (i) the executive’s misconduct caused the Company to restate its reported financial results; (ii) the reported results created a bonus that would not have been paid based on the restated results, or (ii) the executive engages in serious ethical misconduct. As indicated above, 75% of Mr. Dooley’s cash bonus is tied to achievement certain financial and strategic objectives of the Industrial Products Group, 60% of this portion of the target bonus (45% of the total target bonus) is 33 tied to achievement of financial objectives and 40% of this portion of the target bonus (30% of the total target bonus) is tied to the achievement of strategic objectives for the Industrial Products Group. The financial objective is based on an operating income target and each $2.5 million variance below target results in a 10% negative bonus variance. Each $1 million variance above the target results in a 10% positive bonus variance. The bonus payout is capped at 200% of the target amount. The strategic objectives are tied to achievement of various sales, customer service, and marketing initiatives including expanding the product line, efficiently managing supply chains and logistics capabilities, implementing new sales programs, expanding web market sales, and foreign expansion. In 2013, the Industrial Products Group achieved adjusted operating income of $39.5 million which resulted in an earned bonus of 90% of the bonus tied to this Industrial Products Group financial objective. The strategic objectives were met or substantially met, and Mr. Dooley achieved 90% of the bonus for this component. As described above, 50% of Mr. Lerner’s cash bonus is tied to achievement of certain legal group objectives, of this portion of the bonus (10% of total target bonus) is tied to cost management and 80% of this portion of the bonus (40% of total target bonus) is tied to achievement of individual strategic objectives including enhancing regulatory compliance, implementing technology solutions, and new litigation management tools, and enhancing the interaction of the Legal Department with the other business units. The cost management objective was achieved, and the strategic objectives were met or partially met, resulting in an 85% payout of this bonus component. 2012 NEO Cash Bonus Plan In 2012, pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan previously adopted by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting, our Compensation Committee, with input from our Chief Executive Officer, established our 2012 NEO Cash Bonus Plan (“2012 Bonus Plan”) providing for target cash bonuses for the NEOs based on the achievement of certain financial and non-financial performance-based criteria in 2012. The 2012 Bonus Plan implemented for 2012 the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and pertains specifically to the payment of non-equity incentive compensation to NEOs for 2012. The following discussion applies to 100% of the 2012 total non-equity incentive compensation for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold. For 2012, such financial and non-financial goals, the percentage of the executive’s entire cash bonus tied to such goals and the weighting of each component under such goal, were as follows: • Financial Goals (80% of total cash bonus target) – Adjusted Operating Income Growth (60%): The Compensation Committee believes this is the most important individual component and aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders, in addition to building long-term value. Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income adjusted for unusual or nonrecurring items as determined by our Compensation Committee. – Sales Growth (20%): The Compensation Committee believes top line sales growth is key to our Company achieving the scale necessary to remain competitive with larger companies. Sales are defined as sales revenue net of returns on a constant currency basis. • Non-Financial Goals for 2012 (20% of total cash bonus target) – Strategic Accomplishments (16%): These goals relate to various strategic initiatives including enhancing both the North American and EMEA Technology Product Group’s information technology systems, reducing our costs in Europe, expanding the Industrial business’ distribution capacity through the operation of our new distribution center, the development of a new online revenue channel for the Industrial business and the creation and implementation of a long-term incentive compensation program for the Company’s senior management. The Compensation Committee believes these initiatives will enhance the Company’s operational infrastructure and efficiency. 34 – Corporate Governance Goals (4%): These goals relate to continuing improvements in our internal control processes, ethics compliance procedures and safety protocols that the Compensation Committee believes will generally benefit stockholders. Achievement of each of the target financial goals generates a variable target bonus payment (base case); reduced bonuses are payable on a pro rata basis for each financial goal component, starting at achievement of in excess of 80% of the target financial goal component amount up to 140% of the target financial goal component amount. Each 1% variance in actual achievement from the 100% level generates a 5% variance in the target bonus amount for that component, and no bonus is payable in respect of these components if achievement is 80% or less of the target financial component goal amount. Increased bonuses (up to 300% of the target bonus amount for each component) are payable on a pro rata basis for each financial goal component amount achieved. The non-financial goals are measured based on whether or not the goal is either accomplished or not accomplished during the fiscal year. Under the 2012 Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee set the following cash bonus target amounts for each of Mr. Richard Leeds, Mr. Bruce Leeds, Mr. Robert Leeds and Mr. Reinhold, assuming achievement of the 2012 Bonus Plan financial and non-financial goals at 100% base case target levels: Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Lawrence Reinhold $1,100,000 $ 750,000 $ 750,000 $ 825,000 The Compensation Committee believes these bonus levels are appropriate for each of the named executive officers; these bonus levels are the same as those that were set for the named executive officers in 2011. The 2012 salary increases reflect the Compensation Committee’s view that such increases are appropriate in light of 2012 NEO bonuses being set at the same level as 2011. The 2012 Bonus Plan imposed a cap on the total bonus that could be payable to any executive whose bonus was 100% earned based upon the NEO plan at 260% of the target base case bonus. The Compensation Committee had the discretion to adjust financial targets based on such events as acquisitions or other one-time charges or gains, or other unforeseen circumstances that can skew normal operating results. Targets and bonuses are also subject to adjustment to prevent unreasonable results in the strict application of these formulas. Executives must generally be employed with the Company at the time the bonuses are paid out to receive the bonus. In addition, the Board can demand repayment to the Company of any cash bonuses paid in the event that (i) the executive’s misconduct caused the Company to restate its reported financial results; (ii) the reported results created a bonus that would not have been paid based on the restated results, or (ii) the executive engages in serious ethical misconduct. Compensation of NEOs in 2014 In determining the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for fiscal year 2014 and approving the compensation of the Company’s other NEOs, the Committee considered, among the other factors discussed above, the achievement of the performance based criteria established under the 2014 Bonus Plan. The Compensation Committee determined that the Company and management had performed adequately, particularly given trends in the general economic environment and in the technology products industry in which the Company competes that had affected the Company’s business throughout fiscal year 2014. It was the view of the Compensation Committee that management had executed acceptably on strategic business initiatives to position the Company for growth while managing risk. Based on Company and individual performance, the Compensation Committee believes that compensation levels for fiscal year 2014 were consistent with the philosophy and objectives of the Company’s compensation programs. The Company met or substantially met its 2014 corporate governance non-financial goals described above and met or substantially met its strategic goals. In this regard the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to provide partial achievement credit for one strategic goal that was only partially achieved, resulting in a 93.75% payout of this bonus component. The Company sales growth target of $3.35 billion was 100% achieved after adjusting for constant currency and removing the revenue generated from an acquisition completed in the Netherlands in June 2014, resulting in a 100% payout of this bonus component. Furthermore, the 35 Company partially achieved its 2014 adjusted operating income financial goal, resulting in a 35% payment of this bonus component. In this regard the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to effect adjustments (i.e., eliminating the effect on earnings of certain expenses that were outside the ordinary course of business) relating to restructuring charges in Europe, the Netherlands acquisition, recruitment costs related to the Hungary shared business center and special bonuses in the Industrial Products Group. Accordingly, pursuant to the 2014 Bonus Plan formulas, 2014 non-equity incentive plan/bonus compensation for each Named Executive Officer was paid at 60% of the target level. However, Richard Leeds requested that his bonus be reduced to $150,000, and Bruce and Robert Leeds each requested that their bonus be reduced to $100,000 each (a reduction of $651,000, $397,000 and $397,000 respectively). The 2014 threshold, target and maximum bonus amounts for each of our Named Executive Officers are found in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table on page 39. Employment Arrangements of the Named Executive Officers Richard Leeds Richard Leeds has no employment agreement and is an “at will” employee. Base salary accounted for 80% and bonus accounted for 17% of Mr. Leeds total cash compensation for 2014. Mr. Leeds salary for 2015 is set at $731,000. Mr. Leeds’ bonus for 2014 was determined as described above under the heading 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan. Bruce Leeds Bruce Leeds has no employment agreement and is an “at will” employee. Base salary accounted for 82% and bonus accounted for 14% of Mr. Leeds total cash compensation for 2014. Mr. Leeds salary for 2015 is set at $599,000. Mr. Leeds’ bonus for 2014 was determined as described above under the heading 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan. Robert Leeds Robert Leeds has no employment agreement and is an “at will” employee. Base salary accounted for 82% and bonus accounted for 14% of Mr. Leeds total cash compensation for 2014. Mr. Leeds salary for 2015 is set at $607,000. Mr. Leeds’ bonus for 2014 was determined as described above under the heading 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan. Lawrence Reinhold The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Reinhold on January 17, 2007. The agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $400,000 (which may be increased at the discretion of the Company) and a bonus (which the agreement states is expected to be at least equal to 50% of the base salary) assuming Mr. Reinhold meets certain performance objectives (including the Company’s financial performance objectives) established for him by the Company. He is entitled to receive a car allowance or a Company-leased car. Base salary accounted for 52% and bonus accounted for 46% of Mr. Reinhold’s total cash compensation for 2014. His salary for 2015 is set at $695,000. Mr. Reinhold’s bonus for 2014 was determined as described above under the heading 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan. Compensation that may become payable following the termination of his employment or a change in control of the company, and other terms of the employment agreement related to such events, are discussed below under “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” Robert Dooley Mr. Dooley has no employment agreement and is an “at will” employee. Base salary accounted for 56% and bonus accounted for 41% of Mr. Dooley’s total cash compensation for 2014. Mr. Dooley’s salary for 2015 is set at $475,000. Mr. Dooley’s bonus for 2014 was determined as described above under the heading 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan. 36 In March 2012, Mr. Dooley received a grant of 50,000 restricted stock units under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 5,000 units each, beginning March 1, 2013. In addition in March 2012 Mr. Dooley was granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (vesting over a period of four years with 25% of the options vesting on the first, second, third and fourth anniversary dates of the grant date). In March 2014, the Company entered into a performance award based special bonus agreement with Mr. Dooley. Pursuant to such bonus agreement, Mr. Dooley will have the ability to earn a $10,000,000 bonus, payable over three years from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2018 (half in cash and half in Company stock that is issued pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or at the Company’s option, all in cash). The bonus payment is based on the achievement of a cumulative threshold operating income target of the Industrial Products Group for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (and the maintenance of a minimum gross margin level in achieving such income level in each such year as well as for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018). This special bonus plan aligns Mr. Dooley’s incentives with long term employment and also aligns cumulative earnings of the Industrial Products Group with long-term stockholder value. Eric Lerner The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lerner on April 12, 2012. The agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $480,000 (which may be increased at the discretion of the Company) and a bonus (which the agreement states is expected to be at least equal to 50% of the base salary) assuming Mr. Lerner meets certain performance objectives (50% of such bonus is based on the performance objective for the Company under its NEO cash bonus plan for the applicable year and 50% of such bonus is based on the achievement of performance objectives established for him by the Company). He is entitled to receive a car allowance. Base salary accounted for 48% and bonus accounted for 32% of Mr. Lerner total cash compensation for 2014. Mr. Lerner’s salary for 2015 is set at $552,000. Mr. Lerner’s non-equity incentive compensation for 2014 was determined as described above under the heading 2014 NEO Cash Bonus Plan. In addition, he received $170,000 as a discretionary bonus in consideration of his overall performance in 2014, including significant cost savings achieved. Pursuant to his employment agreement, in May 2012 Mr. Lerner was granted an option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (vesting over a period of four years with 25% of the options vesting on the first, second, third and fourth anniversary dates of the grant date). In addition, his employment agreement provides on each of the first, second and third anniversary date of his commencement date he will receive an additional option to acquire at least an additional 25,000 shares of Company’s common stock (each grant will vest over a period of four years with 25% of the options for each grant vesting on the first, second, third and fourth anniversary dates of such grant dates). The decision by the Compensation Committee to award Mr. Lerner stock options was based on a desire to align his interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. Compensation that may become payable following the termination of his employment, and other terms of the employment agreement related to such event, are discussed below under “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” 37 Compensation Committee Report to Stockholders* The Compensation Committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, which appears in this proxy statement, with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement on Schedule 14A. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE Robert Rosenthal (Chairman) Stacy Dick Marie Adler-Kravecas * The information contained in this Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference into any such filing. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation The members of the Company’s Compensation Committee for fiscal year 2014 were Robert Rosenthal, Stacy Dick and Marie Adler-Kravecas. The Company does not employ any member of the Compensation Committee and no member of the Compensation Committee has ever served as an officer of the Company. In addition, none of our directors serving on the Compensation Committee has any relationship that requires disclosure under SEC regulations. 38 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table sets forth the compensation earned by the Named Executive Officers for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014: Name and Principal Position Richard Leeds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Leeds Vice Chairman Robert Leeds Vice Chairman and Chief Executive-North American Technology Products Group Lawrence Reinhold Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Dooley President of the Company’s Industrial Products Group Eric Lerner Senior Vice President and General Counsel Year 2014 2013 2012 2014 2013 2012 2014 2013 2012 2014 2013 2012 2014 2013 2014 2013 Bonus ($) Stock Awards ($) Option Awards ($) (1) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (2) All Other Compensation ($) 150,000 100,000 396,000 100,000 100,000 270,000 100,000 100,000 270,000 580,500 268,125 297,000 331,000 313,000 25,200(3) 16,800 21,477 25,200(3) 24,000 21,600 25,200(3) 24,000 21,600 29,100(4) 28,000 82,850 21,900(5) 22,750 Salary ($) 701,000 670,000 648,000 568,000 547,000 526,000 577,000 554,000 538,000 660,000 632,000 608,000 450,000 415,000 532,000 170,000 516,000 196,750 185,000 154,203 149,000 21,900(5) 21,750 Total ($) 876,200 786,800 1,065,477 693,200 671,000 817,600 702,200 678,000 829,600 1,269,600 928,125 987,850 802,900 750,750 1,105,650 840,953 (1) This column represents the fair value of the stock option on the grant date determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. As per SEC rules relating to executive compensation disclosure, the amounts shown exclude the impact of forfeitures related to service based vesting conditions. These amounts were calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For additional information regarding assumptions made in calculating the amount reflected in this column, please refer to Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2014. (2) The 2012 figures in this column represent the amount earned in fiscal year 2012 (although paid in fiscal year 2013) pursuant to the 2012 Bonus Plan; the 2013 figures in this column represent the amount earned in fiscal year 2013 (although paid in fiscal year 2014) pursuant to the 2013 Bonus Plan and the 2014 figures in this column represent the amount earned in fiscal year 2014 (although paid in fiscal year 2015) pursuant to the 2014 Bonus Plan. For more information, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below. Because these payments were based on predetermined performance metrics, these amounts are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan column. (3) Auto-related expenses. (4) Includes auto-related expenses ($25,200) and Company 401(k) contributions ($3,900). (5) Includes auto-related expenses ($18,000) and Company 401(k) contributions ($3,900). 39 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS The following table sets forth the estimated possible payouts under the cash incentive awards granted to our Named Executive Officers in respect of 2014 performance under the 2014 NEO Plan. Name Grant Date Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) Richard Leeds Bruce Leeds Robert Leeds Threshold ($) 268,000 Target ($) 1,340,000 Maximum ($) 3,484,000 166,500 832,500 2,164,500 166,500 832,500 2,164,500 Lawrence Reinhold 193,500 967,000 2,515,500 Robert Dooley 90,000 450,000 900,000 Eric Lerner 5/2/14 127,500 255,000 459,000 All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25,000(2) $16.61 $7.87 (1) (2) Amounts presented assume payment of threshold, target and maximum awards at the applicable level. The options awarded to Mr. Lerner in May 2014 vest in equal portions on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to certain restrictions and acceleration events. 40 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END 2014 The following table sets forth information regarding stock option and restricted stock awards previously granted which were outstanding at the end of fiscal year 2014. The market value of the unvested stock award is based on the closing price of one share of our common stock as of December 26, 2014, the last trading day of the 2014 fiscal year, which was $13.58. Option Awards Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable Stock Awards Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) Option Exercise Price ($) Option Expiration Date 100,000 50,000 100,000 37,500 10,000 25,000 - - - 12,500(1) - 25,000(1) $20.15 $11.51 $13.19 $14.30 $19.39 $18.73 1/17/17 3/13/18 5/18/19 11/14/21 - - 105,000(3) 70,000(4) - - $1,425,900 $950,600 6/7/17 3/1/22 - 40,000(5) - $543,200 12,500 6,250 - 12,500 (1) 18,750(1) 25,000(1)(2) $14.55 $9.53 $16.61 5/3/22 5/3/23 5/2/24 - - - - - - Name Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Options vest 25% per year over four years from date of grant. Not treated as outstanding on December 27, 2014. Restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 17,500 beginning May 15, 2011. Restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 beginning November 14, 2012. Restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 5,000 beginning March 1, 2013. 41 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED The following table sets forth information regarding exercise of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and vesting of restricted stock units by the Named Executive Officers that exercised options or whose restricted stock units vested during fiscal year 2014: Name Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner Option Awards Stock Awards Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) - Value Realized on Exercise ($) - Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) 17,500(2) 10,000(3) Value Realized on Vesting ($) (1) $270,375 $152,900 - - - - 5,000(4) $58,850 - - (1) (2) (3) (4) The amount in this column reflects the aggregate dollar amount realized upon the vesting of the restricted stock unit, determined by the market value of the underlying shares of common stock on the vesting date. Pursuant to a grant of restricted stock units on August 25, 2010, the restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 17,500 units each, beginning on May 15, 2011. Pursuant to a grant of restricted stock units on November 14, 2011, the restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units each, beginning on November 14, 2012. Pursuant to a grant of restricted stock units on March 1, 2012, the restricted stock units vest in ten equal annual installments of 5,000 units each, beginning on March 1, 2013. POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL Lawrence Reinhold Mr. Reinhold’s employment agreement is terminable upon death or total disability, by the Company for “cause” (as defined) or without cause, or by Mr. Reinhold voluntarily for any reason or for “good reason” (as defined). In the event of termination for death, disability, cause or voluntary termination by Mr. Reinhold, the Company will owe no further payments other than as applicable under disability or medical plans and any accrued but unused vacation time (up to four weeks). In the event of termination for disability or death, Mr. Reinhold would also receive the pro rata portion of any bonus which would otherwise be paid based on the average annual bonus received for the prior two years. If Mr. Reinhold resigns for good reason or if the Company terminates him for any reason other than disability, death or cause, he shall also receive in addition to the payments described above for other terminations, severance payments equal to 12 months’ base salary (or 24 months’ base salary if termination is within 60 days prior to or one year following a “change of control,” as defined), one year’s bonus based on his average annual bonus for the prior two years and a reimbursement of costs for COBRA insurance coverage. A “Change in Control” means: (i) approval by the stockholders of the Company of (I) a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of corporate transaction or series of transactions, in each case, with respect to which the Majority Stockholders (as defined) cease to own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least forty percent (40%) of the then outstanding shares of the Parent’s common stock or the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company’s then outstanding voting securities, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, or (II) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) the acquisition by any person, entity or “group”, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act, of beneficial ownership within the meaning of Rule 13-d promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act which would result in the Majority Stockholders ceasing to own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, at least forty percent (40%) of the then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock; or (iii) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 42 If Mr. Reinhold is terminated for cause, any unvested portion of his restricted stock units will terminate and be forfeited. In the event of a change in control, Mr. Reinhold will become immediately vested in all of the restricted stock units held by him as of the date of the change in control. If Mr. Reinhold’s employment is terminated without cause or for good reason, he will become immediately vested in all non-vested units and will become immediately entitled to a distribution of that number of shares of common stock of the Company that are represented by those vested restricted stock units. If Mr. Reinhold’s employment is terminated due to disability or death, his estate or designated beneficiary(ies), whichever is applicable, will become immediately vested in 50% of the non-vested restricted stock units. Pursuant to the Company’s standard option agreements, in the event Mr. Reinhold’s employment is terminated for any reason other than death, disability or cause, the vested portions of his options will be exercisable for up to three months, and the unvested portion will be forfeited. In the event of death or disability, the vested portion of his option will be exercisable for up to one year, and the unvested portion will be forfeited. In the event of termination for cause, all unexercised options (vested and unvested) will be forfeited. Robert Dooley Pursuant to Mr. Dooley’s restricted stock unit agreement, if Mr. Dooley is terminated for cause, any unvested portion of his restricted stock units will terminate and be forfeited. In the event of a change in control, Mr. Dooley will become immediately vested in all of the restricted stock units held by him as of the date of the change in control. If Mr. Dooley’s employment is terminated without cause or for good reason, he will become immediately vested in all non-vested units and will become immediately entitled to a distribution of that number of shares of common stock of the Company that are represented by those vested restricted stock units. If Mr. Dooley’s employment is terminated due to disability or death, his estate or designated beneficiary(ies), whichever is applicable, will become immediately vested in 50% of the non-vested restricted stock units. Eric Lerner Mr. Lerner’s employment agreement is terminable upon death or total disability, by the Company for “cause” (as defined) or without cause, or by Mr. Lerner voluntarily for any reason or for “good reason” (as defined). In the event of termination for death, disability, cause or voluntary termination by Mr. Lerner, the Company will owe no further payments other than as applicable under disability or medical plans and any accrued but unused vacation time (up to four weeks). In the event of termination for disability or death, Mr. Lerner would also receive the pro rata portion of any bonus which would otherwise be paid based on the average annual bonus received for the prior two years. If Mr. Lerner resigns for good reason or if the Company terminates him for any reason other than disability, death or cause, he shall also receive in addition to the payments described above for other terminations, severance payments equal to 12 months’ base salary, one year’s bonus based on his average annual bonus for the prior two years and a reimbursement of costs for COBRA insurance coverage for twelve months. Pursuant to the Company’s standard option agreements, in the event Mr. Lerner’s employment is terminated for any reason other than death, disability or cause, the vested portions of his options will be exercisable for up to three months, and the unvested portion will be forfeited. In the event of death or disability, the vested portion of his option will be exercisable for up to one year, and the unvested portion will be forfeited. In the event of termination for cause, all unexercised options (vested and unvested) will be forfeited. If Mr. Lerner’s employment is terminated without cause or for good reason within six months following a “change in control”, he will become immediately vested in all outstanding unvested stock options, and all of Mr. Lerner’s outstanding options shall remain exercisable in accordance with their terms, but in no event for less than 90 days after such termination. 43 Termination of Employment Without Change In Control The following table sets forth the severance payments that would have been made had the employment of Mr. Reinhold, Mr. Dooley or Mr. Lerner been terminated by the Company without cause or by them for “good reason” in a situation not involving a change in control, based on a hypothetical termination date of December 27, 2013, the last day of the Company’s fiscal year 2014, and using the closing price of our common stock on December 26, 2013, the last trading day of the 2014 fiscal year. These amounts are estimates and the actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the termination of the officer’s employment. Cash Compensation (Salary and Bonus) ($) 1,084,300(1) Value of Accelerated Vesting of Stock & Option Awards ($) 2,376,500(2) Medical and Other Benefits ($) 19,787(3) - 543,200(4) - 784,000(5) - 29,338(3) Total ($) 3,480,587 543,200 813,338 Name Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner (1) (2) Represents one year’s salary of $660,000 and an average yearly cash bonus of $424,300 paid to Mr. Reinhold for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Mr. Reinhold would also receive the bonus amount in the event of his death or disability. Represents accelerated vesting of 175,000 unvested restricted stock units granted to Mr. Reinhold if terminated without cause or for good reason. In the event of Mr. Reinhold’s death or disability, 87,500 restricted stock units (50% of the unvested restricted stock units at December 27, 2014) would vest, having a value of $1,188,250, based on a termination date of December 27, 2014 and using a closing price of our stock on December 26, 2014, the last trading day of the 2014 fiscal year. (3) Represents reimbursement of medical and dental insurance payments under COBRA for twelve months. (4) Represents accelerated vesting of 40,000 unvested restricted stock units granted to Mr. Dooley if terminated without cause or for good reason. In the event of Mr. Dooley’s death or disability, 20,000 restricted stock units (50% of the unvested restricted stock units at December 27, 2014) would vest, having a value of $271,600, based on a termination date of December 27, 2014 and using a closing price of our stock on December 26, 2014, the last trading day of the 2014 fiscal year. (5) Represents one year’s salary of $532,000 and an average yearly cash bonus of $252,000 paid to Mr. Lerner for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Mr. Lerner would also receive the bonus amount in the event of his death or disability. 44 Change In Control Payments The following table sets forth the change in control payments that would have been made based on a hypothetical change of control date of December 27, 2014, the last day of the Company’s fiscal year 2014, and using the closing price of our common stock on December 26, 2014, the last trading day of the 2014 fiscal year. These amounts are estimates and the actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the change of control. Cash Compensation (Salary and Bonus) ($) 1,744,300(1)(2) Value of Accelerated Vesting of Stock & Option Awards ($) 2,376,500 (3) Medical and Other Benefits ($) 19,786 (4) - 543,200 (5) - Total ($) 4,140,586 543,200 784,000 (6) 75,938 (7) 29,338 (8) 889,276 Name Lawrence Reinhold Robert Dooley Eric Lerner (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Represents two year’s salary of $660,000 and an average yearly cash bonus of $424,300 paid to Mr. Reinhold for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Payments are made to Mr. Reinhold only if he is terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” within 60 days prior to, or one year following, a Change of Control. Represents accelerated vesting of 175,000 unvested restricted stock units. Represents reimbursement of medical and dental insurance payments under COBRA for twenty-four months. Represents accelerated vesting of 40,000 unvested restricted stock units. Represents one year’s salary of $532,000 and an average yearly cash bonus of $252,000 paid to Mr. Lerner for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Represents accelerated vesting of 56,250 unvested stock options (only if terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” within six months following a Change of Control). 37,500 of such options on the hypothetical change of control date of December 27, 2014 had no intrinsic value. (8) Represents reimbursement of medical and dental insurance payments under COBRA for twelve months. 45 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION The Company’s policy is not to pay compensation to Directors who are also employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. Each non-employee Director receives annual compensation as follows: $65,000 per year as base compensation, $10,000 per year for each committee chair, except for the Audit Committee Chair who receives $20,000, and a grant each year of shares of Company stock (restricted for sale for two years) in an amount equal to $40,000 divided by the fair market value of such stock on the date of grant. The Lead Independent Director, currently Robert Rosenthal, also receives an additional $20,000 per year. The restricted stock grants are made pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2006 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. Directors are reimbursed for reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred for attending Board and Committee meetings and are covered by our travel accident insurance policy for such travel. Director Compensation For Fiscal Year 2014 The following table sets forth compensation information regarding payments in 2014 to our non-employee Directors: Name: Robert Rosenthal Stacy Dick Marie Adler-Kravecas Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) 105,000 85,000 65,000 Stock Awards ($)(1) 40,000 40,000 40,000 Total ($) 145,000 125,000 105,000 (1) This column represents the fair value of the stock award on the grant date determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. As per SEC rules relating to executive compensation disclosure, the amounts shown exclude the impact of forfeitures related to service based vesting conditions. For additional information regarding assumptions made in calculating the amount reflected in this column, please refer to Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2014. The following table presents the aggregate number of unvested restricted stock awards and stock option awards held by each of our non-employee Directors at the end of fiscal year 2014: Name: Robert Rosenthal Stacy Dick Marie Adler-Kravecas Stock Awards 6,709 6,709 6,709 Option Awards 7,000 7,000 5,000 46 PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Action is to be taken at the Annual Meeting to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accountants for the Company for fiscal year 2015. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and to be available to respond to appropriate questions. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. Principal Accounting Fees and Services The following are the fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP for services rendered during fiscal years 2013 and 2014: Audit and Audit-related Fees Ernst & Young billed the Company $2,649,900 for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2014 and its reviews of the interim financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-Q for that fiscal year and $1,998,000 for such services rendered for fiscal year 2013. In accordance with the SEC’s definitions and rules, “audit fees” are fees that were billed to the Company by Ernst & Young for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, to be included in the Form 10-K, and review of financial statements included in the Form 10-Qs; for the audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting with the objective of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects; for the attestation of management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and for services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. “Audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, including services in connection with assisting the company in its compliance with its obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related regulations. Tax Fees Tax fees included services for international tax compliance, planning and advice. Ernst & Young LLP billed the Company for professional services rendered for tax compliance, planning and advice in 2013 and 2014 an aggregate of $42,600 and $40,000, respectively. All Other Fees Other fees (i.e., those that are not audit fees, audit related fees, or tax fees) of $1,995 and $2,167 were billed by Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving every engagement of the Company’s independent registered public accountants to perform audit or non-audit services on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries before such accountants can be engaged to provide those services. The Audit Committee does not delegate its pre-approval authority. The Audit Committee has reviewed the services provided to the Company by Ernst & Young LLP and believes that the non-audit/review services it has provided are compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence. Stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants is not required by the Company’s By-Laws or other applicable legal requirement. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to continue to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee at its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent registered public accountants at any time during the year or thereafter if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. 47 Vote Required for Approval Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the issue. There are no rights of appraisal or dissenter’s rights as a result of a vote on this issue. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015, WHICH IS DESIGNATED AS PROPOSAL NO. 2. Solicitation of Proxies ADDITIONAL MATTERS We are using the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, Notice and Access rule that allows us to furnish our proxy materials over the internet to our stockholders instead of mailing paper copies of those materials to each stockholder. As a result, beginning on or about April 29, 2015, we sent to most of our stockholders by mail a notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials over the internet and vote online. This notice is not a proxy card and cannot be used to vote your shares. If you received only a notice this year, you will not receive paper copies of the proxy materials unless you request the materials by following the instructions on the notice or on the website referred to in the notice. The proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2014 are available at www.proxyvote.com. The cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail and over the internet, solicitations may also be made by personal interview, fax and telephone. Arrangements will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy material to their principals and the Company will reimburse them for expenses in so doing. Consistent with the Company’s confidential voting procedure, Directors, officers and other regular employees of the Company, as yet undesignated, may also request the return of proxies by telephone or fax, or in person. Stockholder Proposals Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting, including proposals for the nomination of Directors, must be received by December 31, 2015, to be considered for the 2016 annual meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Stockholders proposals should be mailed to Systemax Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050. Other Matters The Board does not know of any matter other than those described in this proxy statement that will be presented for action at the meeting. If other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named as proxies intend to vote the Shares they represent in accordance with their judgment. A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S FORM 10-K FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ALONG WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT www.proxyvote.com. Available Information The Company maintains an internet web site at www.systemax.com. The Company files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission and makes available free of charge on or through this web site its 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 web site (www.sec.gov). The information on the 48 Company’s web site or any report the Company files with, or furnishes to, the SEC is not part of this proxy statement. The Board has adopted the following corporate governance documents (the “Corporate Governance Documents”): • Corporate Ethics Policy for officers, Directors and employees; • Charter for the Audit Committee of the Board; • Charter for the Compensation Committee of the Board; • Charter for the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Board; and • 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 the Company’s Company web site (www.systemax.com). 49 SYSTEMAX INC. 11 HARBOR PARK DRIVE PORT WASHINGTON, NY 11050 VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. VOTE BY PHONE –1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. For All Withhold All For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the line below The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees 01 Richard Leeds 05 Stacy Dick 02 Bruce Leeds 06 Robert Rosenthal 03 Robert Leeds 07 Marie Adler-Kravecas 04 Lawrence Reinhold The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposal 2: 2. A Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2015 For Against Abstain NOTE: The shares represented by this proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder(s). If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR items 1 and 2. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, or if cumulative voting is required, the person named in this proxy will vote in their discretion. This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors and may be revoked. For address change/comments, mark here. (see reverse for instructions) Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. _____________________________________ Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] _________ Date ______________________ Signature (Joint Owners) __________ Date Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Proxy Statement & Annual Report is/are available at www.proxyvote.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYSTEMAX INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – JUNE 8, 2015 The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Eric Lerner and Thomas Axmacher, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of SYSTEMAX INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholder(s) to be held at 12:00 PM, EDT on June 8, 2015, at the Company’s Corporate Offices 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS, IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE Address change/comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side (Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side) SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 or For the transition period from to Commission File Number: 1-13792 Systemax Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 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 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes (cid:1) No (cid:1) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes (cid:1) No (cid:1) 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 (cid:1) No (cid:1) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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 (cid:1) No (cid:1) Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best knowledge of the registrant, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K. (cid:1) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a 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 (Check one): (cid:1) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (cid:1) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Delaware 11-3262067 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share New York Stock Exchange  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes (cid:1) No (cid:1) The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2014, which is the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $155,581,532. For purposes of this computation, all executive officers and directors of the Registrant and all parties to the Stockholders Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 have been deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed to be an admission that such persons are, in fact, affiliates of the Registrant. The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 4, 2015 was 36,813,158 shares. Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the Proxy Statement of Systemax Inc. relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof. Large Accelerated Filer (cid:1) Accelerated Filer (cid:1) Non-Accelerated Filer (cid:1) Smaller reporting company (cid:1) TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Part I Item 1. Business 4 General 4 Products 5 Sales and Marketing 5 Customer Service, Order Fulfillment and Support 6 Suppliers 6 Competition and Other Market Factors 7 Employees 7 Environmental Matters 8 Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations 8 Available Information 8 Item 1A. Risk Factors 9 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 17 Item 2. Properties 18 Item 3. Legal Proceedings 18 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 19 Part II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 20 Item 6. Selected Financial Data 21 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 21 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 37 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 37 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 37 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 37 Item 9B. Other Information 38 Part III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 39 Item 11. Executive Compensation 39 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 39 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 39 Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 39 Part IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 39 Signatures 43 PART I Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to Systemax Inc. (sometimes referred to as “Systemax,” the “Company” or “we”) include its subsidiaries. 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 or estimates of revenue, income or loss, exit costs, cash flow needs and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, expansion or restructuring plans, including our exit from the managing of retail stores and the focusing of our North American Technology Group operations on B2B customers, financing needs, compliance with financial covenants in loan agreements, the timely implementation of technology systems discussed below, plans for reorganizing our European operations, including timely integration of our new shared services center in Hungary, plans for acquisition or sale of assets or businesses and consolidation of operations of newly acquired businesses, including our recent acquisitions of SCC/Misco Solutions in the Netherlands and of Plant Equipment Group in the US, 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 report, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” and “plans” and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified based on current expectations. Consequently, future events and results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward looking statements contained in this report. Statements in this report, particularly in “Item 1. Business,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Item 3. Legal Proceedings,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describe certain factors, among others, that could contribute to or cause such differences. Other factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, but are not limited to, unanticipated developments in any one or more of the following areas, as well as other factors which may be detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings: 3 • risks involved with e-commerce, including possible loss of business and customer dissatisfaction if outages or other computer-related problems should preclude customer access to our products and services • our ability to timely and efficiently exit the retail store consumer electronics business and to invest in and expand our North American Technology Products B2B electronics business • our ability to timely and efficiently integrate acquired businesses, such as our recent acquisitions of SCC/Misco Solutions in the Netherlands and of Plant Equipment Group in the US • the Company’s management information systems and other technology platforms supporting our sales, procurement and other operations are critical to our operations and disruptions or delays, particularly as we continue to transition certain functions from our existing platforms to a new platform specifically developed for our needs, have occurred and could occur in the future, and if not timely addressed would have a material adverse effect on us • general economic conditions, such as decreased consumer confidence and spending and reductions in manufacturing capacity have contributed to our recent failure to achieve our historical sales growth rates and profit levels and could continue to impact our business • technological change, such as the integration of formerly separate products (for instance, cameras and GPS devices into cellular phones) and the effect of increased tablet sales on sales of PCs and laptop computers, have had and can continue to have a material effect on our product mix and results of operations • the markets for our products and services are extremely competitive and if we are unable to successfully respond to our competitors’ strategies our sales and gross margins will be adversely affected • our ecommerce operations must compete with large, expanding ecommerce retailers • sales tax laws or government enforcement priorities may be changed which could result in ecommerce and direct mail retailers having to collect sales taxes in states where the current laws and interpretations do not require us to do so • our substantial international operations are subject to risks such as fluctuations in currency rates, foreign regulatory requirements, political uncertainty and the management of our expanding international operations infrastructure, including our ability to timely and effectively continue to transition certain support operations to our shared services center in Hungary and effectively implement distribution logistics initiatives in Europe 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. General Recent developments On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation, as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017. After completion of these actions the Company will see a significant decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million. On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Industrial Products Group had completed its previously announced acquisition of the Plant Equipment Group, a business-to-business direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products, from TAKKT America for $25.9 million in cash; post-closing working capital adjustments were de minimus. Integration of this acquired business is in process and proceeding timely and efficiently. This acquisition expands the Company’s regional footprint and its market share. On June 12, 2014, the Company acquired SCC Services B.V. (“SCC”) (renamed Misco Solutions B.V.), a supplier of business-to-business IT products and services with operations in the Netherlands. The purchase price (after giving effect to the conversion of Euros to U.S. dollars) was approximately $7.3 million in cash (5.4 million Euro), $0.6 million (0.4 million Euro) of which was placed into an escrow account for one year to secure the sellers’ indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. Integration of this acquired business is in process and proceeding timely and efficiently. This acquisition expands the Company’s business in the Netherlands. Overview Systemax is primarily a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. Our operations are organized in two reportable business segments — Technology Products and Industrial Products. The Technology Products segment sells products categorized as Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) and Consumer Electronics (“CE”). These products include computers, computer supplies and consumer electronics which are marketed in North America, Puerto Rico and Europe. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured to our own design and marketed on a private label basis. Technology Products accounted for 84%, 86% and 89% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 4 • managing various inventory risks, such as being unable to profitably resell excess or obsolete inventory and/or the loss of product return rights and price protection from our vendors • meeting credit card industry compliance standards in order to maintain our ability to accept credit cards • significant changes in the computer products retail industry, especially relating to the distribution and sale of such products • timely availability of existing and new products • risks associated with delivery of merchandise to customers by utilizing common delivery services • borrowing costs or availability, including our ability to renew credit facilities • pending or threatened litigation and investigations • the availability of key personnel • the continuation of key vendor relationships • the ability to maintain satisfactory credit arrangements Item 1. Business. Our Industrial Products segment sells a wide array of industrial products and supplies categorized as Maintenance, Repair and Operations (“MRO”) which are marketed in North America and Mexico. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured to our own design and marketed on a private label basis . Industrial products accounted for 16%, 14%, and 11% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K for additional financial information about our business as well as information about our geographic operations. The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1995. Certain predecessor businesses which now constitute part of the Company have been in business since 1949. Our headquarters office is located at 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York. Products We offer hundreds of thousands of brand name and private label products. We endeavor to expand and keep current the breadth of our product offerings in order to fulfill the increasingly wide range of product needs of our customers. ICT products offered by our Technology Products segment include: computing products such as laptops, desktops and tablets; computer components and accessories; commercial and home networking; and software. CE products include TV and video; audio; cameras and surveillance; GPS; cell phones; video games and toys; home and electronics accessories. MRO products offered by our Industrial Products segment include material handling; storage and shelving; workbench and shop desks; packaging and supplies; furniture and office; foodservice and appliances; janitorial and maintenance; tools and instruments; fasteners and hardware; motors and power transmission; HVAC/R and fans; electrical and bulbs; plumbing supplies; and safety and medical items. Sales and Marketing We market our products to both business customers (“B2B”) and to individual consumers (“B2C”). Our B2B customers include for-profit businesses, educational organizations and government entities. We have developed numerous proprietary customer and prospect databases. To reach our B2C customers, we use online methods such as website campaigns, banner ads and e-mail campaigns. We are able to monitor and evaluate the results of our various advertising campaigns to enable us to execute them in the most cost-effective manner. We combine our use of e-commerce initiatives with catalog mailings, which generate online orders and calls to inbound sales representatives. These sales representatives use our information and distribution systems to fulfill orders and explore additional customer product needs. Sales to individual consumers are generally fulfilled from our own stock, requiring us to carry more inventory than we would for our business customers. As discussed above, we will be exiting the B2C retail store market during the first half of 2015. We also periodically take advantage of attractive product pricing by making opportunistic bulk inventory purchases with the objective of turning them quickly into sales. We have established a multi-faceted direct marketing system to business customers, consisting primarily of our relationship marketers, catalog mailings and proprietary internet websites, the combination of which is designed to maximize sales. Our relationship marketers focus their efforts on our business customers by establishing a personal relationship between such customers and a Systemax account manager. The goal of the relationship marketing sales force is to increase the purchasing productivity of current customers and to actively solicit newly targeted prospects to become customers. With access to the records we maintain, our relationship marketers are prompted with product suggestions to expand customer order values. In certain countries, we also have the ability to provide such customers with electronic data interchange (“EDI”) ordering and customized billing services, customer savings reports and stocking of specialty items specifically requested by these customers. Our relationship marketers’ efforts are supported by frequent catalog mailings and e-mail campaigns, both of which are designed to generate inbound telephone sales, and our interactive websites, which allow customers to purchase products directly over the Internet. We believe that the integration of our multiple marketing methods enables us to more thoroughly penetrate our business, educational and government customer base. We believe increased internet exposure leads to more internet-related sales and also generates more inbound telephone sales; just as we believe catalog mailings and email campaigns which feature our websites results in greater internet-related sales. 5 Table of Contents E-commerce The worldwide growth in active internet users has made e-commerce a significant opportunity for sales growth. The increase in our internet-related sales enables us to leverage our advertising spending. We currently operate multiple e-commerce sites, including: We are continually upgrading the capabilities and performance of these websites. Our internet sites feature online catalogs of hundreds of thousands of products, allowing us to offer a wider variety of computer and industrial products than our printed catalogs. Our customers have around-the-clock, online access to purchase products and we have the ability to create targeted promotions for our customers’ interests. In addition to our own e-commerce websites, we have partnering agreements with several of the largest internet shopping and search engine providers who feature our products on their websites or provide “click-throughs” from their sites directly to ours. These arrangements allow us to expand our customer base at an economical cost. Catalogs We currently produce a total of 9 full-line or direct mail publications in North America and Europe under distinct titles. Our portfolio of catalogs includes such established brand names as TigerDirect.com™, Misco®, Global Industrial™, Nexel™ and Inmac WStore®. We mail catalogs to both businesses and individual consumers. In the case of business mailings, we mail our catalogs to many individuals at a single business location, providing us with multiple points-of-contact. Our in-house staff designs all of our catalogs, which reduces overall catalog expense and shortens catalog production time. Our catalogs are printed by third parties under fixed pricing arrangements. The commonality of certain core pages of our catalogs also allows for economies of scale in catalog production. Continuing our focus on internet advertising, the distribution of our catalogs decreased to 10.4 million in 2014, which was 28.8% less than in the prior year. In 2014, we mailed approximately 7.1 million catalogs in North America, a 24.5% decrease from last year and approximately 3.3 million catalogs in Europe, or 36.5% fewer than mailed in 2013. Customer Service, Order Fulfillment and Support We receive orders through the Internet, by telephone, electronic data interchange and by fax. We generally provide toll-free telephone number access for our customers in countries where it is customary. Certain domestic call centers are linked to provide telephone backup in the event of a disruption in phone service. Certain of our products are carried in stock, and orders for such products are fulfilled on a timely basis directly from our distribution centers, typically within one day of the order. We utilize numerous sales and distribution facilities in North America and Europe. Orders are generally shipped by third-party delivery services. We maintain relationships with a number of large distributors in North America and Europe that also deliver products directly to our customers. We maintain a database of commonly asked questions for our technical support representatives, enabling them to respond quickly to similar questions. We conduct regular on-site training seminars for our sales representatives to help ensure that they are well trained and informed regarding our latest product offerings. Suppliers We purchase substantially all of our products and components directly from manufacturers and large wholesale distributors. In 2014, two vendors accounted for 10% or more of our purchases – one vendor was 12.6%, the other vendor was 11.6%. In 2013, one vendor accounted for 13.9% of our purchases and in 2012, no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases. The loss of these vendors, or any other key vendors, could have a material adverse effect on us. North America Europe http://biz.tigerdirect.com www.misco.co.uk www.tigerdirect.com www.misco.de www.tigerdirect.ca www.misco.fr www.tigerdirect.pr www.misco.nl www.infotelusa.com www.misco.it www.globalcomputer.com www.misco.es www.globalgoved.com www.misco.se www.globalindustrial.com www.misco.at www.globalindustrial.ca www.misco.ch www.globalindustrial.mx www.misco.be www.nexelwire.com www.misco.ie www.inmac-wstore.com www.miscosolutions.nl 6 Most private label products are manufactured by third parties to our specifications. Competition and Other Market Factors Technology Products The North American and European technology product markets are highly competitive, with many U.S., European and Asian companies vying for market share. There are few barriers to entry, with these products being sold through multiple channels of distribution, including direct marketers, computer resellers, mass merchants, over the Internet local and national retail computer stores, and by computer and office supply superstores. Timely introduction of new products or product features are critical elements to remaining competitive. Other competitive factors include product performance, quality and reliability, technical support and customer service, marketing and distribution and price. Some of our competitors have stronger brand-recognition, broader product lines and greater financial, marketing, manufacturing and technological resources than us. Conditions in the market for technology products remain highly competitive, resulting in our frequent discounting of product sales price as well as offering free or highly discounted freight. These actions have and may continue to adversely affect our revenues and profits. Additionally, we rely in part upon the introduction of new technologies and products by other manufacturers in order to sustain long-term sales growth and profitability. There is no assurance that the rapid rate of such technological advances and product development will continue. Current economic conditions in the United States, including eroding consumer demand, as well as ongoing difficulties in the various European countries where we operate, raise additional concerns as we believe the loss of consumer confidence in the Company’s markets together has resulted in a decrease of spending in the categories of products we sell. It is also possible that as manufacturers react to the marketplace they may reduce manufacturing capacity and create shortages of product. In March 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores, closing a distribution center, and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. See Recent Developments. Industrial Products The market for the sale of industrial products in North America is highly fragmented and is characterized by multiple distribution channels such as small dealerships, direct mail distribution, internet-based resellers, large warehouse stores and retail outlets. We also face competition from manufacturers’ own sales representatives, who sell industrial equipment directly to customers, and from regional or local distributors. Many high volume purchasers, however, utilize catalog distributors as their first source of product. In the industrial products market, customer purchasing decisions are primarily based on price, product selection, product availability, level of service and convenience. We believe that direct marketing via sales representatives, catalog and the Internet are effective and convenient distribution methods to reach mid-sized facilities that place many small orders and require a wide selection of products. In addition, because the industrial products market is highly fragmented and generally less brand oriented, it is well suited to private label products. Employees As of December 31, 2014, we employed a total of approximately 5,300 employees, of whom 3,500 were in North America and 1,800 were in Europe and Asia. Approximately 1,500 employees will be impacted by the reduction in force in connection with our exit from the retail store consumer electronics business. See Recent Developments. Seasonality As the Company has a significant portion of its sales in the North America consumer business market, the fourth quarter has historically represented the greatest portion of annual sales. Net sales have historically been modestly weaker during the second and third quarters as a result of lower business activity during those months. See Item 7, “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Seasonality”. 7 In March 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its B2B operations as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores and consumer operations. As a result the Company will see a substantial decline in retail revenues ; however the Company expects that its sales will be less seasonal in nature in the future. Environmental Matters Under various national, state and local environmental laws and regulations in North America and Western Europe, a current or previous owner or operator (including the lessee) of real property may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances at such real property. Such laws and regulations often impose liability without regard to fault. We lease most of our facilities. In connection with such leases, we could be held liable for the costs of removal or remedial actions with respect to hazardous substances. Although we have not been notified of, and are not otherwise aware of, any material real property environmental liability, claim or non-compliance, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to incur remediation or other costs in connection with real property environmental matters in the future. Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations We currently sell our products in North America (the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada) and Europe. Approximately 40.1%, 38.8%, and 37.8% of our net sales during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively were made by subsidiaries located outside of the United States. For information pertaining to our international operations, see Note 12, “Segment and Related Information,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. The following sets forth selected information with respect to our operations, excluding discontinued operations, in those two geographic markets (in millions): See Item 7, “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, for further information with respect to our operations. Available Information We maintain an internet website at www.systemax.com. We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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”): In accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, each of the Corporate Governance Documents is available on our Company website (www.systemax.com). 8 North America Europe and Asia Total 2014 Net sales $ 2,252.9 $ 1,189.9 $ 3,442.8 Operating (loss) $ (2.8 ) $ (23.1 ) $ (25.9 ) Identifiable assets $ 580.0 $ 314.9 $ 894.9 2013 Net sales $ 2,256.9 $ 1,095.4 $ 3,352.3 Operating (loss) $ (14.9 ) $ (5.7 ) $ (20.6 ) Identifiable assets $ 610.2 $ 332.0 $ 942.2 2012 Net sales $ 2,417.6 $ 1,126.7 $ 3,544.3 Operating (loss) $ (63.6 ) $ 23.7 $ (39.9 ) Identifiable assets $ 642.9 $ 319.4 $ 962.3 • 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 There are a number of factors and variables described below that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition. Other factors of which we are currently not aware or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our results of operations and financial position. Risks Related to the Economy and Our Industries Current economic conditions may cause the loss of consumer confidence in the Company’s domestic and international markets which we believe resulted in a decrease of spending in the categories of products we sell in 2012, 2013 and 2014. With conditions in the market for technology products remaining highly competitive, reductions in our selling prices, as we have experienced in recent years, have adversely affected our revenues and profits and could continue to do so in the future. It is also possible that as manufacturers react to the marketplace they may reduce manufacturing capacity or allocations to their customers creating shortages of product. Both we and our customers are subject to global political, economic and market conditions, including inflation, interest rates, energy costs, the impact of natural disasters, military action and the threat of terrorism. Our consolidated results of operations are directly affected by economic conditions in North America and Europe. We may experience a decline in sales as a result of poor economic conditions and the lack of visibility relating to future orders, which occurred in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Our results of operations depend upon, among other things, our ability to maintain and increase sales volumes with existing customers, our ability to limit price reductions and maintain our margins, our ability to attract new customers and the financial condition of our customers. A decline in the economy that adversely affects our customers, causing them to limit or defer their spending, would likely adversely affect our sales, prices and profitability as well, which occurred in 2012, 2013 and 2014. We cannot predict with any certainty whether we will be able to maintain or improve upon historical sales volumes with existing customers, or whether we will be able to attract new customers. In response to economic and market conditions, from time to time we have undertaken initiatives to reduce our cost structure where appropriate. These initiatives, as well as any future workforce and facilities reductions, may not be sufficient to meet current and future changes in economic and market conditions and allow us to continue to achieve the growth rates and re-attain the levels of profitability we experienced prior to the recent market downturns. In addition, costs actually incurred in connection with our restructuring actions may be higher than our estimates of such costs and/or may not lead to the anticipated cost savings. As more particularly describe below, on March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its business to business (''B2B'') operations. We may not be able to compete effectively with current or future competitors. The markets for our products and services are intensely competitive and subject to constant technological change. The integration of formerly separate products such as cameras and GPS devices into cell phones, and the adverse impact of the boom in tablets sales on PC and laptop sales, demonstrate how rapid technological change can significantly affect the markets for the products we sell. We expect this competition and technological change to further intensify in the future. Competitive factors include price, availability, service and support. Our ecommerce business faces pressure from competing with large, expanding ecommerce retailers. Many of our competitors are larger companies with greater financial, marketing and product development resources than ours. The market for the sale of industrial products in North America is highly fragmented and is characterized by multiple distribution channels such as small dealerships, direct mail distribution, internet-based resellers, large warehouse stores and retail outlets. We also face competition from manufacturers’ own sales representatives, who sell industrial equipment directly to customers, and from regional or local distributors. In addition, new competitors may enter our markets. This may place us at a disadvantage in responding to competitors’ pricing strategies, technological advances and other initiatives, resulting in our inability to increase our revenues or maintain our gross margins in the future. 9 Item 1A. Risk Factors. • General economic conditions, such as decreased consumer confidence and spending and reductions in manufacturing capacity have and could continue to result in our failure to achieve our historical sales growth rates and profit levels. • The markets for our products and services are extremely competitive and if we are unable to successfully respond to our competitors’strategies our sales and gross margins will be adversely affected. In most cases our products compete directly with those offered by other manufacturers and distributors. If any of our competitors were to develop products or services that are more cost-effective or technically superior, demand for our product offerings could decrease. Our gross margins are also dependent on the mix of products we sell and could be adversely affected by a continuation of our customers’shift to lower-priced products. Our United States subsidiaries collect and remit sales tax in states in which the subsidiaries have physical presence or in which we believe sufficient nexus exists which obligates us to collect sales tax. Other states may, from time to time, claim that we have state-related activities constituting physical nexus to require such collection. Additionally, many other states seek to impose sales tax collection or reporting obligations on companies that sell goods to customers in their state, or directly to the state and its political subdivisions, regardless of physical presence. Such efforts by states have increased recently, as states seek to raise revenues without increasing the income tax burden on residents. We rely on United States Supreme Court decisions which hold that, without Congressional authority, a state may not enforce a sales tax collection obligation on a company that has no physical presence in the state and whose only contacts with the state are through the use of interstate commerce such as the mailing of catalogs into the state and the delivery of goods by mail or common carrier. We cannot predict whether the nature or level of contacts we have with a particular state will be deemed enough to require us to collect sales tax in that state nor can we be assured that Congress or individual states will not approve legislation authorizing states to impose tax collection or reporting obligations on all e-commerce and/or direct mail transactions. A successful assertion by one or more states that we should collect sales tax on the sale of merchandise could result in substantial tax liabilities related to past sales and would result in considerable administrative burdens and costs for us and may reduce demand for our products from customers in such states when we charge customers for such taxes. We insure for certain property and casualty risks consisting primarily of physical loss to property, business interruptions resulting from property losses, worker’s compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability. Insurance coverage is obtained for catastrophic property and casualty exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. Although we believe that our insurance coverage is reasonable, significant events such as acts of war and terrorism, economic conditions, judicial decisions, legislation, natural disasters and large losses could materially affect our insurance obligations and future expense. Risks Related to Our Company We rely on a variety of information and telecommunications systems in our operations. Our success is dependent in large part on the accuracy and proper use of our information systems, including our telecommunications systems. To manage our growth, we continually evaluate the adequacy of our existing systems and procedures, and are engaged in transitioning key features of our current information and operating systems to a new platform we have developed specifically for our needs; delays or operational problems in effectively implementing the transition could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We anticipate that we will regularly need to make capital expenditures to upgrade and modify our management information systems, including software and hardware, as we grow and the needs of our business change. The occurrence of a significant system failure, electrical or telecommunications outages or our failure to expand or successfully implement new systems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. 10 • Sales tax laws may be changed or interpreted differently which could result in ecommerce and direct mail retailers having to collect sales taxes in states where the current laws do not require us to do so. This could reduce demand for our products in such states and could result in us having substantial tax liabilities for past sales. • Events such as acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters, changes in law, or large losses could adversely affect our insurance coverage and insurance expense, resulting in an adverse affect on our profitability and financial condition. • We rely to a great extent on our information and telecommunications systems, and significant system failures or outages, or our failure to properly evaluate, upgrade or replace our systems, or the failure of our security/safety measures to protect our systems and websites, could have an adverse affect on our results of operations. Our information systems networks, including our websites, and applications could be adversely affected by viruses or worms and may be vulnerable to malicious acts such as hacking. The availability and efficiency of sales via our websites could also be adversely affected by “denial of service” attacks and other unfair competitive practices. Although we take preventive measures, these procedures may not be sufficient to avoid harm to our operations, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation , as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017 . After completion of these actions the Company will see a substantial decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million. There can be no assurance the Company will timely realize the level of proceeds it expects from the liquidation of the retail store inventory or that it will be able to timely exit its existing lease commitments at expected costs levels. Failure to achieve these expectations will result in increased cash exit costs for the Company and could have a material adverse effect on its operating results. The Company believes it will be able to maintain its key B2B vendor relationships despite decreases in previous levels of purchasing from those venders attributable to the closed retail store business; however, there can be no assurance the Company will not experience difficulties with certain vendor relationships. There can be no assurance the Company can effectively transition former customers of its retail stores to become customers of the Company’s online websites. There can be no assurance that the exit activities described above , and the accelerated focusing of our efforts on B2B operations , will be sufficient to stabilize our North America Technology Products business and allow for the growth of our B2B business . There is no assurance that our marketing and merchandising strategies will improve our operating results. There are risks and uncertainties associated with effecting acquisition transactions, particularly in integrating and managing the combined operations, technologies, technology platforms and products of the acquired companies and realizing the anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner. Our failure to do so could result in substantial costs and delays or other operational, technical or financial problems. Integration efforts also may divert management attention and resources. We have made two acquisitions in the past twelve months, and there is a risk that integration difficulties or a significant decline in revenues of the acquired business may cause us not to realize expected benefits from the transactions and may affect our results. The success of these acquisitions depends on our ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining the acquired businesses with our existing business, including growing the revenues of the acquired businesses through cross selling and other initiatives. We may not be able to achieve these objectives, in whole or in part, or be able to do so in a timely manner. Furthermore, the acquired businesses are, and will in the short term continue to be, engaged in transitioning their businesses from the existing IT platforms on which they operate (and which are licensed from the sellers of those businesses under standard transition services agreements) to our IT platforms. This transition is complicated and affects many inter-related business functions; if we are unable to timely and effectively affect the IT transition aspect of the integration, or fail to do so without disruption, the acquired businesses operations and our results would be materially adversely affected. The integration process, and the issues that can arise, can be complex and unforeseen operating challenges or unbudgeted situations can occur. Additional risks in acquisition transactions may include our inability to timely and effectively integrate the acquired company’s accounting, human resource, and other administrative systems, and coordination of product, sales and marketing functions. In the case of foreign acquisitions, such as the acquisition of SCC/Misco, we will need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries. Subject to certain exceptions, generally we will be responsible for the liabilities and obligations of the acquired businesses incurred or occurring prior to acquisition, including contingent liabilities. In this regard, we rely heavily on the representations and warranties provided to us by the sellers of acquired companies, including as they relate to compliance with laws and contractual requirements. If any of these representations and warranties is inaccurate or breached, such inaccuracy or breach could result in costly litigation and assessment of liability for which there may not be adequate recourse against such sellers, in part due to contractual time limitations and limitations of liability. 11 • We are accelerating our focus on our B2B technology business and exiting the retail store consumer electronics business; the success of our North America Technology Products segment is dependent on our ability to grow our B2B business. • We have recently completed two acquisitions; our operations will be impacted by our ability to timely and efficiently transition and integrate those acquisitions with the rest of our business in the US and EMEA. In addition difficulties in integrating acquired companies systems, controls, policies and procedures to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 may occur. Finally, potential accounting charges to the extent intangibles recorded in connection with an acquisition, such as goodwill, trademarks, customer relationships or intellectual property, are later determined to be impaired and written down in value. We opened our new shared services center in Budapest, Hungary during the second quarter of 2013 to facilitate the continued growth of our European Technology Products business. This new facility provides administrative and back office services for the existing European business, will help drive operational efficiencies and better serve the Company's pan-European operating strategy, and will serve as the sales location for future business in Eastern Europe. As an incentive to locate in Hungary, the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency (“HITA”) agreed to reimburse the Company for approximately 8% of payroll costs, up to a maximum of approximately $3.1 million, for the first 505 employees hired at the shared service center. The reimbursement is limited to the first twenty four months of employment for employees hired by December 2015 with all such reimbursements being completed by December 2017. In return for this incentive, the Company has committed to maintaining certain employment levels through 2020. Failure by the Company to maintain these employment levels will result in the repayment of a portion or all of the related reimbursements we may receive with interest. Our efforts to operate our European business in a more centralized manner, rather than on an individual country by country basis, requires us to implement changes in our business processes, eliminate redundancies, relocate and/or hire new personnel, transition our information management systems, and integrate the new operation into our existing business seamlessly and without disruption to our operations, customers and vendors. However, changes in economic, regulatory or political conditions in Hungary, delays or operational problems in transitioning our information management systems, which we have experienced, a lower than expected impact of the facility on the Company’s European operations, costs and capital expenditures, the ability to timely hire and train new employees in Hungary, and delays, impediments or other problems associated with its establishment, could all have a material adverse effect on our European operations and our results of operations. We purchase a substantial portion of our technology products from major distributors and directly from large manufacturers who may deliver those products directly to our customers. These relationships enable us to make available to our customers a wide selection of products without having to maintain large amounts of inventory. The termination or interruption of our relationships with any of these suppliers could materially adversely affect our business. We purchase a number of our products from vendors outside of the United States. Difficulties encountered by one or several of these suppliers could halt or disrupt production and delay completion or cause the cancellation of our orders. Delays or interruptions in the transportation network could result in loss or delay of timely receipt of product required to fulfill customer orders. Our ability to find qualified vendors who meet our standards and supply products in a timely and efficient manner is a significant challenge, especially with respect to goods sourced from outside the U.S. Political or financial instability, merchandise quality issues, product safety concerns, trade restrictions, work stoppages, tariffs, foreign currency exchange rates, transportation capacity and costs, inflation, civil unrest, outbreaks of pandemics and other factors relating to foreign trade are beyond our control. These and other issues affecting our vendors could materially adversely affect our revenue and gross profit . 12 • The establishment and integration of our shared service center in Hungary exposes us to various technology, regulatory and economic risks. • We rely on third party suppliers for most of our products and services. The loss or interruption of these relationships could impact our sales volumes, the levels of inventory we must carry, and/or result in sales delays and/or higher inventory costs from new suppliers. Co-operative advertising and other sales incentives provided by our suppliers have decreased and could decrease further in the future thereby increasing our expenses and adversely affecting our results of operations and cash flows. Many product suppliers provide us with co-operative advertising support in exchange for featuring their products in our catalogs and on our internet sites. Certain suppliers provide us with other incentives such as rebates, reimbursements, payment discounts, price protection and other similar arrangements. These incentives are offset against cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses, as applicable. The level of co-operative advertising support and other incentives received from suppliers has declined and may decline further in the future, increasing our cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses and have an adverse effect on results of operations and cash flows. The Company has made acquisitions in the past of other businesses and these acquisitions resulted in the recording of significant intangible assets and/or goodwill. We are required to test goodwill and intangible assets annually to determine if the carrying values of these assets are impaired or on a more frequent basis if indicators of impairment exist. If any of our goodwill or intangible assets are determined to be impaired we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in the period during which the impairment is discovered. In the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2013, our North American Technology Products segment recorded impairment charges of intangible assets of $0.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and in 2013 impairment charges were also recorded related to goodwill. Although the carrying amounts of intangible assets and goodwill are relatively small as of December 31, 2014, to the extent the Company makes acquisitions in the future there could again be material amounts of such assets recorded and subject to future impairment testing. We operate internationally and as a result, we are subject to risks associated with doing business globally, such as risks related to the differing legal, political and regulatory requirements and economic conditions of many jurisdictions. Risks inherent to operating internationally include: The functional currencies of our businesses outside of the U.S. are the local currencies. Changes in exchange rates between these foreign currencies and the U.S. Dollar will affect the recorded levels of our assets, liabilities, net sales, cost of goods sold and operating margins and could result in exchange gains or losses. The primary currencies to which we have exposure are the European Union Euro, Canadian Dollar, British Pound Sterling, and the U.S. Dollar. Exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. Dollar in recent years have fluctuated significantly and may do so in the future. Our operating results and profitability may be affected by any volatility in currency exchange rates and our ability to manage effectively our currency transaction and translation risks. For example, we currently have operations located in numerous countries outside the United States, and non-U.S. sales accounted for approximately 40.1% of our revenue during 2014. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, our foreign revenues and profits will be reduced when translated into U.S. dollars. Our inventory is subject to risk due to technological change and changes in market demand for particular products. If we fail to manage our inventory of older products we may have excess or obsolete inventory. We may have limited rights to return purchases to certain suppliers and we may not be able to obtain price protection on these items. The elimination of purchase return privileges and lack of availability of price protection could lower our gross margin or result in inventory write-downs. We also take advantage of attractive product pricing by making opportunistic bulk inventory purchases; any resulting excess and/or obsolete inventory that we are not able to re-sell could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Any inability to make such bulk inventory purchases may significantly impact our sales and profitability. 13 • Goodwill and intangible assets may become impaired resulting in a charge to earnings. • Our substantial international operations are subject to risks such as fluctuations in currency rates (which can adversely impact foreign revenues and profits when translated to US Dollars), foreign regulatory requirements, political uncertainty and the management of our growing international operations . • Changes in a country’s economic or political conditions • Changes in foreign currency exchange rates • Difficulties with staffing and managing international operations • Unexpected changes in regulatory requirements • Changes in transportation and shipping costs • Enforcement of intellectual property rights • We are exposed to various inventory risks, such as being unable to profitably resell excess or obsolete inventory and/or the loss of product return rights and price protection from our vendors; such events could lower our gross margins or result in inventory write-downs that would reduce reported future earnings. We require significant levels of capital in our business to finance accounts receivable and inventory. We maintain credit facilities in the United States to finance increases in our working capital if available cash is insufficient. The amount of credit available to us at any point in time may be adversely affected by the quality or value of the assets collateralizing these credit lines. In addition, in recent years global financial markets have experienced diminished liquidity and lending constraints. Our ability to obtain future and/or increased financing to satisfy our requirements as our business expands could be adversely affected by economic and market conditions, credit availability and lender perception of our Company and industry . Although our current credit facility expires in October 2015, we currently have no reason to believe that we will not be able to renew or replace our facilities when they reach maturity. Our United States revolving credit agreement contains covenants restricting or limiting our ability to, among other things: If we fail to comply with the covenants and other requirements set forth in the credit agreement, we would be in default and would need to negotiate a waiver agreement with the lenders. Failure to agree on such a waiver could result in the lenders terminating the credit agreement and demanding repayment of any outstanding borrowings, which could adversely affect our cash position and adversely affect the availability of financing to us, which could materially impact our operations. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 1,800 employees located in Europe and Asia. We have workers’ councils representing the employees of our France, Germany, and Netherlands operations, and trade unions representing our employees in Italy and Sweden and elected employee representatives for our employees in the United Kingdom and Spain. Most of these European employees are employed in countries in which employment laws provide greater bargaining or other rights to employees than the laws of the U.S. Such employment rights require us to work collaboratively with the legal representatives of the employees to effect any changes to labor arrangements. For example, most of our employees in Europe are represented by unions or workers’ councils that must approve certain changes in conditions of employment, including salaries and benefits and staff changes, and may impede efforts to restructure our workforce. Although we believe that we have a good working relationship with our employees, a strike, work stoppage or slowdown by our employees or significant dispute with our employees could result in a significant disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs. The Company needs to effectively manage its cost structure including the additional inventory needs, retail point of sales IT systems, retail personnel and leased facilities. Future growth in our North America Technology Products segment will be dependent on our ability to expand our B2B operations, to attract customers to our online consumer electronics offerings and to build brand loyalty. The retail computer and consumer electronics business is highly competitive and has narrow gross margins. If we fail to manage our growth and cost structure while maintaining high levels of service and meeting competitive pressures adequately, our business plan may not be achieved and may lead to reduced profitability . As stated previously, the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on B2B operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores, closing a distribution center, and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources solely with a B2B focus as well transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales . 14 • We depend on bank credit facilities to address our working capital and cash flow needs from time to time, and if we are unable to renew or replace these facilities, or borrowing capacity were to be reduced our liquidity and capital resources may be adversely affected. • If we fail to observe certain restrictions and covenants under our credit facilities the lenders could refuse to waive such default, terminate the credit facility and demand immediate repayment, which would adversely affect our cash position and materially adversely affect our operations. • incur additional debt • create or permit liens on assets • make capital expenditures or investments • pay dividends • Our European employees are represented by unions or workers’ councils or are employed subject to local laws that are less favorable to employers than the laws of the U.S. • We will operate three remaining retail stores in North America and Puerto Rico, and will continue to operate our online consumer electronics business; we must effectively manage our cost structure, such as inventory needs, point of sales systems and personnel as we accelerate our B2B business and seek to convert retail store customers to our online websites. Similar to other companies in the technology products industry, we advertise manufacturers’ mail-in rebates on many products we sell and, in some cases, offer our own rebates. These rebates are processed through third party vendors and in house. If these rebates are not processed in a timely and satisfactory manner by either third party vendors or our in house operations, our reputation in the marketplace could be negatively impacted. The computer and consumer electronics industry is highly price competitive and gross profit margins are narrow and variable. The Company’s ability to further reduce prices in reaction to competitive pressure is limited. Additionally, gross margins and operating margins are affected by changes in factors such as vendor pricing, vendor rebate and/or price protection programs, product return rights, and product mix. In 2014 pricing pressure continued to be prevalent in the markets we serve and we expect this to continue. We may not be able to mitigate these pricing pressures and resultant declines in sales and gross profit margin with cost reductions in other areas or expansion into new product lines. If we are unable to proportionately mitigate these conditions our operating results and financial condition may suffer. In processing our sales orders we often collect personal information and credit card information from our customers. The Company has privacy and data security policies in place which are designed to prevent security breaches, however, if a third party or a rogue employee or employees are able to bypass our network security, “hack into” our systems or otherwise compromise our customers’ personal information or credit card information, we could be subject to liability. This liability may include claims for identity theft, unauthorized purchases and claims alleging misrepresentation of our privacy and data security practices or other related claims. While the Company believes it conforms to appropriate Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) security standards where necessary for its various businesses, any breach involving the loss of credit card information may lead to PCI related fines in the millions of dollars. In the event of a severe breach, credit card providers may prevent our accepting of credit cards. Any such liability related to the aforementioned risks could lead to reduced profitability and damage our brand(s) and/or reputation. The use of individually identifiable consumer data is regulated at the state, federal and international levels and we incur costs associated with information security – such as increased investment in technology and the costs of compliance with consumer protection laws. Additionally, our internet operations and website sales depends upon the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks, including the use of cashless payments. While we have taken significant steps to protect customer and confidential information, there can be no assurance that advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, the efforts of “hackers” and cyber criminals or other developments will prevent the compromise of our customer transaction processing capabilities and our customers’ personal data. If any such compromise of our security were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operating results and financial condition and could subject us to litigation. Failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions could increase our expenses. Increased sales to individual consumers, which are more likely to be paid for using a credit card, increases our exposure to fraud. We employ technology solutions to help us detect the fraudulent use of credit card information. However, if we are unable to detect or control credit card fraud, we may suffer losses as a result of orders placed with fraudulent credit card data, which could adversely affect our business. 15 • The failure to timely and satisfactorily process manufacturers’ and our own rebate programs could negatively impact our customer satisfaction levels . • We may be unable to reduce prices in reaction to competitive pressures, or implement cost reductions or new product line expansion to address gross profit and operating margin pressures; failure to mitigate these pressures could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition . • We would be exposed to liability, including substantial fines and penalties and, in extreme cases, loss of our ability to accept credit cards, in the event our privacy and data security policies and procedures are inadequate to prevent security breaches of our consumer personal information and credit card information records. • Failure to protect the integrity, security and use of our customers’ information could expose us to litigation and materially damage our standing with our customers. • Sales to individual customers expose us to credit card fraud, which impacts our operations. If we fail to adequately protect ourselves from credit card fraud, our operations could be adversely impacted. Our business depends largely on the efforts and abilities of certain key senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of such key personnel could have a material adverse affect on our business and financial results. From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits or other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. These may relate to, for example, patent, trademark or other intellectual property matters, employment law matters, states sales tax claims on internet/ecommerce transactions, product liability, commercial disputes, consumer sales practices, or other matters. In addition, as a public company we could from time to time face claims relating to corporate or securities law matters. The defense and/or outcome of such lawsuits or proceedings could have a material adverse affect on our business. See “Legal Proceedings”. Following the previously reported independent investigation of Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino by our Audit Committee in 2011 (in response to a whistleblower report) for a variety of improper acts, the subsequent termination of their employment and the entering into by Gilbert Fiorentino of a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on November 20, 2014 the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Southern District of Florida announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud TigerDirect and Systemax. Specifically, the charges set forth a scheme to obtain kickbacks and other benefits, and to conceal this illicit income from the IRS, all while Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were employed as senior executives at the Company’s North America Technology Products business. On December 2, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had pled guilty to various charges, and on March 3, 2015, Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were sentenced to sixty and eighty months’imprisonment, respectively. Following completion of their sentences, each is to be placed on supervised release for a period of thirty-six months. The Court also set a restitution hearing for April 10, 2015 to determine the amount of restitution Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino are obligated to pay the Company. As previously disclosed in a Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2015, on January 27, 2015, the senior financial officer of the Company's North American Technology Products segment testified before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to a subpoena. The USAO has not advised the Company as to the nature or scope of the grand jury proceeding. Further, the Company's Audit Committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, is cooperating with a current investigation by the USAO into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation regarding possible executive officer conflicts of interest and conduct related to internal controls and books and records. The Company's independent accountants and another adviser have also received a grand jury subpoena to appear and submit documents in that regard. The Company does not currently believe these matters have had or will have a material effect on the Company's previously reported consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible at this time to predict when the current investigation will be completed; what subject(s) will be investigated; what actions, if any, may be taken by the government as a result of its investigation; or whether any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company. 16 • Our business is dependent on certain key personnel. • We are subject to litigation risk due to the nature of our business, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business. Changes in our income tax expense due to changes in the mix of U.S. and non-U.S. revenues and profitability, changes in tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our profitability. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate has been in the past and could be in the future adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, restrictions on utilization of tax benefits, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws or by material audit assessments. The carrying value of our deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income in those jurisdictions. In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to audit in our various jurisdictions and a material assessment by a tax authority could affect our profitability. During 2014 the Company recorded non-cash valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets of its subsidiary in the U.K. of approximately $1.7 million. A change in accounting standards or practices can have a significant effect on our reported results of operations. New accounting pronouncements and interpretations of existing accounting rules and practices have occurred and may occur in the future. Changes to existing rules may adversely affect our reported financial results. Richard Leeds, Robert Leeds, and Bruce Leeds (each are brothers and directors and executive officers of the Company), together with trusts for the benefit of certain members of their respective families and other entities controlled by them, control approximately 70% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Due to such holdings, the Leeds brothers together with these trusts and entities are able to determine the outcome of virtually all matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the appointment of management, amendment of our articles of incorporation, significant corporate transactions (such as a merger or other sale of our company or our assets), the payments of dividends on our common stock and the entering into of extraordinary transactions. Further, a s a "controlled company" under NYSE rules, the Company has elected to opt-out of certain New York Stock Exchange listing standards that, among other things, require listed companies to have a majority of independent directors on their board; the Company does however currently have an independent Audit, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE and is thinly traded. Volatility of thinly traded stocks is typically higher than the volatility of more liquid stocks with higher trading volumes. The trading of relatively small quantities of shares of common stock by our stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. This may result in volatility in our stock price and could exacerbate the other volatility-inducing factors described below. The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations as a result of being thinly traded. None. 17 • Our profitability can be adversely affected by changes in our income tax exposure due to changes in tax rates or laws, changes in our effective tax rate due to changes in the mix of earnings among different countries, restrictions on utilization of tax benefits and changes in valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. • Changes in accounting standards or practices, as well as new accounting pronouncements or interpretations, may require us to account for and report our financial results in a different manner in the future, which may be less favorable than the manner used historically. • Concentration of Ownership and Control Limits Stockholders Ability to Influence Corporate Actions • Risk of Thin Trading and Volatility of our Common Stock Could Impact Stockholder Value Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. We operate our business from numerous facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. These facilities include our headquarters location, administrative offices, telephone call centers, distribution centers and retail stores. Certain facilities handle multiple functions. Most of our facilities are leased; certain are owned by the Company. North America As of December 31, 2014 we have five distribution centers in North America which aggregate approximately 1.9 million square feet, all of which are leased. Our headquarters, administrative offices and call centers aggregate approximately 392,000 square feet, all of which are leased. The following table summarizes the geographic location of our North America stores at the end of 2014: All of our retail stores are leased. The retail stores average 21,955 square feet. In March 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its B2B operations as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores and management operations. Europe As of December 31, 2014, we have three distribution centers in Europe which aggregate approximately 190,000 square feet. Two of these, aggregating approximately 117,000 square feet are leased; one distribution center of approximately 73,000 square feet is owned by the Company. Our administrative offices and call centers aggregate approximately 289,000 square feet, of which 212,000 square feet are leased and 77,000 square feet are owned by the Company. Asia As of December 31, 2014, we leased administrative offices in Asia of approximately 14,000 square feet. Please refer to Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about leased properties, including aggregate rental expense for these properties. 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. In this regard, the State of New York has claimed that certain of the Company’s consumer electronics e-commerce sales are subject to sales tax in those states. The Company intends to vigorously defend these matters and believes it has strong defenses. The Company is also being audited by an entity representing 45 states seeking recovery of “unclaimed property”. The Company is complying with the audit and is providing requested information. 18 Item 2. Properties. Location Stores Open – 12/31/13 Store Openings/ (Store Closings) Stores Open – 12/31/14 Delaware 1 - 1 Florida 17 (2) 15 Georgia 1 - 1 Illinois 4 - 4 North Carolina 1 - 1 Puerto Rico 2 - 2 Texas 4 - 4 Ontario, Canada 6 - 6 36 (2) 34 Item 3. Legal Proceedings. 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. In this regard, the Company establishes accrual estimates for its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability incurred at the date of the financial statements and the loss can be reasonably estimated. At December 31, 2014 the Company has established accruals for certain of its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings based upon estimates of the most likely outcome in a range of loss or the minimum amounts in a range of loss if no amount within a range is a more likely estimate. The Company does not believe that at December 31, 2014 any reasonably possible losses in excess of the amounts accrued would be material to the financial statements. Following the previously reported independent investigation of Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino by our Audit Committee in 2011 (in response to a whistleblower report) for a variety of improper acts, the subsequent termination of their employment and the entering into by Gilbert Fiorentino of a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on November 20, 2014 the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Southern District of Florida announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud TigerDirect and Systemax. Specifically, the charges set forth a scheme to obtain kickbacks and other benefits, and to conceal this illicit income from the IRS, all while Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were employed as senior executives at the Company’s North American Technology Products business. On December 2, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had pled guilty to various charges, and on March 3, 2015, Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were sentenced to sixty and eighty months’ imprisonment, respectively. Following completion of their sentences, each is to be placed on supervised release for a period of thirty-six months. The Court also set a restitution hearing for April 10, 2015 to determine the amount of restitution Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino are obligated to pay the Company. As previously disclosed in a Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2015, on January 27, 2015, the senior financial officer of the Company's North American Technology Products segment testified before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to a subpoena. The USAO has not advised the Company as to the nature or scope of the grand jury proceeding. Further, the Company's Audit Committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, is cooperating with a current investigation by the USAO into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation regarding possible executive officer conflicts of interest and conduct related to internal controls and books and records. The Company's independent accountants have also received a grand jury subpoena to appear and submit documents in that regard. The Company does not currently believe these matters have had or will have a material effect on the Company's previously reported consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible at this time to predict when the current investigation will be completed; what subject(s) will be investigated; what actions, if any, may be taken by the government as a result of its investigation; or whether any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company. Not applicable. 19 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. PART II Systemax common stock is traded on the NYSE Euronext Exchange under the symbol “SYX.” The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated. On December 27, 2014, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $13.58 per share. As of December 27, 2014, we had 171 shareholders of record. On November 29, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $0.25 per share payable on December 21, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 12, 2012. Depending in part upon profitability, the strength of our balance sheet, our cash position and the need to retain cash for the development and expansion of our business, we may decide to declare special dividends in the future, subject to availability limitations under our credit facilities. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans and a performance graph relating to the Company’s common stock is set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated by reference herein. 20 Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities High Low 2014 First Quarter $ 15.28 $ 10.86 Second Quarter 18.25 14.12 Third Quarter 16.41 12.30 Fourth Quarter 16.21 12.28 2013 First Quarter $ 11.20 $ 9.38 Second Quarter 9.97 8.50 Third Quarter 9.87 9.04 Fourth Quarter 11.66 9.12 The following selected financial information is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”contained elsewhere in this report. The selected statement of operations data, excluding discontinued operations, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 2014 and 2013 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere in this report. The selected balance sheet data as of December 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the selected statement of operations data for fiscal years 2011 and 2010 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company which are not included in this report. Overview Systemax is primarily a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. Our operations are organized in two reportable business segments — Technology Products and Industrial Products. Technology Products Our Technology Products segment primarily sells ICT and CE products. These products are marketed in North America, Puerto Rico and Europe. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured for our own design and marketed on a private label basis. Technology products accounted for 84%, 86% and 89% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation, as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017 . After completion of these actions the Company will see a significant decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million. As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in the United States and Canada in 2014, and a forecast for continued use of cash in future periods, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived and other intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $ 10.0 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. 21 Item 6. Selected Financial Data. Years Ended December 31, (In millions, except per share data) 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Statement of Operations Data: Net sales $ 3,442.8 $ 3,352.3 $ 3,544.3 $ 3,680.6 $ 3,589.0 Gross profit $ 493.2 $ 482.9 $ 485.8 $ 527.6 $ 488.0 Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $ (25.9 ) $ (20.6 ) $ (39.9 ) $ 80.8 $ 68.8 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ (37.5 ) $ (43.8 ) $ (8.0 ) $ 54.6 $ 42.6 Per Share Amounts : Net income (loss) — diluted $ (1.01 ) $ (1.18 ) $ (0.22 ) $ 1.47 $ 1.13 Weighted average common shares — diluted 37.1 37.0 36.9 37.1 37.6 Cash dividends declared per common share $ - $ - $ 0.25 $ - $ - Balance Sheet Data: Working capital $ 312.1 $ 345.8 $ 360.8 $ 354.8 $ 300.9 Total assets $ 894.9 $ 942.2 $ 962.3 $ 889.7 $ 894.1 Long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 0.9 $ 2.9 $ 5.4 $ 7.1 $ 7.4 Shareholders’ equity $ 359.6 $ 406.2 $ 446.3 $ 454.3 $ 409.3 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. On June 12, 2014, the Company acquired SCC Services B.V. (“SCC”) (renamed Misco Solutions B.V.), a supplier of business-to-business IT products and services with operations in the Netherlands. The purchase price (after giving effect to the conversion of Euros to U.S. dollars) was approximately $7.3 million in cash (5.4 million Euro), $0.6 million (0.4 million Euro) of which was placed into an escrow account for one year to secure the sellers’ indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. This acquisition expands the Company’s business in the Netherlands. In 2013, the Company opened a shared services center in Budapest, Hungary to facilitate the continued growth of its European Technology Products business. This new facility provides administrative and back office services for the existing European business, will help drive operational efficiencies and better serve the Company’s pan-European operating strategy, and will serve as the sales location for future business in Eastern Europe. As an incentive to locate in Hungary, the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency (“HITA”) agreed to reimburse the Company for approximately 8% of payroll costs, up to a maximum of approximately $3.1 million, for the first 505 employees hired at the shared service center. The reimbursement is limited to the first twenty four months of employment for employees hired by December 2015 with all such reimbursements being completed by December 2017. In return for this incentive, the Company has committed to maintaining certain employment levels through 2020. Failure by the Company to maintain these employment levels will result in pro rata repayment of related reimbursements with interest. In the fourth quarter of 2013, certain subsidiaries of the Company sold CompUSA intellectual property assets (primarily domain names, trademarks and certain historical customer information) and accordingly the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. The Company wrote off approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company conducted an evaluation, in 2012, of its Technology Products multi-brand United States consumer strategy and the intangible assets used in that strategy and concluded that the Company’s future North American consumer business would be optimized by consolidating its United States consumer operations under TigerDirect, its leading and largest brand. This consolidation resulted in a write off of the intangible assets and goodwill of CompUSA and Circuit City of approximately $35.3 million. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company exited the PC manufacturing operations after conducting an evaluation of its operations and concluded that the Company’s North American technology results would be enhanced by exiting the computer manufacturing business. The exit resulted in a write down of the carrying cost of the Company’s computer manufacturing facilities, related equipment and inventory of approximately $4.6 million. An additional asset write down of the Company’s computer manufacturing facilities of approximately $1.2 million was made during 2013. The computer manufacturing facility was sold in the second quarter of 2014. Industrial Products Our Industrial Products segment sells a wide array of MRO products which are marketed in North and Central America. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured for our own design and marketed under the trademarks Global™ , GlobalIndustrial.com™ and Nexel™. Industrial products accounted for 16%, 14% and 11% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In both of these product groups, we offer our customers a broad selection of products, prompt order fulfillment and extensive customer service. On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Industrial Products Group had completed its previously announced acquisition of the Plant Equipment Group, a business-to-business direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products, from TAKKT America for $25.9 million in cash; post-closing working capital adjustments were de minimis. Integration of this acquired business is in process and proceeding timely and efficiently. This acquisition expands the Company’s regional footprint and its market share. Discontinued Operations We exited the Software Solutions segment in June 2009. One customer remained being serviced by the Company until the second quarter of 2012. The termination of this customer has resulted in all current and prior period results for this business segment to be classified as discontinued operations. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K for additional financial information about our business segments as well as information about our geographic operations. Operating Conditions 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. 22 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. In the discussion of our results of operations we refer to business to business channel sales, consumer channel sales and period to period constant currency comparisons. In the North American Technology Products business, we consider business to business (“B2B”) channel sales to be sales made direct to other businesses and government/public sector entities through managed business relationships, outbound call centers and extranets. Sales in the Industrial Products segment, European Technology Products and Corporate and other are considered to be B2B sales. Consumer (“B2C”) 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 Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. Certain accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. These judgments are based on historical experience , observation of trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Management believes that full consideration has been given to all relevant circumstances that we may be subject to, and the 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 years presented. We identify below a number of policies that entail significant judgments or estimates, the assumptions and or judgments used to determine those estimates and the potential effects on reported financial results if actual results differ materially from these estimates. 23 Accounting policy Assumptions and uncertainties Quantification and analysis of effect on actual results if estimates differ materially Revenue Recognition. We recognize product sales when persuasive evidence of an order arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met at the time of receipt by customers when title and risk of loss both are transferred, except in our Industrial Products segment where title and risk pass at time of shipment. Sales are presented net of returns and allowances, rebates and sales incentives. Reserves for estimated returns and allowances are provided when sales are recorded, based on historical experience and current trends. Our revenue recognition policy contains assumptions and judgments made by management related to the timing and amounts of future sales returns. Sales returns are estimated based upon historical experience and current known trends. We have not made any material changes to our sales return reserve policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable . We record an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect our estimate of the collectibility of our trade accounts receivable. While bad debt allowances have been within expectations and the provisions established, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to experience the same allowance rate we have in the past. Our allowance for doubtful accounts policy contains assumptions and judgments made by management related to collectibility of aged accounts receivable and chargebacks from credit card sales. We evaluate the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including an analysis of the age of customer accounts and our historical experience with accounts receivable write-offs. The analysis also includes the financial condition of a specific customer or industry, and general economic conditions. In circumstances where we are aware of customer credit card charge-backs or a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific reserve for bad debts applicable to amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount management reasonably believes will be collected is recorded. In those situations with ongoing discussions, the amount of bad debt recognized is based on the status of the discussions. We have not made any material changes to our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reserve policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment. A change of 10% in our allowance for doubtful accounts reserve at December 31, 2014 would impact net income by approximately $0.6 million. 24 Inventory valuation . We value our inventories at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method except in certain locations in Europe and retail locations where an average cost is used. Excess and obsolete or unmarketable merchandise are written down based on historical experience, assumptions about future product demand and market conditions. If market conditions are less favorable than projected or if technological developments result in accelerated obsolescence, additional write-downs may be required. While obsolescence and resultant markdowns have been within expectations, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to experience the same level of markdowns we have in the past. Our inventory reserve policy contains assumptions and judgments made by management related to inventory aging, obsolescence, credits that we may obtain for returned merchandise, shrink and consumer demand. We have not made any material changes to our inventory reserve policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material loss adjustment. A change of 10% in our inventory reserves at December 31, 2014 would impact net income by approximately $0.8 million. Goodwill and Intangible Assets. We apply the provisions of relevant accounting guidance in our valuation of goodwill, trademarks, domain names, client lists and other intangible assets. Relevant accounting guidance requires that goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles be reviewed at least annually for impairment or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The amount of an impairment loss would be recognized as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. Our impairment testing involves judgments and uncertainties, quantitative and qualitative, related to the use of discounted cash flow models and forecasts of future results, both of which involve significant judgment and may not be reliable. Significant management judgment is necessary to evaluate the operating environment and economic conditions that exist to develop a forecast for a reporting unit. Assumptions related to the discounted cash flow models we use include the inputs used to determine the Company’s weighted average cost of capital including a market risk premium, the beta of a reporting unit, reporting unit specific risk premiums and terminal growth values. Critical assumptions related to the forecast inputs used in our discounted cash flow models include projected sales growth, same store sales growth, gross margin percentages, new business opportunities, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and growth in selling, general and administrative expense. We also use our Company's market capitalization and comparable company market data to validate our reporting unit valuations. We have not made any material changes to our goodwill policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. We recorded goodwill and intangible assets related to the June 2014 SCC acquisition of approximately $2.7 million and in the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded intangible asset impairment charges related to our retail operations in the United States and Canada (see below). We have approximately $7.4 million in goodwill and intangible assets at December 31, 2014. We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates or assumptions used to determine whether any of our remaining goodwill or intangible assets are impaired will change materially in the future. However if the inputs used in our discounted cash flow models or our forecasts are materially different than actual experience we could incur impairment charges that are material. As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in the United States and Canada and a forecast for continued cash use, the Company conducted an evaluation of the intangible assets of its Technology Products segment in North America and concluded that intangible assets were impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $0.5 million, pre-tax, in the fourth quarter of 2014. In 2013 we sold CompUSA intellectual property assets and accordingly the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico and rebranded its operations there as TigerDirect. The Company wrote off the remaining carrying value of approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. 25 Long-lived Assets. Management exercises judgment in evaluating our long-lived assets for impairment and in their depreciation and amortization methods and lives including evaluating undiscounted cash flows. The impairment analysis for long lived assets requires management to make judgments about useful lives and to estimate fair values of long lived assets. It may also require us to estimate future cash flows of related assets using discounted cash flow model. Our estimates of future cash flows involve assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions. While we believe that our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows could materially affect our evaluations. We have not made any material changes to our long lived assets policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. In 2014 the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in its North America Technology Products segment and concluded that an impairment charge of $9.5 million, pre-tax, be recorded. We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates and assumptions used to determine long lived asset impairment will vary materially in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment. A change of 10% in the carrying value of our long lived assets would impact net income by approximately $4.1 million. Vendor Accruals. Our contractual agreements with certain suppliers provide us with funding or allowances for costs such as price protection, markdowns and advertising as well as funds or allowances for purchasing volumes. Generally, allowances received as a reimbursement of identifiable costs are recorded as an expense reduction when the cost is incurred. Sales related allowances are generally determined by our level of purchases of product and are deferred and recorded as a reduction of inventory carrying value and are ultimately included as a reduction of cost of goods when inventory is sold. Management makes assumptions and exercises judgment in estimating period end funding and allowances earned under our various agreements. Estimates are developed based on the terms of our vendor agreements and using existing expenditures for which funding is available, determining products whose market price would indicate coverage for markdown or price protection is available and estimating the level of our performance under agreements that provide funds or allowances for purchasing volumes. Estimates of funding or allowances for purchasing volume will include projections of annual purchases which are developed using current actual purchase data and historical purchase trends. Accruals in interim periods could be materially different if actual purchase volumes differ from projections. We have not made any material changes to our vendor accrual policy in the past three years nor do we anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. If actual results are different from the projections used we could have a material gain or loss adjustment. A change of 10% in our vendor accruals at December 31, 2014 would impact net income by approximately $1.4 million. 26 Income Taxes. We are subject to taxation from federal, state and foreign jurisdictions and the determination of our tax provision is complex and requires significant management judgment. We conduct operations in numerous U.S. states and foreign locations. Our effective tax rate depends upon the geographic distribution of our pre-tax income or losses among locations with varying tax rates and rules. As the geographic mix of our pre-tax results among various tax jurisdictions changes, the effective tax rate may vary from period to period. We are also subject to periodic examination from domestic and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These examinations include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. We establish as needed, and periodically reevaluate, an estimated income tax reserve on our consolidated balance sheet to provide for the possibility of adverse outcomes in income tax proceedings. While management believes that we have identified all reasonably identifiable exposures and whether or not a reserve is appropriate, it is possible that additional exposures exist and/or that exposures may be settled at amounts different than the amounts reserved. The determination of deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowances that might be necessary requires management to make significant judgments concerning the ability to realize net deferred tax assets. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income there are judgments and uncertainties related to the development of forecasts of future results that may not be reliable. Significant management judgment is also necessary to evaluate the operating environment and economic conditions that exist to develop a forecast for a reporting unit. Where management has determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized, we have provided a valuation allowance. If the realization of those deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made. We have not made any material changes to our income tax policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates or assumptions used to determine our deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances will change materially in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment. During the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company recorded a non-cash valuation allowance against its deferred assets in the U.K. of approximately $1.7 million. A change of 5% in our effective tax rate at December 31, 2014, excluding the non-cash valuation allowance, would impact net income by approximately $0.2 million. Special charges. We have recorded reorganization, restructuring and other charges in the past and could in the future commence further reorganization, restructuring and other activities which result in recognition in charges to income. The recording of reorganization, restructuring and other charges may involve assumptions and judgments about future costs and timing for amounts related to personnel terminations, stay bonuses, lease termination costs, lease sublet revenues, outplacement services, contract termination costs, asset impairments and other exit costs. Management may estimate these costs using existing contractual and other data or may rely on third party expert data. When we incur a liability related to these actions, we estimate and record all appropriate expenses. We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates or assumptions used to determine our reorganization, restructuring and other charges will change materially in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment. For the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company recorded special charges of $24.4 million for reorganization, restructuring and asset impairment and other charges. Recently Adopted and Newly Issued 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 April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. This ASU provides new guidance related to the definition of a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. This new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Beginning in 2015, the Company will apply this new guidance, as applicable. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This ASU provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. In addition, this ASU specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of the adoption, with early application not permitted. The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact, if any, on the condensed consolidated financial statements. Highlights from 2014 The discussion of our results of operations and financial condition that follows will provide information that will assist in understanding our financial statements and information about how certain accounting principles and estimates affect the consolidated financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included herein. 27 • Consolidated sales increased 2.7% to $3.4 billion; on a constant currency basis and excluding SCC Services, sales increased 0.6%. • B2B channel sales increased 8.9% to $2.6 billion; on a constant currency basis and excluding SCC Services, sales increased 5.6%. • B2C channel sales declined 11.7% to $0.9 billion; on a constant currency basis, sales declined 11.0%. • Movements in exchange rates positively impacted European sales by approximately $24.0 million and negatively impacted Canadian sales by approximately $13.8 million. • $11.7 million in estimated workforce reductions related to the restructuring of our European operations were recorded. • Impairment charges related to long-lived and other intangible assets of $10.0 million, pre-tax, were incurred. Results of Operations Key Performance Indicators* (in millions): *excludes discontinued operations** includes special charges, net (See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). NET SALES SEGMENTS: The Technology Products segment, which includes our European and North American technology operations, showed sales improvement, benefiting from the June 2014 SCC Services acquisition, strong sales growth in France, improved B2B sales from certain markets in Europe and North America and favorable movements in exchange rates. On a constant currency basis and excluding the SCC Services acquisition, Technology Products net sales decreased 2.3%. However, sales in our consumer and retail business continued the trend of softness in the North American consumer channels, principally internet and retail sales. The Company continues to believe the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics are attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends, including consumer preferences for new generation tablets, which erode laptop and desktop PC sales, the market share for tablets held by a major manufacturer, which does not sell to the Company for U.S. markets, the consolidation of prior generations of separate devices and functions into a single integrated device (such as GPS and cameras being integrated with smart phones), the ongoing movement of traditional brick and mortar store sales to online/ecommerce vendors, and the increasing influence of a dominant company in the online/ecommerce marketplace. The Company expects these trends to continue for the foreseeable future and after an extensive review and planning process, the Company is taking actions that will include the exit of substantially all retail store operations; closing a distribution center and implementing a general workforce reduction to realign available resources with a B2B focus. 28 Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 % Change 2013 2012 % Change Net sales by segment: Technology Products $ 2,880.9 $ 2,873.3 0.3 % $ 2,873.3 $ 3,137.6 (8.4 )% Industrial Products 556.0 473.8 17.3 % 473.8 401.9 17.9 % Corporate and other 5.9 5.2 13.5 % 5.2 4.8 8.3 % Consolidated net sales $ 3,442.8 $ 3,352.3 2.7 % $ 3,352.3 $ 3,544.3 (5.4 )% Net sales by channel: Technology Products - EMEA $ 1,189.9 $ 1,095.4 8.6 % $ 1,095.4 $ 1,126.7 (2.8 )% Technology Products – NA (B2B) 800.0 769.3 4.0 % 769.3 797.3 (3.5 )% Industrial Products 556.0 473.8 17.3 % 473.8 401.9 17.9 % Corporate and other 5.9 5.2 13.5 % 5.2 4.8 8.3 % Total B2B $ 2,551.8 $ 2,343.7 8.9 % $ 2,343.7 $ 2,330.7 0.6 % Technology Products – NA (Consumer) 891.0 1,008.6 (11.7 )% 1,008.6 1,213.6 (16.9 )% Consolidated net sales $ 3,442.8 $ 3,352.3 2.7 % $ 3,352.3 $ 3,544.3 (5.4 )% Consolidated gross margin 14.3 % 14.4 % (0.1 )% 14.4 % 13.7 % 0.7 % Consolidated SG&A costs** $ 519.1 $ 503.5 3.1 % $ 503.5 $ 525.7 (4.2 )% Consolidated SG&A costs** as % of sales 15.1 % 15.0 % 0.1 % 15.0 % 14.8 % 0.2 % Operating (loss) from continuing operations by segment:** Technology Products $ (51.3 ) $ (40.6 ) 26.4 % $ (40.6 ) $ (46.9 ) (13.4 )% Industrial Products 41.0 40.0 2.5 % 40.0 29.9 33.8 % Corporate and other (15.6 ) (20.0 ) (22.0 )% (20.0 ) (22.9 ) (12.7 )% Consolidated operating (loss) $ (25.9 ) $ (20.6 ) (25.7 )% $ (20.6 ) $ (39.9 ) (48.4 )% Operating margin from continuing operations by segment :** Technology Products (1.8 )% (1.4 )% (0.4 )% (1.4 )% (1.5 )% 0.1 % Industrial Products 7.4 % 8.4 % (1.0 )% 8.4 % 7.4 % 1.0 % Consolidated operating margin from continuing operations (0.8 )% (0.6 )% (0.2 )% (0.6 )% (1.1 )% 0.5 % Effective income tax rate 15.0 % 100.9 % (85.9 )% 100.9 % 80.8 % 20.1 % Net (loss) from continuing operations $ (37.5 ) $ (43.8 ) (14.4 )% $ (43.8 ) $ (8.0 ) 447.5 % Net margin from continuing operations (1.1 )% (1.3 )% 0.2 % (1.3 )% (0.2 )% (1.1 )% The Industrial Products net sales increase in 2014 is attributable to expanding our product assortment in new and core product categories, the continued expansion of our private label and brand name selections as well as investment in hiring sales personnel and subject matter experts, who bring significant technical knowledge in specific categories, thus enhancing our sales efforts with information important to our customers. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 17.7%. The Technology Products net sales decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 was attributable to general declines in most product categories within North America, with the largest decline being in the CE product category. The Company believes major drivers of the decline in North America net sales was attributable to web, television and retail store sales declines, resulting from sales volume and selling price erosion in certain core product categories such as personal computers and televisions. The Company believes the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics are attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends, including consumer preferences for new generation tablets, which erode laptop and desktop PC sales, the market share for tablets held by a major manufacturer, which does not sell to the Company for U.S. markets, the consolidation of prior generations of separate devices and functions into a single integrated device (such as GPS and cameras being integrated with smart phones), the ongoing movement of traditional brick and mortar store sales to online/ecommerce vendors, and the increasing influence of a dominant company in the online/commerce marketplace. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company made the decision to avoid lowering selling prices to match aggressive online retailers. Strong computer and consumer electronic sales within European markets were more than offset by weak sales of computer accessories, software and computer components in Europe and the declines in North America. On a constant currency basis, sales declined 8.6% or $270.8 million. The Industrial Products segment net sales increase in 2013 compared to 2012 was attributable to the new product category offerings on the Company's websites, solid results from our core offerings, as well as the expansion of our private label and brand name selections. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 18.0% or $72.5 million. CHANNEL SALES: Business to business sales: The Company experienced growth in worldwide B2B channel sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2013. The European Technology Products sales increase is attributable to continued sales growth in France, incremental sales from SCC Services, acquired in June 2014, and favorable currency movements during the year. On a constant currency basis and excluding SCC Services, European Technology Products net sales increased 0.9%. The North American Technology Products B2B sales increase is attributable to an increase in the sale of computer components, commercial desktops, laptops and servers during the year. On a constant currency basis, North American Technology Products business to business net sales grew 4.7%. The North American Technology Products B2B business has experienced strong growth over the last several years, but there can be no assurance that this business will continue to achieve its historical growth rates in future periods. The Industrial Products net sales increase is attributable to broad based growth across both new and core product categories and the continued expansion of our private label and brand name selections and the hiring of additional sales personnel and subject matter experts. On a constant currency basis, Industrial Products net sales increased 17.7%. The increase in consolidated B2B channel sales in 2013 compared to 2012 was driven by the Industrial Products segment’s growth in new product categories on the Company’s website and a solid performance in core offerings. The Technology Products segment’s European operations showed modest improvement in B2B channel sales compared to 2013 which was offset by a decline in its North American B2B sales. On a constant currency basis, worldwide B2B channel sales grew 2.0% in 2013. 29 Consumer sales: On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. The North American Technology Products consumer sales decline resulted from the closing of retail stores in 2013 that contributed approximately $36.2 million in sales for the year 2013, and from continued softness in television shopping, internet and retail sales. Consumer channel sales declines were primarily the result of declines in sales of personal computers and televisions driven by both volume and selling price erosion. On a constant currency basis, North American Technology Products consumer sales declined 11.0%. The decline in consolidated B2C channel sales in 2013 compared to 2012 resulted from continued weakness in our internet, television and retail stores sales in North America. B2C channel sales declines, similar to many in the industry, were the result of sales volume and selling price erosion in certain core product categories. The Company believes that the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics is attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends. The strategic decision not to chase promotional product pricing in the fourth quarter of 2013 also contributed to the sales declines. On a constant currency basis, worldwide B2C channel sales declined 16.7%. GROSS MARGIN The consolidated gross margin decline in 2014 is related to Technology Products segment reduced selling margins in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom and slight decline in the Industrial Products segment drive n by product mix as we have begun stocking more domestically sourced products. Gross margin is dependent on variables such as product mix, vendor price protection and other sales incentives, 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 . The consolidated gross margin increase in 2013 is due to Industrial Products sales contributing a larger percentage to gross profit dollars as compared to 2013, improved freight margins, and the benefit from the utilization of the New Jersey distribution center. Technology Products gross margin increase is due to improved freight performance in North America and maintaining product pricing, even though net sales declined. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (“SG&A”), EXCLUDING SPECIAL CHARGES SG&A expense increases for the year ended December 31, 2014 are primarily attributable to our Industrial and European Technology Products B2B business, partially offset by expense decreases in North America Technology Products compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. Significant expense increases related to the Industrial Products segment include increased salary and related costs of approximately $5.6 million due to increased sales and product management headcount, and increased internet advertising spending of approximately $8.5 million compared to 2013. The Industrial Products segment is expected to increase its advertising spend, in particular internet advertising, as it continues to expand its online product offerings and increase its ecommerce presence. In Europe, the Technology Products segment also had increased SG&A expenses due primarily to a continued overlap in costs as we transition functions from individual country operations to our European shared services center. The significant expense increases include approximately $4.4 million of increased salary and related costs of additional sales personnel and additional headcount for the shared services center, partially offset by $0.6 million in reimbursements for shared service center salaries under the incentive agreement with the Hungarian business development agencies, recorded in the second quarter of 2014. Additionally, in Europe, for the year ended December 31, 2014 we had less vendor supported advertising revenue of approximately $3.7 million, increased computer and telephone maintenance of approximately $1.1 million and insurance, rent and related expense increases of approximately $2.6 million, offset by reduced internet advertising spend of approximately $1.9 million. The Technology Products segment in North America had reduced SG&A expenses due to the closing of underperforming retail stores in the second quarter of 2013 and $2.3 million from the favorable resolution of the review of a professional service provider's billings recorded in the third quarter of 2014. Significant expense decreases for the North America Technology include reduced salary and related costs of approximately $7.8 million, reduced rent and related costs of approximately $2.7 million, and $2.3 million from the favorable resolution of a the review of a professional service provider's billings recorded in the third quarter of 2014. 30 SG&A expense increases for the year ended December 31, 2013 are primarily attributable to our Industrial and European Technology Products BTB business, partially offset by expense decreases in North America Technology Products compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. Significant expense increases related to the Industrial Products segment include increased salary and related costs of approximately $4.4 million, and increased internet advertising spending of approximately $10.5 million compared to 2012. In Europe, the Technology Products segment also had increased SG&A expenses due to a temporary overlap in costs as we transitioned functions from individual country operations to our new European shared services center. The significant expense increase for Europe includes approximately $12.7 million of salary and related costs due to additional sales personnel and additional headcount for the shared services center, $1.6 million of rent and related expenses, and $0.9 million net advertising costs offset by a decrease in internet advertising expense of $0.6 million compared to 2012. The Technology Products segment in North America had reduced SG&A expenses compared to 2012 due to the closing of underperforming retail stores. Significant expense decreases include reduced salary and related costs of approximately $11.1 million, reduced rent and related costs of $1.4 million, decreased internet and net advertising spending of approximately $5.4 million, a decrease of approximately $2.3 million in expenses related to sales tax and other regulatory audits which were incurred in 2012, and decreased credit card fees of $3.6 million. Corporate & Other expenses segment recorded a benefit of approximately $1.3 million in lower personnel costs and a decrease in professional fees of approximately $0.7 million. SPECIAL CHARGES, NET The Company’s Technology Products segment incurred special charges of approximately $24.3 million in special charges. These charges, estimates of which were previously disclosed, included approximately $11.7 million in estimated workforce reductions related to the restructuring of our European operations, $0.5 million in continued recruitment costs to staff the European shared services center, $0.3 million in other costs related to the retail stores that were closed in 2013, $0.2 million in charges related to the final sale of the facility which had been used in connection with our previously exited PC manufacturing business, $0.1 million for changes in the estimate of lease valuation accruals and the buyout of the two retail store leases that were exited in 2013 prior to lease expiration (other exit costs) and $1.5 million for additional legal and professional fees related to the previously disclosed investigation and settlement with former officers and employees. In addition, as a result of negative cash flows in its operations in the United States and Canada in 2014 and a forecast for continued cash use, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived and intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Consequently an impairment charge of approximately $10.0 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company incurred special charges in 2014 related to the restructure of certain small market operations in 2014. The Company does not expect to incur any additional material charges in the future related to these restructurings or to complete the implementation of the European shared services center, but will expend cash of approximately $4.7 million, to settle costs accrued at December 31, 2014. Expected impacts on future costs, when the shared services center is fully implemented, are expected to be a reduction in our annual cost structure in the $9 to $11 million range, pre-tax. Corporate and other segment incurred $0.1 million of special charges related to severance costs in 2014. The Company expects to incur special charges related to the closing of its retail stores of between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures during the first two quarters of 2015. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017. After completion of these actions the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million. The Company’s Technology Products segment, in both North America and Europe, incurred special charges of approximately $22.4 million during 2013. These charges in North America include: (i) approximately $5.5 million for lease termination costs (calculated using the net present value of contractual gross lease payments net of estimated sublease rental income, or in the case of negotiated settlements, the buyout amount) and (ii) $2.0 million for fixed asset write offs related to the closing of underperforming retail stores, (iii) $2.9 million of one-time impairment charges related to intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico, (iv) $2.2 million of workforce reduction charges for senior management changes in the North American operations, (v) $1.0 million for reserve adjustments related to the facility closing and exit from the PC manufacturing business and (vi) $0.6 million of additional legal and professional fees related to the previously disclosed completed investigation and settlement with a former officer and director. The charges related to Europe include: (i) $5.9 million in workforce reductions and other exit costs related to the European shared services center implementation and other European workforce reductions, (ii) $1.8 million related to start up costs of the European shared services center and (iii) $0.5 million in continuing recruitment costs of the European shared services center. The Company’s Industrial Products segment incurred special charges, in 2013, of approximately $0.1 million for personnel costs and benefited from an adjustment to lease termination costs of approximately $0.3 million related to the planned closing and relocation of one of our smaller distribution centers to a new, significantly larger distribution and call center in the second quarter of 2012. In Technology Products, approximately $11.9 million of these charges incurred were non-cash. 31 OPERATING MARGIN The decline in operating margin in Technology Products segment for 2014 was primarily related to reduced selling margins in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, increased expenses in Europe resulting from a temporary duplication of local functions and other redundancies as we completed the transition of functions from each country to the European shared services center and special charges related to the exit from the consumer and retail business partially offset by lower SG&A expenses in North America. The slight improvement in Technology Products operating margin for 2013 compared to 2012 was due to improvement in freight performance and lower SG&A in North America, offset by increased expenses in Europe due to duplication of local functions and other redundancies until completion of the transition of the European shared services center. The decrease in operating margin in Industrial Products segment for 2014 reflect the increased internet advertising spending compared to 2013 to drive traffic, hiring of subject matter experts to bring additional value to our customers and a slight decline in gross product margin driven by product mix as we have begun stocking more domestically sourced products. The increase in the Industrial Products operating margin for 2013 compared to 2012 is due to improvement in freight performance, expansion of private label and brand name selections, increased utilization of the New Jersey distribution center and approximately $0.3 million benefit from an adjustment to lease termination costs offset by $0.1 million of personnel costs related to the planned closing and relocation of one of our smaller distribution centers to a new, significantly larger, distribution and call center in the second quarter of 2012. Operating margin for our North American businesses (which is comprised of part of our Technology Segment and our entire Industrial Products and Corporate and Other Segments) improved to an operating loss of $2.8 million in 2014 compared to an operating loss of $14.9 million in 2013. This improvement is primarily attributable to increased sales and gross profit from our Industrial Products segment of approximately $82.2 million and $20.5 million, respectively; lower selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $2.8 million, within our North American Technology Products business, which includes $2.3 million from favorable resolution of the review of a professional service provider's billings, and reduced internet advertising spending and reduced salary and related expenses. The overall loss in North America was driven by weakness in the Technology Products business. Within this business, the major drivers of the weakness were web and retail store sales declines, resulting from sales volume and selling price erosion in certain core product categories such as personal computers and televisions. The Company believes the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics are attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends. The Company expects these trends to continue for the foreseeable future and after an extensive review and planning process, the Company is taking actions that will include the exit of substantially all retail store operations; closing a distribution center and implementing a general workforce reduction to realign available resource solely with our B2B focus. Operating margin for our European business was a loss of $23.1 million in 2014 compared to a loss of $5.7 million in 2013. The increased net sales of $94.5 million, generated increased gross profit of $2.7 million, but were offset by $15.9 million of increased selling, general and administrative expenses and increased special charges of $4.2 million related to the now completed transition to a pan European operating model. The expense increase for Europe includes approximately $4.4 million of salary and related costs due to additional headcount for the shared services center. The decrease in Corporate and other expenses primarily resulted from lower overhead expenses incurred in 2014 as compared to 2013. The decrease in Corporate and other expenses for 2013 compared to 2012 primarily resulted from lower personnel related costs and lower professional fees incurred in 2013 as compared to 2012. The discontinued operations of Software Solutions incurred a loss of approximately $0.0 million for the years ended December 2014 and 2013 and $0.2 million, net of tax, for year ended December 2012. Consolidated operating margin was impacted by special charges, net of $24.4 million, $22.2 million and $46.3 million 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. INTEREST EXPENSE Interest expense was $1.3 million, $1.5 million, and $1.7 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The interest expense decrease for the years 2014 compared to 2013 and 2013 compared to 2012 is attributable to decreasing balances owed on the Recovery Zone Bond facility and outstanding capital lease obligations. 32 INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective tax rate was 15.0% in 2014 as compared to a 100.9% in 2013. The effective income tax rate in 2014 was primarily due to tax expense in certain states in the U.S., foreign locations with taxable income and the establishment of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets of a U.K. subsidiary of approximately $1.7 million. The Company’s effective tax rate was 100.9% in 2013 as compared to an 80.8% benefit in 2012. The high effective income tax rate in 2014 was primarily due to the establishment of a valuation allowance for U.S. federal deferred tax assets of approximately $20.5 million and for state deferred tax assets of approximately $ 3.9 million. These valuation allowances were recorded primarily as a result of the three year cumulative loss recorded in the U.S. Additionally full valuation allowances of approximately $2.5 million were recorded against the deferred tax assets of the Company’s subsidiaries in Sweden and Italy in 2013. Seasonality The Company’s fourth quarter has historically represented a greater portion of annual sales. Net sales have historically been modestly weaker during the second and third quarters as a result of lower business activity during those months. With the exiting of the retail store business and the closing of substantially all retail stores in 2015, the Company expects to experience less seasonality of its business in future periods. The following table sets forth the net sales seasonality, excluding discontinued operations, for each of the quarters since January 1, 2012 (amounts in millions) . Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources Selected liquidity data (in millions): 33 Quarter Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 2014 Net sales $ 873.4 $ 831.1 $ 825.4 $ 912.9 Percentage of year’s net sales 25.4 % 24.1 % 24.0 % 26.5 % 2013 Net sales $ 880.6 $ 805.7 $ 791.8 $ 874.2 Percentage of year’s net sales 26.3 % 24.0 % 23.6 % 26.1 % 2012 Net sales $ 913.1 $ 849.1 $ 847.0 $ 935.1 Percentage of year’s net sales 25.8 % 24.0 % 23.9 % 26.3 % December 31, 2014 2013 $ Change Cash $ 165.0 $ 181.4 $ (16.4 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 355.5 $ 333.3 $ 22.2 Inventories $ 289.9 $ 321.8 $ (31.9 ) Assets available for sale $ - $ 1.1 $ (1.1 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 15.9 $ 16.4 $ (0.5 ) Accounts payable $ 420.2 $ 418.8 $ 1.4 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 93.0 $ 89.2 $ 3.8 Current portion of long term debt $ 2.7 $ 2.5 $ 0.2 Working capital $ 312.1 $ 345.8 $ (33.7 ) Our primary liquidity needs are to support working capital requirements in our business, including working capital for the closing of the previously announced purchase of the Plant Equipment Group in January 2015, integrating Plant Equipment Group with our business, exiting of the consumer and retail business and related workforce reductions in 2015, integrating SCC Services with our business (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), reorganizing our European operations including funding cash requirements of certain European businesses, European workforce reduction costs and transition costs, implementing new inventory and warehouse functions in Europe, funding capital expenditures, continuing investment in upgrading and expanding our technological capabilities and information technology infrastructure (including upgrading and transitioning of SCC Services and Plant Equipment Group’s technology infrastructure), repaying outstanding debt, and funding acquisitions. We rely principally upon operating cash flows 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 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, we would seek to raise additional capital. We believe that, if needed, we can access public or private funding alternatives to raise additional capital. Our working capital decreased due to cash used for the SCC Services acquisition and the net loss incurred in 2014. Accounts receivable days outstanding were at 37.5 in 2014 up from 32.6 in 2013. This trend reflects slower receivables collection in the Europe as we transition collections to the Hungarian shared services center and a higher proportion of our sales coming from B2B channels, where most customers do business with us on open credit account, and a lower proportion of our sales being B2C channels, where most customers purchase from us using credit cards. Inventory turns were 9.5 in 2014 compared to 9.4 in 2013 and accounts payable days outstanding were 51.2 in 2014 compared to 45.9 in 2013. We expect that future accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable balances will fluctuate with net sales and the mix of our net sales between consumer and business customers. Net cash used in 2014 from continuing operations was $0. 1 million resulting from changes in our working capital accounts, which used $0.1 million in cash compared to $33.9 million provided in 2013, primarily the result of fluctuation in our accounts receivable, inventory, and income tax payable (receivable) balances. Cash generated from net (loss) adjusted by other non-cash items used $0.0 million compared to $12.9 million provided in 2013, primarily the result of establishment of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets for U.S. entities in 2013, change in asset impairment charges, depreciation and amortization offset by improvement of net loss from operations and fluctuation in our provision adjustments for returns and doubtful accounts in 2014 compared to 2013. Net cash provided by continuing operations was $46.8 million and $75.4 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2013 compared to 2012 resulted from changes in our working capital accounts which provided $33.9 million in cash compared to $53.2 million in 2013, primarily the result of changes in inventory, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities offset by changes in accounts receivable and income tax receivable (payable) balances. Cash generated from net (loss) adjusted by non-cash items provided $12.9 million compared to $22.2 million in 2013, primarily the result of the establishment of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets for U.S. entities in 2013 compared to a release of deferred tax assets valuation allowances related to the Company’s French subsidiary in 2012, net loss from continuing operations and change in asset impairment charges compared to 2012. Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was zero for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Net cash used in investing activities totaled $12.5 million for 2014, of which $6.4 million was used for SCC Services acquisition, net of cash acquired of $0.9 million (see Note 2 ) and $0.9 million of proceeds from the sale of our former PC manufacturing facility. Other investing activities include office expansions related to our Industrial Products segment, expenditures for the European shared services center, computer and office equipment expenditures for the sales and administrative offices in the United Kingdom, expenditures for our inventory and warehousing functions in Europe, and information and communications systems hardware and software. In 2013, net cash used in investing activities was $13.4 million and were for warehouse racking systems for the new distribution center, network upgrades, fabrication equipment, expenditures for a new retail store opening, upgrades and enhancements to our information and communications systems hardware. In 2012, net cash used in investing activities was $12.0 million, primarily for upgrades and enhancements to our information and communication systems hardware and software and expenditures in retail stores in North America. Net cash used in financing activities was $2.3 million in 2014, $2.6 million in 2013 and $11.1 million in 2012. In 2014, we repaid approximately $2.6 million of capital lease obligations and net proceeds and excess tax benefit from stock option exercises provided $0.3 million. In 2013, we repaid approximately $2.8 million of capital lease obligations. Net proceeds and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises provided $0.2 million. In 2012, we paid a special dividend of $9.1 million and repaid approximately $2.8 million in capital lease obligations. Net proceeds and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises provided $0.8 million. 34 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. The credit facility has a five year term and expires in October 26, 2015. The Company expects that it will renew this facility on or before that date in 2015. Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain other assets, subject to limited exceptions. 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 December 31, 2014, eligible collateral under this agreement was $121.9 million, total availability was $116.4 million, total outstanding letters of credit were $5.5 million and there were no outstanding advances. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under this facility as of December 31, 2014. The Company (through a subsidiary) has an outstanding Bond financing 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. The proceeds from the Bonds were used to finance capital equipment purchased for the Company’s distribution facility located in Jefferson, Georgia. The purchase and installation of the equipment for the facility was completed by December 31, 2011. Pursuant to the transaction, the Company transferred to the Authority, for consideration consisting of the Bonds proceeds, ownership of the equipment and the Authority leased 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 December 31, 2014, the Company had $2.2 million outstanding against this financing facility. Our earnings and cash flows are seasonal in nature, with the fourth quarter of the fiscal year historically generating 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 gains or expense items, such as special (gains) 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 significant cash balances and minimal debt. On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017. After completion of these actions the Company will see a significant decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million. The expenses, capital expenditures and exit activities described above will require significant levels of liquidity, which we believe can be adequately funded from our currently available cash resources. In 2015 we anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $15.2 million, though at this time we are not contractually committed to incur these expenditures. Over the past several years we have engaged in 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 and/ or business to business 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. In addition we anticipate cash needs for implementation of the financial systems. We believe that our cash balances, future cash flows from operations 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. 35 We maintain our cash and cash equivalents primarily in non-interest bearing cash accounts that partially offset banking fees as the earnings credit for doing so exceeds current money market yields. As of December 31, 2014, we had no investments with maturities of greater than three months. Accordingly, we do not believe that our cash balances have significant exposure to interest rate risk. At December 31, 2014 cash balances held in foreign subsidiaries totaled approximately $64.4 million. These balances are held in local country banks and are not readily available to the U.S. parent company on a tax efficient basis. The Company would need to accrue and pay income taxes on any cash repatriated to the U.S. parent company. The Company has made the decision to indefinitely reinvest earnings in its foreign tax jurisdictions. The Company had in excess of $220 million of liquidity (cash and undrawn line of credit) in the U.S. as of December 31, 2014, which is sufficient to fund its U.S. operations and capital needs, including any dividend payments, for the foreseeable future. We are obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for the rental of most of our facilities and certain of our equipment which expires at various dates through 2032. We have sublease agreements for unused space we lease in the United States. In the event the sub lessee is unable to fulfill its obligations, we would be responsible for rents due under the leases. As a result of the Technology Products business segment exiting the consumer electronics business in 2015 the Company will be seeking to terminate certain of its retail store operating leases early or to sublet them where possible. Following is a summary of our contractual obligations for future principal payments on our debt, minimum rental payments on our non-cancelable operating leases and minimum payments on our other purchase obligations as of December 31, 2014 (in millions): Our purchase and other obligations consist primarily of product purchase commitments, certain employment agreements and service agreements. In addition to the contractual obligations noted above, we had $5.5 million of standby letters of credit outstanding as of December 2014. We are party to certain litigation, the outcome of which we believe, based on discussions with legal counsel, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Tax contingencies are related to uncertain tax positions taken on income tax returns that may result in additional tax, interest and penalties being paid to taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no material uncertain tax positions. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or the availability of capital resources. The Company currently leases its facility in Port Washington, NY from an entity owned by Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds, and Robert Leeds, senior executives, Directors and controlling shareholders of the Company. 36 Total Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years More than 5 years Contractual Obligations: Capital lease obligations $ 3.7 2.8 0.9 - - Non-cancelable operating leases, net of subleases 204.0 27.8 72.4 45.2 58.6 Purchase & other obligations 66.3 49.9 8.2 8.2 - Total contractual obligations $ 274.0 80.5 81.5 53.4 58.6 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 British Pounds Sterling, European Union Euros and Canadian Dollars) as measured against the U.S. Dollar and each other. The translation of the financial statements of our operations located 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 income statement, balance sheet and cash flows as expressed in U.S. dollars. Sales would have fluctuated by approximately $131.1 million and pretax loss would have fluctuated by approximately $3.3 million if average foreign exchange rates changed by 10% in 2014. 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 December 31, 2014 we had no outstanding forward exchange contracts. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our variable rate debt. Our variable rate debt consists of short-term borrowings under our credit facilities. As of December 31, 2014, 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 over the next fiscal year. The information required by Item 8 of Part II is incorporated herein by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with this report; see Item 15 of Part IV. None. 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 December 31, 2014. 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. Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting 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. 37 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“2013 framework”). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, a copy of which is included in this report on Form 10-K. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. None. 38 Item 9B. Other Information. PART III The information required by Item 10 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. (the “Proxy Statement”). The information required by Item 11 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. The information required by item 12 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. The information required by Item 13 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. The information required by Item 14 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. PART IV 39 Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. Item 11. Executive Compensation. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. (a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements of Systemax Inc. Reference Reports of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 44 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 46 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 47 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 48 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 49 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 50 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 51 2.Financial Statement Schedules:The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this report and should be read together with our consolidated financial statements:Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts66 Schedules not included with this additional financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.40 Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. 3.Exhibits.Exhibit No. Description 3.1 Composite Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001). 3.2 Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant (effective as of December 29, 2007, incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007). 3.3 Amendment to the Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated March 3, 2008). 4.1 Stockholders Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995). 10.1* Form of 1995 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 333-1852). 10.2* Form of 1995 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 333-1852). 10.3* Form of 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan as amended (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated May 20, 2003). 10.4* Form of 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006). 10.5* Form of 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006). 10.6 Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1988 between the Company and Addwin Realty Associates (Port Washington facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 33-92052). 10.7 First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1998 between the Company and Addwin Realty Associates (Port Washington facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998). 10.8 Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1988 between the Company and Addwin Realty Associates (Port Washington facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007). 10.9 Build-to-Suit Lease Agreement dated April, 1995 among the Company, American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (Trustee for the original landlord) and Walsh, Higgins & Company (Contractor) (“Naperville Illinois Facility Lease”) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 33-92052). 10.10 First Amendment, dated as of February 1, 2006, to the Naperville Illinois Facility Lease between the Company and Ambassador Drive LLC (current landlord) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005). 10.11 Lease Agreement dated September 17, 1998 between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp. (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998). 10.12 First Amendment, dated as of September 5, 2003, to the Lease Agreement between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp. (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010). 10.13 Second Amendment, dated March 22, 2007, to the Lease Agreement between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp. (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010). 10.14 Third Amendment, dated as of June 26, 2009, to the Lease Agreement between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Mota Associates Limited Partnership (successor in interest to landlord Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp.) (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010). 10.15 Lease Agreement, dated December 8, 2005, between the Company and Hamilton Business Center, LLC (Buford, Georgia facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005). 10.16 First Amendment, dated as of June 12, 2006, to the Lease Agreement between the Company and Hamilton Business Center, LLC (Buford, Georgia facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005). 41 10.17* Executive Director’s Service Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2011, between Misco UK Limited, Systemax Inc. and Perminder Dale (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011). 10.18* Employment Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2007, between the Company and Lawrence P. Reinhold (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006). 10.19* Amendment No. 1, dated December 30, 2009, to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Lawrence P. Reinhold (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 2009). 10.20 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2010, by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as UK Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated November 2, 2010). 10.21 Amendment No. 1 and Waiver, dated as of December 15, 2011, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as UK Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011). 10.22 Lease Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, among Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia, GE Government Finance Inc. and SYX Distribution Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2010). 10.23 Corporate Guaranty and Negative Pledge Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, among Systemax Inc., Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia and GE Government Finance Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2010). 10.24 Escrow Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, among Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company, N.A. (as escrow agent), GE Government Finance Inc., Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia and SYX Distribution Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2010). 10.25 Lease Agreement, dated April 16, 2010, between Jefferson Project I LLC as Landlord and SYX Distribution Inc. as Tenant (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012). 10.26 First Amendment, dated August 24, 2010, to the Lease Agreement, dated April 2010, between Jefferson Project I LLC as Landlord and SYX Distribution Inc. as Tenant (Jefferson, GA facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012). 10.27 Lease Agreement, dated February 27, 2012 between PR I Washington Township NJ, LLC as Landlord and Global Equipment Company Inc. as Tenant (Robbinsville, NJ facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012). 10.28* Form of 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed April 29, 2010). 10.29* Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2014, among Global Industrial Services, Inc., Systemax Inc. and Robert Dooley (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013). 10.30* Employment Agreement, dated April 12, 2012, between Systemax Inc. and Eric Lerner (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012). 10.31 Amendment No. 2 and Waiver, dated as of August 7, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013). 10.32 Amendment No. 3 and Waiver, dated as of October 31, 2013 with an effective date of September 28, 2013, to the Second Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013). *Exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement42 10.33 Amendment No. 4, dated as of August 28, 2014, to the Second Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated August 28, 2014). 10.34 Lease Agreement, dated December 10, 2014, between Prologis, L.P., as Landlord and Global Industrial Distribution Inc, as Tenant (Las Vegas, NV facility) (filed herewith). 10.35 Purchase Agreement dated December 31, 2014, by and among TAKKT America Holding, LLC, Global Industrial Holdings LLC and Global Industrial Mexico Holdings LLC (filed herewith). 10.36 Amendment No. 1 to Purchase Agreement dated January 30, 2015, by and among TAKKT America Holding, LLC, Global Industrial Holdings LLC and Global Industrial Mexico Holdings LLC (filed herewith). 14 Corporate Ethics Policy for Officers, Directors and Employees (revised as of January 2014) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013). 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith). 23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith). 31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). 31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). 32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). 32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). 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  SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 43 SYSTEMAX INC. By: /s/ RICHARD LEEDS Richard Leeds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Date: March 12, 2015 Signature Title Date /s/ RICHARD LEEDS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer March 12, 2015 Richard Leeds (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ BRUCE LEEDS Vice Chairman and Director March 12, 2015 Bruce Leeds /s/ ROBERT LEEDS Vice Chairman and Director March 12, 2015 Robert Leeds /s/ LAWRENCE REINHOLD Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer March 12, 2015 Lawrence Reinhold and Director (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ THOMAS AXMACHER Vice President and Controller March 12, 2015 Thomas Axmacher (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ ROBERT ROSENTHAL Director March 12, 2015 Robert Rosenthal /s/ STACY DICK Director March 12, 2015 Stacy Dick /s/ MARIE ADLER-KRAVECAS Director March 12, 2015 Marie Adler-Kravecas Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Systemax Inc. We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss), shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Systemax Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 2013 framework and our report dated March 12, 2015 expressed and unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP New York, New York March 12, 2015 44 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Systemax Inc. We have audited Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, “(2013 framework)” (the COSO Criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) 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 financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss), shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 and our report dated March 12, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP New York, New York March 12, 2015 45 SYSTEMAX INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in millions, except for share data) See notes to consolidated financial statements. 46 December 31, 2014 2013 ASSETS: Current assets: Cash $ 165.0 $ 181.4 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $15.8 and $16.7 355.5 333.3 Inventories 289.9 321.8 Assets available for sale - 1.1 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15.9 16.3 Deferred income taxes 1.7 2.3 Total current assets 828.0 856.2 Property, plant and equipment, net 41.2 59.4 Deferred income taxes 13.5 15.3 Goodwill and intangibles 7.4 6.1 Other assets 4.8 5.2 Total assets $ 894.9 $ 942.2 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 420.2 $ 418.7 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 93.0 89.2 Current portion of long term debt 2.7 2.5 Total current liabilities 515.9 510.4 Long-term debt 0.9 2.9 Other liabilities 18.5 22.7 Total liabilities 535.3 536.0 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders’ equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 25 million shares; issued none Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 150 million shares; issued 38,861,992 and 38,861,992 shares; outstanding 36,808,158 and 36,729,295 shares 0.4 0.4 Additional paid-in capital 184.3 183.3 Treasury stock at cost —2,053,834 and 2,132,697 shares (25.4 ) (26.4 ) Retained earnings 209.2 246.7 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (8.9 ) 2.2 Total shareholders’ equity 359.6 406.2 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 894.9 $ 942.2 SYSTEMAX INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in millions, except per share data) See notes to consolidated financial statements. 47 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Net sales $ 3,442.8 $ 3,352.3 $ 3,544.3 Cost of sales 2,949.6 2,869.4 3,058.5 Gross profit 493.2 482.9 485.8 Selling, general and administrative expenses 494.7 481.3 479.4 Special charges, net 24.4 22.2 46.3 Operating loss from continuing operations (25.9 ) (20.6 ) (39.9 ) Foreign currency exchange loss 5.4 0.1 0.3 Interest and other income, net - (0.4 ) (0.3 ) Interest expense 1.3 1.5 1.7 Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (32.6 ) (21.8 ) (41.6 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 4.9 22.0 (33.6 ) Loss from continuing operations (37.5 ) (43.8 ) (8.0 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax - - (0.3 ) Net loss $ (37.5 ) $ (43.8 ) $ (8.3 ) Loss from continuing operations and net loss per common share: Basic $ (1.01 ) $ (1.18 ) $ (0.22 ) Diluted $ (1.01 ) $ (1.18 ) $ (0.22 ) Weighted average common and common equivalent shares: Basic 37.1 37.0 36.9 Diluted 37.1 37.0 36.9 Dividends declared $ - $ - $ 0.25 SYSTEMAX INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (in millions) See notes to consolidated financial statements. 48 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Net loss $ (37.5 ) $ (43.8 ) $ (8.3 ) Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation (11.1 ) 1.2 5.0 Total comprehensive loss $ (48.6 ) $ (42.6 ) $ (3.3 ) SYSTEMAX INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in millions) See notes to consolidated financial statements. 49 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Loss from continuing operations $ (37.5 ) $ (43.8 ) $ (8.0 ) Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 16.3 19.3 18.0 Asset impairment 10.2 4.1 39.9 Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes 0.5 26.4 (36.6 ) Provision for returns and doubtful accounts 8.9 4.0 5.0 Compensation expense related to equity compensation plans 1.5 2.9 4.1 Excess tax benefit from exercises of stock options - (0.1 ) (0.5 ) Loss on dispositions and abandonment 0.1 0.1 0.3 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (55.0 ) (23.4 ) (25.4 ) Inventories 26.8 46.1 5.0 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1.0 ) (1.4 ) 3.0 Income taxes payable (receivable) 14.4 (8.7 ) (8.8 ) Accounts payable 10.8 12.2 64.9 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3.9 9.1 14.5 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations (0.1 ) 46.8 75.4 Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations - - (0.4 ) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (0.1 ) 46.8 75.0 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (7.1 ) (13.7 ) (12.1 ) Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 1.0 0.3 0.1 Purchase of SCC Services BV, net of cash acquired (6.4 ) - - Net cash used in investing activities (12.5 ) (13.4 ) (12.0 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayments of capital lease obligations (2.6 ) (2.8 ) (2.8 ) Dividends paid - - (9.1 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 0.3 0.1 0.3 Excess tax benefit from exercises of stock options - 0.1 0.5 Net cash used in financing activities (2.3 ) (2.6 ) (11.1 ) EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH (1.5 ) (0.1 ) 1.5 NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH (16.4 ) 30.7 53.4 CASH – BEGINNING OF YEAR 181.4 150.7 97.3 CASH – END OF YEAR $ 165.0 $ 181.4 $ 150.7 Supplemental disclosures: Interest paid $ 1.1 $ 1.2 $ 1.4 Income taxes paid $ 5.2 $ 8.1 $ 11.4 Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: Acquisitions of equipment through capital leases $ 0.8 $ - $ 1.3 SYSTEMAX INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (in millions, except share data in thousands) See notes to consolidated financial statements. 50 Common Stock Number of Shares Outstanding Amount Additional Paid-in Capital Treasury Stock, At Cost Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Equity Balances, December 31, 2011 36,399 $ 0.4 $ 180.5 $ (30.5 ) $ 307.9 $ (4.0 ) $ 454.3 Stock-based compensation expense 4.1 4.1 Issuance of restricted stock 47 (0.5 ) 0.6 0.1 Exercise of stock options 109 (1.0 ) 1.3 0.3 Surrender of fully vested options (0.7 ) (0.7 ) Income tax benefit on stock-based compensation 0.6 0.6 Change in cumulative translation adjustment 5.0 5.0 Dividends paid (9.1 ) (9.1 ) Net loss (8.3 ) (8.3 ) Balances, December 31, 2012 36,555 $ 0.4 $ 183.0 $ (28.6 ) $ 290.5 $ 1.0 446.3 Stock-based compensation expense 2.9 2.9 Issuance of restricted stock 140 (1.9 ) 1.8 (0.1 ) Exercise of stock options 34 (0.3 ) 0.4 0.1 Surrender of fully vested options and restricted stock (0.4 ) (0.4 ) Change in cumulative translation adjustment 1.2 1.2 Net loss (43.8 ) (43.8 ) Balances, December 31, 2013 36,729 $ 0.4 $ 183.3 $ (26.4 ) $ 246.7 $ 2.2 406.2 Stock-based compensation expense 1.5 1.5 Issuance of restricted stock 45 (0.3 ) 0.6 0.3 Exercise of stock options 34 (0.1 ) 0.4 0.3 Surrender of fully vested options (0.1 ) (0.1 ) Change in cumulative translation adjustment (11.1 ) (11.1 ) Net loss (37.5 ) (37.5 ) Balances, December 31, 2014 36,808 $ 0.4 $ 184.3 $ (25.4 ) $ 209.2 $ (8.9 ) $ 359.6  SYSTEMAX INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIESPrinciples of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Systemax Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Systemax”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications — Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Use of Estimates In Financial Statements — 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 amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fiscal Year — The Company’s fiscal year ends at midnight on the Saturday closest to December 31. For clarity of presentation herein, all fiscal years are referred to as if they ended on December 31. The fiscal year is divided into four fiscal quarters that each end at midnight on a Saturday. Fiscal quarters will typically include 13 weeks, but the fourth quarter will include 14 weeks in a 53 week fiscal year. For clarity of presentation herein, all fiscal quarters are referred to as if they ended on the traditional calendar month. The full years of 2014, 2013 and 2012 included 52 weeks. Foreign Currency Translation — The Company has operations in numerous foreign countries. The functional currency of each foreign country is the local currency. The financial statements of the Company’s foreign entities are translated into U.S. dollars, the reporting currency, using year-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities, average exchange rates for the statement of operations items and historical rates for equity accounts. Translation gains or losses are recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Cash — The Company considers amounts held in money market accounts and other short-term investments, including overnight bank deposits, with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash. Cash overdrafts are classified in accounts payable. Inventories — Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by using the first-in, first-out method except in certain locations in Europe and retail locations where an average cost is used. Assets available for sale — Assets available for sale consisted of our former PC manufacturing facility located in Fletcher, Ohio, including land and land improvements. The cost of the land, land improvements and building has been adjusted to estimated fair market value based on quoted prices in the active market. This asset was sold in the second quarter of 2014 for $0.9 million and the remainder of the asset, $0.2 million, was recorded in special charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the Technology Products segment. Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Furniture, fixtures and equipment, including equipment under capital leases, are depreciated using the straight-line or accelerated method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 30 to 50 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives or the term of the respective leases. Evaluation of Long-lived Assets — Long-lived assets are evaluated for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may have been impaired. In evaluating an asset for recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss, equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset is recognized. As a result of negative cash flows in its Technology Products segment operations in North America in 2014, and a forecast for continued use of cash in 2015, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. 51 Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired assets over the fair value of assets acquired. The Company tests goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (trademarks) for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company assesses the carrying value of its definite-lived intangible assets if circumstances indicate that those values may not be recoverable. As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in Technology Products segment operations in North America in 2014, the Company conducted an evaluation of the intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired and an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. In December 2013, the Company sold certain CompUSA intellectual property assets and the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred write offs of approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. Accruals — Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based upon various factors such as the number of units sold, historical and anticipated results and data received from third party vendors. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Our most significant estimates include those related to the costs of inventory reserves, sales returns and allowances, cooperative advertising, vendor drop shipments, and customer rebate reserves, and other vendor and employee related costs. Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities and for tax loss carry forwards. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. Where it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized, we have provided a valuation allowance. If the realization of those deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made. The Company provides for uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the Company’s effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected. Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable — The Company recognizes sales of products, including shipping revenue, when persuasive evidence of an order arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met at the time the product is received by the customers when title and risk of loss have transferred except in our Industrial Products segment where title and risk pass at time of shipment. Allowances for estimated subsequent customer returns, rebates and sales incentives are provided when revenues are recorded. Revenues exclude sales tax collected. The Company evaluates collectibility of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their credit rating and provides a reserve for accounts that are potentially uncollectible. Trade receivables are generally written off once all collection efforts have been exhausted. Accounts receivable are shown in the consolidated balance sheets net of allowances for doubtful collections and subsequent customer returns. Shipping and handling costs — The Company recognizes shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. Advertising Costs — Expenditures for internet, television, local radio and newspaper advertising are expensed in the period the advertising takes place. Catalog preparation, printing and postage expenditures are amortized over the period of catalog distribution during which the benefits are expected, generally one to four months. Net advertising expenses were $66.1 million, $60.1 million and $57.7 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company utilizes advertising programs to support vendors, including catalogs, internet and magazine advertising, and receives payments and credits from vendors, including consideration pursuant to volume incentive programs and cooperative marketing programs. The Company accounts for consideration from vendors as a reduction of cost of sales unless certain conditions are met showing that the funds are used for specific, incremental, identifiable costs, in which case the consideration is accounted for as a reduction in the related expense category, such as advertising expense. The amount of vendor consideration recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $38.8 million, $45.9 million and $47.8 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Prepaid expenses as of December 2014 and 2013 include deferred advertising costs of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively which are reflected as an expense during the periods benefited, typically the subsequent fiscal quarter. Stock based compensation — The Company recognizes the fair value of share based compensation in the consolidated statement of operations over the requisite employee service period. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the expected term of the award. 52 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 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 (loss) per share was zero shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The weighted average number of restricted stock awards included in the computation of diluted (loss) per share was zero shares for the year December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The weighted average number of stock options outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share was 0.8 million shares, 1.2 million shares and 1.1 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect. The weighted average number of restricted awards outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted (loss) per share was zero shares, 0.1 million shares and zero shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect. Employee Benefit Plans - The Company’s U.S. subsidiaries participate in a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all U.S. employees. Employees may invest 1% or more of their eligible compensation, limited to maximum amounts as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company provides a matching contribution to the plan, determined as a percentage of the employees’ contributions. Aggregate expense to the Company for contributions to such plans was approximately $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Fair Value Measurements - Financial instruments consist primarily of investments in cash, trade accounts receivable, debt and accounts payable. The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments based on interest rates available to the Company. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The Company’s debt is considered to be representative of its fair value because of its variable interest rate. The fair value of goodwill, non-amortizing intangibles and long lived assets is measured in connection with the Company’s annual impairment testing. The Company performs a qualitative assessment of goodwill and non-amortizing intangibles to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment shows that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the company is not required to complete the annual two step goodwill impairment test. If a quantitative analysis is required to be performed for goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill has been assigned is determined using a discounted cash flow model. A discounted cash flow model is also used to determine fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using projected cash flows of the intangible. Unobservable inputs related to these discounted cash flow models include projected sales growth, same store sales growth, gross margin percentages, new business opportunities, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and growth in selling, general and administrative expense and are classified in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Long lived assets are assets used in the Company’s operations and include leasehold improvements, warehouse and retail store fixtures and similar property used to generate sales and cash flows. Long lived assets are tested for impairment utilizing a recoverability test. The recoverability test compares the carrying value of an asset group to the undiscounted cash flows directly attributable to the asset group over the life of the primary asset. If the undiscounted cash flows of an asset group is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the fair value of the asset group is then measured. If the fair value is also determined to be less than the carrying value of the asset group, the asset group is impaired. In 2014 the Company’s evaluation of the intangible assets in its Technology Products segment in North America concluded that certain long lived assets were impaired and an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. Significant Concentrations - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and accounts receivable. The Company’s excess cash balances are invested with money center banks. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers and their geographic dispersion comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company also performs on-going credit evaluations and maintains allowances for potential losses as warranted. We purchase substantially all of our products and components directly from manufacturers and large wholesale distributors. In 2014, two vendors accounted for 10% or more of our purchases – one vendor was 12.6%; the other vendor was 11.6%. In 2013, one vendor accounted for 13.9% of our purchases and in 2012, no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases. 53 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 Company’s current operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. This ASU provides new guidance related to the definition of a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. This new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Beginning in 2015, the Company will apply this new guidance, as applicable. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This ASU provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. In addition, this ASU specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of the adoption, with early application not permitted. The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact, if any, on the condensed consolidated financial statements. 2.ACQUISITIONOn June 12, 2014, the Company acquired SCC Services B.V. (renamed “Misco Solutions B.V”. in 2015), a supplier of business-to-business IT products and services with operations in the Netherlands. The purchase price (after giving effect to the conversion of Euros to U.S. dollars) was approximately $7.3 million in cash (5.4 million Euro), $0.6 million (0.4 million Euro) of which was placed into an escrow account for one year to secure the sellers’ indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. The Company completed a preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of the acquisition date and recorded assets of approximately $1.5 million for Goodwill, $1.0 million for Client Lists and $0.2 million for Trademarks. These assets were recorded in the Company’s Technology Products business segment. The Company expects to amortize 62% of its Client Lists over a 10 year period and 38% of its Client Lists over a 4 year period. All other assets have indefinite lives. A final purchase price allocation will be completed in 2015. The operating results of SCC Services are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition. SCC Services is included in the European operations of the Company’s Technology Products reportable segment. The Company has determined that this was not a material acquisition. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for amortizable assets related to this acquisition at December 31, 2014 was as follows (in millions): 54 December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Client lists $ 1.0 $ 0.1 Total $ 1.0 0.1 3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLESGoodwill :The following table provides information related to the carrying value of goodwill (in millions):Indefinite-lived intangible assets: The following table summarizes information related to indefinite-lived intangible assets (in millions): During 2013, the Company wrote off the remaining carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets of CompUSA of approximately $2.9 million. These write offs and impairment charges were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as special charges within the Technology Products segment. Definite-lived intangible assets: The following table summarizes information related to definite-lived intangible assets (in millions): During 2014, the Company incurred impairment charges related to the remaining retail store leases of approximately $0.5 million and recorded intangible assets of $1.0 million related to the SCC acquisition (see Note 2). In 2013 the Company incurred accelerated amortization of approximately $0.9 million related to the termination of one of the retail store leases. The aggregate amortization expense for these intangibles was approximately $1.4 million in 2014. The estimated amortization for future years ending December 31 is as follows (in millions): 4.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENTProperty, plant and equipment, net consist of the following (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2014 2013 Balance January 1 $ 2.4 $ 2.4 Adjustments to purchase price allocation 1.2 - Deferred tax adjustment 0.3 - Balance December 31 $ 3.9 $ 2.4 December 31, December 31, 2014 2013 Balance January 1 $ 2.3 $ 5.4 Adjustments to purchase price allocation 0.2 - Intangible write offs - (2.9 ) Sale proceeds - (0.2 ) Balance December 31 $ 2.5 $ 2.3 December 31, December 31, 2014 2013 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Retail store leases $ 3.4 3.4 $ 3.4 $ 2.5 Client lists 3.6 2.6 2.6 2.2 Technology 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 Total $ 8.0 7.0 $ 7.0 $ 5.6 2015 $ 0.2 2016 0.2 2017 0.2 2018 and after 0.4 Total 1.0 December 31, 2014 2013  55 Land and buildings $ 18.6 $ 19.7 Furniture and fixtures, office, computer and other equipment and software 127.6 129.2 Leasehold improvements 26.8 30.8 173.0 179.7 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 131.8 120.3 Property, plant and equipment, net $ 41.2 $ 59.4 Included in property, plant and equipment are assets under capital leases, as follows (in thousands): Depreciation charged to operations for property, plant and equipment including capital leases in 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $15.4 million, $17.4 million and $16.6 million, respectively. As a result of negative cash flows in its Technology Products segment operations in North America, and a forecast for continued use of cash, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded. 5. CREDIT FACILITIESThe 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. The credit facility has a five year term and expires in October 26, 2015 and the Company expects to renew the facility on or before that date in 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. 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 December 31, 2014, eligible collateral under this agreement was $121.9 million, total availability was $116.4 million, total outstanding letters of credit were $5.5 million and there were no outstanding advances. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under this facility as of December 31, 2014. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 4.3%, 4.3%, and 4.3% in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 6. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIESAccrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in millions): 56 2014 2013 Office, computer and other equipment $ 17.4 $ 17.4 Less: Accumulated amortization 14.5 12.0 $ 2.9 $ 5.4 December 31, 2014 2013 Payroll and employee benefits $ 34.6 $ 33.0 Advertising 11.9 10.0 Sales and VAT tax payable 9.3 9.0 Freight 8.0 6.7 Reorganization costs 4.7 8.0 Other 24.5 22.5 $ 93.0 $ 89.2 7. LONG-TERM DEBTThe Company (through a subsidiary) has an outstanding Bond financing with the Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia (the“Authority”). The Bonds were issued by the Authority and purchased by GE Government Finance Inc., and mature on October 1, 2018.The proceeds from the Bond were used to finance capital equipment purchased for the Company’s distribution facility located in Jefferson,Georgia. The purchase and installation of the equipment for the facility was completed by December 31, 2011. Pursuant to the transaction,the Company transferred to the Authority, for consideration consisting of the Bond proceeds, ownership of the equipment and the Authority leased 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 of December 31, 2014, there was $2.2 million outstanding against this financing facility.Long-term debt consists of (in millions):The aggregate maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in millions): 8.SPECIAL CHARGES, NETThe Company’s Technology Products segment incurred special charges of approximately $24. 3 million in 2014. These charges, estimates of which were previously disclosed, included approximately $11.7 million in estimated workforce reductions related to the restructuring of our European operations, $0.5 million in continued recruitment costs to staff the European shared services center, $0.1 million for changes in the estimate of lease valuation accruals and the buyout of the two retail store leases that were exited in 2013 prior to lease expiration (Other Exit Costs), $0.3 million in other costs related to the retail stores that were closed in 2013, $0.2 million in charges related to the final sale of the facility which had been used in connection with our previously exited PC manufacturing business and $1.5 million of additional legal and professional fees related to the previously disclosed investigation and settlement with former officers and employees. In the fourth quarter of 2014, after conducting an evaluation of the long-lived and intangible assets in its operations in the United States and Canada, an impairment charge of approximately $10.0 million, pre-tax, was recorded.The balance of the workforce reduction costs and retail store closing liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities.The following table details the associated liabilities incurred related to the Technology Products segments special charges (in millions):Corporate and other segment incurred $0.1 million of special charges related to severance costs in the year. 57 December 31, 2014 2013 Warehouse capitalized equipment lease $ 2.2 $ 4.1 Other capitalized equipment lease 1.4 1.3 Subtotal 3.6 5.4 Less: current portion 2.7 2.5 $ 0.9 $ 2.9 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Maturities $ 2.7 $ 0.6 $ 0.3 $ - $ - Workforce Reductions and Personnel Costs Other Exit Costs Total Balance January 1, 2014 $ 7.0 $ 5.1 $ 12.1 Charged to expense 11.7 0.1 11.8 Paid or otherwise settled (14.0 ) (5.2 ) (19.2 ) Balance December 31, 2014 $ 4.7 $ - $ 4.7 9. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYStock based compensation plans The Company currently has five equity compensation plans which reserve shares of common stock for issuance to key employees, directors, consultants and advisors to the Company. The following is a description of these plans: The 1995 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan - This plan, adopted in 1995, allowed the Company to issue qualified, non-qualified and deferred compensation stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted unit grants, performance unit grants and other stock based awards authorized by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Options issued under this plan expire ten years after the options are granted. The ability to grant new awards under this plan ended on December 31, 2005 but awards granted prior to such date continue until their expiration. No options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014. The 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors - This plan, adopted in 1995, provides for automatic awards of non-qualified options to directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or its affiliates. All options granted under this plan will have a ten year term from grant date and are immediately exercisable. A maximum of 100,000 shares may be granted for awards under this plan. The ability to grant new awards under this plan ended on October 12, 2006 but awards granted prior to such date continue until their expiration. A total of 4,000 options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014. The 1999 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (“1999 Plan”) - This plan was adopted in October 1999 with substantially the same terms and provisions as the 1995 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan. The Company increased the number of shares that may be granted under this plan to a maximum of 7,500,000 from 5,000,000 shares. The maximum number of shares granted per type of award to any individual may not exceed 1,500,000 in any calendar year and 3,000,000 in total. The ability to grant new awards under this plan ended on December 31, 2009 but awards granted prior to such date continue until their expiration. A total of 558,500 options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan For Non-Employee Directors - This plan, adopted by the Company’s stockholders in October, 2006, replaces the 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The Company adopted the plan so that it could offer directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or of any entity in which the Company has more than a 50% equity interest (“independent directors”) an opportunity to participate in the ownership of the Company by receiving options to purchase shares of common stock at a price equal to the fair market value at the date of grant of the option and restricted stock awards. Awards for a maximum of 200,000 shares may be granted under this plan. A total of 15,000 options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014. The 2010 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”) - This plan was adopted in April, 2010 with substantially the same terms and provisions as the 1999 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares granted per type of award to any individual may not exceed 1,500,000 in any calendar year. Restricted stock grants and common stock awards reduce stock options otherwise available for future grant. Awards for a maximum of 7,500,000 shares may be granted under this plan. A total of 524,750 options and 255,000 restricted stock units were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014. Shares issued under our share-based compensation plans are usually issued from shares of our common stock held in the treasury. The fair value of employee share options is recognized in expense over the vesting period of the options, using the graded attribution method. The fair value of employee share options is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company has used historical volatility in its estimate of expected volatility. The expected life represents the period of time (in years) for which the options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve. Compensation cost related to non-qualified stock options recognized in operating results (selling, general and administrative expense) for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.7 million, $1.1 million, and $2.5 million respectively. The related future income tax benefits recognized for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Stock options The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012: 58 2014 2013 2012 Expected annual dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 % Risk-free interest rate 2.02 % 1.66 % 1.10 % Expected volatility 47.1 % 41.1 % 57.3 % Expected life in years 6.2 7.9 6.3 The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options: The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $1.4 million respectively, for 2014, 2013 and 2012. The following table summarizes information about options vested and exercisable or nonvested that are expected to vest (nonvested outstanding less expected forfeitures) at December 31, 2014: The aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price on the last day of trading in 2014 and the exercise price) that would have been received by the option holders had all options been exercised on December 31, 2014. This value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The following table reflects the activity for all unvested stock options during 2014: At December 31, 2014, there was approximately $0.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.67 years. The total fair value of stock options vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.2 million, $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units In 2004, the Company granted 1,000,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the 1999 Plan to a former officer and director. A RSU represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock. The RSUs have none of the rights as other shares of common stock, other than rights to cash dividends, until common stock is distributed. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vested at the rate of 20% on May 31, 2005 and 10% per year on April 1, 2006 and each year thereafter. The share-based expense for RSUs is determined based on the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the award. Compensation expense related to this RSU was zero in 2014, 2013 and 2012. As part of the settlement agreement with a former officer and director of the company, all unvested RSUs were terminated and of no further force and effect. 59 Weighted Average 2014 2013 2012 Shares Exercise Price Shares Exercise Price Shares Exercise Price Outstanding at beginning of year 1,175,499 $ 16.11 1,353,059 $ 15.88 1,285,115 $ 13.39 Granted 65,000 $ 12.39 60,000 $ 9.54 772,500 $ 15.00 Exercised (33,749 ) $ 9.78 (34,310 ) $ 3.04 (109,466 ) $ 3.12 Cancelled or expired (104,500 ) $ 15.83 (203,250 ) $ 14.84 (595,090 ) $ 11.71 Outstanding at end of year 1,102,250 $16.11 1,175,499 $16.11 1,353,059 $15.88 Options exercisable at year end 839,500 772,749 682,809 Weighted average fair value per option granted during the year $ 5.92 $ 4.44 $ 7.90 Range of Exercise Prices Number Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) $ 5.00 to $ 10.00 51,202 $ 9.26 7.91 $ 0.2 $ 10.01 to $ 15.00 384,237 $ 13.08 5.57 0.3 $ 15.01 to $ 20.00 529,774 $ 18.31 4.77 - $ 20.01 to $ 20.15 100,000 $ 20.15 2.06 - $ 5.00 to $ 20.15 1,065,213 $ 16.16 4.95 $ 0.5 Shares Weighted Average Grant- Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2014 402,750 $ 8.58 Granted 65,000 $ 5.92 Vested (134,000 ) $ 8.77 Forfeited (71,000 ) $ 7.02 Unvested at December 31, 2014 262,750 $ 8.25 In August 2010, the Company granted 175,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to a key employee who is also a Company director. These RSUs have none of the rights as other shares of common stock, other than rights to cash dividends, until common stock is distributed. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vests in ten equal annual installments of 17,500 units beginning May 15, 2011 and each May 15, thereafter. Compensation expense related to this RSU award was approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In October 2011, the Company granted 100,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to, at that time, a key employee. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vested in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units beginning October 3, 2012 and each October 3 thereafter. The termination without cause of this key employee during 2013 caused the accelerated vesting of the remaining 90,000 shares in accordance with the restricted stock agreement with the Company. Compensation expense related to these restricted stock awards was approximately $ 0.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.2 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In November 2011, the Company granted 100,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to a key employee who is also a Company director. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vests in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units beginning November 14, 2012 and each November 14 thereafter. Compensation expense related to this RSU award was approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In January 2012 and March 2012, the Company granted 50,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to each of two key employees. These RSU awards were non-performance awards which vests in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units beginning January 3, 2013 and March 1, 2013, respectively, and each January 3 and March 1, thereafter. Compensation expense related to these RSU awards were approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Share-based compensation expense for restricted stock issued to Directors was $0.1 million in each of 2014, 2013 and 2012. 10. INCOME TAXESThe components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in millions): The (benefit) provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions): 60 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 United States $ (9.3 ) $ (18.8 ) $ (66.5 ) Foreign (23.3 ) (3.0 ) 24.9 Total $ (32.6 ) $ (21.8 ) $ (41.6 ) Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Current: Federal $ (0.3 ) $ (8.2 ) $ (5.4 ) State 0.6 0.6 0.3 Foreign 4.1 3.2 8.1 Total current 4.4 (4.4 ) 3.0 Deferred: Federal - 20.5 (16.5 ) State (0.5 ) 4.8 (3.3 ) Foreign 1.0 1.1 (16.8 ) Total deferred 0.5 26.4 (36.6 ) TOTAL $ 4.9 $ 22.0 $ (33.6 ) Income taxes are accrued and paid by each foreign entity in accordance with applicable local regulations. The Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.2 million in 2012, related to discontinued operations. A reconciliation of the difference between the income tax expense and the computed income tax expense based on the Federal statutory corporate rate is as follows (in millions): The deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following (in millions): 61 Year Ended December 31 , 2014 2013 2012 Income tax at Federal statutory rate $ (11.4 ) (35.0 )% $ (7.6 ) (35.0 )% $ (14.5 ) (35.0 )% Foreign taxes at rates different from the U.S. rate 6.1 18.7 2.3 10.6 (3.7 ) (8.9 ) State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 1.3 4.0 (0.3 ) (1.4 ) (2.1 ) (5.0 ) Changes in valuation allowances 9.1 27.9 28.9 132.6 (13.3 ) (31.9 ) Change in deferred tax liability - - (1.2 ) (5.5 ) - - Non-deductible items - - 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2 Other items, net (0.2 ) (0.6 ) (0.2 ) (0.9 ) (0.1 ) (0.2 ) Income tax $ 4.9 15.0 % $ 22.0 100.9 % $ (33.6 ) (80.8 )% December 31, 2014 2013 Assets: Current: Accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 10.5 $ 10.8 Inventory 4.2 4.6 Valuation allowances (10.5 ) (11.2 ) Total current assets $ 4.2 $ 4.2 Non-current: Net operating loss and credit carryforwards $ 35.0 $ 30.1 Depreciation 2.5 2.0 Intangible & other 16.2 15.2 Valuation allowances (38.3 ) (28.5 ) Total non-current assets $ 15.4 $ 18.8 Liabilities : Current : Deductible assets $ 1.5 $ 0.7 Other 1.0 1.2 Total current liabilities $ 2.5 $ 1.9 Non-current: Amortization $ 1.2 $ 1.1 Depreciation 0.1 1.8 Other 0.6 0.6 Total non-current liabilities $ 1.9 $ 3.5 During the current year the Company recorded valuation allowances against deferred tax assets of approximately $9.1 million. These valuation allowances were recorded against U.S. federal deferred tax assets of approximately $2.9 million, foreign deferred tax assets of $7.4 million, and were partially offset by a reduction in state deferred tax asset valuation allowances of approximately $ 1.2 miilion. These valuation allowances were recorded primarily as a result of Managements’ belief that the deferred assets are not likely to be realized due to recent losses. The Company has not provided for federal income taxes applicable to the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries of approximately $ 66.8 million as of December 31, 2014, since these earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. The Company has gross foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $80.8 million which expire through 2030. The Company records these benefits as assets to the extent that utilization of such assets is more likely than not; otherwise, a valuation allowance has been recorded. The Company has also provided valuation allowances for certain state deferred tax assets and net operating loss carryforwards where it is not likely they will be realized. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $1.4 million in federal tax credit carryforwards expiring in years through 2024 and various amounts of state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards expiring through 2034 . The Company has recorded valuation allowances of approximately $48.8 million, including valuations against the federal and state deductibility of temporary differences including net operating losses, of $23.0 million and $7.7 million respectively, foreign tax credits of $1.4 million and tax effected temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions of $16.7 million. The Company is routinely audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities with respect to its income taxes. The Company regularly reviews and evaluates the likelihood of audit assessments. The Company’s federal income tax returns have been audited through 2009. The Company has not signed any consents to extend the statute of limitations for any subsequent years. The Company’s significant state tax returns have been audited through 2006. The Company considers its significant tax jurisdictions in foreign locations to be the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy and Germany. The Company remains subject to examination in the United Kingdom for years after 2011, in Canada for years after 2008, in France for years after 2011, in Italy for years after 2008, in Netherlands for years after 2006 and in Germany for years after 2007. In accordance with the guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes the Company recognizes the tax benefits from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit of an uncertain tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured as the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the tax authority. To the extent we prevail in matters for which accruals have been established or are required to pay amounts in excess of accruals, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period could be affected. As of December 31, 2014 the Company had no uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties, if any, are recorded in income tax expense. There were no accrued interests or penalty charges related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded in income tax expense in 2014 or 2013. 11.COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER MATTERSLeases - The Company is obligated under operating lease agreements for the rental of certain office and warehouse facilities and equipment which expire at various dates through August 2032. The Company currently leases its headquarters office/warehouse facility in New York from an entity owned by the Company’s three principal shareholders and senior executive officers. The Company believes that these payments were no higher than would be paid to an unrelated lessor for comparable space. The Company also acquires certain computer, communications equipment, and machinery and equipment pursuant to capital lease obligations. At December 31, 2014, the future minimum annual lease payments for capital leases and related and third-party operating leases were as follows (in millions): Capital Leases Operating Leases Total 2015 2.8 $ 28.3 $ 31.1 2016 0.6 26.4 27.0 2017 0.3 26.0 26.3 2018 - 21.4 21.4 2019 - 19.1 19.1 2020-2024 - 51.7 51.7 2025-2029 - 25.6 25.6 Thereafter - 8.0 8.0 Total minimum lease payments 3.7 206.5 210.2 Less: sublease rental income - 2.5 2.5 Lease obligation net of subleases 3.7 $ 204.0 207.7 Less: amount representing interest 0.1 Present value of minimum capital lease payments (including current portion of $2.7) $ 3.6 62 Annual rent expense aggregated approximately $31.5 million, $34.6 million and $33.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Included in rent expense was $0.9 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, to related parties. Rent expense is net of sublease income of $0.0 million for 2014, $0.1 million for 2013, and $0.2 million for 2012, respectively. Other Matters 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. In this regard, the State of New York has claimed that certain of the Company’s consumer electronics e-commerce sales are subject to sales tax in those states. The Company intends to vigorously defend these matters and believes it has strong defenses. The Company is also being audited by an entity representing 45 states seeking recovery of “unclaimed property”. The Company is complying with the audit and is providing requested information. 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 position 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. In this regard, the Company establishes accrual estimates for its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability incurred at the date of the financial statements and the loss can be reasonably estimated. At December 31, 2014 the Company has established accruals for certain of its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings based upon estimates of the most likely outcome in a range of loss or the minimum amounts in a range of loss if no amount within a range is a more likely estimate. The Company does not believe that at December 31, 2014 any reasonably possible losses in excess of the amounts accrued would be material to the financial statements. Following the previously reported independent investigation of Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino by our Audit Committee in 2011 (in response to a whistleblower report) for a variety of improper acts, the subsequent termination of their employment and the entering into by Gilbert Fiorentino of a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on November 20, 2014 the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Southern District of Florida announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud TigerDirect and Systemax. Specifically, the charges set forth a scheme to obtain kickbacks and other benefits, and to conceal this illicit income from the IRS, all while Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were employed as senior executives at the Company’s North American Technology Products business. On December 2, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had pled guilty to various charges, and on March 3, 2015, Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were sentenced to sixty and eighty months’ imprisonment, respectively. The Court also set a restitution hearing for April 10, 2015 to determine the amount of restitution Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino are obligated to pay the Company. On January 27, 2015, the senior financial officer of the Company's North American Technology Products segment testified before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to a subpoena. The USAO has not advised the Company as to the nature or scope of the grand jury proceeding. Further, the Company's Audit Committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, is cooperating with a current investigation by the USAO into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation regarding possible executive officer conflicts of interest and conduct related to internal controls and books and records. The Company does not currently believe these matters have had or will have a material effect on the Company's previously reported consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible at this time to predict when the current investigation will be completed; what subject(s) will be investigated; what actions, if any, may be taken by the government as a result of its investigation; or whether any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company. 12.SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATIONThe Company operates and is internally managed in two reportable business segments, Technology Products and Industrial Products. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The CEO, in his role as Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), evaluates segment performance based on operating income (loss) from continuing operations . The CODM reviews assets and makes significant 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. Corporate costs not identified with the disclosed segments are grouped as “Corporate and other expenses.” 63 Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by reportable segment was as follows (in millions): Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area was as follows (in millions): Net sales are attributed to countries based on location of selling subsidiary. 64 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Net Sales: Technology Products $ 2,880.9 $ 2,873.3 $ 3,137.6 Industrial Products 556.0 473.8 401.9 Corporate and other 5.9 5.2 4.8 Consolidated $ 3,442.8 $ 3,352.3 $ 3,544.3 Depreciation and Amortization Expense: Technology Products $ 12.9 $ 16.1 $ 15.1 Industrial Products 2.1 2.2 1.9 Corporate and other 1.3 1.0 1.0 Consolidated $ 16.3 $ 19.3 $ 18.0 Operating Income (Loss): Technology Products $ (51.3 ) $ (40.6 ) $ (47.2 ) Industrial Products 41.0 40.0 29.9 Corporate and other expenses (15.6 ) (20.0 ) (22.6 ) Consolidated $ (25.9 ) $ (20.6 ) $ (39.9 ) Total Assets Technology Products $ 501.9 $ 598.3 $ 564.4 Industrial Products 136.4 110.0 157.7 Corporate and other 256.6 233.9 240.2 Consolidated $ 894.9 $ 942.2 $ 962.3 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Net Sales: United States $ 2,061.8 $ 2,051.1 2.203.2 United Kingdom 471.9 468.5 491.7 France 383.2 335.4 312.7 Other Europe 334.8 291.5 322.3 Other North America 191.1 205.8 214.4 Consolidated $ 3,442.8 $ 3,352.3 3,544.3 Long-lived Assets: United States $ 16.7 $ 32.3 $ 42.0 United Kingdom 17.5 18.7 16.6 France 0.8 0.9 0.1 Other Europe and Asia 5.5 6.4 2.7 Other North America 0.7 1.1 1.6 Consolidated $ 41.2 $ 59.4 $ 63.0 13.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)Quarterly financial data, excluding discontinued operations, is as follows (in millions, except for per share amounts): 14.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (unaudited)On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation, as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. TheCompany anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017 .On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Industrial Products Group had completed its previously announced acquisition of thePlant Equipment Group, a business-to-business direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products, from TAKKTAmerica for $25.9 million in cash; post-closing working capital adjustments were deminimis.65 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter 2014: Net sales $ 873.4 $ 831.1 $ 825.4 $ 912.9 Gross profit $ 127.9 $ 123.3 $ 117.5 $ 124.5 Net loss $ (3.0 ) $ (6.2 ) $ (2.8 ) $ (25.5 ) Net loss per common share: Basic $ (0.08 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.08 ) $ (0.69 ) Diluted $ (0.08 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.08 ) $ (0.69 ) 2013: Net sales $ 880.6 $ 805.7 $ 791.8 $ 874.2 Gross profit $ 121.6 $ 116.3 $ 116.8 $ 128.2 Net loss $ (6.3 ) $ (6.1 ) $ (11.6 ) $ (19.8 ) Net loss per common share: Basic $ (0.17 ) $ (0.16 ) $ (0.31 ) $ (0.54 ) Diluted $ (0.17 ) $ (0.16 ) $ (0.31 ) $ (0.54 )  SYSTEMAX INC. SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS For the years ended December: (in millions) (1) Other relates to SCC Netherlands BV acquisition allowance for doubtful accounts as of acquisition date. (2) Amounts represent gross revenue and cost reversals to the estimated sales returns and allowances accounts. 66 Description Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to Expenses Write-offs Other Balance at End of Period Allowance for doubtful accounts 2014 $ 5.8 $ 8.9 $ (8.3 ) $ 0.1 (1) $ 6.5 2013 $ 6.3 $ 4.0 $ (4.5 ) $ - $ 5.8 2012 $ 5.4 $ 5.0 $ (4.1 ) $ - $ 6.3 Allowance for sales returns 2014 $ 10.9 $ 9.3 $ - $ (10.9 ) (2) $ 9.3 2013 $ 9.2 $ 10.9 $ - $ (9.2 ) (2) $ 10.9 2012 $ 9.3 $ 9.2 $ - $ (9.3 ) (2) $ 9.2 Allowance for inventory returns 2014 $ (9.2 ) $ (7.8 ) - $ 9.2 (2) $ (7.8 ) 2013 $ (8.0 ) $ (9.2 ) - $ 8.0 (2) $ (9.2 ) 2012 $ (7.9 ) $ (8.0 ) - $ 7.9 (2) $ (8.0 ) Allowance for deferred tax assets 2014 Current $ 11.2 $ (0.7 ) $ - $ - $ 10.5 Noncurrent $ 28.5 $ 9.8 $ - $ - $ 38.3 2013 Current $ 2.2 $ 9.0 $ - $ - $ 11.2 Noncurrent $ 8.9 $ 19.6 $ - $ - $ 28.5 2012 Current $ 1.5 $ 0.7 $ - $ - $ 2.2 Noncurrent $ 28.4 $ (19.5 ) $ - $ - $ 8.9 Exhibit 31.1 CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER I, Richard Leeds, certify that: 1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Systemax Inc. (the “registrant”);2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to makethe statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this l report; 4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter( the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which arereasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 12, 2015 /s/ RICHARD LEEDS Richard Leeds, Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER I, Lawrence P. Reinhold, certify that: 1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Systemax Inc. (the “registrant”);2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to makethe statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this l report; 3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter ( the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions): a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which arereasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 12, 2015 /s/ LAWRENCE P. REINHOLD Lawrence P. Reinhold, Chief Financial Officer Exhibit 32.1 CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER The undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer of Systemax Inc., hereby certifies that Systemax Inc.’s Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78 (o)(d)) and that the information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Systemax Inc. Dated: March 12, 2015 /s/ RICHARD LEEDS Richard Leeds, Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 32.2 CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER The undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Systemax Inc., hereby certifies that Systemax Inc.’s Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78 (o)(d)) and that the information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Systemax Inc. Dated: March 12, 2015 /s/ LAWRENCE P. REINHOLD Lawrence P. Reinhold, Chief Financial Officer Stock Performance Graph Financial Summary (In millions except Diluted Net Income Per Share) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Net sales $3,589.0 Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $ 68.8 $ 42.6 Net income from continuing operations $ 1.13 Diluted net income (loss) per share $3,680.6 $ 80.8 $ 54.6 $ 1.47 $3,544.6 $3,442.8 $3,352.3 $ (39.9) $ (20.6) $ (25.9) (8.0) $ (43.8) $ (37.5) $ (.22) $ (1.18) $ (1.01) $ Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this Annual Report constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors as set forth within the Form 10K forming a part of this document. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS: The 2015 Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at Systemax Inc. 11 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, NY 11050 STOCK EXCHANGE: The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SYX. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS: ERNST & YOUNG LLP New York, NY DIRECTORS Richard Leeds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Leeds Vice Chairman Robert Leeds Vice Chairman Lawrence Reinhold Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Rosenthal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First Long Island Investors LLC Stacy Dick Chief Financial Officer Julian Robertson Holdings Marie Adler-Kravecas Retired President of Myron Corporation CORPORATE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Richard Leeds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Leeds Vice Chairman Robert Leeds Vice Chairman Lawrence Reinhold Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Eric Lerner Senior Vice President and General Counsel Thomas Axmacher Vice President and Controller Manoj Shetty Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer SEGMENT EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT Robert Dooley Industrial Products Group Perminder Dale European Technology Products Group Robert Leeds North American Technology Products Group Systemax Inc. Corporate Headquarters 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 Industrial Products Headquarters 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 European Technology Products Headquarters Systemax House, Dashwood Lang Road, 5 Bourne Business Park, Addlestone KT15 2NY United Kingdom North American Technology Products Headquarters 7795 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33144 2014 Annual Report 

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