GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL Co - Quarter Report: 2006 September (Form 10-Q)

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

                                                   Weighted   Weighted Average    Aggregate
                                                    Average      Remaining        Intrinsic
                                                  Exercise     Contractual        Value (in
                                    For Shares      Price          Life           thousands)
                                    ----------    ---------   ----------------    ----------
Outstanding January 1, 2006          2,657,419      $3.93
Granted                                439,334      $7.37
Exercised                            (273,819)      $2.74
Canceled or lapsed                    (27,474)     $12.84
                                      -------      ------
Outstanding September 30, 2006       2,795,460      $4.50          6.42           $32,239
                                     =========      =====          ====           =======
Exercisable at September 30, 2006    1,877,809      $4.08          5.89           $22,444
                                     =========      =====          ====           =======

                      Periods ended September 30, 2005:

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

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

Forward Looking Statements

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

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

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

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period. Significant accounting policies employed by the Company, including the use of estimates, were presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company adopted SFAS 123(R), "Share-based Payment," effective January 1, 2006 to account for stock-based compensation. In accordance with SFAS 123 (R), we measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award for stock option grants. No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. We determine the grant-date fair value of employee share options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations, require management's most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, and involve uncertainties. The accounting policies that have been identified as critical to our business operations and understanding the results of operations pertain to revenue recognition, net accounts receivable, inventories, long-lived assets, income taxes and restructuring charges and accruals. The application of each of these critical accounting policies and estimates was discussed in Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. There have been no significant changes in the application of critical accounting policies or estimates during 2006. Management believes that full consideration has been given to all relevant circumstances that we may be subject to, and the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company accurately reflect management's best estimate of the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. Because of the uncertainty in these estimates, actual results could differ from estimates used in applying the critical accounting policies. We are not aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances which would result in different amounts being reported that would materially affect its financial condition or results of operations.

Overview

We are a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. Our operations are organized in two primary reportable segments – Computer Products and Industrial Products. Our Computer Products segment markets personal desktop computers, notebook computers and computer related products in North America and Europe. We assemble our own PCs and sell them under our own trademarks, which we believe gives us a competitive advantage. We also sell personal computers manufactured by other leading companies, such as Hewlett Packard, E-Machines and Sony. Our Industrial Products segment markets material handling equipment, storage equipment and consumable industrial items in North America. We offer more than 100,000 products and continuously update our product offerings to address the needs of our customers, which include large, mid-sized and small businesses, educational and government entities as well as individual consumers. We reach customers by multiple channels, utilizing relationship marketers, e-commerce web sites, mailed catalogues and retail outlet stores. We also participate in the emerging market for on-demand, web-based software applications through the marketing of our PCS Profitability Suite™ of hosted software, which we began during 2004, and in which we have not yet recognized any revenues and have incurred considerable losses to date. Computers and computer related products account for 91% of our net sales, and, as a result, we are dependent on the general demand for information technology products.

The market for computer products 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 of information technology and our industrial products is working capital intensive, requiring us to incur significant costs associated with the warehousing of many products, including the costs of leasing warehouse space, maintaining inventory and 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 stocking and drop-shipment fulfillment.

The primary component of our operating expenses historically has been employee related costs, which includes items such as wages, commissions, bonuses, and employee benefits. We have made substantial reductions in our workforce and closed or consolidated several facilities over the past several years. With evidence of a prolonged economic downturn in Europe, we took measures to align our cost structure with expected potentially lower revenues and decreasing gross margins, initiating several cost reduction plans there during 2004 and 2005. We will continue to monitor our costs and evaluate the need for additional actions.

The discussion of our results of operations and financial condition that follows will provide information that will assist in understanding our financial statements, the factors that we believe may affect our future results and financial condition as well as information about how certain accounting principles and estimates affect the consolidated financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein.

Results of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 10.7% to $1.7 billion compared to $1.5 billion in the year-ago period. Net sales in the first nine months of 2006 included approximately $583.4 million of internet-related sales, a 30.7% increase from $446.5 million of internet-related sales in the prior year's first nine months. North American sales were $1.16 billion, an increase of 14.6% from $1.01 billion in the prior year. European sales increased to $534.9 million (representing 31.5% of worldwide sales) compared to $517.9 million (33.8% of worldwide sales) in the year-ago period. Movements in foreign exchange rates negatively impacted the European sales comparison by approximately $16.7 million in 2006. Excluding the movements in foreign exchange rates, European sales would have increased 6.5% from the prior year. Sales as measured in local currencies in all but two of the European markets we serve increased in the first nine months of 2006. The increase in our North American sales resulted from sales growth in both our computer and industrial products groups. Sales of computer products were $1.55 billion, an 10.6% increase from $1.4 million of sales in the prior year. This increase was primarily a result of our continuing internet initiatives and expansion of our product offerings. Sales of industrial products increased 12.1% to $147.0 million from $131.1 million in the prior year.

Gross profit, which consists of net sales less product cost, shipping, assembly and certain distribution center costs, was $259.6 million compared to $221.6 million in the year-ago nine months, an increase of $38.0 million. The gross profit margin was 15.3% in the current period, compared to 14.5% in the year-ago period. The increase in the gross profit margin resulted from a favorable change in product mix, increased internet sales, increased consideration from vendors and reduced warehouse costs for staff and supplies.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first nine months increased $7.2 million, or 3.6%, to $209.0 million compared to $201.8 million in the first nine months of 2005. Selling, general and administrative costs in Europe declined approximately $8.1 million in the first nine months of 2006, primarily the result of the restructuring actions we took in Europe in 2005 and $1.3 million of decreased costs due to the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates. The European decreases were partially offset by increased spending in North America on salaries and employee related expenses of approximately $10.8 million and increased advertising costs net of rebates of approximately $2.5 million and higher credit card processing fees related to the higher sales volume of approximately $2.7 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include $1.2 million of stock compensation expense in 2006 as a result of the adoption of SFAS 123(R). The Company used the modified prospective transition method at adoption and accordingly, financial statement amounts for prior periods presented in this Form 10-Q have not been restated to reflect the fair value method of recognizing compensation cost relating to non-qualified stock options. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was 12.3% in the current nine month period compared to 13.2% in the year-ago period.

During the first quarter of 2005 we implemented plans to streamline and restructure the activities of our European computer businesses, resulting in the elimination of approximately 200 positions. We incurred $3.5 million of restructuring costs associated with these actions in the first nine months of 2005 for staff severance and benefits for terminated employees.

We had income from operations for the current nine months of $50.6 million compared to $16.3 million in the year-ago period. We had income from operations of $39.5 million in North America in the current year compared to income from operations of $24.5 million last year. We had income from operations in Europe of $11.1 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to a loss from operations of $8.2 million in the year-ago period.

During the first quarter of 2006 we sold our distribution facility in Suwanee, Georgia and recognized a gain of approximately $6.7 million net of a prepayment penalty incurred upon the repayment of the underlying mortgage loan, which is included in "Other non-operating (income) expense, net." The facility was replaced by a larger, leased building in the same geographic area.

Interest income and expense, net includes interest expense of $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2006 and $2.0 million in 2005. The decrease resulted from lower average European short-term borrowings. Interest income earned on invested funds increased in 2006 as a result of an increase in funds available for investment.

Income tax expense was $20.6 million in the first nine months of 2006 and $5.9 million in the year-ago period. The effective income tax rate was 35.7%, compared to 42.5% in the year ago period. The effective income tax rate was lower in 2006 primarily as a result of income earned in the United Kingdom for which the tax provision has been offset by the reversal of a deferred tax valuation allowance previously recorded against the deferred tax asset for our United Kingdom carryforward losses. Changes in the mix of U.S. and non-U.S. earnings over the balance of the year and changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets could have a significant impact on the effective tax rate for the year.

Net income for the first nine months was $37.1 million, or $1.06 per basic share and $.99 per diluted share, compared to $8.0 million, or $.23 per basic and $.22 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2005.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased 17.7% to $575.0 million compared to $488.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Net sales in the third quarter of 2006 included approximately $192.4 million of internet-related sales, a 30.4% increase from $147.6 million of internet-related sales in the prior year's third quarter. North American sales were $395.5 million, an increase of 20.9% from $327.3 million in the prior year. European sales increased 11.3%, to $179.5 million (representing 31.2% of worldwide sales) compared to $161.2 million (33.0% of worldwide sales) in the year-ago quarter. Movements in foreign exchange rates positively impacted the European sales comparison by approximately $8.3 million in 2006. Excluding the movements in foreign exchange rates, European sales would have increased 6.2% from the prior year. Sales as measured in local currencies in all of the European markets we serve increased in the third quarter of 2006. The increase in our North American sales resulted from sales growth in both our computer and industrial products groups. Sales of computer products were $522.7 million, an 18.1% increase from $442.7 million of sales in the prior year. This increase was primarily a result of our continuing internet initiatives and expansion of our product offerings. Sales of industrial products increased 14.3% to $52.4 million from $45.8 million in the prior year, and continue to grow in line with the favorable economic conditions in the United States.

Gross profit, which consists of net sales less product cost, shipping, assembly and certain distribution center costs, was $91.5 million compared to $70.5 million in the year-ago quarter, an increase of $21.0 million. The gross profit margin was 15.9% in the current period and 14.4% in the year-ago period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter increased $10.3 million to $72.3 million compared to $62.0 million in the third quarter of 2005. Selling, general and administrative costs in Europe declined approximately $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2006, primarily the result of the restructuring actions we took in Europe in 2005 and $.9 million of increased costs due to the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates. The European decreases were offset in part by increased spending in North America on salaries and employee related expenses of approximately $8.6 million, higher credit card processing fees related to the higher sales volume of approximately $2.0 million and higher advertising costs net of rebates of $1.9 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include $0.5 million of stock compensation expense in 2006 as a result of the adoption of SFAS 123(R). The Company used the modified prospective transition method at adoption and accordingly, financial statement amounts for prior periods presented in this Form 10-Q have not been restated to reflect the fair value method of recognizing compensation cost relating to non-qualified stock options. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales was 12.6% in the current quarter compared to 12.7% in the year-ago quarter.

During the first quarter of 2005 we implemented plans to streamline and restructure the activities of our European computer businesses, resulting in the elimination of approximately 200 positions. We incurred $.4 million of additional restructuring costs associated with these actions during the third quarter of 2005 for staff severance and benefits for terminated employees.

We had income from operations for the current quarter of $19.2 million compared to $8.0 million in the year-ago quarter. We had income from operations of $15.6 million in North America in the third quarter compared to income from operations of $6.8 million last year. We had income from operations in Europe of $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2006, compared to $1.2 million in the year-ago quarter.

Interest income and expense, net includes interest expense of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 and $0.6 million in 2005. The decrease resulted from lower average European short-term borrowings. Interest income earned on invested funds increased in 2006 as a result of an increase in funds available for investment.

Income tax expense was $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2006 and $2.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2006 was 36.2%, compared to 42.5% in the year ago period. The effective income tax rate was lower in 2006 primarily as a result of income earned in the United Kingdom for which the tax provision has been offset by the reversal of a deferred tax valuation allowance previously recorded against the deferred tax asset for our United Kingdom carryforward losses. Changes in the mix of U.S. and non-U.S. earnings over the balance of the year and changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets could have a significant impact on the effective tax rate for the year.

Net income for the third quarter was $12.5 million, or $.36 per basic share and $.33 per diluted share, compared to $3.9 million, or $.11 per basic and diluted share, in the third quarter of 2005.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary liquidity needs are to support working capital requirements in our business and to fund capital expenditures. We rely principally upon operating cash flow and borrowings under our credit facilities to meet these needs. We believe that cash flow available from these sources will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements, projected capital expenditures and interest and debt repayments in the foreseeable future.

Our working capital was $217.3 million at September 30, 2006, an increase of $47.5 million from $169.8 million at the end of 2005. This resulted from a $9.3 million increase in accounts receivable, a $17.1 million increase in inventories, a $8.9 million increase in prepaid expense and other current assets, a $10.7 million decrease in short-term borrowings, a $4.0 million decrease in accounts payable and other accrued expenses offset by a $2.1 million decrease in deferred tax assets and a $.4 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents. Inventory levels increased $19.6 million in North America, primarily in our computer products segment and inventories in Europe decreased $2.5 million. Our inventory turnover was 9.3 times at the end of the third quarter and 2005. Our accounts receivable increased in Europe by approximately $5.2 million, as local currency sales in some of our larger markets increased from the fourth quarter. Accounts receivable in North America increased approximately $4.1 million from the end of the prior year. Future accounts receivable and inventory balances will continue to fluctuate with changes in sales volume and the mix of our net sales between consumer and business customers.

Our cash balance decreased slightly to $70.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $70.9 million at the end of 2005. Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.1 million for the first nine months of 2006, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $15.3 million in the same period of 2005. The decrease in cash provided by operations in 2006 resulted from changes in our working capital accounts, which used $37.1 million in cash compared to $2.9 million of cash used in 2005. The reduction resulted primarily from a $14.3 million increase in inventories in the first nine months of 2006 compared to an $15.1 million decrease for the same period of the prior year, an increase in prepaids and other current assets of $8.4 million compared to a reduction of $.9 million for the same period in 2005 and a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the first nine months of 2006 of $10.0 million compared to a $12.5 million increase for the same period of the prior year. Cash generated from net income adjusted by other non-cash items provided $42.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $18.1 million provided by these items for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result of the increase in our net income.

We maintain our cash and cash equivalents primarily in money market funds or their equivalent. As of September 30, 2006, all of our investments mature in less than three months. Accordingly, we do not believe that our investments have significant exposure to interest rate risk.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 we had $14.5 million of cash provided by investing activities. This consisted of $19.1 million of proceeds from the sale of our Suwanee, Georgia distribution facility and other fixed asset disposals, offset by $4.6 million of capital expenditures. Capital expenditures in 2006 included facilities costs and equipment for the replacement distribution facility we leased and upgrades and enhancements to our information and communications systems hardware. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we used $4.1 million in investing activities, principally for the purchase of property, plant and equipment. Capital expenditures in 2005 consisted primarily of upgrades and enhancements to our information and communications systems hardware and facilities costs for the opening of new retail outlet stores.

Net cash of $19.5 million was used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. We used cash of $12.4 million to repay long-term debt obligations, primarily for the mortgage on our Georgia distribution facility, and we used $8.1 million to repay short-term borrowings in Europe. Exercises of stock options provided $0.8 million of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Cash of $3.3 million was provided by financing activities in 2005. Cash of $3.0 million was provided by short-term borrowings under our European credit facilities. We used cash of $0.5 million for payments under long-term borrowing and capital lease agreements. Exercises of stock options provided $0.7 million of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Under our $120 million (which may be increased by up to $30 million, subject to certain conditions) secured revolving credit agreement for borrowings in the United States and United Kingdom, as of September 30, 2006, eligible collateral was $113.8 million and total availability was $91.1 million. There were outstanding letters of credit of $10.6 million and there were outstanding advances of $12.1 million (all in the United Kingdom) as of September 30, 2006. The borrowings are secured by all of the domestic and United Kingdom accounts receivable, the domestic inventories of the Company, general intangibles and the Company's shares of stock in its domestic subsidiaries and the Company's United Kingdom headquarters building. The credit facility expires and the outstanding borrowings thereunder are due on October 26, 2010. The revolving credit agreement contains certain financial and other covenants, including maintaining a minimum level of availability and restrictions on capital expenditures and payments of dividends. We were in compliance with all of the covenants as of September 30, 2006, except for the required timely submission of financial statements, for which we have obtained a waiver.

Under our Netherlands €5 million ($6.3 million at the September 30, 2006 exchange rate) credit facility, at September 30, 2006 there were €2.6 million ($3.3 million) of borrowings outstanding under this line with interest payable at a rate of 5.0% per annum. This facility expires in August 2007.

We also have certain obligations with various parties that include commitments to make future payments. Our principal commitments at September 30, 2006 consisted of repayments of borrowings under our credit agreements, payments under operating leases for certain of our real property and equipment and payments under employment and other service agreements. In connection with the sale of our Suwanee, Georgia distribution facility, the Company repaid the related mortgage loan which was secured by the land and building.

Our current and anticipated needs for cash include funding growth in working capital and capital expenditures necessary for future growth in sales, and potential expansion through acquisitions. We believe that our cash balances and our availability under credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our working capital and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

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

Recent Accounting Developments

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109." FIN 48 clarifies and sets forth consistent rules for accounting for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in accordance with SFAS 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of FIN 48 may have on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue No. 06-3, "How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation)." The consensus requires disclosure of either the gross or net presentation, and any such taxes reported on a gross basis should be disclosed in the interim and annual financial statements. This Issue is effective for financial reports beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company does not expect to change its presentation of such taxes, as its sales are currently recorded net of tax.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 ("SAB 108"), "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements". SAB 108 provides interpretative guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SAB 108.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

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

The translation of the financial statements of our operations outside of the United States is impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively affect sales, gross margins, operating expenses and retained earnings as expressed in U.S. dollars. We have limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and do not use them for trading purposes. We may enter into foreign currency options or forward exchange contracts aimed at limiting in part the impact of certain currency fluctuations, but as of September 30, 2006 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 includes short-term borrowings in Europe under our credit facilities. As of September 30, 2006, the balance outstanding on our variable rate debt was approximately $12.1 million. Based on our market sensitive instruments as of September 30, 2006, 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 for the fiscal year.

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company establishes and maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are intended to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also intended to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and reported to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer , does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent 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 control systems, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. These limitations include the circumstances that breakdowns can occur as a result of error or mistake, the exercise of judgment by individuals or that controls can be circumvented by acts of misconduct. 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.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and the operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Based on their evaluation, as of September 30, 2006, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were not effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. This conclusion is based on our identification of three material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006. The material weaknesses are:

As a result of this determination and as part of the work undertaken in connection with this report, we have applied compensating procedures and processes as necessary to reasonably ensure the reliability of our financial reporting. Accordingly, management believes, based on its knowledge, that (i) this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report and (ii) the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly reflect the form and substance of transactions and fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as at, and for, the periods presented in this report.

Material Weaknesses Reported for the Year Ended December 31, 2005

As reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, management was unable to conclude that the Company's internal controls over financial reporting were then effective, as a result of the three material weaknesses described above. Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, issued a material weakness letter to the Company which addressed these material weaknesses. These matters have been discussed among management, the audit committee and our independent registered public accountants.

During 2006, we have taken the following actions to date to address the material weaknesses:

While progress is being made to remediate the material weaknesses identified, we are continuing to monitor these processes to further improve our procedures.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

We are not yet subject to the internal controls certification and attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 because we are not an accelerated filer. Assuming that our current stock price and public float remain substantially the same as of the end of the second quarter of 2007 from such price and float as it is currently, we anticipate being an accelerated filer as of the end of fiscal 2007, in which event the requirements of Section 404 that management provide an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm will be required to audit that assessment will apply to us without further extension. (If we are not an accelerated filer at that time, based on SEC implementing regulations in effect as of December 15, 2006, for all nonaccelerated filers the management assessment requirement would become effective at the end of fiscal 2007 but the audit requirement would not become effective until the end of 2008) .

We are continuing to work to achieve compliance with the requirements of Section 404. We have dedicated substantial time and resources to documentation and review of our procedures.. We will also evaluate the need to engage outside consultants to assist us. We have not completed this process or its assessment, due to the complexities of our decentralized structure and the number of accounting systems in use. We have not completed our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition to the three material weaknesses as of September 30, 2006 discussed under the caption "Disclosure Controls and Procedures," we have identified a number of internal control significant deficiencies, including controls in the information technology area, that may affect the timeliness and accuracy of recording transactions and which, individually or in the aggregate, could become material weaknesses in future periods if not remediated. While the Company does not believe that the following are currently material weaknesses, they are designated as significant deficiencies as of September 30, 2006:

We have a significant amount of work to do to remediate the items we have identified. In the course of completing our evaluation and testing we may identify further deficiencies and weaknesses that will need to be addressed and will require remediation. We may not be able to correct all such internal control deficiencies in a timely manner and may find that a material weakness or weaknesses continues to exist. As a result, management may not be able to issue an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is not aware of any changes in internal control over financial reporting other than those described above that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

          The 2006 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company was held on October 11, 2006. Each of the seven candidates for the position of director (Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds, Robert Leeds, Gilbert Fiorentino, Robert D. Rosenthal, Stacy S. Dick and Ann R. Leven) was re-elected.

          The matters voted upon at the meeting and the number of votes cast for, against or withheld (including abstentions) as to each matter, including nominees for office, are as follows:

                1.   Director election:

                2.    Approval of the Company's 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors:

                3.    Ratification of Ernst & Young as the Company's Independent Registered Accountants for 2006:

Item 6.   Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

SYSTEMAX INC.

Date: December 22, 2006

By: /s/ RICHARD LEEDS Richard Leeds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

By: /s/ STEVEN GOLDSCHEIN Steven Goldschein Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

31	Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32	Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002