DXP ENTERPRISES INC
8-K, 1997-06-17
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
Previous: OMTOOL LTD, S-1, 1997-06-17
Next: UNITED NATURAL FOODS INC, 10-Q/A, 1997-06-17



<PAGE>   1



================================================================================


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


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


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


    DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported):          JUNE 2, 1997



                             DXP ENTERPRISES, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



       TEXAS                         0-21513                  76-0509661
(State of Incorporation)       (Commission File No.)       (I.R.S. Employer 
                                                           Identification No.)



580 WESTLAKE PARK BOULEVARD, SUITE 1100
         HOUSTON, TEXAS                                           77079
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                        (Zip Code)


     REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:  (281) 531-4214


================================================================================






<PAGE>   2
ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         On June 2, 1997, a wholly owned subsidiary of DXP Enterprises, Inc., a
Texas corporation (the "Company"), acquired substantially all of the assets
("the Strategic Acquisition") of Strategic Supply, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Strategic"), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 27, 1997,
among Strategic, Coulson Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Strategic
Distribution, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Strategic Acquisition, Inc., a
Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company.
The purchase price, which is subject to adjustment, consisted of approximately
$4.1 million in existing cash, assumption of approximately $4.7 million of
trade payables and other accrued expenses, $2.8 million in promissory notes
payable to Strategic and earn-out payments based on the earnings before
interest and taxes of Strategic to be paid over a period of approximately six
years, which earn- out payments shall not exceed $3,500,000.  The terms of the
Strategic Acquisition resulted from arms-length negotiation between the
parties.  The assets acquired by the Company were used by Strategic in the
distribution of industrial and safety supplies and maintenance and repair
operations and activities related thereto.  The Company intends to continue
such use and operate Strategic as separate operating unit of the Company.

         A copy of the press release announcing the closing of the Strategic
Acquisition is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (a)     Financial Statements of Business Acquired.

                 The financial statements required are not currently available
to the Company and will be filed by the Company by an amendment to this report
within 60 days of the filing hereof.

         (b)     Pro Forma Financial Information.

                 The acquisition of Strategic by the Company will be accounted
for as a purchase and will require an allocation of the purchase price among
the acquired assets.  As of the date of this report, such allocation has not
been completed and it would be impracticable for the Company to provide the pro
forma financial information that is required pursuant to Article 11 of
Regulation S-X with respect to the acquisition at this time.  Such pro forma
financial information will be filed by the Company by an amendment to this
report within 60 days of the filing hereof.

         (c)     Exhibits.

         2.1     -   Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 27, 1997, among
                     Strategic Supply, Inc., Coulson Technologies, Inc.,
                     Strategic Distribution, Inc., DXP Acquisition, Inc. (d/b/a
                     Strategic Acquisition, Inc.) and DXP Enterprises, Inc.

        99.1     -   Press Release of the Company dated June 5, 1997,
                     announcing the closing of the Strategic Acquisition.





                                     Page 2
<PAGE>   3
                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.


                             DXP ENTERPRISES, INC.



Dated: June 17, 1997                           /s/ DAVID R. LITTLE            
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                   David R. Little
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer





                                     Page 3
<PAGE>   4
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

        EXHIBIT 
        NUMBER                    DESCRIPTION
        ------                    -----------

          2.1           Asset Purchase Agreement dated  May 27, 1997, among
                        Strategic  Supply, Inc., Coulson Technologies, Inc.,
                        Strategic  Distribution, Inc., DXP  Acquisition, Inc.
                        (d/b/a Strategic Acquisition, Inc.) and DXP
                        Enterprises, Inc.

         99.1           Press Release of the Company  dated June 5, 1997,
                        announcing the  closing of the Strategic Acquisition.





                                     Page 4

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1





                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     AMONG

               STRATEGIC SUPPLY, INC., COULSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                        AND STRATEGIC DISTRIBUTION, INC.

                                      AND

                DXP ACQUISITION, INC. AND DXP ENTERPRISES, INC.
                            (PREVIOUSLY INDEX, INC.)
<PAGE>   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     Page
                                                                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE I      DEFINED TERMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
         1.1     Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
         1.2     Other Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

ARTICLE II     AGREEMENT OF SALE AND PURCHASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
         2.1     Agreement to Purchase and Sell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
         2.2     Purchase Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
         2.3     Method of Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
         2.4     Assumption of Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
         2.5     Instruments of Transfer: Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         2.6     Value Assigned to the Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

ARTICLE III    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         3.1     Representations and Warranties of Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         3.2     Representations and Warranties of Purchaser  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

ARTICLE IV     CONDUCT AND TRANSACTIONS PRIOR TO CLOSING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
         4.1     Access to Records and Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
         4.2     Operation of Seller  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         4.3     Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         4.4     No Public Announcements or Negotiation with Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
         4.5     Reasonable Efforts to Satisfy Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         4.6     Bulk Transfer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         4.7     Change of Seller's Name  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         4.8     Vacate Real Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         4.9     Title Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         4.10    Accounts Receivable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         4.11    Cooperation on Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         4.12    Inventories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         4.13    Cancellation of Certain Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36

ARTICLE V      CONDITIONS OF CLOSING  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.1     Conditions of Obligations of Purchaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.2     Conditions of Obligations of Seller and SDI  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38

ARTICLE VI     CLOSING DATE AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.1     Closing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.2     Termination of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39

ARTICLE VII    INDEMNIFICATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         7.1     Indemnity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         7.2     Notice Participation; Duration; Limitations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         7.3     INDEMNIFICATION IF NEGLIGENCE OF INDEMNITEE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
         7.4     Reimbursement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
         7.5     Limited Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
         7.6     No Third Party Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         7.7     Guarantee by DXP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43

ARTICLE VIII   MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.1     Further Actions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.2     No Broker  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.3     Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.4     Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         8.5     Acknowledgment Concerning Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         8.6     Limitation on Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         8.7     Descriptive Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         8.8     Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         8.9     Assignability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         8.10    Waivers and Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         8.11    Third Party Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         8.12    Illegalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         8.13    Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
         8.14    Employees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
         8.15    Access to Records  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
         8.16    Offset to Subordinated Loan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
         8.17    Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   4
                                   ANNEXES

Annex A     Seller's Disclosure Letter
Annex B     Seller's Net Tangible Asset Value as of March 31, 1997
            
            
                                   EXHIBITS
            
2.2(A)(1)   Consideration Note
2.3(A)      Subordinated Note
2.5.1       General Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment
2.5.2       Assumption Agreement
5.1(C)      Opinion of Counsel to Seller
5.2(C)      Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser
5.2(D)      Transition Services Agreement
7.7         Guaranty Agreement
            
            
                                  SCHEDULES
            
3.2(B)      Purchaser's Consents, Approvals, Authorizations, Waivers and Notices
3.2(F)      Purchaser's Litigation
8.14(A)     Excluded Employees



<PAGE>   5
                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into May 27, 1997, by and among:

         STRATEGIC SUPPLY, INC. ("Seller"), a Delaware corporation, COULSON
         TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ("Coulson"), a Delaware corporation, STRATEGIC
         DISTRIBUTION, INC. ("SDI"), a Delaware corporation; and

         DXP ACQUISITION, INC. doing business as STRATEGIC ACQUISITION, INC.
         ("Purchaser" or "Newco"), a Nevada corporation, and DXP ENTERPRISES,
         INC. ("DXP") (previously Index, Inc), a Texas corporation.

                                    RECITALS

         Seller desires to sell to the Purchaser the Business and the Assets
(as hereinafter defined), and Purchaser desires to purchase the Business and
Assets, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

                                   AGREEMENTS

         In consideration of the mutual benefits to be derived and the
representations and warranties, conditions and promises herein contained, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                 DEFINED TERMS

         1.1     Definitions.  For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the
context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to them in this Article or in the Sections referred to below:

"Accounts" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(12).

"Affiliate" means any Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, or is
controlled by or under common control with, another Person.  For the purposes
of this definition, "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under
common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities or
by contract or otherwise.

"Agreement" has the meaning set out in the first paragraph hereof.

"April Balance Sheet" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(C)(2).

"April Financial Statements" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(C)(2).

"Assets" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(A).
<PAGE>   6
"Assumed Liabilities" has the meaning set out in Section 2.4(A).

"Assumption Agreement" has the meaning set out in Section 2.5.

"Backlog Orders" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(11).

"Business" shall mean the distribution of industrial and safety supplies and
maintenance and repair operations and activities related thereto which are
presently conducted by Seller and Coulson.

"Claim" has the meaning set out in Section 7.2(A).

"Closing" has the meaning set out in Section 6.1(A).

"Closing Date" has the meaning set out in Section 6.1(A).

"Closing Date Statement of Net Assets"  has the meaning set out in Section
2.2(B).

"Closing Inventory" shall mean the Inventory of Seller and Coulson transferred
hereunder to Purchaser.

"Closing Receivables" means the outstanding accounts receivable of Seller as of
the Closing Date.

"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"Commitment" has the meaning set out in Section 4.9.

"Commonly Controlled Entity" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(J).

"Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean the Confidentiality Agreement entered
into between Seller and Purchaser in connection with the negotiation of this
Transaction.

"Consideration Note" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(A).

"Coulson" has the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

"Customer Data" means all of Seller's customer lists, sales records and other
customer data (including credit data) relating to the Business.

"Damages" has the meaning set out in Section 7.1(A).

"December Balance Sheet" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(C)(1).

"December Financial Statements" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(C)(1).

"Deed" means the special warranty deed, in form and substance satisfactory to
Purchaser, by which Seller shall transfer title to the Owned Property to
Purchaser.

"Defined Benefit Plan" means a defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35)
of ERISA.

"Designated Leases" has the meaning set out in Section 4.13.
<PAGE>   7
"DXP" has the meaning set out in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

"Earn-Out Payment" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(C)(2)(a).

"Earn-Out Period" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(C)(2)(b).

"Earn-Out Termination Date" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(C)(4).

"EBIT" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(C)(2)(c).

"Effective Time of Closing" has the meaning set out in Section 6.1(B).

"Employees" has the meaning set out in Section 8.14(A).

"Environmental Laws" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(P).

"Equipment" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(5).

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

"Estimated Net Tangible Asset Value" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(A).

"Excluded Assets" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(C).

"Excluded Employees" has the meaning set out in Section 8.14(A).

"Final Earn-Out Period" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(C)(2)(b).

"Final Net Tangible Asset Value" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(B).

"Financial Statements" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(C).

"Fixtures and Improvements" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(2).

"GAAP" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(C).

"General Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment" has the meaning set out in
Section 2.5.

"Governmental Body" means any court or any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign.

"HWI Stock" means all shares of capital stock owned by Seller in Hardware
Wholesale, Inc.

"Indemnitee" has the meaning set out in Section 7.2(A).

"Indemnitor" has the meaning set out in Section 7.2(A).

"Instruments" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(I).

"Intangible Assets" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(7).

"Inventories" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(10).

"Inventory Realized Amount" has the meaning set out in Section 4.12.

"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

"Known" or "Knowledge" means whenever a statement regarding the existence or
absence of facts in this Agreement is qualified by a phrase such as "to such
Person's knowledge" or "known to such Person," it is intended by the parties
that the only information to be attributed to such Person is information
actually known to (a) the Person in the case of an individual or (b) in the
case of Seller, Andrew M. Bursky, Charles Martin, Judd Hicks, Joe Lewis, Jeff
Whetzel or Ted Rieple or (c) in the case of Purchaser and DXP would mean David
Little, Jerry Jones, Gary Allcorn and Michael
<PAGE>   8
Wappler.  Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, no such Person is
represented to have undertaken a separate investigation in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby to determine the existence or absence of facts
in any statement qualified by "known by" or "to the knowledge of" any Person.

"Lien" means all mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, security interests, pledges,
conditional sale contracts, claims, rights of first refusal, options, charges,
liberties, easements, rights-of-way, limitations, reservations, restrictions
and other encumbrances of any kind.

"Lufkin Debt" means the indebtedness of Seller to Lufkin Industries, Inc.
evidenced by that certain Promissory Note dated June 14, 1994 in the original
principal balance of $600,000.

"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) any change, development or effect
(individually or in the aggregate) in the general affairs, management,
business, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities or prospects (whether or not the result thereof would be covered by
insurance) that would be material and adverse to Seller and its subsidiaries,
taken as whole, or (b) any fact or development that would (individually or in
the aggregate) impair Seller's or Coulson's ability or obligations to perform
on a timely basis any material obligations it has under this Agreement.

"Net Tangible Asset Value" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(B).

"Newco" has the meaning set out in the opening paragraph of this Agreement and
in Section 2.2(C)(2)(d).

"Operative Documents" means this Agreement and all other agreements,
instruments, documents, and certificates executed and delivered by or on behalf
of Seller, Coulson, SDI, or Purchaser, DXP at or before the Closing pursuant to
this Agreement.

"Order" means any order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, award or
determination of any court or Governmental Body.

"Owned Property " has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(1).
"Permits" means all permits, authorizations, certificates, approvals,
registrations, variances, exemptions, rights-of- way, franchises, privileges,
immunities, grants, ordinances, licenses and other rights of every kind and
character (a) under any (1) federal, state, local or foreign statute, ordinance
or regulation, (2) Order or (3) contract with any Governmental Body or (b)
granted by any Governmental Body.

"Permitted Encumbrances" means (a) Liens described or referred to in Seller's
Disclosure Letter, (b) Liens for current Taxes and assessments not yet due and
payable, including, but not limited to, Liens for nondelinquent ad valorem
Taxes, nondelinquent statutory Liens arising other than by reason of any
default on the part of Seller or its subsidiaries, (c) Liens, in respect of
motor vehicles and transportation equipment used in the ordinary course of
business, (d) purchase-money Liens if incurred in the ordinary course of
business and which relate to obligations assumed hereunder by Purchaser, (e)
Liens reflected on the Commitment, or (f) such Liens, minor imperfections of
title, or easements on real property, leasehold estates, or personalty as do
not in any material respect detract from the value thereof and do not
materially interfere with the present use of the property subject thereto.
<PAGE>   9
"Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, bank,
trust, unincorporated organization or a Governmental Body.

"Prime Rate" means the prime lending rate charged, from time to time, by Texas
Commerce Bank, National Association, to its commercial customers.

"Products" means all products marketed or distributed by Seller or Coulson.

"Purchase Price" has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(A).

"Purchaser" has the meaning set out in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

"Purchaser April Balance Sheet" has the meaning set out in Section 3.2(E)(2).

"Purchaser April Financial Statements" has the meaning set out in Section
3.2(E)(2).

"Purchaser December Balance Sheet" has the meaning set out in Section
3.2(E)(1).

"Purchaser December Financial Statements" has the meaning set out in Section
3.2(E)(1).

"Purchaser Financial Statements" has the meaning set out in Section 3.2(E).

"Purchaser Indemnitees" has the meaning set out in Section 7.1(A).

"Real Property" means the Owned Property and the Fixtures and Improvements and
Realty Rights pertaining thereto.

"Realty Rights" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(3).

"Records" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(13).

"Scheduled Contracts" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(9).

"Scheduled Leases" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(8).

"SDI" has the meaning set out in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

"Seller" has the meaning set out in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

"Seller 401(K) Plan" means the Strategic Distribution, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.

"Seller Indemnitees" has the meaning set out in Section 7.1(B).

"Seller's Disclosure Letter" means the disclosure letter, in the form set forth
in Annex A hereto, delivered by Seller and Coulson to Purchaser upon the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, and a "Supplement" thereto means a
supplemental disclosure letter delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(H) of this
Agreement.
<PAGE>   10
"Subordinated Note" has the meaning set out in Section 2.3(A)(2).

"Supplier Data" means all of Seller's supplier lists and other supplier data
relating to the purchase of raw materials, utilities and other supplies used in
connection with the Business.

"Tax Obligations" means, collectively, Taxes which are attributable or relating
to the assets or the business of Seller or Coulson for any periods ending on or
before the Effective Time of Closing, or which may be applicable because of
Seller's or Coulson's sale of the Business or any of the Assets to Purchaser.

"Taxes" means, collectively, any federal, state, local or foreign income,
sales, real or personal property or other taxes, assessments, fees, levies,
imposts, duties, deductions or other charges of any nature whatsoever
(including without limitation interest and penalties) imposed by any law, rule
or regulation.

"TBCA" means the Texas Business Corporation Act, as amended.

"Title Policy" has the meaning set out in Section 4.9.

"Transaction" means the sale and purchase of the Assets, assignment and
assumption of certain liabilities, and performance of covenants, in each case
as contemplated by this Agreement.

"Vehicles" has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(B)(4).

         1.2     Other Definitions.

                 A.       All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the
                          above-defined meanings when used in any of the
                          documents described herein, certificates, reports or
                          other documents made or delivered pursuant to this
                          Agreement, unless the context therein shall otherwise
                          require.

                 B.       Defined terms used herein in the singular shall
                          import the plural and vice versa.

                 C.       The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and similar
                          terms when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
                          Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
                          provision of this Agreement.

                 D.       Unless specifically otherwise noted, references to
                          statutes by popular names are references to the
                          United States Code Annotated, including the
                          regulations promulgated thereunder, and all
                          amendments thereof.

                                   ARTICLE II
                         AGREEMENT OF SALE AND PURCHASE

         2.1     Agreement to Purchase and Sell.

                 A.       On and subject to the terms and conditions of this
                          Agreement, Seller and Coulson agree to sell, convey,
                          transfer, assign and deliver to Purchaser, and
                          Purchaser agrees to purchase from Seller and Coulson,
                          the assets, rights,
<PAGE>   11
                          franchises and properties described in Section 2.1(B)
                          (all such assets, rights, franchises and properties
                          being herein collectively referred to as the "Assets"
                          and individually referred to as an "Asset") free and
                          clear of all Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances;
                          provided, however, that the Assets shall not include
                          the Excluded Assets.

                 B.       Subject to Section 2.1(C), the Assets shall consist
                          of all assets of Seller and Coulson at the Effective
                          Time of Closing described in the following clauses
                          (1) through (20):

                          (1)     Owned Property.  The parcels of real property
                                  described (by metes and bounds calls) in
                                  Appendix 2.1(B)(1) to the Seller's Disclosure
                                  Letter (the "Owned Property").

                          (2)     Fixtures and Improvements.  All estates,
                                  rights, titles and interests of Seller in and
                                  to all warehouses, storage facilities,
                                  buildings, works, structures, fixtures,
                                  landings, construction in progress,
                                  improvements, betterments, installations and
                                  additions constructed, erected or located on
                                  or attached or affixed to the Owned Property
                                  (the "Fixtures and Improvements").

                          (3)     Realty Rights.  All estates, rights, titles
                                  and interests of Seller in and to all
                                  tenements, hereditaments, easements,
                                  rights-of-way, rights, licenses, patents,
                                  rights of ingress and egress, reversionary
                                  interests, privileges, appurtenances and
                                  other related interest, belonging, pertaining
                                  or relating to the Owned Property, any and
                                  all rights to the present or future use of
                                  wastewater, wastewater capacity, drainage,
                                  water or other utility facilities relating to
                                  the Owned Property, including, without
                                  limitation, all reservations of or
                                  commitments or letters covering any such use
                                  in the future, whether now owned or hereafter
                                  acquired, and the entire right, title and
                                  interest of Seller, if any, in, to and under
                                  all streets, ways, alleys, passages, strips,
                                  gores, pipes, pipelines, sewers, sewer
                                  rights, ditches, waters, water courses, water
                                  rights and powers, air rights, railroad
                                  sidings, minerals, mineral rights and mineral
                                  interests adjoining, upon, above, in, under
                                  or pertaining to the Owned Property, all
                                  currently existing options and rights to
                                  purchase or otherwise acquire real property
                                  that is contiguous to the Owned Property, and
                                  all claims or demands whatsoever of Seller,
                                  either in law or in equity, with respect to
                                  the Owned Property, including, without
                                  limitation, any unpaid awards to be made
                                  relating thereto, including any unpaid awards
                                  or damages payable by reason of damage
                                  thereto or by reason of a widening of any
                                  adjoining streets or roads or a changing of
                                  the grade with respect to same (the "Realty
                                  Rights").

                          (4)     Vehicles.  All the trucks, trailers and other
                                  certificated vehicles described in Appendix
                                  2.1(B)(4) to the Seller's Disclosure Letter
                                  of Seller and Coulson (the "Vehicles").
<PAGE>   12
                          (5)     Equipment.  All of Seller's and Coulson's
                                  furniture, equipment, machinery, apparatus,
                                  tools, dies, appliances, vehicles,
                                  implements, spare parts, supplies and all
                                  other tangible personal property of every
                                  kind and description (other than the Vehicles
                                  and the Inventories) located either on the
                                  Owned Property or elsewhere insofar as any of
                                  the foregoing relates to the Business (the
                                  "Equipment").  The Equipment includes,
                                  without limitation, all of the items listed
                                  in Appendix 2.1(B)(5) to the Seller's
                                  Disclosure Letter.

                          (6)     Permits.  All right, title and interest of
                                  Seller and Coulson in, to and under all
                                  Permits relating to the Business (to the
                                  extent same are assignable) including,
                                  without limitation, those listed in Appendix
                                  2.1(B)(6) to the Seller's Disclosure Letter.

                          (7)     Intangible Assets.  All right, title and
                                  interest of Seller and Coulson in, to and
                                  under all patents, trademarks, technology,
                                  know-how, data, copyrights, trade names,
                                  service marks, licenses, covenants by others
                                  not to compete, rights and privileges used
                                  exclusively in the conduct of the Business
                                  (the "Marks") and the right to recover for
                                  infringement thereon and all goodwill
                                  associated with the Business in connection
                                  with which the Marks are used, all as listed
                                  in Appendix 2.1(B)(7) to the Seller's
                                  Disclosure Letter (the "Intangible Assets").

                          (8)     Scheduled Leases.  All right, title and
                                  interest of Seller and Coulson in, to and
                                  under the lease agreements described in
                                  Appendix 2.1(B)(8) to the Seller's Disclosure
                                  Letter (the "Scheduled Leases") and all
                                  rights (including rights of refund and
                                  offset), privileges, deposits, claims, causes
                                  of action and options relating or pertaining
                                  to the Scheduled Leases or any thereof.

                          (9)     Scheduled Contracts.  All right, title and
                                  interest of Seller and Coulson in, to and
                                  under the contracts and agreements described
                                  in Appendix 2.1(B)(9) to the Seller's
                                  Disclosure Letter (the "Scheduled Contracts")
                                  and all rights (including rights of refund
                                  and offset), privileges, deposits, claims,
                                  causes of action and options relating or
                                  pertaining to the Scheduled Contracts or any
                                  thereof.

                          (10)    Inventories.  All of Seller's and Coulson's
                                  inventories located either at the Owned
                                  Property or elsewhere insofar as any of the
                                  foregoing relates to the Business, including,
                                  without limitation, finished goods,
                                  work-in-progress, raw materials, supply
                                  inventories, and other inventories (the
                                  "Inventories").

                          (11)    Backlog Orders.  All of Seller's and
                                  Coulson's backlog of orders for Products
                                  which are accepted by Seller in the ordinary
                                  course of business prior to the Effective
                                  Time of Closing and not invoiced or shipped
                                  or canceled prior to the Effective Time of
                                  Closing (collectively, the "Backlog Orders").
<PAGE>   13
                          (12)    Cash and Bank Accounts.  The bank accounts
                                  described on Appendix 2.1(B)(12) to the
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter (including all
                                  cash on deposit in such accounts and
                                  uncleared deposits in such accounts) and the
                                  petty cash of Seller and Coulson in each case
                                  as of the Closing Date (collectively, the
                                  "Accounts").

                          (13)    Books and Records.  All of Seller's and
                                  Coulson's books, records, papers and
                                  instruments of whatever nature and wherever
                                  located that relate to the Business or the
                                  Assets or which are required or necessary in
                                  order for Purchaser to conduct the Business
                                  from and after the Effective Time of Closing
                                  in the manner in which it is presently being
                                  conducted, including, without limitation,
                                  blueprints, specifications, plats, maps,
                                  surveys, building and machinery diagrams,
                                  accounting and financial records, maintenance
                                  and production records, personnel and labor
                                  relations records, environmental records and
                                  reports, sales and property Tax records and
                                  returns, sales records, the Customer Data and
                                  the Supplier Data, but excluding income Tax
                                  records and returns and corporate minute book
                                  and stock records (the "Records").

                          (14)    Prepaid Expenses and Current Assets.  All
                                  right, title and interest of Seller and
                                  Coulson in and to all prepaid rentals, other
                                  prepaid expenses, bonds, deposits and other
                                  current assets relating to any of the Assets
                                  or the Business, including, without
                                  limitation, all prepaid expenses of the
                                  nature described in the April Balance Sheet
                                  but excluding any deferred income Taxes and
                                  prepaid insurance premiums.

                          (15)    Stock Ownership.  All shares of capital stock
                                  owned by Seller in Hardware Wholesale, Inc.

                          (16)    Computers.  All right, title and interest of
                                  Seller and Coulson in computer equipment and
                                  hardware located at the Owned Property or any
                                  property subject to the Scheduled Leases,
                                  including, without limitation, all central
                                  processing units, terminals, disk drives,
                                  tape drives, electronic memory units,
                                  printers, keyboards, screens, peripherals
                                  (and other input/output devices), modems and
                                  other communication controllers, and any and
                                  all parts and appurtenances thereto, together
                                  with all intellectual property used by Seller
                                  in the operation of such computer equipment
                                  and hardware (to the extent same is
                                  assignable), including, without limitation,
                                  all software, all of Seller's rights under
                                  any licenses related to Seller's use, at any
                                  time, of such computer equipment, hardware or
                                  software, and all assignable leases pursuant
                                  to which Seller leases any computer
                                  equipment, hardware or software; insofar, and
                                  only insofar, as any of the foregoing relates
                                  to the Business, provided in no event shall
                                  Purchaser acquire any interest in or right to
                                  use any computer software or intellectual
                                  property which is an Excluded Asset.
<PAGE>   14
                          (17)    Other Intangibles.  All right, title and
                                  interest of Seller and Coulson in, to and
                                  under all rights, privileges, claims, causes
                                  of action, and options relating to the
                                  Business or the foregoing Assets, including
                                  any Customer Data.

                          (18)    Other Property.  All other or additional
                                  privileges, rights, interests, properties and
                                  assets of Seller and Coulson of every kind
                                  and description and wherever located that are
                                  used exclusively in the Business as presently
                                  being conducted.

                          (19)    Names.  The names Strategic Supply, Inc.,
                                  SafetyMaster Corporation, and Lewis Supply,
                                  Inc.

                          (20)    Goodwill.  Goodwill associated with the
                                  transferred Assets and Business.

                 C.       The Assets shall not include any of the assets of
                          Seller or Coulson, as of the Effective Time of
                          Closing, set forth on Appendix 2.1(C) to the Seller's
                          Disclosure Letter (collectively, the "Excluded
                          Assets").

                 D.       Seller agrees to assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser
                          agrees to assume, perform and discharge all of the
                          liabilities, duties and obligations of Seller which
                          arise after the Effective Time of Closing under the
                          Scheduled Leases as identified in Appendix 2.1(B)(8)
                          to the Seller's Disclosure Letter to the extent such
                          leases are assignable to Purchaser.

         2.2     Purchase Price.

                 A.       The purchase price for the Assets (the "Purchase
                          Price") shall be the sum of the (i) Net Tangible
                          Asset Value (as defined in Section 2.2(B) below),
                          (ii) an amount equal to the cash transferred to
                          Purchaser by Seller and referenced in Section
                          2.1(B)(12) hereof plus $50,000, (iii) the promissory
                          note in the amount of the outstanding principal
                          balance, as of the Closing Date, of the Lufkin Debt
                          in the form of Exhibit 2.2(A)(1) hereto (the
                          "Consideration Note") and (iv) the total amount of
                          Earn-Out Payments (as defined in Section 2.2(C)(2)(a)
                          below).  At the Closing, Purchaser and Seller shall
                          complete and execute a certificate setting forth
                          their best estimate of the Net Tangible Asset Value
                          based on the April Balance Sheet (the "Estimated Net
                          Tangible Asset Value").

                 B.       (1)  Seller shall cause KPMG Peat Marwick to prepare
                          in accordance with GAAP an audited statement of net
                          assets acquired as of the Closing Date (the "Closing
                          Date Statement of Net Assets").  Not later than the
                          sixtieth day after the Closing Date, the final Net
                          Tangible Asset Value (the "Final Net Tangible Asset
                          Value") as of the Effective Time of Closing shall be
                          determined from such Closing Date Statement of Net
                          Assets.  The Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a copy
                          of the Closing Date Statement of Net Assets and a
                          certificate setting forth the Final Net Tangible
                          Asset Value.  Purchaser shall within 20 days
                          following receipt from Seller of the calculation of
                          the Final
<PAGE>   15
                          Net Tangible Asset Value accept or  provide a written
                          objection to the Final Net Tangible Asset Value.  If
                          Purchaser objects to the Final Net Tangible Asset
                          Value, then Purchaser and Seller shall cooperate in
                          good faith to reach a mutual agreement as to such
                          amount.  If Purchaser and Seller are unable to agree
                          on any component of Final Net Tangible Asset Value
                          within 20 days after Purchaser's written objection,
                          then such dispute shall be resolved by a nationally
                          recognized independent accounting firm mutually
                          agreed upon by Purchaser and Seller, whose
                          determination shall be final and binding.  Such
                          independent accounting firm will not be the principal
                          accounting firm used by either Seller or Purchaser.
                          All costs and fees of such independent accounting
                          firm shall be shared equally by Purchaser and Seller.
                          Not later than (i) the 80th day after the Closing
                          Date or (ii) if the Final Net Tangible Asset Value is
                          disputed within five (5) days following resolution of
                          such dispute, Purchaser and Seller shall adjust the
                          principal amount of the Subordinated Note by an
                          amount necessary to compensate for the increase or
                          decrease, respectively, in the Final Net Tangible
                          Asset Value from the Estimated Net Tangible Asset
                          Value.

                          (2)     "Net Tangible Asset Value" shall be the value
                                  of Seller's and Coulson's net tangible assets
                                  at the Closing Date, such value being
                                  calculated as follows:

                                  (a)      net inventory (inventory less
                                           applicable reserves) at the Closing
                                           Date; plus

                                  (b)      property, plant and equipment (net
                                           of depreciation) at the Closing Date;
                                           plus

                                  (c)      prepaid expenses and other tangible
                                           assets (including deposits and the
                                           HWI Stock) at the Closing Date;
                                           minus

                                  (d)      accrued expenses and accounts
                                           payable; minus

                                  (e)      the principal amount of the
                                           Consideration Note.

                          The Closing Date Statement of Net Assets will be
                          prepared in accordance with GAAP.  By way of example,
                          if the Net Tangible Asset Value were to be derived
                          from the Seller's March 31, 1997 financials and
                          calculated as of March 31, 1997, the Net Tangible
                          Asset Value would be calculated in the manner set
                          forth in Annex B attached hereto.

                 C.       (1)     Subject to the provisions of subsections (3)
                                  and (4) below, and except with regard to the
                                  Final Earn-Out Period, Purchaser shall on the
                                  15th day of April next succeeding each
                                  Earn-Out Period pay to Seller the Earn-Out
                                  Payment applicable to such Earn-Out Period.
                                  The first Earn-Out Payment shall be due and
                                  payable on April 15, 1998.  Pursuant to
                                  Section 2.2(C)(2)(a) herein, the Earn-Out
                                  Payment for the Final Earn-Out Period shall
                                  be due and payable on September 30, 2002 and
                                  any adjustment thereto shall be due and
                                  payable or
<PAGE>   16
                                  refundable, as the case may be, on April 15, 
                                  2003.

                          (2)     For purposes of this Section 2.2(C), the
                                  following terms shall have the meanings
                                  herein set forth:

                                  (a)      "Earn-Out Payment" shall be the
                                           amount by which EBIT of Newco for
                                           the applicable Earn-Out Period
                                           exceeds 3% of Newco net sales for
                                           such Earn-Out Period.  The Earn-Out
                                           Payment for the Final Earn-Out
                                           Period shall be calculated from
                                           interim financial statements
                                           prepared in accordance with GAAP as
                                           of May 30, 2002.

                                  (b)      "Earn-Out Period" means the
                                           respective periods, including the
                                           Final Earn-Out Period, (i) from the
                                           Effective Time of Closing through
                                           December 31, 1997, (ii) from January
                                           1, 1998 through December 31, 1998,
                                           (iii) from January 1, 1999 through
                                           December 31, 1999, (iv) from January
                                           1, 2000 through December 31, 2000,
                                           (v) from January 1, 2001 through
                                           December 31, 2001, and (vi) from
                                           January 1, 2002 through May 30, 2002
                                           (the "Final Earn-Out Period").

                                  (c)      "EBIT" means the earnings of Newco
                                           before interest and taxes,
                                           calculated in accordance with GAAP.
                                           The calculation of EBIT shall
                                           exclude (i) the impact, if any, of
                                           the amortization of goodwill and
                                           transaction costs created in
                                           connection with the Transaction, and
                                           (ii) the impact, if any, of fair
                                           value adjustments created in
                                           connection with the Transaction.  In
                                           calculating Newco's EBIT, Purchaser
                                           may include an annual charge for
                                           corporate overhead which will
                                           include the direct overhead expense
                                           of Newco and an allocation of
                                           overhead from DXP.  The amount of
                                           overhead allocated from DXP will not
                                           exceed two percent of the revenue of
                                           Newco.  To the extent overhead of
                                           Newco is transferred to DXP, the
                                           percentage allocation of DXP
                                           overhead to Newco will be increased
                                           by an amount equal to the annualized
                                           portion of overhead transferred
                                           divided by the annualized revenue of
                                           DXP.  Newco and DXP agree that the
                                           overhead allocation to Newco will be
                                           consistent with the manner in which
                                           overhead is allocated to other
                                           direct and indirect subsidiaries of
                                           DXP.

                                  (d)      "Newco" for purposes of this Section
                                           2.2 means Purchaser and the business
                                           of Seller and Coulson acquired by
                                           Purchaser, as the same shall be
                                           developed and operated by Purchaser
                                           and which business shall be
                                           accounted for by Purchaser on a
                                           stand alone basis.

                          (3)     Earn-Out Payments are due on each April 15th
                                  following an Earn-Out Period (except as
                                  otherwise provided above with respect to the
                                  Final
<PAGE>   17
                                  Earn-Out Period) subject to extension if the
                                  amount of the Earn-Out Payment is objected to
                                  by Seller pursuant to the procedures set
                                  forth in this subsection (3).  Purchaser
                                  shall calculate the annual Earn-Out Payment
                                  and will deliver to Seller, within 90 days
                                  following the end of the applicable Earn-Out
                                  Period, a statement setting forth the
                                  Earn-Out Payment calculation in sufficient
                                  detail to provide Seller an opportunity to
                                  evaluate and analyze such calculation.  If
                                  Seller objects to the calculation, the
                                  Purchaser and Seller shall cooperate in good
                                  faith to reach a mutual agreement as to such
                                  calculation.  If Purchaser and Seller are
                                  unable to agree on the calculation within 20
                                  days of the Seller's objection, then such
                                  dispute shall be resolved by a nationally
                                  recognized independent accounting firm
                                  mutually agreed upon by Purchaser and Seller,
                                  other than those principally used by
                                  Purchaser and Seller, whose determination
                                  shall be final and binding.  In the event an
                                  independent accounting firm is engaged for
                                  this purpose, the Earn-Out Payment shall not
                                  be overdue for purposes of charging penalty
                                  interest until five days following the
                                  independent accounting firm's final
                                  resolution of the dispute.  In the event that
                                  such final resolution reflects that the
                                  Earn-Out Payment for the subject Earn-Out
                                  Period was underestimated by Purchaser by an
                                  amount in excess of five percent (5%), then
                                  Purchaser will be required to bear the costs
                                  of engaging such independent accounting firm.
                                  Otherwise, such costs will be borne by
                                  Seller.  The additional amount, if any, of
                                  Earn-Out Payment payable by Purchaser to
                                  Seller due to Purchaser's underestimation of
                                  the Earn-Out Payment shall be paid by
                                  Purchaser to Seller within five (5) days
                                  following receipt by Purchaser of the final
                                  resolution.

                          (4)     The obligation of Purchaser to make Earn-Out
                                  Payments to Seller hereunder shall terminate
                                  on the earlier of (i) the date Seller has
                                  received Earn-Out Payments totaling
                                  $3,500,000 (exclusive of interest payments)
                                  and (ii) April 15, 2003 (the "Earn-Out
                                  Termination Date"), provided that the
                                  Earn-Out Termination Date shall not prohibit
                                  Seller from thereafter collecting from
                                  Purchaser any and all amounts which accrued
                                  on or before such date.

                          (5)     If Purchaser fails to pay any Earn-Out
                                  Payment on the applicable due date, then such
                                  Earn-Out Payment shall thereafter accrue
                                  interest at a rate equal to the lesser of (i)
                                  the Prime Rate plus four percent (4%) per
                                  annum and (ii) the highest applicable rate
                                  chargeable under applicable law until paid by
                                  Purchaser.

                          (6)     In connection with the Earn-Out Payments,
                                  each of Purchaser and DXP covenants and
                                  agrees that:

                                  (a)      Purchaser and DXP shall operate the
                          transferred Business in the ordinary course;

                                  (b)      Purchaser and DXP shall keep
                          adequate records and books of
<PAGE>   18
                          account in which complete entries will be made to the
                          extent necessary to enable Seller to fully review the
                          calculation of the Earn-Out Payments for each
                          Earn-Out Period;

                                  (c)      Purchaser and DXP shall not, and
                          shall not permit any of their respective Affiliates
                          to, enter into any agreement, arrangement or other
                          transaction which precludes or results in any
                          material adverse conditions or restrictions on
                          Purchaser's obligation to make any Earn-Out Payment;
                          and

                                  (d)      Purchaser and DXP shall not, and
                          shall not permit any of their respective Affiliates
                          to, take any action, the purpose of which is to
                          reduce the amount of any Earn-Out Payment or
                          materially adversely affect any of the other rights
                          or benefits of Seller under the Earn-Out.

         2.3     Method of Payment.

                 A.       The Estimated Net Tangible Asset Value shall be
                          payable to Seller at the Closing as follows:

                          (1)     Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a wire
                                  transfer of immediately available funds in
                                  the amount of FOUR MILLION FIVE HUNDRED
                                  THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($4,500,000); and

                          (2)     the remainder of the Estimated Net Tangible
                                  Asset Value by Purchaser's delivery to Seller
                                  of a subordinated promissory note in the
                                  amount of the Estimated Net Tangible Asset
                                  Value less $4,500,000 (the "Subordinated
                                  Note").  The Subordinated Note will be in the
                                  form attached as Exhibit 2.3(A) hereto and
                                  will pay interest monthly at the rate of
                                  seven percent (7%) per annum.  Principal on
                                  the Subordinated Note will be paid $250,000
                                  in year 1, $250,000 in year 2 and no
                                  principal payment in year 3. Remaining
                                  principal will be paid in 24 equal monthly
                                  installments in years four and five after the
                                  Closing Date.  In the event the difference
                                  between the Net Tangible Asset Value and
                                  $4,500,000 is less than $2,500,000, the
                                  amount of the wire transfer amount referenced
                                  in the immediately preceding clause will be
                                  reduced in such amount as necessary to bring
                                  the principal amount of the Subordinated Note
                                  to $2,500,000.

                 B.       In addition, at Closing, Purchaser will (i) pay to
                          Seller a cash amount by wire transfer of immediately
                          available funds equal to the cash amounts delivered
                          by Seller to Purchaser hereunder pursuant to Section
                          2.1(B)(12) plus $50,000 and (ii) deliver to Seller
                          the Consideration Note.

         2.4     Assumption of Liabilities.

                 A.       The only liabilities assumed by Purchaser hereunder
         ("Assumed Liabilities") are:

                          (1)     the rights and obligations of Seller and
                                  Coulson under (i) the
<PAGE>   19
                                  Scheduled Contracts specifically set forth in
                                  Appendix 2.1(B)(9) to the Seller's Disclosure
                                  Letter to the extent the Scheduled Contracts
                                  have not been performed at the Effective Time
                                  of Closing and (ii) the Scheduled Leases
                                  specifically set forth in Appendix 2.1(B)(8)
                                  to the Seller's Disclosure Letter to the
                                  extent the Scheduled Leases remain in effect
                                  at the Effective Time of Closing;

                          (2)     the accounts payable of Seller and Coulson at
                                  the Effective Time of Closing;

                          (3)     the liabilities of Seller and Coulson, if
                                  any, represented by accrued expenses
                                  (including, without limitation, accrued
                                  expenses for utilities, professional fees
                                  (other than fees related to the Transaction,
                                  which shall be subject to Section 8.3), in
                                  each case to the extent that such accrued
                                  expense items are (i) reflected in the April
                                  Balance Sheet or (ii) incurred in the
                                  ordinary course of business between the date
                                  of the April Balance Sheet and the Effective
                                  Time of Closing and are not paid at the
                                  Effective Time of Closing;

                          (4)     ad valorem or similar Taxes to be prorated
                                  pursuant to Section 2.4(C); and

                          (5)     any and all obligations related to or arising
                                  from the return of products or merchandise of
                                  Seller or Coulson by customers, whether or
                                  not such products or merchandise were
                                  defective and regardless of fault, provided
                                  the cost of replacing such products or
                                  merchandise or refunding the cost thereof is
                                  not in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate
                                  per calendar year.

                 B.       Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4(A),
                          Purchaser does not assume or agree to pay, perform or
                          discharge, and shall not be responsible for, any
                          other liabilities or obligations of Seller whether
                          accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise.

                 C.       Seller and Purchaser shall each pay its respective
                          pro rata portion of all 1997 ad valorem or similar
                          Taxes under any Real Property or Scheduled Lease
                          included in the Assets.  Seller shall pay to
                          Purchaser at the Closing estimated ad valorem or
                          similar Taxes for the current year (based on the
                          prior year's Taxes) prorated to the date of the
                          Closing.  Seller shall make available to Purchaser
                          copies of all statements and assessments reflecting
                          such prior year's Taxes.  Purchaser shall pay such
                          sums to the appropriate taxing authorities when due,
                          prior to becoming delinquent.  Purchaser shall
                          promptly forward to Seller after receipt by Purchaser
                          copies of all 1997 Tax assessments under any such
                          property or lease.  If the 1997 Taxes shall be
                          readjusted such that the amounts payable are greater
                          than the prior year's Taxes, Seller shall pay its pro
                          rata share of any difference promptly upon notice of
                          such Taxes having been paid by Purchaser.  If such
                          1997 Taxes shall be readjusted such that the amounts
                          payable are less than the prior years' Taxes,
                          Purchaser shall refund to Seller its pro rata share
                          of such
<PAGE>   20
                          reduction upon notice of such Taxes having been paid
                          by Purchaser.  Except as provided in this Agreement,
                          Purchaser shall have no other liability for Taxes
                          payable by Seller (including income Taxes) relating
                          to Business or the Transaction.

         2.5     Instruments of Transfer: Further Assurances.  In order to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, at the Closing Seller shall
execute and deliver to Purchaser the Deed covering the Real Property, and
Seller and Purchaser shall deliver to each other (a) a completed General
Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment, in the form attached as Exhibit 2.5.1
hereto ("General Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment"), covering all of the
Assets other than the Real Property, and (b) an Assumption Agreement in the
form attached as Exhibit 2.5.2 hereto ("Assumption Agreement").  At the
Closing, and at all times thereafter as may be necessary, Seller shall execute
and deliver to Purchaser (1) such other instruments of transfer as shall be
reasonably necessary or appropriate to vest in Purchaser good and indefeasible
title to the Assets and to comply with the purposes and intent of this
Agreement and (2) such other instruments as shall be reasonably necessary or
appropriate to evidence the assignment by Seller and assumption by Purchaser of
the Scheduled Contracts, the Scheduled Leases and certain other liabilities to
the extent provided in Section 2.4(A).

         2.6     Value Assigned to the Assets.  On or before the Closing Date,
Purchaser and Seller shall agree on the proportion of the consideration to be
allocated to each of the Assets purchased pursuant to this Agreement as shall
have been proposed by Purchaser and reasonably approved by Seller, and
Purchaser and Seller agree that they shall not thereafter take any position or
action inconsistent with such allocation in the filing of any federal income
Tax returns.

                                  ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         3.1     Representations and Warranties of Seller.  Seller represents
and warrants to Purchaser that the following are true and correct on and as of
the date of this Agreement (except with respect to matters which are stated as
of a particular date or time) and will be true and correct through the
Effective Time of Closing as if made on and as of that date:

                 A.       Organization and Good Standing of Seller.  Seller is
                          a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
                          good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
                          and is qualified to transact business and is in good
                          standing as a foreign corporation in the
                          jurisdictions (which are listed in Appendix 3.l(A) to
                          Seller's Disclosure Letter) where it is required to
                          qualify in order to conduct its businesses as
                          presently conducted except where the failure to be
                          qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                          Seller has the corporate power and authority to own,
                          lease or operate all properties and assets now owned,
                          leased or operated by it and to carry on its
                          businesses as now conducted.

                          Seller will, prior to Closing, deliver to Purchaser
                          true and correct copies of the Articles of
                          Incorporation and Bylaws of Seller.
<PAGE>   21
                 B.       Consents, Authorizations and Binding Effect.

                          (1)     Seller and SDI may execute, deliver and
                                  perform this Agreement (including without
                                  limitation execution, delivery and
                                  performance of the Operative Documents to
                                  which each of them is a party) without the
                                  necessity of the Seller obtaining any
                                  consent, approval, authorization or waiver or
                                  giving any notice or otherwise, except for
                                  such consents, approvals, authorizations,
                                  waivers and notices:

                                  (a)      which have been obtained and are
                                           unconditional and are in full force
                                           and effect and such notices which
                                           have been given;

                                  (b)      which are described on Appendix 
                                           3.1(B) to Seller's Disclosure Letter;
                                           or

                                  (c)      which if not obtained would not have
                                           a material adverse impact on the
                                           Transaction or Purchaser's use of
                                           the Assets or the Business.

                          (2)     Seller has the corporate power to enter into
                                  this Agreement and the Operative Documents
                                  and to carry out its respective obligations
                                  hereunder and thereunder.  This Agreement has
                                  been and the Operative Documents will be duly
                                  authorized, executed and delivered by Seller
                                  and constitute the legal, valid and binding
                                  obligations of Seller, enforceable against it
                                  in accordance with its terms, except as may
                                  be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization,
                                  fraudulent conveyance, insolvency and similar
                                  laws of general application relating to or
                                  affecting the enforcement of rights of
                                  creditors.

                          (3)     The execution, delivery and performance of
                                  this Agreement by Seller does not and will
                                  not:

                                  (a)      constitute a violation of its
                                           Articles of Incorporation, as
                                           amended, or its Bylaws, as amended,

                                  (b)      constitute a violation of any
                                           statute, judgment, order, decree or
                                           regulation or rule of any
                                           Governmental Body applicable or
                                           relating to Seller or SDI or the
                                           Assets or the Business,

                                  (c)      to the knowledge of Seller,
                                           constitute a material breach or
                                           material default under, or give rise
                                           to any material right of
                                           termination, cancellation or
                                           acceleration under, any term or
                                           provision of any contract,
                                           agreement, lease, mortgage, deed of
                                           trust, commitment, license,
                                           franchise, Permit, authorization or
                                           any other instrument or obligation
                                           to which Seller is a party or by
                                           which the Assets are bound, or an
                                           event which with notice, lapse of
                                           time, or both, would result in any
                                           such conflict, breach, default or
                                           right other than those breaches,
                                           defaults or violations which Seller
                                           shall have cured on or before the
                                           Effective Time of Closing and except
                                           where such
<PAGE>   22
                                           breach or default would not have a
                                           material adverse effect or
                                           materially restrict or impair
                                           Newco's acquisition of the Assets,
                                           or

                                  (d)      result in a Lien against the Assets
                                           except any Lien arising out of this
                                           Agreement or the Operative
                                           Documents.

                          (4)     Without limiting the foregoing, the
                                  execution, delivery and performance of the
                                  Operative Documents, and consummation of the
                                  transactions contemplated thereby, have been
                                  duly authorized and approved by the Board of
                                  Directors of Seller and by SDI as the sole
                                  shareholder of Seller.

                 C.       Financial Statements, Etc.  The following audited and
                          unaudited financial statements of Seller have been
                          delivered to Purchaser and are attached as Appendix
                          3.1(C) to the Seller's Disclosure Letter:

                          (1)     the audited consolidated balance sheet of
                                  Seller and its subsidiaries as of December
                                  31, 1996 (the "December Balance Sheet") and
                                  the related audited statements of operations,
                                  of stockholder's equity and of cash flows for
                                  the three-year period ended December 31,
                                  1996, (together with related notes and
                                  Schedules) which financial statements contain
                                  a report of KPMG Peat Marwick, independent
                                  auditors, reporting thereon (such balance
                                  sheet, the related statements of operations,
                                  of stockholder's equity and of cash flows,
                                  and the related footnotes being hereinafter
                                  together referred to as the "December
                                  Financial Statements"); and

                          (2)     the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of
                                  Seller and its subsidiaries as of April 30,
                                  1997 (the "April Balance Sheet") and the
                                  related unaudited statements of operations,
                                  of stockholder's equity and of cash flows for
                                  the four-month period then ended (together
                                  with related footnotes) (such balance sheet,
                                  the related statements of operations, of
                                  stockholder's equity and of cash flows, and
                                  the related footnotes being hereinafter
                                  together referred to as the "April Financial
                                  Statements").

                          The December Financial Statements (including the
                          related notes and schedules) and the April Financial
                          Statements (collectively, the "Financial
                          Statements"), have been prepared from the books and
                          records of Seller in conformity with generally
                          accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
                          consistent with preceding years and throughout the
                          periods involved ("GAAP") and present fairly the
                          financial position of Seller as of the dates of such
                          statements, subject to year-end adjustments made
                          consistently with GAAP with respect to the April
                          Financial Statements, and provided that the April
                          Financial Statements do not comply with GAAP in that
                          such financial statements do not include related
                          footnotes required for such financial statements to
                          comply with GAAP.
<PAGE>   23
                          At the Effective Time of Closing, the outstanding
                          Lufkin Debt will not exceed the principal balance
                          shown in the April Balance Sheet, plus accrued
                          interest thereon.

                 D.       Title and Condition of Assets.  Seller has good and
                          indefeasible title to the Owned Property and tangible
                          and intangible personal property owned by it that
                          comprise the Assets, free and clear of Liens, other
                          than:

                          (1)     Permitted Encumbrances, or

                          (2)     Liens which will be released or discharged at
                                  or prior to the Effective Time of Closing.

                          To the knowledge of Seller, the tangible Assets are
                          capable of being used in the Business as presently
                          being conducted without present need for repair or
                          replacement except in the ordinary course of the
                          Business.

                          Since the date of the December Balance Sheet, Seller
                          has not sold, transferred, leased, distributed or
                          otherwise disposed of any of its assets, or agreed to
                          do so except for sales of Products and services in
                          the ordinary course of business or the disposition of
                          immaterial assets in the ordinary course of business
                          or which in the reasonable judgment of management are
                          not necessary or advisable to the efficient
                          operations of Seller.

                          All real and tangible personal property held by
                          Seller under the Scheduled Leases is held under valid
                          and binding lease agreements in full force and
                          effect.  Seller is not in material default, and to
                          Seller's knowledge no notice of alleged material
                          default has been received by Seller, under any such
                          Scheduled Leases and, to the knowledge of Seller, no
                          lessor is in material default or alleged to be in
                          material default thereunder.

                          The Assets constitute all material assets and
                          properties, real, personal, tangible and intangible,
                          that are necessary for the continued conduct of the
                          Business as presently being conducted.

                          Appendix 2.1(B)(12) to the Seller's Disclosure Letter
                          contains a true and correct list of the names of each
                          bank, savings and loan or other financial institution
                          in which Seller or subsidiaries has an account,
                          including cash contribution accounts, safe deposit
                          boxes and lock box arrangements, and the names of all
                          Persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access
                          thereto.

                 E.       Insurance.  Appendix 3.1(E) to Seller's Disclosure
                          Letter contains a list of all policies of insurance
                          maintained as of the date of this Agreement by
                          Seller, or maintained by SDI in respect of the
                          Business and Assets, including without limitation
                          insurance providing benefits for employees, in effect
                          as of the date of this Agreement.

                 F.       Litigation and Compliance With Laws, Etc.  There are
                          no claims, actions, suits or proceedings, whether in
                          equity or at law, or governmental or
<PAGE>   24
                          administrative investigations pending or, to the
                          knowledge of Seller, threatened against Seller or any
                          Asset, except (1) as described on Appendix 3.1(F) to
                          Seller's Disclosure Letter, or as may arise with
                          respect to any of the matters described thereon, (2)
                          for any claims, actions, suits or proceedings which
                          pertain to routine claims by Persons other than
                          Governmental Bodies that are covered by insurance
                          (subject to the applicable insurance deductibles) and
                          (3) for other claims, actions, suits or proceedings
                          which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have, if
                          prosecuted to judgment against Seller or the Assets,
                          a Material Adverse Effect.

                          Except as described on Appendix 3.1(F) to Seller's
                          Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this Agreement,

                          (1)     Seller in all material respects is in
                                  compliance under any law, regulation, writ,
                                  injunction, decree or order applicable to
                                  Seller or its Assets, including without
                                  limitation all safety and health, antitrust,
                                  consumer protection, labor, equal opportunity
                                  or discrimination laws, rules and
                                  regulations, except where such non-
                                  compliance would have a Material Adverse
                                  Effect, and

                          (2)     there are no judgments outstanding and
                                  unsatisfied against the Seller or the Assets
                                  that would impair Seller's ability to comply
                                  with its obligations under this Agreement.

                 G.       Taxes.  Seller has duly filed when due, including any
                          extensions, all Tax reports and returns in connection
                          with and in respect of the Business and the Assets,
                          and has timely paid and discharged all Tax
                          Obligations shown thereon.  Seller has made available
                          to Purchaser, to the extent requested by Purchaser,
                          all Tax reports and returns of Seller for all periods
                          ending prior to the date hereof.

                          Seller has not received written notice of any Tax
                          deficiency outstanding, proposed or assessed against
                          or allocable to Seller, nor has Seller executed any
                          waiver of any statute of limitations on the
                          assessment or collection of any Tax or executed or
                          filed with the IRS or any other Governmental Body any
                          agreement now in effect extending the period for
                          assessment or collection of any Taxes against Seller.

                          There are no Tax Liens upon, pending against or, to
                          the knowledge of Seller, threatened against any
                          Asset.

                 H.       Intangible Assets.  Except for intangible assets
                          included in the Excluded Assets, Appendix 3.1(H) to
                          Seller's Disclosure Letter sets forth:

                          (1)     all patents, patent applications, trademarks,
                                  trademark registrations, applications for
                                  trademark registrations, trade names and
                                  copyrights (i) which Seller owns or in which
                                  Seller has any proprietary interest or (ii)
                                  which are necessary for the conduct of the
                                  Business, and
<PAGE>   25
                          (2)     all license agreements with respect to any of
                                  the foregoing as to which Seller is licensor
                                  or licensee.

                          There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Seller,
                          threatened infringement claims against Seller by any
                          Person with respect to any of the items listed on
                          Appendix 3.1(H) to Seller's Disclosure Letter, nor
                          has any such item been declared invalid or been
                          limited by any court or agreement.  To the knowledge
                          of Seller, the use of the Intangible Assets by Seller
                          and the conduct of the Business as presently
                          conducted does not infringe on the rights of any
                          other Person.

                 I.       Instruments in Full Force and Effect: Possession
                          under Leases.  The Scheduled Contracts and the
                          Scheduled Leases constituting a part of the Assets
                          ("Instruments") are valid, binding and in full force
                          and effect, have not been amended or supplemented in
                          any manner or respect except as disclosed on Appendix
                          2.1(B)(9) to Seller's Disclosure Letter and Appendix.
                          2.1(D) to Seller's Disclosure Letter, and upon
                          assignment and assumption, with applicable consents,
                          if necessary, will be enforceable by Purchaser in
                          accordance with their respective terms.  There are no
                          material defaults by Seller thereunder and Seller
                          knows of no material defaults thereunder by any other
                          party thereto, and, to the knowledge of Seller, no
                          event has occurred that with the lapse of time or
                          action or inaction by any party thereto would result
                          in a material violation thereof or a material default
                          thereunder.  Seller enjoys peaceful and undisturbed
                          possession under all leases included in the Scheduled
                          Leases.

                 J.       Employee Plans and Agreements.

                          (1)     The Seller does not contribute to or have an
                                  obligation to contribute to, and has not at
                                  any time within six years prior to the
                                  Closing Date contributed to or had an
                                  obligation to contribute to, a multi-employer
                                  plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of
                                  ERISA.

                          (2)     With respect to any employee benefit plan,
                                  within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA,
                                  which is sponsored, maintained or contributed
                                  to, or has been sponsored, maintained or
                                  contributed to within six years prior to the
                                  Closing Date, by the Seller or any
                                  corporation, trade, business or entity under
                                  common control with the Seller, within  the
                                  meaning of Section 414(b), (c) or (m) of the
                                  Code or Section 4001 of ERISA ("Commonly
                                  Controlled Entity"), (i) no withdrawal
                                  liability, within the meaning of Section 4201
                                  of ERISA, has been incurred, which withdrawal
                                  liability has not been satisfied, (ii) no
                                  liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
                                  Corporation has been incurred by the Seller
                                  or any Commonly Controlled Entity, which
                                  liability has not been satisfied, (iii) no
                                  accumulated funding deficiency, whether
                                  waived or not waived, within the meaning of
                                  Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the
                                  Code has been incurred and (iv) all
                                  contributions, including installments, to
                                  such plan required by Section 302 of ERISA
                                  and Section 412 of the Code have
<PAGE>   26
                                  been timely made.

                 K.       Labor and Employee Relations.

                          (1)     Except as listed in Appendix 3.1(K) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter, there exists no
                                  collective bargaining agreement or other
                                  labor union contract applicable to any
                                  employee of Seller and no such agreement or
                                  contract has been requested by any employee
                                  or group of employees of Seller, nor has
                                  there been any discussion with respect
                                  thereto by management of Seller or its
                                  subsidiaries with any employees of Seller.
                                  Neither Seller nor subsidiaries has received
                                  any written notification of any unfair labor
                                  practice charges or complaints pending before
                                  any agency having jurisdiction thereof nor
                                  are there any current union representation
                                  claims involving any of the employees of
                                  Seller.  Further, neither Seller nor its
                                  subsidiaries is aware of any such threatened
                                  charges or claims.

                          (2)     Except as set forth in Appendix 3.1(K) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter, neither Seller
                                  nor its subsidiaries are aware of any union
                                  organizing activities or proceedings
                                  involving, or any pending petitions for
                                  recognition of, a labor union or association
                                  as the exclusive bargaining agent for, or
                                  where the purpose is to organize, any group
                                  or groups of employees of Seller.  There is
                                  not currently pending, with regard to any of
                                  its facilities, any proceeding before the
                                  National Labor Relations Board, wherein any
                                  labor organization is seeking representation
                                  of any employees of Seller.

                          (3)     Except as set forth in Appendix 3.1(K) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter, neither Seller
                                  nor its subsidiaries is aware of any strikes,
                                  work stoppages, work slowdowns or lockouts,
                                  nor of any threats thereof, by or with
                                  respect to any of the employees of Seller.
                                  Since January 1, 1993 there have been no
                                  labor disputes, strikes, slowdowns, work
                                  stoppages, lockouts or similar matters
                                  involving employees of Seller.

                          (4)     Except as set forth in Appendix 3. l(K) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter, there are not
                                  pending any grievances filed by employees of
                                  Seller within any collective bargaining unit
                                  or by representatives of employees within any
                                  collective bargaining unit.  Further, there
                                  are no arbitration decisions, settlement
                                  agreements, injunctions, consent decrees or
                                  conciliation agreements which affect the
                                  operation of the Business other than those
                                  specifically listed in Appendix 3.1(K) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter.

                          (5)     Except as set forth in Appendix 3.1(K) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter, there exists (i)
                                  no pending charges of discrimination or
                                  lawsuits involving alleged violations of any
                                  fair employment law, wage payment law,
                                  occupational safety and health law, (ii) no
                                  pending, or to the knowledge of Seller
                                  threatened, litigation arising out of
                                  employment relationships, or other
                                  employment-related law, whether
<PAGE>   27
                                  federal, state or local, and (iii) no
                                  pending, or to the knowledge of Seller
                                  threatened, litigation arising out of
                                  employment relationships, presently
                                  threatened or pending, by any applicant,
                                  employee or former employee of Seller or any
                                  representative of any such Person or Persons.
                                  No charges or claims involving any of the
                                  facilities or employees of Seller are pending
                                  before any administrative agency, local,
                                  state or federal, and no lawsuits involving
                                  any of such facilities or employees are
                                  pending with respect to equal employment
                                  opportunity, age discrimination, occupational
                                  safety, or any other form of alleged
                                  employment practice or unfair labor practice.

                          (6)     Seller complies in all material respects with
                                  all applicable laws, rules and regulations
                                  relating to the employment of labor,
                                  including, but without limitation, those
                                  relating to wages, hours, concerted activity,
                                  non-discrimination, occupational health and
                                  safety and the payment and withholding of
                                  employment related Taxes.

                 L.       Real Property.  Except as set forth in Appendix
                          3.1(L) to Seller's Disclosure Letter:

                          (1)     Seller has and will convey to Purchaser good
                                  and indefeasible title to the Owned Property
                                  free and clear of any and all Liens other
                                  than Permitted Encumbrances.

                          (2)     To the knowledge of Seller, the Real Property
                                  does not violate any provisions of any
                                  applicable building code, fire, health or
                                  safety regulations, or other governmental
                                  ordinances, orders or regulations.  Seller is
                                  unaware of any condition that exists with
                                  respect to the Real Property which would
                                  prevent, or require repair or modification
                                  thereof as a prerequisite to, Purchaser using
                                  the Real Property in the ordinary conduct of
                                  the Business except with respect to ordinary
                                  wear and tear and scheduled maintenance and
                                  repair.

                          (3)     There are no parties in possession of any
                                  portion of the Owned Property as lessees,
                                  tenants at sufferance or trespassers.

                          (4)     There is no pending condemnation or similar
                                  proceeding or assessment affecting the Real
                                  Property, or any part thereof, nor to the
                                  best knowledge and belief of Seller is any
                                  such proceeding or assessment contemplated by
                                  any Governmental Body.

                 M.       Absence of Certain Changes, Etc.  Except as disclosed
                          in Financial Statements or on Appendix 3.1(M) to
                          Seller's Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 1996,
                          there has been no adverse change in the Business,
                          financial condition or results of operations of
                          Seller from that reflected in the December Financial
                          Statements in each case which would have a Material
                          Adverse Effect.

                          Since December 31, 1996 and except as disclosed on
                          Appendix 3.1(M) to
<PAGE>   28
                          Seller's Disclosure Letter, Seller has:

                          (1)     conducted its operations in the ordinary
                                  course,

                          (2)     not entered into any transaction or contract,
                                  or amended or terminated any transaction or
                                  contract, except normal transactions or
                                  contracts consistent in nature and scope with
                                  prior practices and entered into in the
                                  ordinary course of business,

                          (3)     not mortgaged, sold, transferred, distributed
                                  or otherwise disposed of any of its Assets,
                                  except in the ordinary course of business,

                          (4)     not experienced any material damage,
                                  destruction or loss to or of any of its
                                  Assets except in the ordinary course of
                                  business and except to the extent that any
                                  Asset damaged, destroyed or lost has been
                                  repaired or replaced,

                          (5)     not made or agreed to make any capital
                                  expenditures for additions to property, plant
                                  or equipment, except for expenditures and
                                  commitments not exceeding $50,000 in the
                                  aggregate,

                          (6)     not made or agreed to make any change in the
                                  compensation payable to any employee, except
                                  for increases in compensation in the ordinary
                                  course of business substantially consistent
                                  with past practices of Seller, or

                          (7)     not granted credit to any customer or
                                  distributor on terms more favorable than the
                                  terms on which credit has been extended to
                                  such customer or distributor in the past nor
                                  changed the terms of any credit previously
                                  extended except in the ordinary course of
                                  business.

                 N.       Material Contracts, Etc.  Appendix 3.1(N) to Seller's
                          Disclosure Letter lists all contracts, leases,
                          agreements and instruments material to the Business
                          or requiring the performance by Seller of any
                          material obligations of Seller after the date hereof
                          except the following:

                          (1)     purchase orders and contracts with suppliers
                                  and customers entered into in the ordinary
                                  course of business, and

                          (2)     miscellaneous contracts, leases, agreements
                                  and instruments (with Persons unaffiliated
                                  with Seller) involving liabilities under any
                                  such contract, lease, agreement and
                                  instrument of not more than $25,000 in any
                                  twelve month period.

                          Seller has heretofore delivered, or made available,
                          to Purchaser or its counsel complete copies of all
                          contracts, leases, agreements and instruments listed
                          on Appendix 3.1(N) to Seller's Disclosure Letter.

                          Except as set forth in Appendix  3.1(N) to Seller's
                          Disclosure Letter, Seller
<PAGE>   29
                          is not a party to any agreement, contract or covenant
                          limiting the freedom of the Seller or any party
                          contracting with Seller from competing in any line of
                          business or with any Person in any geographic area.

                 O.       Permits.  Seller possesses all the Permits listed in
                          Appendix 2.1(B)(6) to Seller's Disclosure Letter,
                          copies of all of which have been delivered to
                          Purchaser.  Such Permits constitute all the Permits
                          necessary under law or otherwise for Seller to
                          conduct the Business as now being conducted and to
                          construct, own, operate, maintain and use the Assets
                          in the manner in which they are now being
                          constructed, operated, maintained and used.  Each of
                          such Permits and Seller's rights with respect thereto
                          is valid and subsisting, in full force and effect,
                          and enforceable by Seller.  Seller is in compliance
                          in all material respects with the terms of such
                          Permits.  None of such Permits have been, or to the
                          knowledge of Seller, are threatened to be, revoked,
                          canceled, suspended or modified.

                 P.       Environmental Matters.

                          (1)     Except as set forth in Appendix 3.1(P) to
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter and to the
                                  knowledge of Seller:

                                  (a)      Seller is not in violation of any
                                           Environmental Laws in connection
                                           with the conduct of the Business,
                                           where such violation or
                                           non-compliance would have a Material
                                           Adverse Effect, and

                                  (b)      there are no underground storage
                                           tanks (as defined under
                                           Environmental Laws) located under
                                           the Owned Property;

                          (2)     Seller has not received any written notices
                                  of any violation of, non-compliance with, or
                                  remedial obligation under, Environmental
                                  Laws, relating to the conduct of the
                                  Business, which violation or non-compliance
                                  would have a Material Adverse Effect; and

                          (3)     there are no writs, injunctions, decrees,
                                  orders or judgments outstanding, or lawsuits,
                                  claims, proceedings or investigations,
                                  pending or to the knowledge of Seller
                                  threatened, relating to the conduct of the
                                  Business.

                          As used in this Agreement, "Environmental Laws" means
                          any applicable federal, state, or local laws, rules,
                          or regulations, common law or strict liability
                          provisions, and any judicial or administrative
                          interpretations thereof, including any judicial or
                          administrative orders or judgments, relating to
                          health, safety, industrial hygiene, pollution or
                          environmental matters.

                 Q.       Customers and Suppliers.  Appendix 3.1(Q) to Seller's
                          Disclosure Letter sets forth (1) a true and correct
                          list of (i) the ten (10) largest customers of Seller
                          in terms of sales during the fiscal year ended
                          December 31, 1996, and (ii) the ten (10) largest
                          customers of Seller in terms of sales during the four
                          (4) months ended April 30, 1997, showing the
                          approximate total sales to each
<PAGE>   30
                          such customer during each of such periods; and (2) a
                          true and correct list of the ten (10) largest
                          suppliers of Seller in terms of purchases during the
                          four (4) months ended April 30, 1997, showing the
                          approximate total purchases from each such supplier
                          during such respective periods.  Except to the extent
                          set forth in Appendix 3.1(Q) to Seller's Disclosure
                          Letter, there has not been any material adverse
                          change in the business relationship of Seller with
                          any customer or supplier so named in the disclosure
                          statement.  Except for the customers and suppliers
                          named in Appendix 3.1(Q) to Seller's Disclosure
                          Letter, Seller has not had any customer which
                          accounted for more than 5% of the sales during the
                          period from January 1, 1996 through and including the
                          date hereof, or any supplier from whom it purchased
                          more than 5% of the total goods or services purchased
                          by it during such period.

         3.2     Representations and Warranties of Purchaser.  Purchaser
represents and warrants to Seller that the following are true and correct on
and as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct through the
Effective Time of Closing as if made on and as of that date:

                 A.       Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly
                          existing and in good standing under the laws of the
                          State of Nevada and is qualified to transact business
                          and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in
                          the jurisdictions where it is required to qualify in
                          order to conduct its businesses as presently
                          conducted.

                          Purchaser has the corporate power and authority to
                          own, lease or operate all properties and assets now
                          owned, leased or operated by it and to carry on its
                          businesses as now conducted.

                 B.       Purchaser may execute, deliver and perform this
                          Agreement (including, without limitation, execution,
                          delivery and performance of the Operative Documents
                          to which it is a party) without the necessity of
                          Purchaser obtaining any consent, approval,
                          authorization or waiver or giving any notice or
                          otherwise, except for such consents, approvals,
                          authorizations, waivers and notices as described on
                          Schedule 3.2(B) hereto.

                 C.       The execution, delivery and performance of this
                          Agreement do not and will not:

                          (1)     constitute a violation of the Articles of
                                  Incorporation, as amended, or the Bylaws, as
                                  amended, as the case may be, of Purchaser,

                          (2)     constitute a violation of any statute,
                                  judgment, order, decree or regulation or rule
                                  of any court, governmental authority or
                                  arbitrator applicable or relating to
                                  Purchaser, or

                          (3)     to the knowledge of Purchaser, constitute a
                                  default under any contract to which Purchaser
                                  is a party except where such default would
                                  not have a material adverse effect upon the
                                  ability of Purchaser to perform its
                                  obligations under this Agreement.
<PAGE>   31
                 D.       Purchaser has the corporate power to enter into this
                          Agreement and the Operative Documents and to carry
                          out its respective obligations hereunder.  This
                          Agreement and each of the Operative Documents to
                          which Purchaser is a party has been duly authorized,
                          executed and delivered by Purchaser.  This Agreement
                          and each of the Operative Documents to which
                          Purchaser is a party constitutes the legal, valid and
                          binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable in
                          accordance with its terms, except as may be limited
                          by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and similar
                          laws of general application relating to or affecting
                          the enforcement of rights of creditors.

                 E.       Financial Statements, Etc.  The following audited and
                          unaudited financial statements of Purchaser have been
                          delivered to Seller:

                          (1)     the audited consolidated balance sheet of
                                  Purchaser as of December 31, 1996 (the
                                  "Purchaser December Balance Sheet") and the
                                  related audited statements of operations, of
                                  stockholder's equity and of cash flows for
                                  the three-year period ended December 31, 1996
                                  (together with related notes and schedules),
                                  which financial statements contain a report
                                  of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent auditors,
                                  reporting thereon (such balance sheet, the
                                  related statements of operations, of
                                  stockholder's equity and of cash flows, and
                                  the related footnotes being hereinafter
                                  together refereed to as the "Purchaser
                                  December Financial Statements"); and

                          (2)     the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of
                                  Seller as of April 30, 1997 (the "Purchaser
                                  April Balance Sheet") and the related
                                  unaudited statements of operations, of
                                  stockholder's equity and of cash flows for
                                  the four-month period then ended (together
                                  with related footnotes) (such balance sheet,
                                  the related statements of operations, of
                                  stockholder's equity and of cash flows, and
                                  the related footnotes being hereinafter
                                  together referred to as the "Purchaser April
                                  Financial Statements").

                          Except as set forth in Purchaser's Financial
                          Statements set out in Section 3.2(E)(1), the
                          Purchaser December Financial Statements and the
                          Purchaser April Financial Statements (collectively,
                          the "Purchaser Financial Statements"), including the
                          related notes and schedules, have been prepared from
                          the books and records of Purchaser in conformity with
                          generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
                          basis consistent with GAAP and present fairly the
                          financial position of Purchaser as of the dates of
                          such statements.

                 F.       Litigation and Compliance With Laws, Etc.  There are
                          no claims, actions, suits or proceedings, whether in
                          equity or at law, or governmental or administrative
                          investigations pending or, to the knowledge of
                          Purchaser, threatened against Purchaser, except (1)
                          as described on Schedule 3.2(F) hereto, or as may
                          arise with respect to any of the matters described
                          thereon, and (2) for any claims, actions, suits or
                          proceedings which pertain to routine claims by
                          persons other than Governmental Bodies that are
                          covered by
<PAGE>   32
                          insurance (subject to the applicable insurance
                          deductibles).

                          Purchaser in all material respects is in compliance
                          under any law, regulation, writ, injunction, decree
                          or order applicable to Purchaser or its assets,
                          including without limitation all safety and health,
                          antitrust, consumer protection, labor, equal
                          opportunity or discrimination laws, rules and
                          regulations, and there are no judgments outstanding
                          and unsatisfied against Purchaser that would have a
                          material adverse effect on Purchaser or otherwise
                          impair Purchaser's ability to comply with its
                          obligations under this Agreement.

                 G.       Taxes.  Purchaser has duly filed when due, including
                          any extensions, all Tax reports and returns in
                          connection with and in respect of Purchaser's
                          business, assets and employees, and has timely paid
                          and discharged all Tax Obligations shown thereon.
                          Purchaser has made available to Seller, to the extent
                          requested by Seller, all Tax reports and returns of
                          Purchaser for all periods ending prior to the date
                          hereof.

                          Purchaser has not received notice of any Tax
                          deficiency outstanding, proposed or assessed against
                          or allocable to Purchaser, nor has Purchaser executed
                          any waiver of any statute of limitations on the
                          assessment or collection of any Tax or executed or
                          filed with the IRS or any other Governmental Body any
                          agreement now in effect extending the period for
                          assessment or collection of any Taxes against
                          Purchaser.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                   CONDUCT AND TRANSACTIONS PRIOR TO CLOSING

         4.1     Access to Records and Properties.  Between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time of Closing, Seller shall give to Purchaser and
its advisors such access to the premises, books and records of Seller, and
shall cause the officers, employees and accountants of Seller to furnish such
financial and operating data and other information with respect to Seller as
Purchaser shall from time to time reasonably request.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Seller shall give to Purchaser and its
representatives access during normal business hours to the facilities and
operations of Seller so that Purchaser may (1) obtain evaluations of the Assets
and (2) perform any and all assessing, testing, monitoring and investigating
that Purchaser and Seller mutually agree to be necessary with respect to
environmental matters concerning Seller, its assets and the operation of the
Business.  Any investigation pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be conducted at
Purchaser's cost (other than the usual salary of employees of Seller, overhead
expenses of Seller and the fees and expenses of counsel and independent public
accountants for Seller) and in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably
with the business and operations of Seller.  Purchaser shall be subject to the
Confidentiality Agreement with respect to all information and data gathered as
a result of access granted under this Section 4.1, provided that the
Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate on the Closing Date.

         4.2     Operation of Seller.  Between the date hereof and the
Effective Time of Closing, except as contemplated herein or except with the
prior consent of Purchaser, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld,
Seller shall:
<PAGE>   33
                 A.       conduct the Business in the ordinary course of
                          business consistent with past practices;

                 B.       not dispose of, or commit to dispose of, any Assets
                          (other than the liquidation and settlement of
                          Accounts and the sale and delivery of Inventory and
                          products covered by Backlog Orders, all in the
                          ordinary and customary course of Seller's business);
                          and

                 C.       use all reasonable efforts to continue in effect
                          until immediately following the Effective Time of
                          Closing all present insurance coverage with respect
                          to the Assets, the Business and the Employees.

         Seller shall not effect any amendment to the articles of incorporation
or the bylaws of Seller and shall not cause or permit the issuance of any
additional shares of the capital stock or equity interests (or options,
warrants or other rights to acquire capital stock or equity interests) of
Seller.

         Each party shall make reasonable efforts to advise the other promptly
in writing of any condition or circumstance, known to such party, occurring
from the date hereof up to and including the Effective Time of Closing that
would cause the respective representations herein to become untrue in any
material respect.

         4.3     Consents.  Seller shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain
any consents of Governmental Bodies, suppliers, distributors, and other Persons
required in order for Seller to sell and transfer the Assets and Business
pursuant to this Agreement.

         4.4     No Public Announcements or Negotiation with Others.

                 A.       The parties hereto shall not issue any press release
                          or make any public statement regarding the
                          transactions contemplated by this Agreement without
                          obtaining the prior consent of the other party, which
                          consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                 B.       Unless and until this Agreement shall have been
                          terminated by Purchaser or Seller pursuant to Section
                          6.2, neither SDI, Seller nor any of the officers or
                          directors of Seller, nor any Affiliates of any of
                          them whom they are able to influence, shall (except
                          to the extent required in the exercise of fiduciary
                          duties or under applicable law):

                          (1)     directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit,
                                  initiate or participate in any discussions or
                                  negotiations with any corporation,
                                  partnership, Person or other entity or group
                                  (other than to Purchaser or an Affiliate or
                                  an associate of Purchaser) concerning any
                                  merger, sale of substantial assets, business
                                  combination, sale of shares of capital stock
                                  or similar transactions involving the
                                  business of Seller or any Asset, whether by
                                  providing non-public information or
                                  otherwise; or

                          (2)     disclose, directly or indirectly, any
                                  information not customarily disclosed to any
                                  Person concerning Seller's business and
                                  properties, afford to any other Person access
                                  to Seller's properties, books or
<PAGE>   34
                                  records or otherwise assist or encourage any
                                  Person in connection with any of the
                                  foregoing.

In the event Seller shall receive a written offer for a transaction of the type
referred to in this Section 4.4, Seller shall promptly inform Purchaser as to
any such offer.

         4.5     Reasonable Efforts to Satisfy Conditions.  Seller shall use
its reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to the obligations of Purchaser
contained in Section 5.1 to be satisfied to the extent that the satisfaction of
such conditions is in the control of Seller.  Purchaser shall use its
reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to the obligations of Seller and SDI
contained in Section 5.2 to be satisfied to the extent that the satisfaction of
such conditions is in the control of Purchaser.

         4.6     Bulk Transfer.  Seller agrees to and does hereby indemnify and
hold Purchaser harmless from and against all claims, losses, demands, damages,
liabilities, losses, costs and expenses resulting from or relating to non-
compliance by Purchaser or Seller with the bulk transfer provisions of the
Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar law) in connection with the sale and
transfer of the Assets to Purchaser other than the liabilities assumed by
Purchaser hereunder and Purchaser and Seller hereby waive compliance therewith.

         4.7     Change of Seller's Name.  Immediately following the Closing,
Seller shall cease to use the name "STRATEGIC SUPPLY, INC." or any similar name
and as soon as practical thereafter will file with the office of the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware all documents necessary to change the name of
Seller to a name reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser.  Pending the
effectiveness under the Delaware Corporation Laws of Seller's name change,
Seller shall file all necessary documentation with the appropriate governmental
authorities to evidence its doing business as an entity using a name other than
"STRATEGIC SUPPLY, INC."  Seller shall take the equivalent action with respect
to such name in any other jurisdiction where it has been, is or is licensed to
be used.

         4.8     Vacate Real Property.  Seller shall vacate all of the Real
Property at the Effective Time of Closing.

         4.9     Title Policy.  Seller shall cooperate with Purchaser in
Purchaser is obtaining an Owners Title Policy Commitment (the "Commitment")
issued by a title company satisfactory to Purchaser committing and binding said
title company to issue to Purchaser a title policy, which shall show good and
indefeasible title to the Real Property to be vested in Seller ("Title
Policy").

         4.10    Accounts Receivable.  All accounts receivable of Seller shall
remain with Seller provided Purchaser agrees (at no cost to Seller) for a
period of twelve months following the Closing Date to serve as a collection
agent with respect to the Closing Receivables.  In this connection, Purchaser
agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to collect all Closing
Receivables.  Purchaser agrees not to settle or compromise or attempt to settle
or compromise any Closing Receivables without the prior written consent and
approval of Seller.  Purchaser further agrees that the payments made by
customers of Purchaser which are also obligors under the Closing Receivables
shall be applied first to the Closing Receivables and then to receivables of
such customers to Purchaser unless the customers directs in writing that
payments be applied in a particular manner.  To the extent that Closing
Receivables remain outstanding on the first day of each month during the third
through twelfth month after the Closing Date, Purchaser agrees on the first day
of each month to pay to Seller a cash payment equal to .58% of the then
outstanding balance of Closing
<PAGE>   35
Receivables.  Each of Purchaser and Seller shall promptly pay to the other any
amounts received by it or any Affiliate on account of a Closing Receivable (or
any portion thereof) which is, at such time, the property of the other.

         4.11    Cooperation on Tax Matters.  Purchaser and Seller agree to
furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, as promptly as practicable,
such information and assistance relating to the Business as is reasonably
necessary for the preparation and filing of any return, claim for refund or
other required or optional filings relating to Tax matters, for the preparation
for and proof of facts during any Tax audit, for the preparation for any Tax
protest, for the prosecution or defense of any suit or other proceeding
relating to Tax matters and for the answer to any governmental or regulatory
inquiry relating to Tax matters.

         Purchaser agrees to retain possession of all accounting, business,
financial and Tax records and information (i) relating to the Business in
existence on the Closing Date transferred to Purchaser hereunder and (ii)
coming into existence after the Closing Date which relate to the Business
before the Closing Date, for a period of six years from the Closing Date.  In
addition, from and after the Closing Date, Purchaser agrees that it will not
unreasonably withhold access by Seller and its attorneys, accountants and other
representatives (after reasonable notice and during normal business hours and
with reasonable charge), to such personnel, books, records, documents and any
or all other information relating to the Business as Seller may reasonably deem
necessary to properly prepare for, file, prove, answer, prosecute and/or defend
any such return, filing, audit, protest, claim, suit, inquiry or other
proceeding.  Such access shall include, without limitation, access to any
computerized information retrieval systems relating to the Business.

         4.12    Inventories.  Seller agrees that at any time within thirty
(30) days after the third anniversary of the Closing Date and subject to the
provisions of this Section 4.12, Purchaser shall have the right and option to
cause Seller to purchase, and if such option is executed, Seller will purchase
the Closing Inventory which then remains unsold by Purchaser.  Such put option
may be exercised by Purchaser's delivery to Seller of written notice of such
election which identifies  the Closing Inventory to be purchased and the
purchase price thereof.  The purchase price payable by Seller for such Closing
Inventory shall be the amount by which the appropriate net book value of such
Closing Inventories less applicable reserves (as reflected on the Closing Date
Statement of Net Assets) is greater than the Inventory Realized Amount.
"Inventory Realized Amount" shall mean the proceeds received by Purchaser from
sales of Closing Inventory, provided, that in calculating such proceeds, the
sales price received by Purchaser for sales of inventory shall be deemed to be
the lesser of (i) the sales price actually received for such Closing Inventory
and (ii) the cost at which such Closing Inventory was carried on the books of
Seller as of the Closing Date, such costs to be reflected on a schedule
prepared by Seller and Purchaser at or immediately following Closing.  If the
put option is exercised, Purchaser agrees that Seller may effect its purchase
first by reducing the principal amount of the Subordinated Note.

         4.13    Cancellation of Certain Leases.  Purchaser and Seller
acknowledge that Purchaser may desire to cancel or terminate certain of the
Scheduled Leases after twelve months following the Closing Date, such Scheduled
Leases consisting of the leases in Borger, Pampa and Dumas which are reflected
in Appendix 2.1(B)(8) to the Seller's Disclosure Letter (collectively the
"Designated Leases").  In the event that Purchaser elects to terminate all or
part of any of the Designated Leases after twelve months following the Closing
Date but prior to the end of the stated term (without taking into consideration
any extension thereof), Seller agrees to reimburse Purchaser an amount equal to
one half of any amounts which are required to be paid to the lessors of the
Designated
<PAGE>   36
Leases in connection with such early termination (up to an aggregate payment of
$120,487) net of proceeds from sublessees and other amounts received by
Purchaser which are related to such termination.  The amounts payable hereunder
by Seller, if any, may at Seller's election be paid through a reduction of the
principal payments payable to Seller under the Subordinated Note.  Purchaser
agrees to use all commercially reasonable efforts to sublet such Designated
Leases or otherwise to mitigate the payments to the lessors upon any such
termination.

                                   ARTICLE V
                             CONDITIONS OF CLOSING

         5.1     Conditions of Obligations of Purchaser.  The obligations of
Purchaser to consummate the purchase and sale under this Agreement are subject
to the satisfaction of the following conditions, each of which may be waived in
writing by Purchaser:

                 A.       Representations and Warranties: Performance of
                          Obligations.

                          (1)     The representations and warranties of Seller
                                  set forth in Section 3.1 hereof shall have
                                  been and shall be true and correct in all
                                  material respects on and as of the date of
                                  this Agreement and shall be true and correct
                                  in all material respects on and as of the
                                  Closing Date, as though made on and as of the
                                  Closing Date.

                          (2)     Seller shall have performed in all material
                                  respects the covenants, agreements and
                                  obligations required to be performed by it
                                  under this Agreement prior to and on the
                                  Closing Date.

                          (3)     Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser its
                                  certificate confirming the satisfaction of
                                  the conditions set forth in subparagraphs (1)
                                  and (2) above and such other matters that
                                  Purchaser may reasonably request.

                 B.       Delivery of Instruments.  Seller shall have delivered
                          to Purchaser the duly authorized and executed Deed,
                          the General Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment, and
                          such other conveyance documents that Purchaser may
                          reasonably request to effect the transfer and
                          conveyance of the Business to Purchaser.

                 C.       Opinion of Counsel to Seller.  Purchaser shall have
                          received the opinion of Seller's counsel, Andrews &
                          Kurth L.L.P., dated the Closing Date, in the form of
                          Exhibit 5.1(C) hereto.

                 D.       Environmental Review Report.  Purchaser shall have
                          received, at Purchaser's expense, an environmental
                          review report from a Person satisfactory to Purchaser
                          as to the absence of any evidence of non-compliance
                          with Environmental Laws that would have a Material
                          Adverse Effect on the Business or Assets to be
                          acquired.

                 E.       Consents, Notices and Approvals.  All consents and
                          approvals of all Persons necessary for the
                          consummation of the Transaction under Seller's
                          articles of incorporation or bylaws or any agreement,
                          permit, law or regulation shall
<PAGE>   37
                          have been received and delivered to Purchaser, all
                          notices to any Person required by any of the
                          foregoing to be given in respect of the Transaction
                          shall have been duly given, and all necessary action
                          shall have been taken to assign to Purchaser the
                          Scheduled Contracts, the Scheduled Leases and any
                          other material agreements between Seller and its
                          shareholders, suppliers, customers and other third
                          parties.

                 F.       Change of Corporate Name.  Seller shall have approved
                          and shall have executed and delivered to Purchaser,
                          an amendment to its articles of incorporation,
                          pursuant to the Delaware Corporation Laws and in form
                          suitable for filing with the Secretary of State of
                          Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Corporation Laws,
                          changing its corporate name to a name that does not
                          include the word "Strategic Supply" or any other name
                          under which Seller presently conducts business.

                 G.       "Net Tangible Asset Value Certificate".  The
                          Certificate of Estimated Net Tangible Asset Value
                          shall have been delivered by Seller to Purchaser.

                 H.       "Supplemental Disclosure Statement".  The Seller
                          shall have delivered the Supplemental Disclosure
                          Statement to Purchaser.

         5.2     Conditions of Obligations of Seller and SDI.  The obligations
of Seller to consummate the sale and purchase under this Agreement are subject
to the satisfaction of the following conditions, each of which may be waived in
writing by Seller:

                 A.       Representations and Warranties: Performance of
                          Obligations.  The representations and warranties of
                          Purchaser set forth in Section 3.2 hereof shall have
                          been and be true and correct in all material respects
                          on and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
                          Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing
                          Date.

                          Purchaser shall have performed in all material
                          respects the covenants, agreements and obligations
                          necessary to be performed by it under this Agreement
                          prior to the Closing Date and such other matters that
                          Seller may reasonably request.

                 B.       Purchase Price and Other Payments.  Purchaser shall
                          have delivered to Seller the cash portion of the
                          Purchase Price, the Subordinated Note, the
                          Consideration Note and any other payments required to
                          be made as of the Closing Date.

                 C.       Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser.  Seller shall have
                          received the opinion of Fouts & Moore, L.L.P., dated
                          the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit 5.2(C)
                          hereto.

                 D.       Transition Services Agreement.  Seller and Purchaser
                          shall have entered into a Transition Services
                          Agreement with respect to SDI Mexico in the form of
                          Exhibit 5.2(D) hereof.
<PAGE>   38
                                   ARTICLE VI
                   CLOSING DATE AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

         6.1     Closing Date.

                 A.       Subject to the right of (1) Seller and (2) Purchaser
                          to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2
                          hereof, the closing of the consummation of the
                          purchase and sale contemplated by this Agreement (the
                          "Closing") shall, unless another date or place is
                          agreed to in writing by Seller and Purchaser, take
                          place at the offices of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.,
                          Houston, Texas, at 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time on
                          May 30, 1997, or such other date as the parties may
                          agree upon (the "Closing Date").

                 B.       For all purposes hereof, the term "the Effective Time
                          of Closing" shall occur upon (i) the delivery to
                          Purchaser of the Deed, the General Conveyance,
                          Transfer and Assignment, and the other Operative
                          Documents as contemplated herein on the Closing Date
                          and (ii) the payment of the Purchase Price, including
                          the delivery to Seller of the Subordinated Note the
                          Consideration Note, and the delivery to Seller of the
                          other Operative Documents.

         6.2     Termination of Agreement.

                 A.       This Agreement may, by written notice given at or
                          prior to the Closing in the manner hereinafter
                          provided, be terminated or abandoned:

                          (1)     in the event that the Effective Time of
                                  Closing shall not have occurred on or before
                                  May 30, 1997 (or such extension date pursuant
                                  to Section 6.1(A)), by Seller or by
                                  Purchaser;

                          (2)     by Purchaser if a material default or breach
                                  shall be made by Seller with respect to the
                                  due and timely performance of any of its
                                  covenants and agreements contained herein, or
                                  with respect to the correctness of or due
                                  compliance with any of its representations
                                  and warranties and such default cannot be
                                  cured and has not been waived;

                          (3)     by Seller if a material default or breach
                                  shall be made by Purchaser with respect to
                                  the due and timely performance of any of its
                                  covenants and agreements contained herein, or
                                  with respect to the correctness of or due
                                  compliance with any of its representations
                                  and warranties and such default cannot be
                                  cured and has not been waived;

                          (4)     by mutual consent of Seller and Purchaser; or

                          (5)     by Purchaser if any supplement to the
                                  Seller's Disclosure Letter contains updated
                                  or supplemental disclosure which indirectly
                                  or in the aggregate would have a Material
                                  Adverse Effect.

                 B.       No termination of this Agreement, whether pursuant to
                          this Section 6.2 or
<PAGE>   39
                          otherwise, shall terminate or impair any claim by
                          Seller or by Purchaser against the other based upon
                          any breach of Section 4.5 hereof.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                INDEMNIFICATION

         7.1     Indemnity.

                 A.       Subject to Section 7.2(B) hereof, Seller and SDI,
                          jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold
                          Purchaser and Purchaser's officers, directors,
                          shareholders, Affiliates, and agents ("Purchaser
                          Indemnitees") harmless from any and all damages,
                          losses,  liabilities, payments, obligations,
                          penalties, claims, litigation, demands, defenses,
                          judgments, suits, proceedings, costs, disbursements
                          or expenses (including, without limitation,
                          reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of
                          attorneys, accountants and other professional
                          advisors and of expert witnesses and costs of
                          investigation and preparation) of any kind or nature
                          whatsoever (collectively "Damages"), resulting from
                          or arising out of:

                          (1)     any breach of or inaccuracy in any
                                  representation or warranty of Seller
                                  contained in this Agreement; and

                          (2)     any breach or non-performance, partial or
                                  total, by Seller of any covenant or agreement
                                  of Seller contained in this Agreement.

                 B.       Subject to Section 7.2(B) hereof, Purchaser and DXP,
                          jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold
                          Seller and Seller's officers, directors,
                          shareholders, Affiliates, and agents ("Seller
                          Indemnitees") harmless from, any and all Damages
                          resulting from or arising out of:

                          (1)     any breach of any representation or warranty
                                  of Purchaser contained in this Agreement; and

                          (2)     the non-performance, partial or total, of any
                                  covenant or agreement of Purchaser contained
                                  in this Agreement.

         7.2     Notice Participation; Duration; Limitations.

                 A.       If a claim by a third party is made against a party
                          indemnified pursuant to this Article VII
                          ("Indemnitee"), and if such Indemnitee intends to
                          seek indemnity with respect thereto under this
                          Article VII, such Indemnitee shall promptly, and in
                          any event within 30 days of the assertion of any
                          claim or the discovery of any fact upon which such
                          Indemnitee intends to base a claim for
                          indemnification under this Agreement ("Claim"),
                          notify the party or parties from whom indemnification
                          is sought ("Indemnitor") of such Claim.  Delay on the
                          part of the Indemnitee in providing the notice of
                          Claim shall not relieve the Indemnitor from its
                          obligations hereunder unless (and then only to the
                          extent) the Indemnitor is prejudiced or damaged by
                          such delay. In the event of any Claim, Indemnitor, at
                          its option, may assume (with legal counsel
<PAGE>   40
                          reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee) the defense
                          of any claim, demand, lawsuit or other proceeding in
                          connection with the Indemnitee's Claim, and may
                          assert any defense of Indemnitee or Indemnitor;
                          provided that Indemnitee shall have the right at its
                          own expense to participate jointly with Indemnitor in
                          the defense of any claim, demand, lawsuit or other
                          proceeding in connection with the Indemnitee's Claim.
                          In the event that Indemnitor elects to undertake the
                          defense of any Claim hereunder, Indemnitee shall
                          cooperate with Indemnitor to the fullest extent
                          possible in regard to all matters relating to the
                          Claim (including, without limitation, corrective
                          actions required by applicable law, assertion of
                          defenses and the determination, mitigation,
                          negotiation and settlement of all amounts, costs,
                          actions, penalties, damages and the like related
                          thereto) so as to permit Indemnitor's management of
                          same with regard to the amount of Damages payable by
                          the Indemnitor hereunder.  Neither Purchaser nor
                          Seller shall be entitled to settle any Claim without
                          the prior written consent of the other, which consent
                          shall not unreasonably be withheld.

                 B.       The representations and warranties of the parties
                          shall survive the Closing for a period of two years
                          (except for the representations and warranties under
                          Sections 3.1(G) and 3.2(G) which shall survive for
                          the applicable statute of limitations and the
                          representations and warranties in Section 3.1(P)
                          which shall survive for three years), and the
                          indemnification procedures in this Article VII shall
                          be the exclusive remedy available to the parties
                          hereto.  No claim for indemnification under this
                          Section 7.2 may be made after the second anniversary
                          of the Effective Time of Closing, except that claims
                          for indemnification in respect of breaches of the
                          representations and warranties contained in Section
                          3.1(G) or 3.2(G) hereof may be made so long as any
                          claim is made in respect of such matters under any
                          applicable statute of limitations and claims for
                          indemnification in respect of breaches of the
                          representations and warranties contained in Section
                          3.1(P) may be made so long as any claim is made in
                          respect of such matter prior to the third anniversary
                          of the Closing; provided, however, that the foregoing
                          shall not affect any claim made with sufficient
                          detail in good faith prior to the date of such
                          expiration.

                 C.       The obligations of Purchaser and DXP and Seller and
                          SDI to indemnify any Person pursuant to this Article
                          VIII shall be subject to the following limitations:

                                  (1)      Neither the Seller Indemnitees nor
                                           the Purchaser Indemnitees shall be
                                           entitled to indemnification under
                                           this Article VII for any individual
                                           Claim unless the Damages incurred by
                                           the party or parties seeking
                                           indemnification with respect to such
                                           Claim exceed $10,000;

                                  (2)      Neither the Seller Indemnitees nor
                                           the Purchaser Indemnitees shall be
                                           entitled to indemnification under
                                           this Article VII unless the
                                           aggregate Damages incurred by the
                                           party or parties seeking
                                           indemnification are in excess of
                                           $150,000 and then
<PAGE>   41
                                           only to the extent of such excess;

                                  (3)      the aggregate liability of Seller
                                           and SDI to indemnify Purchaser
                                           Indemnitees shall not exceed an
                                           amount equal to $9,000,000; and

                                  (4)      no party shall have liability for
                                           any lost business opportunities,
                                           loss of revenue, speculative or
                                           prospective profits or any other
                                           special, incidental, consequential,
                                           exemplary, punitive or indirect
                                           damages.


         7.3     INDEMNIFICATION IF NEGLIGENCE OF INDEMNITEE. THE
INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE APPLICABLE WHETHER OR NOT
NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE IS ALLEGED OR PROVEN.

         7.4     Reimbursement.  In the event that the Indemnitor shall
undertake, conduct or control the defense or settlement of any Claim and it is
later determined that such Claim was not a Claim for which the Indemnitor is
required to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Article VII, the Indemnitee
shall reimburse the Indemnitor for all its costs and expenses with respect to
such settlement or defense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements.

         7.5     Limited Offset.  Except under the provisions of this Section
7.5 or as specifically provided for in this Agreement, Purchaser shall have no
right to offset any amounts under this Article VII against any amounts payable
by Purchaser pursuant to any Operative Document except in accordance with the
following procedures.  Purchaser must assert any claim of offset to Seller by
written notice and offset shall only be permitted against the Subordinated
Note, if any.  If Seller agrees in writing to such offset, Purchaser may offset
the amount which is so accepted by Seller against the balance of the
Subordinated Note.  If Seller does not accept such claim, Seller and Purchaser
will have 30 days in which to resolve any disagreement.  If an agreement is not
reached within the 30 day period, unless both parties agree to extend the
period in which to reach an agreement, the claim for offset shall be submitted
to binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of
the American Arbitration Association as such rules may be modified herein or as
otherwise agreed by the parties in such controversy.  The forum for arbitration
shall be Houston, Texas and the governing law for such arbitration shall be the
laws of the State of Texas, without reference to the conflicts of laws rules
thereof.  Except for offsets against the Subordinated Note as specifically
permitted in this Agreement, there shall be no rights of offset available to
Purchaser.

         7.6     No Third Party Beneficiaries.  The foregoing indemnification
is given solely for the purpose of protecting the parties to this Agreement and
the Purchaser Indemnitees and shall not be deemed extended to, or interpreted
in a manner to confer any benefit, right or cause of action upon, any other
Person.

         7.7     Guarantee by DXP.  In addition, at the Closing DXP will enter
into a Guaranty Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit 7.7 attached
hereto unconditionally guaranteeing payment of (i) the Consideration Note, (ii)
the Subordinated Note, and (iii) the Earn-Out Payments.
<PAGE>   42
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         8.1     Further Actions.  From time to time, as and when requested by
Purchaser or Seller, Seller or Purchaser shall execute and deliver, or cause to
be executed and delivered, such documents and instruments and shall take, or
cause to be taken, such further or other actions as may be reasonably necessary
to effectuate the Transaction and transfer, assign and deliver to Purchaser or
its permitted assigns the Business (or to evidence the foregoing) and to
consummate and to effect the other transactions expressly, required to be
performed by Seller hereunder.

         8.2     No Broker.  Except for the fees payable to Hanifen, Imhoff
Inc., and Interlaken Capital, Inc. by Seller or its Affiliates, Seller and
Purchaser represent and warrant to the other that they have no obligation or
liability to any broker or finder by reason of the Transactions which are the
subject of this Agreement.  Each of Seller and Purchaser agree to indemnify the
other against, and to hold the other harmless from, at all times after the date
hereof, any and all liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation,
legal fees) resulting from, related to or arising out of any claim by any
Person for brokerage commissions or finder's fees, or rights to similar
compensation, on account of services purportedly rendered on behalf of Seller
or Purchaser, as the case may be, in connection with this Agreement or the
Transactions contemplated hereby.

         8.3     Expenses.  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
Seller and Purchaser shall each bear their own legal fees, accounting fees and
other costs and expenses with respect to the negotiation, execution and the
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions hereunder.
Seller shall pay all sales, transfer and documentary Taxes incident to the sale
of the Assets.

         8.4     Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Exhibits hereto, the
Seller's Disclosure Letter and any Supplement thereto contain, and are intended
by the parties as a final expression of, the entire agreement between Seller
and Purchaser with respect to the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and supersede all prior oral or written agreements, arrangements or
understandings with respect thereto (other than the Confidentiality Agreement,
which shall terminate on the Closing Date), including, without limitation, the
letter agreement, dated May 5, 1997, executed by DXP Enterprises, Inc. and SDI.

         8.5     Acknowledgment Concerning Representations and Warranties.
Purchaser acknowledges and affirms that it has had the opportunity to complete
its own independent investigation, analysis and evaluation of Seller and the
Business and Assets.

         8.6     Limitation on Representations and Warranties.

                 (A)      Except as and to the extent expressly set forth in
                          this Agreement, or included on any Schedule hereto,
                          Seller makes no other representation or warranty and
                          disclaims all liability and responsibility for any
                          representation, warranty, statement or information
                          (financial or otherwise) made or communicated (orally
                          or in writing) to Purchaser or any of its Affiliates,
                          employees, agents, consultants or representatives
                          (including, without limitation, any opinion,
                          information, projection, financial statement or
                          advice that may have been provided to Purchaser by
                          any officer, director, employee, agent, consultant or
                          representative of Seller or of any Affiliate
                          thereof).

                 (B)      WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, AND
<PAGE>   43
                          WITHOUT DIMINISHING IN ANY MANNER THE SCOPE OF THE
                          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE
                          III, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN
                          ARTICLE III, SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR
                          WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE FOLLOWING
                          MATTERS:  THE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, CONDITION,
                          QUALITY, SUITABILITY, DESIGN OR MARKETABILITY OF ANY
                          OF THE ASSETS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY
                          REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR
                          FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY OF THE
                          ASSETS, IT BEING EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY
                          THE PARTIES THAT PURCHASER IS ACQUIRING THE ASSETS
                          AND BUSINESS "AS IS", "WHERE IS" AND "WITH ALL
                          FAULTS."

                 (C)      Seller furthermore makes no representation or
                          warranty to Purchaser regarding the probable success
                          or future profitability of the Business or of any of
                          the Assets.

         8.7     Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning
or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

         8.8     Notices.  All notices or other communications which are
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered
either personally or by telegram, telex, telecopy or similar facsimile means,
by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested),
or by express courier or delivery service, addressed as follows:

                                     If to Seller or SDI:
                                     
                                     STRATEGIC SUPPLY, INC.
                                     Interlaken Capital, Inc.
                                     165 Mason Street
                                     Greenwich, CT 06830
                                     Attention: Chairman
                                     Facsimile No:  203-629-8554
                                     
                                     With a copy to:
                                     
                                     STRATEGIC DISTRIBUTION, INC.
                                     c/o Interlaken Capital, Inc.
                                     165 Mason Street
                                     Greenwich, CT 06830
                                     Attention: General Counsel
                                     Facsimile No:  203-629-8554
                                     
                                     With a copy to:
                                     
                                     Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
                                     4200 Texas Commerce Tower
<PAGE>   44
                                     600 Travis
                                     Houston, Texas 77002
                                     Attention:  Christopher S. Collins, Esquire
                                     Facsimile No:  713/220-4285

                                     If to Purchaser:

                                     DXP ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                     580 Westlake Park Blvd., Suite 1100
                                     Houston, Texas 77079
                                     Attention: Gary A. Allcorn, Senior Vice
                                      President - Finance
                                     Facsimile No: (713) 531-9644

                                     With a copy to:
                                     
                                     Fouts & Moore, L.L.P.
                                     5555 San Felipe 17th Floor
                                     Houston, Texas 77056
                                     Attention:  Gary A. Messersmith
                                     Facsimile No: (713) 622-1045

         or at such other address and number as either party shall have
         previously designated by written notice given to the other party in
         the manner hereinabove set forth.  Notices shall be deemed given when
         received, if sent by telegram, telecopy or similar facsimile means
         (confirmation of such receipt by confirmed facsimile transmission
         being deemed receipt of communications sent by telecopy or other
         facsimile means); and when delivered and receipted for (or upon the
         date of attempted delivery where delivery is refused), if
         hand-delivered, sent by express courier or delivery service or sent by
         Certified Mail--Return Receipt Requested.

         8.9     Assignability.  This Agreement shall not be assignable
otherwise than by operation of law by any party without the prior written
consent of the other parties, and any purported assignment by any party without
the prior written consent of the other parties shall be void.

         8.10    Waivers and Amendments.  Any waiver of any term or condition
of this Agreement, or any amendment or supplementation of this Agreement, shall
be effective only if in writing.  A waiver of any breach or failure to enforce
any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not in any way affect,
limit or waive a party's rights hereunder at any time to enforce strict
compliance thereafter with every term or condition of this Agreement.

         8.11    Third Party Rights.  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, this Agreement shall not create benefits on behalf of any
Person who is not a party to this Agreement (including without limitation, any
broker or finder, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.2 hereof), and
this Agreement shall be effective only as between the parties hereto, their
successors and permitted assigns; provided, however that Purchaser Indemnitees
are intended third party beneficiaries hereof to the extent provided in
Sections 7.1 and 7.6.

         8.12    Illegalities.  In the event that any provision contained in
this Agreement shall be
<PAGE>   45
determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any
reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in
every other respect and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not,
at the election of the party for whose benefit the provision exists, be in any
way impaired.

         8.13    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an
original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but
one Agreement.

         8.14    Employees.

                 A.       Purchaser agrees to and shall offer employment to
                          substantially all of the employees of Seller involved
                          in the Business ("Employees") on substantially the
                          same terms as disclosed to Purchaser herein, provided
                          that Purchaser shall not be required to offer
                          employment to any of the Persons specified on
                          Schedule 8.14(A) hereto (the "Excluded Employees").

                 B.       Seller and Purchaser shall promptly take the
                          necessary steps to provide for a plan transfer (as
                          such transfer is described in Section 414(1) of the
                          Code) of account balances (in cash and including
                          outstanding loans) of Employees from the Seller
                          401(K) Plan.  Such transfers shall not take place
                          until Purchaser provides Seller a written opinion of
                          its counsel that such Purchaser savings plans, in
                          form, are qualified plans as described in Section
                          401(a) of the Code, which meet the requirements of
                          Section 401(K) of the Code, and that any related
                          trust meets the requirements for exemption from
                          income taxability of Section 501(a) of the Code, or
                          Purchaser provides a favorable IRS determination
                          letter with respect to each such Purchaser savings
                          plan and associated trust.  If such amounts are not
                          transferable, each such Employee who is hired by
                          Purchaser will continue to be subject to the Seller's
                          plan with respect to the 401(K) account balance in
                          accordance with the terms thereof.

                 C.       Seller shall be solely responsible for severance
                          benefits liability, if any, with respect to any
                          termination by Seller of the Excluded Employees.

                 D.       Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement shall
                          confer upon any Employee, or any legal representative
                          thereof, any rights or remedies, including any right
                          to employment, whether directly or as a third party
                          beneficiary, or continued employment for any
                          specified period, of any nature or kind whatsoever.

         8.15    Access to Records.

                 A.       Following the Effective Time of Closing, Purchaser
                          shall give to Seller free and unrestricted access to
                          (and the right to make copies at the expense of
                          Seller) the Records, to the extent that such were
                          purchased by Purchaser hereunder and relate to the
                          business, operations, income, expenses and assets of
                          Seller existing on, accruing or arising prior to or
                          occurring prior to Effective Time of Closing, but any
                          access pursuant to this Section 8.15 shall be
                          conducted in such manner as not to interfere
                          unreasonably with the
<PAGE>   46
                          operations of the Business following the Effective 
                          Time of Closing.
        
                 B.       Following the Effective Time of Closing, Seller shall
                          give to Purchaser free and unrestricted access to
                          (and the right to make copies at the expense of
                          Purchaser) the books, files, records and Tax returns
                          and supporting schedules and work papers of Seller to
                          the extent that such relate to the business,
                          operations, income, expenses and assets of Seller
                          existing on, accruing or arising prior to or
                          occurring prior to the Effective Time of Closing, but
                          any access pursuant to this Section 8.15 shall be
                          conducted in such manner as not to interfere
                          unreasonably with the operations of the business of
                          Seller following the Effective Time of Closing.

         8.16    Offset to Subordinated Loan.  Purchaser and Seller agree that
whenever this Agreement calls for or permits a reduction in principal under the
Subordinated Note, such reduction shall be made 50% to the most current
principal and 50% to the backend principal.

         8.17    Governing Law.  Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
<PAGE>   47
         In witness whereof, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                 PURCHASER:                                  
                                                                             
                                 DXP ACQUISITION, INC. d/b/a                 
                                 STRATEGIC ACQUISITION, INC.                 
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                 By: /s/ GARY A. ALLCORN                      
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:   Gary A. Allcorn                     
                                 Title: Senior Vice President - Finance      
                                                                             
                                 DXP:                                        
                                                                             
                                 DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. (Previously INDEX, INC
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                 By: /s/ GARY A. ALLCORN                       
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:   Gary A. Allcorn                     
                                 Title: Senior Vice President - Finance      
                                                                             
                                 SELLER:                                     
                                                                             
                                 STRATEGIC DISTRIBUTION, INC.                
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                 By: /s/ ANDREW M. BURSKY                       
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Andrew M. Bursky                     
                                 Title:    Chairman                          
                                                                             
                                 STRATEGIC SUPPLY, INC.                      
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                 By: /s/ ANDREW M. BURSKY                     
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Andrew M. Bursky                     
                                 Title:    Chairman                          
                                                                             
                                 COULSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.                  
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                 By: /s/ ANDREW M. BURSKY                      
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                 Name: Andrew M. Bursky                        
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President                      
                                       --------------------------------------

<PAGE>   48
                                                                         ANNEX A
                           Seller's Disclosure Letter
                                   (Attached)
<PAGE>   49
                                                                         ANNEX B

             Seller's Net Tangible Asset Value as of March 31, 1997


                            Net Tangible Asset Value

<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Inventory                                            9,300,062
                                                   -----------
Property Plant & Equipment                           2,327,837
                                                   -----------
Prepaids and Other Tangible Assets                     234,764
                                                   -----------
Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses                 (4,333,535)
                                                   -----------
Consideration Note                                    (531,000)
                                                   -----------
                                                     6,998,128
                                                   -----------
Cash                                                (4,500,000)
                                                   -----------
Sub Note                                            (2,498,128)
                                                   -----------

                                                           -0-       
                                                   -----------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   50
                                                               EXHIBIT 2.2(A)(1)

                               Consideration Note
                                   (Attached)
<PAGE>   51
                                                                  EXHIBIT 2.3(A)

                               Subordinated Note
                                   (Attached)
<PAGE>   52
                                                                 EXHIBIT 2.5.1

                  General Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment
                                   (Attached)
<PAGE>   53
                                                                   EXHIBIT 2.5.2

                              Assumption Agreement
                                (To Be Attached)
<PAGE>   54
                                                                  EXHIBIT 5.1(C)

                          Opinion of Counsel to Seller

                        [To Be Agreed Prior to Closing]
<PAGE>   55
                                                                  EXHIBIT 5.2(C)

                        Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser

                        [To Be Agreed Prior to Closing]
<PAGE>   56
                                                                  EXHIBIT 5.2(D)
        
                         Transaction Service Agreement

                The form will be agreed upon at Closing provided
               the services attached hereto will be provided for
                     SDI Mexico through December 31, 1997.
<PAGE>   57
                                                                    Exhibit 7.7

                               Guaranty Agreement
                                   (Attached)
<PAGE>   58

The following annexes, schedules and exhibits have not been filed with this 
exhibit:

Annex A - Seller's Disclosure Letter
Exhibit 2.2(A)(1) - Consideration Note
Exhibit 2.3(A) - Subordinated Note
Exhibit 2.5.1 - General Conveyance, Transfer and Assignment
Exhibit 2.5.2 - Assumption Agreement
Exhibit 5.1(C) - Opinion of Counsel to Seller
Exhibit 5.2(C) - Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser
Exhibit 5.2(D) - Transition Services Agreement
Exhibit 7.7 - Guaranty Agreement
Schedule 3.2(B) - Purchaser's Consents, Approvals, Authorizations, Waivers and
  Notices 
Schedules 3.2(F) - Purchaser's Litigation
Schedules 8.14(A) - Excluded Employees

The Company will furnish supplementally any of the omitted annexes, schedules
and exhibits to the Commission upon request.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1997

CONTACT:         Gary Allcorn                       Wayne Brown
                 Sr. VP Finance                     Vice President
                 DXP Enterprises                    Carl Thompson Associates
                 281-531-4214                       303-494-5472


                     DXP ENTERPRISES ACQUIRES TWO SUPPLIERS


HOUSTON, TX -- DXP Enterprises, Inc. (OTC BB: DXPED) announced it has acquired
privately held Pelican State Supply Co., Inc., and also announced that it has
acquired Strategic Supply, Inc.  Pelican, an integrated supply company, had
annual sales of approximately $14 million from its general mill supply
business.  Strategic, a traditional and integrated supply company, had
approximately $50 million in revenue for fiscal 1996.  DXP had 1996 revenue of
$125 million.

The aggregate consideration for the transactions consisted of approximately
$5,172,442 cash, 280,428 shares of DXP common stock and notes, and assumed debt
and liabilities of approximately $7,690,518.  The purchase prices are subject
to various adjustments.

"More and more companies are outsourcing the purchasing and management of
maintenance, repair and operating supplies to achieve substantial cost savings,
and DXP plans on expanding its integrated supply business through acquisitions
like this one," said David R. Little, chairman and chief executive officer.
"Building our integrated supply business will enable DXP to participate in this
fast-growing market, the growth of which industry sources forecast at 40%
annually through the year 2000, and position the company to meet the needs of
customers who want a mix of traditional and integrated supply packages."

DXP Enterprises, Inc. is a Houston-based traditional and integrated distributor
of industrial operating supplies consisting primarily of pumps and pump
accessories, valves and valve automation products, and bearing and power
transmission equipment.  The two acquisitions recently completed add general
mill supply and safety products to the product mix of DXP.  The company serves
customers in oil and gas transportation and distribution, petrochemicals, wood
products, food and beverage and  construction industries, as well as
municipalities.  Prior to the acquisitions, DXP had three wholly owned
operating units:  Sepco Industries, Wesco Equipment, and American MRO.  The
acquisitions will add Strategic Supply and Pelican State Supply as additional
operating units.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements other than
statements of historic fact included in this press release, including without
limitation, the





<PAGE>   2
company's business strategy, plans and objectives, are forward-looking
statements.  Although DXP believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct.  Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from DXP's expectations include, without limitation,
general economic and competitive factors and the company's ability to implement
and finance its acquisition and growth strategy.  These factors are discussed
in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1997.

                                      ###





                                       2


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission