SED INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
4916 NORTH ROYAL ATLANTA DRIVE
TUCKER, GEORGIA 30085
Dear SED International Holdings, Inc. Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at the executive offices of SED International Holdings,
Inc. (the "Company"), 4916 North Royal Atlanta Drive, Tucker, Georgia, on
Tuesday, November 9, 1999, at 12:00 p.m., local time, for the following
purposes:
(i) To elect three Class II directors for terms to expire at the 2002
Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and
(ii) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
During the meeting we will review the results of the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1999, and report on significant aspects of our operations during the
first quarter of fiscal 2000.
We would appreciate your completing, signing, dating and returning to
the Company the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided at your earliest
convenience. If you decide to attend the meeting, you may, of course, revoke
your proxy and vote your own shares.
Sincerely,
/s/GERALD DIAMOND
Gerald Diamond
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
October 4, 1999
<PAGE>
SED INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
4916 NORTH ROYAL ATLANTA DRIVE
TUCKER, GEORGIA 30085
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SED International Holdings, Inc.
(the "Company") will be held at the executive offices of the Company, 4916 North
Royal Atlanta Drive, Tucker, Georgia, on Tuesday, November 9, 1999, at 12:00
p.m., local time, for the following purposes:
(i) To elect three Class II Directors for terms to expire at the 2002
Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and
(ii) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed September 13, 1999, as the record date
for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO
COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE
REPRESENTED.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/LARRY G. AYERS
Larry G. Ayers
Secretary
October 4, 1999
<PAGE>
SED INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
4916 NORTH ROYAL ATLANTA DRIVE
TUCKER, GEORGIA 30085
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors (the "Board") of SED International Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") in
connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the 1999 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at 12:00 p.m.,
local time, Tuesday, November 9, 1999, at the Company's executive offices, 4916
North Royal Atlanta Drive, Tucker, Georgia 30085, and at any adjournments
thereof. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, this Proxy Statement, and
the form of proxy will be first mailed on or about October 4, 1999, to the
shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") of record on the Record Date
(as defined below).
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE.
SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE
Each valid proxy given pursuant to this solicitation that is received in
time for the Annual Meeting and not revoked will be voted with respect to all
shares represented by it and will be voted in accordance with the instructions,
if any, given in the proxy. If instructions are not given in the proxy, it will
be voted (i) FOR the election as directors of the nominees listed in this Proxy
Statement, and (ii) in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders on
any other matter that may properly come before the meeting. The submission of a
signed proxy will not affect a Shareholder's right to attend and to vote in
person at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who execute a proxy may revoke it at
any time before it is voted by filing a written revocation with the Secretary of
the Company at the following address: SED International Holdings, Inc., 4916
North Royal Atlanta Drive, Tucker, Georgia 30085, Attn: Larry G. Ayers,
Secretary; executing a proxy bearing a later date; or attending and voting in
person at the Annual Meeting.
Only Shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 13,
1999 (the "Record Date"), will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of
the close of business on the Record Date there were 7,016,453 shares of Common
Stock outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all
matters presented for Shareholder vote.
According to the Bylaws of the Company (the "Bylaws"), the holders of a
majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to be voted at
the Annual Meeting must be present in person or be represented by proxy to
constitute a quorum and to act upon proposed business. If a quorum is not
present or rep-
<PAGE>
resented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, the meeting will be adjourned and the
Company will be subjected to additional expense. If a quorum is present or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, the Bylaws provide that the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting will decide the corporate action taken unless a different vote is
required by Georgia law, the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws. Georgia
law and the Bylaws specify that directors shall be elected by the holders of a
plurality of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by
proxy at the Annual Meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining
the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the
Annual Meeting. Because abstentions with respect to any matter are treated as
shares present or represented and entitled to vote for the purposes of
determining whether the matter has been approved by the Shareholders,
abstentions have the same effect as negative votes for each proposal other than
the election of directors. Broker non-votes are not deemed to be present or
represented for purposes of determining whether Shareholder approval of that
matter has been obtained.
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board currently consists of six members. The Board recently
increased the number of directors from six to seven in accordance with the
Company's Bylaws and proposes to fill the vacancy at the Annual Meeting. The
Board is divided into three classes of directors, designated Class I, Class II
and Class III. Classes I and III each have two members. Class II currently has
two members plus one vacancy. The term of the Class II directors expires at the
Annual Meeting. The terms of the Class I and Class III directors expire at the
2001 and 2000 Annual Meetings of Shareholders, respectively. Shareholders
annually elect directors of one of the three classes for three-year terms, to
serve until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal. At the Annual Meeting, the Shareholders
will elect three directors to serve as Class II directors. The Board has
nominated Larry G. Ayers, Melvyn I. Cohen and Cary Rosenthal for election as
Class II directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2002 and
until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal. Mr. Rosenthal currently serves as a Class
II director, while Messrs. Ayers and Cohen are new nominees.
Each nominee has consented to serve as a director of the Company if
elected. If at the time of the Annual Meeting any of the nominees are unable or
declines to serve as a director, the discretionary authority provided in the
enclosed proxy card will be exercised to vote for a substitute candidate
designated by the Board. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the
nominees will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.
The Board recommends that the Shareholders vote FOR the election of the nominees
named above as directors of the Company for Class II.
<PAGE>
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR - CLASS II - TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2002
NOMINEE AGE POSITIONS, OFFICES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Larry G. Ayers 53 Mr. Ayers has served as Vice President-Finance,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Company since Augus
1986 and as Chief Financial Officer since November
1989. He has served as Vice President-Finance and
Treasurer of SED International, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company, since July 1986,
Secretary since August 1986 and Chief Financial
Officer since November 1989. Mr. Ayers served as
Vice President-Finance of the predecessor to
the Company, Southern Electronics Distributors,
Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "Predecessor"),
from May 1986 through July 1986. Mr. Ayers served
as the Treasurer of Aaron Rents, Inc., a furniture
rental and sales company, from 1982 through
September 1985 and as an accountant with Touche
Ross & Co., a national accounting firm, from 1970
through 1982.
Melvyn I. Cohen 59 Mr. Cohen has been the sole member of M. Cohen and
Company L.L.C., a certified public accounting firm
in the State of New Jersey, since April 1999. Mr.
Cohen was previously a member of Savino, Cohen and
Kaminer L.L.C. from December 1994 to March 1999 and
a partner of Cohen and Warren, P.A. from April 1989
to December 1994, each a certified public
accounting firm. He is a member of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accounts.
Mr. Cohen has been a certified public accountant
for over 35 years.
Cary Rosenthal 59 Mr. Rosenthal has been a director of the Company
since 1992. Mr. Rosenthal has served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix
Communications, a division of Master Graphics,
Inc., a commercial printing firm, since December
1997 and previously served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Phoenix Communications, Inc.,
a commercial printing firm, from 1977 until
December 1997. Phoenix Communications was sold to
since May 1998.
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE - CLASS I - TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2001
NOMINEE AGE POSITIONS, OFFICES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Stewart I. Aaron 59 Mr. Aaron has been a director of the Company since
November 1994. Mr. Aaron has served as President of
LABS, Inc., a silk plant manufacturer based in
Atlanta, Georgia for over 20 years.
Mark Diamond 34 Mr. Diamond has been a director of the Company
since October 1996. Mr. Diamond has been employed
by SED International on a full-time basis in the
Sales Department since January 1987. In February
1991, Mr. Diamond was elected Vice President -
Sales of SED International; in May 1993, he was
elected Executive Vice President - Marketing of
SED International; and in February 1994, he was
elected Executive Vice President - Sales of SED
International. Mr. Diamond has served as Executive
Vice President of the Company since June 1995, and
in August 1995 was elected Executive Vice President
of SED International. Mark Diamond is the son of
Gerald Diamond and Jean Diamond.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE-CLASS III - TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2000
NOMINEE AGE POSITIONS, OFFICES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Joel H. Cohen 60 Mr. Cohen has been a director of the Company since
November 1998. He has served as Vice President -
Marketing for the Queen Carpet division of Shaw
Industries, Inc. since October 6, 1998 when Queen
Carpet was acquired by Shaw Industries. Mr. Cohen
served as Vice President - Marketing for Queen
Carpet Corporation from 1973 until 1998. Shaw
Industries is the largest manufacturer of
commercial and residential carpet in the United
States. Mr. Cohen has been in the textile-related
business for over 35 years.
Gerald Diamond 61 Mr. Diamond has been a director of the Company
or its Predecessor since 1980. Mr. Diamond
currently serves as Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
and SED International. He was elected President and
Chairman of the Board of the Company and Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of SED
International in June 1986, and has served in two
or more capacities
<PAGE>
as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and President of the Company and SED International
from that time until May 1995. Mr. Diamond was a
founder of the Predecessor and served as its
President and Treasurer from July 1980 through July
1986. Mr. Diamond has been in the electronics-
related business for over 35 years. Mr. Diamond is
the father of Mark Diamond and the husband of Jean
Diamond.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board held eight meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999
("Fiscal 1999"). No director attended less than 75% of the aggregate number of
meetings of the Board and of any committee on which he served. The Board has no
standing nominating committee.
Messrs. Aaron, J. Cohen and Rosenthal constituted the Company's Audit
Committee during Fiscal 1999. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee
include, in addition to such other duties as the Board may specify: (i) making
recommendations to the Board with respect to the selection of independent
auditors and their duties; (ii) conferring with and receiving reports from the
Company's independent auditors; (iii) authorizing any special or supplemental
activities of the Company's independent auditors and considering the effect of
such activities on their independence; and (iv) reviewing internal auditing
procedures and the adequacy of internal controls and monitoring compliance with
such controls. The Audit Committee held one meeting during Fiscal 1999.
On August 26, 1998 the Board established a Compensation Committee
comprised of Messrs. Aaron, J. Cohen, G. Diamond and Rosenthal. The Compensation
Committee is responsible for setting annual and long-term performance goals for
the Chief Executive Officer, evaluating his performance against these goals, and
recommending his salary, bonus and long-term incentives. The Compensation
Committee reviews the performance of all of the other executive officers of the
Company and recommends to the Board the amount and form of all compensation of
executive officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee held one meeting
during Fiscal 1999. Gerald Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, does
not participate in evaluating his own performance (see "Executive
Compensation--Executive Compensation Report--Executive Compensation Components"
and "Executive Compensation--Employment Agreements").
During Fiscal 1999, Messrs. Aaron, J. Cohen and Rosenthal each received
aggregate cash compensation of $5,000 for attendance at regular Board meetings.
This compensation was not contingent on the number of regular Board meetings
attended. No other cash remuneration was paid to directors during Fiscal 1999.
The Company also pays ordinary and necessary travel expenses for non-management
directors to attend Board and committee meetings.
<PAGE>
As additional compensation for serving as directors of the Company in
Fiscal 1999, Messrs. Aaron, J. Cohen and Rosenthal each received a non-qualified
stock option to purchase up to 10,000 shares of Common Stock having an exercise
price of $2.53 per share, which vested immediately upon grant pursuant to the
Company's 1995 Formula Stock Option Plan.
In addition, the Board granted Messrs. Aaron, J. Cohen and Rosenthal
7,000, 3,000 and 15,000 stock awards, respectively, on March 31, 1999 at a fair
market value per share of $2.844. These stock grants were awarded to express the
Company's gratitude for all of the assistance each of these directors provided
to management since they joined the Board. These awards vested immediately.
Directors who are salaried employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
do not receive fees for their services as directors.
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
The following table sets forth certain information as of September 13,
1999 regarding the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each
director and director nominee of the Company, each Named Executive Officer (as
defined under "Executive Compensation--Compensation Tables"), all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group, and all persons known to the
Company to beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. All shares of Common Stoc shown in the table reflect sole voting
and investment power except as otherwise noted.
<TABLE>
Amount and Nature Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership of Class
- ------------------------ ----------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Stewart I. Aaron ............................................................................. 57,000 (1) *
Larry G. Ayers ............................................................................... 89,271 (2) 2.0%
Joel Cohen ................................................................................... 23,000 (3) *
Melvyn I. Cohen .............................................................................. -0- -0-
Gerald Diamond (4) ........................................................................... 919,912 (5) 12.0%
Jean Diamond ................................................................................. 104,000 (6) 1.5%
Mark Diamond ................................................................................. 148,382 (7) 2.1%
Brian D. Paterson ............................................................................ -0- -0-
Ray D. Risner ................................................................................ 33,000 (8) *
Ronell Rivera ................................................................................ 53,200 (9) *
Cary Rosenthal ............................................................................... 87,250 (10) 1.2%
<PAGE>
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. .............................................................. 491,350 (11) 7.0%
FMR Corp. .................................................................................... 960,000 (12) 13.7%
SED Associates (4) ........................................................................... 146,850 (13) 2.1%
All current directors and executive
officers as a group (10 persons) ............................................................. 1,661,865 (14) 20.3%
</TABLE>
* Represents less than one percent of the outstanding Common Stock.
(1) The shares indicated include 50,000 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days.
(2) The shares indicated include 10,000 shares of restricted stock which vest
on October 14, 1999, 25,000 shares of restricted stock granted on May 10,
1999, which vest pro rata over 10 years, and 52,000 shares subject to
options exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Ayers has sole voting power over
all of the shares of restricted stock so awarded to him.
(3) The shares indicated include 20,000 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days.
(4) 4916 North Royal Atlanta Drive, Tucker, Georgia 30084.
(5) The shares indicated include 666,000 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days, 3,912 shares held of record by Gerald Diamond as trustee
for the benefit of his grandchildren, 100,000 shares from a restricted
stock award granted on May 10, 1999, which vest pro rata over 10 years and
150,000 shares from a restricted stock award granted on July 20, 1999,
which vest in 50% increments on September 1, 2000 and 2001. Mr. Diamond has
sole voting power over all of the shares of restricted stock so awarded to
him. The shares indicated do not include 79,000 shares subject to options
exercisable within 60 days by Jean Diamond, the wife of Mr. Diamond, and
25,000 restricted shares owned by Jean Diamond, as to which Mr. Diamond
disclaims beneficial ownership. The shares indicated also do not include
the shares owned of record by SED Associates of which Mr. Diamond is deemed
the indirect beneficial owner as described in footnote (13).
(6) The shares indicated include 79,000 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days and 25,000 shares from a restricted stock award granted on
May 10, 1999, which vest pro rata over 10 years. Ms. Diamond has sole
voting power over all of the shares of restricted stock so awarded to her.
The shares indicated do not include 666,000 shares subject to options
exercisable within 60 days by Gerald Diamond, the husband of Ms. Diamond,
3,912 shares held of record by Gerald Diamond as trustee for the benefit of
their grandchildren and 250,000 restricted shares owned by Gerald Diamond,
as to which Ms. Diamond disclaims beneficial ownership. The shares
indicated also do not include the shares owned of record by SED Associates
of which Mr. Diamond is deemed the indirect beneficial owner as described
in footnote (13).
<PAGE>
(7) The shares indicated include 10,000 shares of restricted stock which vest
on October 14, 1999, 50,000 shares of restricted stock granted on May 10,
1999, which vest pro rata over 10 years, 88,250 shares subject to options
exercisable within 60 days and 132 shares held of record by Mark Diamond as
trustee of a trust for the benefit of his sister Julie Diamond. Mr. Diamond
has sole voting power over all of the shares of restricted stock so awarded
to him.
(8) The shares indicated include 25,000 shares of restricted stock granted May
10, 1999, which vest pro rata over 10 years, and 8,000 shares subject to
options exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Risner has sole voting power over
all of the shares of restricted stock so awarded to him.
(9) The shares indicated include 10,000 shares of restricted stock granted
April 4, 1998 and 15,000 shares of restricted stock granted May 10, 1999,
both of which vest pro rata over 10 years, and 28,200 shares subject to
options exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Rivera has sole voting power over
all of the shares of restricted stock so awarded to him.
(10) The shares indicated include 71,500 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days.
(11) The shares indicated are owned by several different funds managed by
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc., 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th floor, Santa
Monica, California 90401-1038.
(12) All of the shares indicated are deemed beneficially owned by Fidelity
Management & Research Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., as a
result of its serving as investment adviser to Fidelity Low-Priced Stock
Fund, the owner of the 960,000 shares. FMR Corp.'s address is 82 Devonshire
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
(13) SED Associates is a general partnership of which Gerald Diamond is the
managing partner. As managing partner, Mr. Diamond has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the Common Stock owned by SED Associates.
Therefore, Mr. Diamond is deemed the indirect beneficial owner of the
shares of Common Stock owned of record by SED Associates.
(14) The shares indicated include 1,062,950 shares subject to options
exercisable within 60 days, 20,000 shares of restricted stock that will
vest on October 14, 1999, 240,000 shares of restricted stock granted on May
10, 1999, which vest pro rata over 10 years, 150,000 shares of restricted
stock granted on July 20, 1999, which vest in 50% increments on September
1, 2000 and 2001, 10,000 shares of restricted stock granted on April 4,
1998, which vest pro rata over 10 years, and 146,850 shares owned of record
by SED Associates of which Gerald Diamond is deemed the indirect beneficial
owner as described in footnote (13).
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation Report
The Board established a standing Compensation Committee on August 26,
1998 (see "Information Concerning Board of Directors" above). Prior to August
26, 1998, Gerald Diamond, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, recommended to the Board (or in some cases a committee thereof as
discussed below) for its approval the non-base salary compensation to be paid to
executive officers of the Company, excluding himself, subject to any applicable
employment agreements with those persons. Subsequent to August 26, 1998, all
such recommendations were made to either the Compensation Committee or the
Board's Stock Option Committee. Messrs. Aaron and Rosenthal currently serve as
the members of the Stock Option Committee, which administers the Company's
various stock benefit plans (collectively, the "Plans") and as such, with the
exception of the Company's 1995 Formula Stock Option Plan, reviewed and acted
upon Mr. Diamond's recommendations with respect to stock option grants and
restricted stock awards under those Plans. Messrs. M. Diamond and J. Cohen serve
as the members of the committee administering the Company's 401(k) Plan (the
"401(k) Plan") available to all eligible employees of the Company and SED
International, including executive officers.
Executive Compensation Philosophy. The Company's executive compensation
program is designed to help it identify and retain outstanding executives in the
microcomputer and wireless wholesale distribution industry. The Company believes
this focus will enable it to hire and retain the best executive talent and help
it meet its long-range objectives. Key elements of this philosophy include the
following:
[BULLETT] Appeal to executives who are motivated to position the
Company as a leader in selected markets.
[BULLETT] Align the financial interests of the executives with those of
the shareholders.
[BULLETT] Provide compensation opportunities that are within the range
of those provided by microcomputer and cellular telephone
wholesale distribution companies of similar sizes.
As a result of the emphasis on linking executive compensation to
individual and corporate performance, the Company's executives may be paid more
or less than executives of the Company's competitors.
As a baseline, the Board and the Compensation Committee support the
concept that stock ownership by management and stock-related compensation
arrangements are beneficial in enhancing shareholder value and aligning
interests among management, the Board and the shareholders.
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation Components. There are two components to the
Company's executive compensation program: annual cash compensation (which
includes base salary and annual cash bonuses) and long-term incentive
compensation.
Base Salary. Base salary in Fiscal 1999 for Gerald Diamond and Jean
Diamond was set by an employment agreement between these persons and SED
International. The base salary for the other Named Executive Officers is set by
the Board.
Bonuses. For any fiscal year, Gerald Diamond recommends to the
Compensation Committee annual cash bonuses for the Company's executive officers
(excluding himself). The Compensation Committee considers his recommendation and
awards bonuses based on that recommendation and on the Committee's own
subjective evaluation of the executive's individual leadership and performance
in his or her area of responsibility and on the net earnings and return on
equity of the Company for the fiscal year for which the bonus is to be awarded.
Although the Compensation Committee gives the foregoing factors relatively equal
weight in its deliberations, its ultimate determination is subjective and is not
based on any particular stated individual or Company performance objectives. For
Fiscal 1999, Ronell Rivera received a cash bonus of $16,000. No other Named
Executive Officer of the Company received a cash bonus for Fiscal 1999.
Gerald Diamond's employment agreement provides for an annual cash bonus
in an amount directly related to the Company's Pretax Adjusted Annual Income (as
defined below) (see "Executive Compensation--Executive Compensation Report--CEO
Compensation" and "Executive Compensation--Employment Agreements"). For Fiscal
1999, the Company did not attain its Pretax Adjusted Annual Income and no cash
bonus was awarded to Mr. Diamond.
Long-Term Incentives. The long-term incentive compensation program
currently consists of stock grant and option plans pursuant to which the Company
may grant executives and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries
restricted shares of Common Stock and options to purchase Common Stock.
Restricted shares of Common Stock granted to key employees are in the nature of
a bonus without payment of any consideration by the recipient. The restricted
shares become vested at the time or times specified by the committee
administering the plan under which the stock grants are made, which may range
from immediate vesting to ten years. Prior to vesting, however, recipients of
awards have all other rights of a Shareholder, including the right to vote the
shares and to receive any dividends declared and paid on the Common Stock so
awarded. Generally, the exercise price of options granted under a stock option
plan is equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of
grant. Option are exercisable in installments ranging from 20% to 33.3% per year
and expire ten years from the date of grant. The Board believes that the stock
grant and option plans promote greater interest in the welfare of the Company by
retaining executives and key employees and allowing them to share in the
Company's success.
<PAGE>
On July 20, 1999, the Board of Directors approved a new, broad-based
stock benefit plan (the "1999 Stock Option Plan") pursuant to which
non-qualified stock options and stock awards for up to an aggregate of 1,400,000
shares of Common Stock may be issued. The Stock Option Committee administering
the plan must issue to non-officers of the Company 50% or more of the total
shares of Common Stock eligible to be issued and non-officers of the Company
must constitute 50% or more of the total number of persons receiving options and
awards. The Stock Option Committee reviews recommendations for stock options and
award grants from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and determines the
appropriate number of grants, if any, to be made. The terms of the stock awards
and options under this plan are substantially similar to those terms described
above for restricted shares and options granted under the Company's other
stock-based benefit plans (other than the Company's 1995 Formula Stock Option
Plan).
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Stock Option Committee had
granted non-qualified stock options and awards for an aggregate of 1,138,050
shares of Common Stock under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, of which 49% were
awarded to officers of the Company (including stock awards to Gerald Diamond
representing 13%). All options and awards were granted at fair market value.
CEO Compensation. Gerald Diamond's employment agreement with SED
International presently expires on July 1, 2006. The agreement, however, is
subject to automatic one-year extensions following the end of each year of
employment, unless either SED International or Mr. Di amond gives notice within
a specified period prior to the end of the year that the employment agreement
will not be extended beyond its then-current term. At the February 13, 1999
Board meeting the term of the employment agreement was extended to seven years
from five years. In addition, the Board approved amendments to Mr. Diamond's
employment agreement that delete the present value discount for any payment
arising because of a "Change of Control" (as defined in "Executive
Compensation--Employment Agreements") and that permit a change of control
payment to be made concurrently with the change of control event.
Mr. Diamond's employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of
$487,026 (as of Fiscal 1999), increased annually in an amount based upon
increases in the Consumer Price Index. Under the terms of the employment
agreement, in addition to annual base salary, Mr. Diamond is eligible to receive
annual cash bonuses equal to five percent of the Company's Pretax Adjusted
Annual Income, which means with respect to a given fiscal year (a) the sum of
earning before taxes and minority interests of th Company as reported on its
audited consolidated statement of operations for such fiscal year, excluding, in
all cases, (i) any nonrecurring income and non recurring costs or expenses,
which income, costs or expenses are extraordinary in the reasonable opinion of
the Board, all as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied, (ii) any interest income or expense and (iii)
additional amortization or depreciation or increase in the cost of goods sold
resulting from any asset revaluations or goodwill, less (b) $6,000,000. Mr.
Diamond was not eligible to receive an annual cash bonus under his employment
<PAGE>
agreement for Fiscal 1999 because the Company did not have any Pretax Adjusted
Annual Income for that year.
Mr. Diamond's employment agreement also provides him with an automobile
allowance, disability insurance coverage and a benefit payable to his surviving
spouse, if any, upon his death. Mr. Diamond's employment agreement includes a
covenant not to compete with SED International or the Company for a period of
two years following termination of his employment with SED International and the
Company.
The Board's philosophy in establishing the base salary and performance
bonus structure reflected in Mr. Diamonds's employment agreement was to consider
the pay to chief executive officers of similarly-sized companies in the
microcomputer and wireless wholesale distribution industry as a guide and to
provide an incentive to Mr. Diamond to remain with the Company and to continue
to grow the business of the Company. The Board intends to evaluate Mr. Diamond's
compensation package during fiscal 2000 based on the factors described above and
Mr. Diamond's duties and responsibilities with respect to management of the
Company. Any new compensation package that the Board may propose will be subject
to the re-negotiation of Mr. Diamond's current employment agreement.
Mr. Diamond also is eligible to receive additional compensation under
the Company's long-term incentive compensation program described above. Although
no new options were granted to Mr. Diamond in Fiscal 1999, the Compensation
Committee did reprice all employee owned options in Fiscal 1999, including
280,000 options owned by Mr. Diamond (see "Executive Compensation--Report on
Fiscal 1999 Option Repricing"). During Fiscal 1999, the Stock Option Committee
granted Mr. Diamond stock awards for an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Common
Stock at market value. The stock awards vest pro rata over ten years. In
addition to the foregoing grant, on July 20, 1999 the Stock Option Committee
granted to Mr. Diamond stock awards for an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common
Stock at market value vesting pro rata over a two year period commencing on
September 1, 2000. The Stock Option Committee granted these awards as an
incentive to Mr. Diamond to continue managing the business of the Company
through a very challenging period in the wholesale computer and wireless
telephone distribution industry. The Company, like many other distributors in
its industry, is facing declining margins, higher turnover of salespeople and
higher selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of sales as
sales decline, resulting in an extremely competitive marketplace. The
Compensation Committee and the Stock Option Committee believe that it is
important to reward Mr. Diamond for his efforts to stabilize the financial
performance of the Company and to align his financial interests closer to those
of the Company's Shareholders.
Other Compensation Plans. The Company and SED International maintain two
broad- based employee benefit plans in which the executive officers are
permitted to participate on the same terms as other employees. These are: (i)
the 401(k) Plan and (ii) the Company's Savings Plan
<PAGE>
and Trust (the "Savings Plan"). Pursuant to both plans, the Company and SED
International will match 25% of the amount of contributions of each participant
up to ten percent of the participant's compensation. The Company and SED
International may also elect in any year to make an additional contribution to
either of the plans for that year, which additional contribution shall in no
event exceed 15% of all participants' compensation for the Company's and SED
International's taxable year. Neither of the plans provide for investment in the
Company's Common Stock.
Limitations on the Deductibility of Compensation. Pursuant to the 1993
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a portion of annual compensation payable
after 1993 to any of the Company's Named Executive Officers would not be
deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes to the extent such
officer's overall compensation exceeds $1 million. Qualifying performance-based
incentive compensation, however, would be both deductible and excluded for
purposes of calculating the $1 million base. It ha been determined that no
portion of anticipated compensation payable to any executive officer in Fiscal
1999 would be non-deductible. The Compensation Committee will continue to
address this issue when formulating compensation arrangements for executive
officers.
SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SED INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Stewart I. Aaron
Joel H. Cohen
Gerald Diamond
Cary Rosenthal
This Executive Compensation Report shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy
statement in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (together, the "Acts"), except
to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by
reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Board established a standing Compensation Committee on August 26,
1998 (see "Information Concerning Board of Directors" above). Prior to August
26, 1998 the Board acted collectively to determine all forms of compensation
other than base salaries for Gerald Diamond and Jean Diamond, which were
governed by employment agreements, and stock options and stock awards, which
were granted by members of the Board's Stock Option Committee (see "Executive
Compensation--Executive Compensation Report" above). During Fiscal 1999, the
members of the
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee were Messrs. Aaron, J. Cohen, G. Diamond and Rosenthal.
Mr. Diamond is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. None of the other
members is or has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. There were no
interlocking relationships between any executive officers of the Company and any
entity whose directors or executive officers served on the Company's
Compensation Committee. Except as described under "Lease of Headquarters,"
below, none of the members of the Compensation Committee engaged in transactions
or had relationships requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K in
Fiscal 1999. Except for Gerald Diamond, who serves as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and SED International; Ray D. Risner, who
serves a President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and SED
International; and Mark Diamond, who serves as Executive Vice President of the
Company and SED International, none of th other members of the Board are or have
been officers or employees of the Company.
Lease of Headquarters
On April 1, 1999 the Company signed a seven year lease with the Diamond
Chip Group L.L.C. for the Company's executive office and warehouse facility in
Atlanta, Georgia. The prior 1991 lease with Royal Park Company, a Georgia
general partnership whose partners were Gerald Diamond and Jean Diamond, was
terminated and the remaining six months under the preexisting lease with the
Royal Park Company was included in the new lease with the Diamond Chip Group
L.L.C. The monthly rent for the six month period remained unchanged at $14,697.
The Diamond Chip Group L.L.C. is the successor owner of the premises
used by the Company for its headquarters. The members of the Diamond Chip Group
L.L.C. are Gerald Diamond, Jean A. Diamond and Nathan Diamond Revocable Trust,
who own respectively 37.5%, 37.5%, and 25% of the outstanding interests in this
entity. The beneficiaries of the Nathan Diamond Revocable Trust are Julie
Diamond and Mark Diamond, children of Gerald and Jean Diamond.
The new lease rate commences on October 1, 1999 and totals $21,095 per
month as compared to $14,697 per month under the previous lease with Royal Park
Company. Rent escalates at 3% per year. In addition to rental payments, the
Company pays all operating costs associated with the lease of its headquarters.
The lease includes an option for one three-year renewal upon expiration of the
initial term.
The lease also provides the Company with a right of first refusal to
purchase the premises in the event Diamond Chip Group L.L.C. proposes to sell
the facility during the lease term. Rental payments for Fiscal 1999 equalled
$176,363. The Company believes that the prior lease with Royal Park Company was,
and the new lease with the Diamond Chip Group L.L.C. is, on terms no less
favorable than those available from unaffiliated parties.
<PAGE>
Compensation Tables
This section of the Proxy Statement discloses the compensation awarded
or paid to, or earned by (i) the Company's Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the
four other most highly compensated persons serving as executive officers of the
Company at the end of Fiscal 1999 earning over $100,000 in salary and bonus and
(iii) one additional individual for whom disclosure would have been provided
pursuant to clause (ii) above but for the fact that the individual was not
serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of Fiscal 1999
(together, these persons are sometimes referred to as the "Named Executive
Officer"). The Company did not award any stock appreciation rights ("SARs")
during Fiscal 1999.
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Awards Payments
----------------------- -------------------
Other Securities
Annual Restricted Underlying All Other
Compen- Stock Options LTIP Compen-
Name and sation Awards /SARS Payment sation
Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) ($) ($) (1) (#) ($) ($)(2)
- ------------------ ---- ---------- --------- --- ------- --- --- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gerald Diamond 1999 487,026 0 19,324 237,500 280,000 0 2,500
Chairman of the 1998 482,410 0 0 0 80,000 0 2,500
Board, Chief 1997 471,992 459,992 0 0 200,000 0 2,375
Executive Officer
and Director of
the Company and
SED International
Ray D. Risner 1999 139,999 0 0 59,375 40,000 0 3,024
President, Chief 1998 140,163 0 0 0 20,000 0 1,752
Operating Officer 1997 140,060 0 0 0 0 0 1,749
and Director of
the Company and
SED International
Mark Diamond 1999 220,709 0 0 118,750 109,250 (3) 0 1,396
Executive Vice 1998 220,897 0 0 0 20,000 0 2,358
President and 1997 140,710 80,000 0 0 20,000 0 2,660
Director of the
Company & SED
International
Jean Diamond 1999 193,559 0 0 59,375 70,000 (3) 0 2,615
Vice President 1998 185,861 0 0 0 20,000 0 2,455
of SED 1997 175,887 0 0 0 0 0 2,228
International
Ronell Rivera 1999 162,501 16,000 0 35,625 53,000 0 1,991
Senior Vice 1998 172,708 0 0 81,250 10,000 0 2,500
President of 1997 135,259 0 0 0 38,000 0 0
Latin America,
SED International
Brian D. Paterson (4) 1999 218,999 0 0 0 84,000 0 2,837
Senior Vice 1998 170,983 0 0 0 20,000 0 2,137
President-Purchasing 1997 136,061 11,475 0 0 40,000 0 1,844
and Marketing of the
Company & SED
International
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------------
(1) The dollar value of the restricted stock was determined by multiplying the
number of restricted shares granted by the closing sales price of the
Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq") on the
date of grant. Dividends, if any, are accrued on restricted stock.
(2) The amounts indicated relate to contributions made by the Company pursuant
to the 401(k) Plan and the Savings Plan for the benefit of each Named
Executive Officer.
(3) Represents options that were repriced during Fiscal 1999 (see "Executive
Compensation--Report on Fiscal 1999 Option Repricing").
(4) Mr. Paterson terminated employment with the Company on April 1, 1999. All
options held by Mr. Paterson terminated as of that date.
Option Grants in Fiscal 1999
<TABLE>
Individual Grants
----------------------------------------------- Potential Realizable
Percent of Value
Total at Assumed Annual
Number of Options Rates of Stock Price
Securities Granted Appreciation
Underlying Employees for Option Term
Options in Fiscal Exercise Expiration 5% 10%
Name Granted (1) Year Price Date ($) ($)
- ---- ----------- ---- ----- ---- --- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gerald Diamond 80,000 5.6% 5.0625 11/24//07 224,481.17 553,514.98
200,000 13.9% 5.0625 9/12/06 471,710.82 1,124,810.86
Mark Diamond 20,000 1.4% 5.0625 11/24/07 56,120.29 138,378.75
29,250 2.0% 5.0625 9/9/02 30,429.88 65,249.89
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 5/21/03 25,047.38 54,679.00
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 8/30/05 39,873.71 92,434.67
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 10/07/06 47,674.82 113,900.41
Ray D. Riner 20,000 1.4% 5.0625 11/24/07 56,120.29 138,378.75
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 5/23/05 38,030.61 87,524.02
Jean Diamond 20,000 1.4% 5.0625 11/24/07 56,120.29 138,378.75
30,000 1.4% 5.0625 9/9/02 31,210.13 66,922.96
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 5/21/03 25,047.38 54,679.00
Ronell Rivera 15,000 1.0% 5.0625 8/30/05 29,905.28 69,326.00
5,000 0.3% 5.0625 10/6/06 11,913.66 28,460.86
Brian D. Paterson (2) 40,000 2.8% 5.0625 10/7/06 95,349.63 227.800.83
3,000 0.2% 5.0625 5/21/03 3,757.11 8,201.85
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 8/30/05 39,873.71 92,434.67
100 0.0% 5.0625 2/11/03 116.74 253.02
900 0.1% 5.0625 3/30/03 1,087.98 2,366.45
20,000 1.4% 5.0625 11/24/07 56,120.29 138,378.75
</TABLE>
(1) Represents options that were repriced during Fiscal 1999 (see "Executive
Compensation--Report on Fiscal 1999 Option Repricing").
(2) Mr. Paterson terminated employment with the Company on April 1, 1999. All
options held by Mr. Paterson terminated as of that date.
<PAGE>
Options Exercised in Fiscal 1999 and Values at June 30, 1999
This table presents information regarding options exercised for shares
of Common Stock during Fiscal 1999, and the number and value of unexercised
options held at June 30, 1999. There were no SARs outstanding during Fiscal
1999. None of the unexercised options at fiscal year-end were in the money.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Fiscal 1999 and 1999 Fiscal Year-End Option Value
<TABLE>
Number of Value of
Securities Underlying Unexercised
Shares Unexercised In The Money
Acquired Value Options Options At
On Exercise Realized At Fiscal Year End (#) Fiscal Year-End ($)(1)
Name (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- --- --- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gerald Diamond 0 0 598,000 132,000 -- --
Ray D. Risner 0 0 8,000 16,000 -- --
Mark Diamond 0 0 89,250 27,000 -- --
Jean Diamond 0 0 54,000 16,000 -- --
Ronell Rivera 0 0 21,200 25,800 -- --
Brian D. Paterson 0 0 0 0 -- --
</TABLE>
(1) None of the unexercised options at fiscal year end were in the money.
Report on Fiscal 1999 Option Repricing
On November 10, 1998 the Compensation Committee approved a reduction of
the exercise price of all outstanding options under all Plans to the fair market
value per share of the Company's Common Stock on that date. The exercise prices
of such options were reduced from a range of $19.88 to $5.75 to $5.0625 per
share, with all other terms of the options remaining unchanged. The repricing
affected a total of 695,685 options held by 146 optionees.
The Compensation Committee approved the repricing described above
because the members believe that equity interests are a significant factor in
the Company's ability to attract and retain key employees who are critical to
the Company's success. In view of the number of underwater options that were
held by the Company's employees in November 1998, the Compensation Committee
believed that the Company's ability to retain existing employees and to attract
talented individuals in the future was in jeopardy. Consequently, the
Compensation Committee approved the repricing to ensure that all optionees would
continue to have a meaningful equity investment in the Company.
<PAGE>
10-Year Option/SAR Repricings
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
repricing, replacement or cancellation and regrant of options held by executive
officers of the Company during the last ten completed fiscal years.
<TABLE>
Length of
Original
Market Price Exercise Option Term
of Stock Price at Remaining
Number of at Time of Time of New at Date of
Options Repricing or Repricing or Exercise Repricing or
Repriced or Amendment Amendment Price Amendment
Name Date Amended ($) ($) ($) (in years)
- ---- ---- ------- --- --- --- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gerald Diamond 11/10/98 80,000 5.0625 12.625 5.0625 9
Chairman of the 11/10/98 200,000 5.0625 7.50 5.0625 7.75
Board, Chief Executive
Officer and Director of
the Company and
SED International
Ray D. Risner 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 12.625 5.0625 9
President, Chief Operating 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 5.50 5.0625 6.5
Officer and Director of the
Company and SED International
Mark Diamond 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 12.625 5.0625 9
Executive Vice 11/10/98 29,250 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 3.8
President and Director of the 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 5.88 5.0625 6.75
Company and SED International 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 9.00 5.0625 8
11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 4.5
5/25/94 20,000 5.75 10.25 5.75 9
5/25/94 29,250 5.75 8.00 5.75 8.25
11/16/93 20,000 10.25 13.75 10.25 9.5
Jean Diamond 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 12.625 5.0625 9
Vice President 11/10/98 30,000 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 3.75
of SED International 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 4.5
5/25/94 30,000 5.75 8.00 5.75 8.6
5/25/94 20,000 5.75 10.25 5.75 9
11/16/93 20,000 10.25 13.75 10.25 9.5
Ronell Rivera 11/10/98 15,000 5.0625 5.125 5.0625 7
Senior Vice President of 11/10/98 5,000 5.0625 9.00 5.0625 8
Latin America, SED International 11/10/98 33,000 5.0625 9.25 5.0625 8.25
Brian D. Paterson (1) 11/10/98 40,000 5.0625 9.00 5.0625 8
Senior Vice President 11/10/98 3,000 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 4.5
Purchasing and Marketing 11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 12.625 5.0625 9
of the Company and 11/10/98 100 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 4.25
SED International 11/10/98 900 5.0625 5.75 5.0625 4.5
11/10/98 20,000 5.0625 5.88 5.0625 6.75
5/25/94 3,000 5.75 10.25 5.75 9
5/25/94 900 5.75 10.25 5.75 9
5/23/94 100 5.75 10.25 5.75 7.75
11/16/93 3,000 10.25 13.75 10.25 9.5
11/16/93 900 10.25 13.75 10.25 9.5
11/16/93 100 10.25 17.12 10.25 9.5
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Paterson terminated employment with the Company on April 1, 1999. All
options held by Mr. Paterson terminated as of that date.
<PAGE>
Employment Agreements
SED International has employment agreements with Gerald Diamond, Jean
Diamond and Ronell Rivera. The employment agreement with Gerald Diamond is
described under "Executive Compensation--Executive Compensation Report--CEO
Compensation." The employment agreement with Jean Diamond provides for an
employment term of five years and (i) provides for an annual base salary of
$193,559 (as of Fiscal 1999), increased annually in an amount equal to the
greater of five percent of her then current salary or an amount based upon
increases in the Consumer Price Index, (ii) provides for an automobile allowance
and (iii) does not provide for an annual bonus.
Gerald Diamond's and Jean Diamond's employment agreements provide that
if a Change of Control (as such term is defined below) occurs while the employee
is employed by SED International, and if the employee's employment is terminated
involuntarily, or voluntarily by the employee upon the occurrence of certain
events, the employee may notify SED International and request a cash payment in
an amount equal to all annual salary, bonuses and other benefits owing to the
employee from the date of termination through the remainder of the term of the
employee's employment agreement, except that if the term remaining in the
employment agreement is less than 12 months, the employee shall receive such
amounts on an annualized basis.
Under Gerald Diamond's and Jean Diamond's employment agreements a Change
of Control is deemed to have occurred when (i) any individual or entity becomes
the beneficial owner of securities of the Company or SED International
representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's or SED
International's then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors; (ii) the Company's Continuing Directors (a term defined
to include directors as of the date of execution of the employment agreements
and their duly approved successors) fail to constitute at least a majority of
the members of the Board; (iii) all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company are sold without being duly approved by the Continuing Directors; or
(iv) with respect to Mr. Diamond only, Mr. Diamond shall no longer be a member
of the Board of the Company or SED International, unless (x) Mr. Diamond shall
have declared in writing his desire to resign such positions or that he no longe
wishes to serve as a director, (y) Mr. Diamond shall have died or become
disabled during the term of the employment agreement or (z) Mr. Diamond's
employment shall have been terminated for Cause (as the term "Cause" is defined
in Mr. Diamond's employment agreement).
Ronell Rivera is President of SED International do Brazil, Ltda., the
Company's subsidiary in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Senior Vice President of the
Latin America Division of SED International. Mr. Rivera's employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $160,000 and is effective for one year
commencing June 1, 1999. The Company may terminate his employment for "good
cause," as defined in his employment agreement. In the event of termination
without "good cause," the Company is obligated t pay Mr. Rivera the greater of
his base salary for the remaining period of his employment agreement or three
months of base salary, less applicable withholdings, plus a premium for
relocating to Brazil pro rated for the period of time employed in Brazil.
Furthermore,
<PAGE>
all of the stock options granted by the Company to Mr. Rivera would vest upon
his termination without "good cause."
FIVE YEAR PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph presents a comparison of the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock with the Nasdaq Stock Market
(U.S.) Index and the average performance of a group consisting of the Company's
peer corporations on a line of business basis. The companies comprising the peer
issuers group are Arrow Electronics, Inc.; Avnet, Inc.; Marshall Industries;
Merisel, Inc.; Savoir Technology Group, Inc. and Tech Data Corporation.
Ameriquest Technologies, Inc. and Liuski International, Inc. were removed from
the group of companies comprising the peer issuers group because readily
available quotations are no longer available for either of these two companies.
This graph assumes that $100 was invested on June 30, 1994, in the Company's
Common Stock and in the other indices and that all dividends were reinvested.
The peer corporations were weighted on a market capitalization basis at the time
of each reported data point. The stock price performance shown below is not
necessarily indicative of future price performance.
In the future, the Company plans to add CHS Electronics, Inc. and Ingram
Micro, Inc. to the Company's peer issuers group. However, at this time neither
company has five years of quotations available.
[FIVE YEAR PERFORMANCE GRAPH GOES HERE]
<TABLE>
Base
Period Return Return Return Return Return
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SED International Holdings, Inc. 100 80.00 100.00 206.00 130.00 38.00
Peer Group Index 100 127.91 120.13 155.18 150.09 135.13
Nasdaq National Market (U.S.) Index 100 133.48 171.38 208.43 274.43 392.16
</TABLE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
See the section entitled "Executive Compensation--Compensation
Committee--Interlocks and Insider Participation" for a discussion of certain
transactions and arrangements among the Company and its affiliates.
SECTION 16 (a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16 (a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's executive
officers, directors and shareholders beneficially owning more than ten percent
of all outstanding Common Stock ("Reporting Persons") to file certain reports
("Section 16 Reports") with respect to their beneficial ownership of the
Company's equity securities. Based solely on a review of the Section 16 Reports
furnished to the Company by its Reporting Persons and, where applicable, written
representations by Reporting Persons that n Form 5 was required, the Reporting
Persons have complied with all applicable Section 16 (a) filing requirements
during and with respect to Fiscal 1999.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP served as the Company's independent
auditors for Fiscal 1999 and the Board has reappointed this firm for fiscal
2000. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to attend the Annual
Meeting to respond to questions from shareholders and to make a statement if he
or she so desires.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Any shareholder of the Company wishing to submit a proposal for action
at the Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must provide a written copy
of the proposal to the management of the Company at its principal executive
offices not later than June 6, 2000 and must otherwise comply with the rules and
regulations of the Commission applicable to shareholder proposals.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes
financial statements, is being mailed to the Company's Shareholders with this
Proxy Statement. The Annual Report is not part of the proxy soliciting material.
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not know of any other matters to be presented at the
Annual Meeting for action by Shareholders. If any other matters requiring a vote
of the Shareholders arise at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof,
however, it is intended that votes will be cast pursuant to the proxies with
respect to such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons
acting under the proxies.
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying
form. In addition to solicitation by mail, certain officers and regular
employees of the Company may solicit the return of proxies by telephone,
telegram or personal interview. The Company may request brokers and others to
forward proxies and soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of Common
Stock, and will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing.
A list of Shareholders entitled to be present and vote at the Annual
Meeting will be available during the Annual Meeting for inspection by
shareholders who are present.
If you cannot be present in person, you are requested to complete, sign,
date and return the enclosed proxy promptly. An envelope has been provided for
your convenience. No postage is required if mailed in the United States.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/LARRY G. AYERS
Larry G. Ayers
Secretary
October 4, 1999
Tucker, Georgia
<PAGE>
[ATTACHMENT]
SED International Holdings, Inc.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, each dated October 4, 1999, and does hereby
appoint Gerald Diamond and Larry G. Ayers, and either of them, with full power
of substitution as proxy or proxies of the undersigned, to represent the
undersigned and vote all shares of SED International Holdings, Inc. common stock
which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SED International Holdings, Inc., to be held
at the principal executive offices of the Company, 4916 N. Royal Atlanta Drive,
Tucker, Georgia, at 12:00 p.m., local time, on November 9, 1999, and at any and
all adjournment(s) thereof:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE LISTED NOMINEES
AND PROPOSALS.
1. Proposal 1. The election as directors of the three nominees listed
below to serve for a three-year term expiring at the 2002 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are
elected and qualified.
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for
(except as marked to the all nominees listed below
contrary below)
LARRY G. AYERS, MELVYN I. COHEN AND CARY ROSENTHAL
INSTRUCTION:TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE
THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.
IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE, THIS
PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES.
2. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other business as properly may come before the Annual Meeting and any
adjournments thereof. This proxy may be revoked at any time prior to
the voting thereof.
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
If any other business is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, this
proxy card will be voted by the proxies in their discretion. At the present
time, the Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented to a
vote of the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
Signature
Signature, if shares held jointly
Date _____________________, 1999
Please sign exactly as your name
appears hereon. When shares are
held jointly, both holders should
sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee,
custodian or guardian, please
give your full title. If the
holder is a corporation or
partnership the full corporate
or partnership name should be
signed by a duly authorized
officer or partner, respectively.
