SUNSOURCE LP
SC 13E3/A, 1997-05-22
MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
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<PAGE>


   
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               Amendment No. 1 to
                                 Schedule 13E-3
                      Rule [^] 13E-3 Transaction Statement
       (Pursuant to Section 13(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
    

                                 SUNSOURCE L.P.
                                (Name of Issuer)

   
                                 SunSource L.P.
                              SDI Partners I, L.P.
                                Lehman/SDI, Inc.
                    Lehman Brothers Capital Partners I, L.P.
                                 LB I Group Inc.
                               Lehman Ltd. I Inc.
                               Norman V. Edmonson
                               Donald T. Marshall
                              John P. McDonnell [^]
                      (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
    

     CLASS A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS AND DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS THEREFOR
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   867942-10-4
                      (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

     CLASS B LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS AND DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS THEREFOR
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   867942-20-3
                      (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

   
                                Joseph M. Corvino
                               [^] SunSource L.P.
                            [^] 2600 One Logan Square
                             Philadelphia, PA 19103
                                 (215) 665-3650
    

                                   Copies to:

            Donald A. Scott, Esquire           George R. Krouse, Esquire [^]
           Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP         Simpson Thacher & Bartlett [^]
             2000 One Logan Square                 425 Lexington Avenue[^]
            Philadelphia, PA 19103                    New York, NY 10017
                (215) 963-5206                        (212) 455-2000
                                


                (Name, Addresses and Telephone Numbers of Persons
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications
                      on Behalf of Person Filing Statement)


                                       -1-

<PAGE>



   
                          [^] [^] [^] INTRODUCTORY NOTE

                  This Rule [^] 13E-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3
(the "Schedule 13E-[^] 3") relates to a proposed merger pursuant to which
SunSource L.P. will be converted to corporate form and holders of limited
partnership interests will receive cash and shares of Trust Preferred Securities
or shares of Common Stock (the "Transaction"). The Transaction is described in
the Preliminary Proxy Statement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 17(d)
(the "Preliminary Proxy Statement").

                  The information contained in the Preliminary Proxy Statement
is incorporated by reference in answer to the items of this Schedule 13E-3, and
the Cross Reference Sheet set forth [^] below shows the location in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement of the information required to be included in
response to the items of this Schedule 13E-3. The information contained in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement, including the exhibits thereto, is hereby expressly
incorporated by reference, and the responses to each item herein are qualified
in their entirety by the provisions of the Preliminary Proxy Statement and the
exhibits thereto.

                  References to "Senior Management" are to Messrs. Edmonson,
Marshall and McDonnell.

         References to the "Lehman Entities" are to (i) Lehman Brothers Capital
Partners I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("LBCP"), (ii) LB I Group Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("LB I"), (iii) Lehman Ltd. I Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Lehman Ltd.") and (iv) Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings").

    


                                       -2-

<PAGE>


   
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                  (Pursuant to General [^] Instructions D and F
                               to Schedule 13E-3)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     Item in                                         Location in
Schedule 13E-3                              Preliminary Proxy Statement
- ---------------                             ----------------------------

<S>                                     <C>                                                                                      
Item  1 (a)                         SUMMARY  -  The Partnership, the Corporation and the Trust.

        (b) - (d)                   Cover Page; MARKET PRICES AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
                                    

        (e) - (f)                   Not applicable.

Item 2  (a) - (d)                   [^] MANAGEMENT.
                                    

        (e) - (f)                   [^] None.

        [^](g)                             See item 2(g).

[^] Item 3 (a)                             Not applicable.

        (b)                         SPECIAL FACTORS - Background of the Conversion;
                                    SPECIAL FACTORS - Determinations of the Special
                                    Committee.

Item 4  (a) - (b)                   SUMMARY - Overview of the Conversion; SUMMARY -
                                    Structure of the Conversion;  SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Terms of
                                    the Conversion.

Item 5  (a) - (c)                   Not applicable.

        (d)                         MARKET PRICES AND DISTRIBUTIONS.

        [^](e) - (g)                        Not applicable.

Item 6  (a)                         SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Source and Amount of Funds.
                                                    

        (b)                         SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Fees and Expenses.

        (c)                         SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Source and Amount of Funds.

        (d)                         Not applicable.
    
</TABLE>

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
<S>                                   <C>  

Item 7 (a) - (c)                    SUMMARY - Reasons to Convert to Corporate Form;
                                    SUMMARY - Alternatives to the Conversion; SPECIAL
                                    FACTORS [^]- Background of the Conversion; SPECIAL
                                    FACTORS - Alternatives to the Conversion; SPECIAL
                                    FACTORS - Reasons to Convert to Corporate Form.
                                    

        (d)                         SUMMARY - Structure of the Conversion; [^] SPECIAL
                                    FACTORS [^]-Terms of the Conversion; CERTAIN FEDERAL
                                    INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.

Item 8 (a) - (b)                    SUMMARY - Special Committee; SUMMARY -
                                                                 
                                    Recommendation of General Partner and
                                    Fairness Determination; SPECIAL FACTORS [^]-
                                    Background of the Conversion; SPECIAL
                                    FACTORS - Reasons to Convert to Corporate
                                    Form; [^] SPECIAL FACTORS - Determinations
                                    of the Special Committee; SPECIAL FACTORS -
                                    Opinion of Smith Barney; SPECIAL FACTORS
                                    -Recommendation of the General Partner and
                                    Fairness Determination.

        (c)                         SUMMARY - [^] Conditions to the Conversion;
                                    VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION - Vote
                                    Required; Quorum.

        (d)                         SUMMARY - Risk Factors[^]; RISK FACTORS, [^]
                                                                        
                                    CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND OTHER IMPORTANT
                                    CONSIDERATIONS[^].

        (e)                         SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Background of the Conversion.

        (f)                         Not applicable.

Item 9 (a) - (c)                    SUMMARY - Special Committee; SUMMARY -
                                                                 
                                    Recommendation of General Partner and
                                    Fairness Determination; SPECIAL FACTORS [^]-
                                    Background of the Conversion; [^] SPECIAL
                                    FACTORS - Determinations of the Special
                                    Committee; SPECIAL FACTORS - Opinion of
                                    Smith Barney; SPECIAL FACTORS
                                    -Recommendation of the General Partner and
                                    Fairness Determination; EXHIBIT C - Smith
                                    Barney Fairness Opinion.

Item 10 (a)                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
                                    OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

        (b)                         None.
    
</TABLE>
                                       -4-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
<S>                                   <C>                                 
Item 11                             None.

Item 12   (a)                       SUMMARY - Voting at the Special
                                    Meeting; VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION - Vote
                                    Required; Quorum.

          (b)                       SUMMARY - Recommendation of General Partner
                                    and Fairness Determination; SPECIAL FACTORS
                                    [^]- Recommendation of the General Partner
                                    and Fairness Determination.

Item 13  (a)                        SUMMARY - No Appraisal Rights; VOTING
                                    AND PROXY INFORMATION - No Appraisal Rights.

         (b) - (c)                  Not applicable.

Item 14  (a) - (b)                  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY
                                    REFERENCE; SUMMARY [^]- Summary Financial
                                    Information of the Partnership and Summary Unaudited Pro
                                    Forma Financial Information of the Corporation; SELECTED
                                    HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION; FINANCIAL
                                    STATEMENTS.

Item 15   (a) - (b)                 VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION - Solicitation of
                                    Proxies.

Item 16                             Preliminary Proxy Statement.

Item 17   (a)                       [^] Financing Commitments (to be filed by amendment).

          (b)     (1)               Smith Barney Fairness Opinion (Exhibit C to Preliminary Proxy
                                    Statement.)
                  (2)               Presentation of Smith Barney to the Special Committee dated
                                    December 10, 1996.

          (c)                       Not applicable.

          (d)                       Preliminary Proxy Statement.

          (e)                       Not applicable.

          (f)                       Not applicable.

          (g)     (1)               July 1996 Projection.
                  (2)               November 1996 Adjustment.

</TABLE>
        
                                       -5-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
<S>                                 <C>             
                  (3)               April 1997 Projection.
                                
                  (4)               Proxy Statement of Holdings dated February 14, 1997 (which
                                    has been previously filed by Holdings with the Securities and
                                    Exchange Commission).

</TABLE>

Item 1.  Issuer and Class of Security Subject to the Transaction

         (a) The information under the heading "SUMMARY - The Partnership, the
Corporation and the Trust" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.[^]

         [^](b) - (d) The information on the Cover Page and under the heading
"MARKET PRICES AND DISTRIBUTIONS" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.

         (e) - (f)         Not applicable.

Item 2.  Identity and Background

         [^] SunSource L.P. is the issuer of the securities which are the
subject of the Rule 13E-3 transactions. Information with respect to SDI Partners
I, L.P. and Lehman/SDI, Inc. is set forth under the heading "SUMMARY - The
Partnership, the Corporation and the Trust" and is incorporated herein by
reference. The answer to Items 2(e) and (f) for these entities is "None."

         [^] LBCP, a Delaware limited partnership and Lehman Ltd., a Delaware
corporation, together own approximately 27.2% of the outstanding B Interests in
SunSource L.P. LB I, a Delaware corporation, is the general partner of LBCP. All
of the outstanding capital stock of LB I, Lehman Ltd. and Lehman/SDI is owned,
directly or indirectly, by Holdings. The principal businesses of the Lehman
Entities are investment banking and related businesses. The principal executive
offices of the Lehman Entities are located at 3 World Financial Center, New
York, New York 10285. The answer to Items 2(e) and (f) for the Lehman Entities
is "None."

         With respect to the [^] executive officers and directors of Lehman/SDI,
Inc. (which includes Senior Management):

         [^](a) - (d)    The information under the heading "MANAGEMENT," in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

         (e) - (f)         None.

         (g)               All of the executive officers and directors of
Lehman/SDI, Inc. are
    
                                       -6-

<PAGE>


   
U.S. citizens.

        With respect to each of the executive officers and directors of the
Lehman Entities:

        (a) - (d)     The following individuals are the directors and executive
officers of the Lehman Entities:

              LB I: Paul Abbott (director and executive officer), Eliot Fried
        (director and executive officer), Allan Kaplan (director and executive
        officer), Dave Goldfarb (director), Alan Washkowitz (executive officer)
        and Joseph M. Corvino (executive officer). Information with respect to
        Mr. Corvino, who is an executive officer of SunSource, is set forth
        under the heading "Management" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement and
        incorporated herein by reference.

               Lehman Ltd.: Eliot Fried (sole director and executive officer)
        and Joseph M. Corvino (executive officer).

               Holdings: Michael L. Ainsle (director), John F. Akers (director),
        Roger S. Berlind (director), Thomas H. Cruikshank (director), Richard S.
        Fuld, Jr. (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), Katsumi Funaki
        (director), Henry Kaufman (director), Hideichiro Kobayashi (director),
        John D. Macomber (director), Dina Merrill (director), Jeremiah M.
        Callaghan (Chief of Operations and Technology), John L. Cecil (Chief
        Administrative Officer), Charles B. Hintz (Chief Financial Officer) and
        Thomas A. Russo (Chief Legal Officer). Information with respect to each
        such individual (other than Mr. Kobayashi) is set forth in Holdings'
        Proxy Statement dated February 14, 1997, which has been filed with the
        Securities and Exchange Commission and such biographical information is
        incorporated herein by reference. Mr. Kobayashi is General Manager,
        International Finance Department of Nippon Life Insurance Company and
        has been affiliated with Nippon Life Insurance Company since 1967. Mr.
        Kobayashi's business address is Nippon Life Insurance Company, 1251
        Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

        Unless otherwise noted above, each such individual's principal
occupation during the last five years was employee of Lehman Brothers Inc. and
business address is the principal executive office of the Lehman Entities.

        (e) - (f)          None.

        (g)      All of the directors and executive officers of the Lehman
Entities are U.S. citizens, except Messrs. Funaki and Kobayashi who are
Japanese nationals.
    
                                       -7-

<PAGE>




Item 3.  Past Contacts, Transactions or Negotiations
   
        (a)                [^] Not applicable.

        [^](b)       The information under the headings "SPECIAL FACTORS -
Background of the Conversion" and "SPECIAL FACTORS--Determinations of the
Special Committee" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.

Item 4.  Terms of the Transaction

        (a) - (b) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Overview of [^]
the Conversion[^]," "SUMMARY - Structure of the Conversion[^]" and "SPECIAL
FACTORS [^]- Terms of the Conversion" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.  Plans or Proposals of the Issuer or Affiliate

        (a) - (c)          Not applicable.

        (d)                The information under the heading "MARKET PRICES AND
DISTRIBUTIONS" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.[^]

        [^](e) - (g)                Not applicable.

Item 6. Source and Amounts of Funds or Other Consideration

         (a) The information under the heading "SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Source and
Amount of Funds" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.[^]

         [^](b) The information under the heading "SPECIAL FACTORS - Fees and
Expenses" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.

        [^](c) The information under the heading "SPECIAL FACTORS Source and
Amount of Funds" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.

        (d)                Not applicable.

    
                                       -8-

<PAGE>

   

Item 7.  Purpose(s), Alternatives, Reasons and Effects

        (a) - (c) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Reasons to
Convert to Corporate Form[^]," "SUMMARY - Alternatives to the Conversion[^],"
"SPECIAL FACTORS [^]-Background of the Conversion[^]," "SPECIAL FACTORS -
Alternatives to the Conversion[^]" and "SPECIAL FACTORS - Reasons to Convert to
Corporate Form" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.[^]

        [^](d) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Structure of the
Conversion[^]," "SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Terms of the Conversion[^]" and "CERTAIN
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.  Fairness of the Transaction

        (a) - (b) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Special
Committee[^]," "SUMMARY - Recommendation of General Partner and Fairness
Determination[^]," "SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Background of the Conversion[^],"
"SPECIAL FACTORS - Reasons to Convert to Corporate Form[^]," "SPECIAL FACTORS
Determinations of Special Committee[^]," "SPECIAL FACTORS - Opinion of Smith
Barney[^]" and "SPECIAL FACTORS - Recommendation of the General Partner and
Fairness Determination" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.[^]

        [^](c) The information under the headings "SUMMARY Conditions to the
Conversion" and "VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION - Vote Required; Quorum" in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.[^]

        [^](d) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Risk Factors[^]"
and "RISK FACTORS, [^] CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
- - [^] in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

        [^](e) The information under the heading "SPECIAL FACTORS Background of
the Conversion" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.

        (f)                Not applicable.

Item 9.  Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Certain Negotiations

        (a) - (c)          The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Special
Committee[^]," "SUMMARY - Recommendation of General Partner and Fairness
    
                                       -9-

<PAGE>

   

Determination[^]," "SPECIAL FACTORS [^]- Background of the Conversion[^],"
"SPECIAL FACTORS - Determinations of the Special Committee, "SPECIAL FACTORS -
Opinion of Smith Barney[^]" and "SPECIAL FACTORS - Recommendation of the General
Partner and Fairness Determination[^]" and the information in EXHIBIT C - Smith
Barney Fairness Opinion in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.

Item 10.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer

        (a) The information under the heading "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.

         (b)               None.

Item 11.  Contracts, Arrangements or Understandings with Respect to the Issuer's
Securities
                           None.

Item 12.  Present Intention and Recommendation of Certain Persons with Regard
to the Transaction

        (a) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - Voting at the Special
Meeting[^]" and "VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION - Vote Required; Quorum" in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.[^]

        [^](b) The information under the headings "SUMMARY Recommendation of
General Partner and Fairness Determination[^]" and "SPECIAL FACTORS [^]-
Recommendation of the General Partner and Fairness Determination" in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.  Other Provisions of the Transaction

        (a) The information under the headings "SUMMARY - No Appraisal
Rights[^]" and "VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION - No Appraisal Rights" in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

        (b) - (c)                   Not applicable.

Item 14.  Financial Information

        (a) - (b) The information under the headings "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE[^]," "SUMMARY - Summary Financial Information of the
Partnership and Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
    
                                      -10-

<PAGE>

   

of the Corporation," " SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION[^]" and
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 15.  Persons and Assets Employed, Retained or Utilized

        (a) - (b) The information under the heading "VOTING AND PROXY
INFORMATION - Solicitation of Proxies" is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 16.  Additional Information

        The information included in the Preliminary Proxy Statement is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.  Material to be Filed as Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                          <C>   
        (a)                [^] Financing Commitments.

        [^](b)    (1)               Smith Barney Fairness Opinion[^], filed as Exhibit C to the
                                    Preliminary Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by
                                    reference.
              (2)          Presentation of Smith Barney to the Special Committee dated
                           December 10, 1996.

        (c)                Not applicable.

        (d)                Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

        (e)                Not applicable.

        (f)                Not applicable.

        (g)   (1)          July 1996 Projection.
              (2)          November 1996 Adjustment.
              (3)          April 1997 Projection.
              (4)          Proxy Statement of Holdings dated February 14, 1997 (which has
                           been previously filed by Holdings with the Securities and Exchange
                           Commission).

    
</TABLE>




                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

        After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

   
                                [^] May 21, 1997
    

                                SUNSOURCE L.P.

                                By SDI Partners I, L.P.
                                Its General Partner
                                By Lehman/SDI, Inc.
                                Its General Partner


                                By  /s/ Joseph M. Corvino
                                -------------------------------------
                                Joseph M. Corvino
                                Vice President - Finance

   
                                [^] SDI PARTNERS I, L.P.
                                [^] By Lehman/SDI, Inc.
                                [^] Its General Partner


                                By  /s/ Joseph M. Corvino
                                -------------------------------------
                                Joseph M. Corvino
                                Vice President - Finance

                                LEHMAN/SDI, INC.


                                By  /s/ Joseph M. Corvino
                                -------------------------------------
                                Joseph M. Corvino
                                Vice President - Finance

                                LEHMAN BROTHERS CAPITAL PARTNERS I, L.P.
                                By LB I GROUP INC.
                                Its General Partner


                                By  /s/ Joseph M. Corvino
                                --------------------------------------
                                Joseph M. Corvino

    

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

   


                                 LB I GROUP INC.


                                 By  /s/ Joseph M. Corvino
                                 ----------------------------
                                 Joseph M. Corvino

                                 LEHMAN LTD. I INC.


                                 By  /s/ Joseph M. Corvino
                                 -----------------------------
                                 Joseph M. Corvino

                                 /s/ Norman V. Edmonson
                                 -----------------------------
                                 Norman V. Edmonson

                                 /s/ Donald T. Marshall
                                 -----------------------------
                                 Donald T. Marshall

                                 /s/ John P. McDonnell
                                 -----------------------------
                                 John P. McDonnell

    
                                      -13-

<PAGE>




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
 Exhibit
  Number                   Description
- -----------                -----------
<S>                        <C>                                        
  [^] 17(a)                Financing Commitments.

  17(b)       (1)          Smith Barney Fairness Opinion, filed as Exhibit C to
                           the Preliminary Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein
                           by reference.
              (2)          Presentation of Smith Barney to the Special Committee
                           dated December 10, 1996.

  17(c)                    Not applicable.

  17(d)                    Preliminary Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
                           reference.

  17(e)                    Not applicable.

  17(f)                    Not applicable.

  17(g)       (1)          July 1996 Projection.
              (2)          November 1996 Adjustment.
              (3)          April 1997 Projection.
              (4)          Proxy Statement of Holdings dated February 14, 1997 (which has
                           been previously filed by Holdings with the Securities and Exchange
                           Commission).

    
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 17(a)
February 21, 1997


Mr. Joseph M. Corvino
Vice President-Finance
SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
One Logan Square Suite 2600
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Dear Joe:

        We, the undersigned banks, are pleased to commit to provide to SDI
Operating Partners, L.P.(as provided below) a $90,000,000 Revolving Credit
Commitment (the "Commitment") upon the terms and conditions attached hereto as
Annex I (the "Term Sheet"). All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Term Sheet.

        In connection with the proposed commitment, the banks listed below are
pleased to advise you of their respective commitment as set forth in the table
below, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Term
Sheet:

                                                 Commitment Amount
                                                 -----------------
CoreStates Bank, N.A. ("Corestates")               $45,000,000
The Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")             $45,000,000
                                                   ----------- 
                                                   $90,000,000

        The foregoing commitments of CoreStates and Scotiabank are several (and
not joint) obligations.

        Our commitment is subject, however, to each of the following terms and
conditions being satisfied in a manner acceptable to the Agents in their sole
discretion:

        (a)     satisfaction of each of the terms and conditions set forth
herein;

        (b)     satisfaction of each of the terms and conditions set forth in
the Term Sheet;



<PAGE>



Page 2


         (c) the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive documentation
with respect to the Commitment consistent with the Term Sheet and otherwise
satisfactory to the Agents;

         (d) execution of that certain fee letter by SDI Operating Partners,
L.P. and the Agents (the "Fee Letter") concurrently with the acceptance by SDI
Operating Partners, L.P. of this letter;

        (e) there not having occurred (and continuing) since the date hereof a
material adverse change in the market for syndicated bank credit facilities
similar in nature to the Commitment or a material disruption of, or a material
adverse change in, financial, banking or capital market conditions, in each case
as determined by the Agents in their sole discretion; and, furthermore, the
commitments of the Agents hereunder are based upon the financial and other
information regarding the Borrower, its subsidiaries and guarantors previously
provided to the Agents and are subject to the condition, among others, that
there shall not have occurred after the date of such information, in the opinion
of the Agents any material adverse change in the business, assets, liabilities
(actual or contingent), operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the Borrower, its subsidiaries and guarantors taken as a whole. If
the continuing review by the Agents of the Borrower discloses information
relating to new information or additional developments concerning conditions or
events previously disclosed to the Agents which the Agents in their sole
discretion believe may have a material adverse effect on the condition
(financial or otherwise), assets, properties, business, operations or prospects
of the Borrower, its subsidiaries and guarantors taken as a whole, the Agents
may, in their sole discretion, suggest alternative financing amounts or
structures that ensure adequate protection for the Lenders or decline to
participate in the Commitment; and

        (f) you agree to actively assist the Agents in forming a syndicate of
lenders and to provide the Agents and any Lender, promptly upon request, with
all information deemed necessary by them to complete successfully the
syndication, including, but not limited to, an information package for delivery
to potential Lenders including projections prepared by you; furthermore, you
agree to make appropriate officers and representatives of the Borrower and the
Guarantors available to participate in information meetings for potential
Lenders at such times and places as the Agents may reasonably request.

        By executing this letter agreement, you agree to reimburse the Agents at
closing for all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including, but not
limited to, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to
the


<PAGE>



Page 3

Agents) incurred in connection with the Commitment and the preparation of the
definitive documentation for the Commitment.

        SDI Operating Partners, L.P. agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Agents, each other Lender and each director, officer, employee, attorney and
affiliate of each Agent and each other Lender, and each director, officer,
employee or attorney of such affiliate of each Agent and each other Lender (each
such person or entity referred to hereafter in this paragraph as an "Indemnified
Person") from any losses, claims, costs, damages, expenses or liabilities (or
actions, suits or proceedings, including any inquiry or investigation, with
respect thereto) to which any Indemnified Person may become subject, insofar as
such losses, claims, costs, damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions, suits,
or proceedings, including any inquiry or investigation, with respect thereto)
arise out of, in any way relate to, or result from, this letter, the Commitment
or any other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and to reimburse upon
demand each Indemnified Person for any and all legal and other expenses incurred
in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any such
loss, claim, cost, damage, expense or liability (or actions, suits or
proceedings, including any inquiry or investigation, with respect thereto);
provided that SDI Operating Partners, L.P. shall not have any obligation under
this indemnity provision for liabilities resulting from gross negligence or
willful misconduct of any Indemnified Person. The foregoing provisions of this
paragraph shall be in addition to any right that an Indemnified Person shall
have at common law or otherwise. No Indemnified Person shall be responsible or
liable for consequential damages which may be alleged as a result of the letter.

        The provisions of the immediately preceding two paragraphs shall remain
in full force and effect regardless of whether definitive financing
documentation shall be executed and delivered (but may be superseded thereby)
and not withstanding the termination of this letter agreement or commitments of
the Agents hereunder.

        This offer will expire at 12:00 noon EST time on February 28, 1997
unless the Borrower shall execute this letter and return it to the Agents prior
to that time (which may be by facsimile transmission), whereupon this letter
shall become a binding agreement. Thereafter, this undertaking and commitment
will expire at 5:00 p.m. EST time on May 30, 1997 unless definitive Commitment
documentation is executed and delivered prior to that time.

        This letter may be executed in counterparts which, taken together, shall
constitute an original. This letter, together with the Term Sheet and the Fee
Letter, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the Agents and
SDI Operating Partners, L.P. with respect to the specific matters set forth
herein


<PAGE>


Page 4

and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject
matter hereof. No party has been authorized by the Agents to make any oral or
written statements inconsistent with this letter.

         THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW.

        Very truly yours,



        CORESTATES BANK, N.A.


        By: /s/ Corestates Bank, N.A
           ------------------------------------------------------
           Title:



        THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

        By: /s/ The Bank of Nova Scotia
           ------------------------------------------------------
           Title:



        Accepted and Agreed to:
        SDI OPERATING PARTNERS, L.P.

        By: /s/ SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
           ------------------------------------------------------
           Title:


<PAGE>


April 8, 1997

Mr. Joseph M. Corvino
Vice President - Finance
SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
One Logan Square Suite 2600
Philadelphia, PA  19103

Dear Joe:

This letter is delivered to you pursuant to the Commitment Letter and Term Sheet
and the Fee Letter dated February 27, 1997 among SDI Operating Partners, L.P.,
CoreStates Bank, N.A. and The Bank of Nova Scotia. Unless otherwise defined
herein, capitalized terms shall have the meaning set forth in the Commitment
Letter and Term Sheet. The Agents hereby agree to extend the expiry of the
Commitment from May 30, 1997 to June 30, 1997. In addition to the fees outlined
in the Fee Letter and any other fees agreed to by the Agents and the Borrower,
the Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Agents for their own account a fee of
18.75bps per diem on the Commitment from the period commencing May 31, 1997
until Closing. Payment is due upon Closing.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return the enclosed copy of this letter.



Very truly yours,

CORESTATES BANK, N.A.


By: /s/ Corestates Bank N.A.
   ------------------------------
   Title:

                                          Accepted and Agreed To:

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA                   SDI OPERATING PARTNERS, L.P.


By: /s/ The Bank of Nova Scotia           By: /s/ SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
   ------------------------------             ---------------------------------
   Title:                                     Title:
<PAGE>



                                 SunSource Inc.




SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS                               FEBRUARY 18, 1997
- ----------------------------                               -----------------








BORROWERS:              SDI Operating Partners, LP and subsidiaries on a joint
                        and several basis.

GUARANTORS:             SunSource Inc.,  Sun SubC, Inc. and others as may be
                        deemed appropriate.  Guarantees shall be of payment
                        and not of collection.


ADMINISTRATIVE AND
L/C ISSUING AGENT and
SWING LINE              CoreStates Bank, N.A. ("Agent").

SYNDICATION AGENT:      CoreStates Capital Markets ("CCM") will manage the
                        syndication including invitation, timing and amounts
                        offered to potential lenders and the acceptance and
                        final allocation of commitment amounts.

DOCUMENTATION AGENT:    The Bank of Nova Scotia (collectively with CoreStates
                        Bank N.A., the "Agents").


LENDERS:                A group of lenders acceptable to the Borrowers and
                        the Agents (The Agents and the lenders collectively
                        the "Lenders").

FACILITY:               $90,000,000 Revolving Credit Commitment
                        ("Commitment") with a $20,000,000 sublimit for
                        Letter of Credit and a $5,000,000 Swing Line sublimit.
                        Each Lender will purchase an irrevocable and
                        undconditional participation on a pro rata basis in each
                        Letter of Credit and each Swing Line Loan.  The


<PAGE>



                        Commitment shall terminate and all amounts shall be due
                        and payable 5 years from closing but no later than May
                        31, 2002 ("Termination Date").

USE OF PROCEEDS:        General corporate purposes including working capital,
                        acquisition financing, transaction expenses and
                        repayment of debt including the current bank revolver
                        and make whole payments.

INTEREST RATES:         a. Base Rate (defined as the higher of Agent's Prime  
                        Rate, as announced publicly from time to time changing
                        when and if such rate changes, or Fed Funds plus 1/2% 
                        p.a.);                                                
                        
                        b. Adjusted LIBO Rate plus the Applicable Margin;

                        c. Swing Loans shall be made at the Base Rate;

APPLICABLE MARGIN:      The Applicable Margin is based on the Funded Debt to
                        EBITDA Ratio as follows:


                                                      LIBO Rate        Non-Use
                       Level           Ratio           Margin            Fee
                       -----           ------          -------           ---
                         I         3.25 # x # 2.75      1.50             .375
                         II        2.75 # x # 2.25      1.25             .375
                         III              x @ 2.25      1.00             .375

- ------
# = greater than
@ = less than            

                        At Closing, Borrower shall be deemed to be in Level I
                        and until receipt of the 9/30/97 financial statement,
                        Borrower shall not be eligible for Levels II and III.

DEFAULT RATE:           200 basis points per annum in excess of the then
                        applicable rate.

INTEREST PERIODS:       Interest periods for LIBO Rate Loans shall be 1, 2, 3,
                         or 6 months.  LIBO Rate Loan Tranches limited to five
                        (5) at any time.

INTEREST PAYMENTS:      Interest shall be payable on the last day of each
                        interest period for LIBO Rate Loans.  If the interest
                        period is 6 months, interest shall be payable on the
                        90th day and on the last day of the interest period.
                        Interest on Base Rate Loans and the Swing Line
                        Loans shall be payable monthly.




<PAGE>




 FEES:

Non-Use Fee:              Based on grid, payable on the unused portion of the
                          Commitment to the Lenders on a pro rata basis  for
                          the period commencing upon the Closing Date payable
                          quarterly in arrears.

MINIMUM DRAWDOWN:         In minimum amounts of $2,000,000 with increments
                          of $100,000 for LIBO Rate and Base Rate Loans.  No
                          minimum on Swing Line Loans.

NOTICE OF BORROWING:      Three days on  LIBO Rate Loans, one day on Base Rate
                          Loans and same day on Swing Line Loans.

OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT:      LIBO Rate Loans may not be prepaid prior to the end
                          of  an interest period.  Base Rate Loans may be
                          prepaid at any time upon one business days notice to
                          the Agent. Swing Line Loans may be prepaid on same
                          day basis.

OPTIONAL REDUCTION OF
COMMITMENTS:              Commitment may be reduced in increments of at least
                          $5,000,000 at any time on three (3) business days'
                          notice.

LETTERS OF CREDIT:        a.   Final expiry i) one year from date of issuance or
                               ii) Termination Date with cash collateral
                               provisions if necessary,
                          b.   Evergreens permitted,
                          c.   Five (5) day notice for issuance and
                          d.   Fees equal to the then Applicable Margin with
                               1/8% p.a. Fronting Fee paid to Issuing Bank.

REPRESENTATIONS
and WARRANTIES:           Applicable to Borrowers and Guarantors. Customary
                          for credit facilities of this type, including
                          but not limited to:



                                        3

<PAGE>



                         a.  Corporate Existence and Authority;
                         b.  Binding Effect;
                         c.  Financial Information;
                         d.  No Material Adverse Change;
                         e.  Compliance with laws, including environmental,
                             ERISA and CERCLA;
                         f.  Payment of Taxes;
                         g.  Absence of Litigation;
                         h.  Absence of Default;
                         i.  Title to Assets.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT:    Applicable to Borrowers and Guarantors. Customary
                         for credit facilities of this type, including but not
                         limited to:

First Advance:           a.  Receipt of 5 years financial projections on a
                             consolidated basis satisfactory to the Agents;
                         b.  Accuracy of Representations and Warranties;
                         c.  Absence of Default;
                         d.  Negotiation and execution of documentation,
                             including notes and opinions, satisfactory to the
                             Agents;
                         e.  Satisfactory  completion of the Agents' due
                             diligence;
                         f.  No Material Adverse Change in the financial
                             condition, assets, nature of the assets,
                             operations or prospects of the Borrowers and
                             Guarantors;
                         g.  Completion of proposed transaction as outlined
                             in SEC Form S-4 Registration Statement dated
                             December 31, 1996 as amended;
                         h.  Notice of Borrowing;
                         i.  Payment of Fees;
                         j.  Officer certification  as to financial condition 
                             and solvency;
                         k.  Placement of $60,000,000 in notes in form
                             acceptable to the Agents.

Subsequent Advances:     a.  Absence of Default;
                         b.  No Material Adverse Change;
                         c.  Notice of Borrowing.



                                        4

<PAGE>



COVENANTS:               A  commitment will be subject to negotiation of
                         covenants satisfactory to the Agents.  These shall be
                         customary for credit facilities of this type, including
                         but not limited to:

Affirmative Covenants:   a. Financial Reporting (quarterly- 45 days, annually-
                            90 days, annual projections)
                         b. Payment of Taxes;
                         c. Corporate Existence;
                         d. Maintenance of Properties;
                         e. Compliance with laws, including environmental,
                            ERISA and CERCLA;
                         f. Maintenance of ownership, payment of debt;
                         g. Compliance Certificates;
                         h. SEC Reports and Filings;
                         i. Maintenance of Insurance;
                         j. Use of Proceeds.
                         k. Notice of Litigation;
                         l. Notice of management changes.

Financial Covenants:     Applicability including but not limited to the
                         consolidated statements of SunSource,  Inc. (see
                         attached definitions):
                         a. Capitalization Test not to exceed 62% for the
                            first two fiscal quarters of each fiscal year and
                            60% for the last two fiscal quarters of each
                            fiscal year;
                         b. Fixed Charge Coverage Test to be greater than
                            the following for the period from the receipt of
                            the financial statments dated:
                            Closing thru 3/31/98   1.00x
                            6/30/98     thru    12/31/98       1.25x
                            3/31/99     thru     9/30/99       1.40x
                            12/31/99   and    thereafter       1.50x
                         c. Leverage Test not to exceed 3.25x..


Negative Covenants:      a. Restriction on Additional Indebtedness;
                            Guaranties;
                         b. Restricted Payments (limitation on dividends,
                            distributions and redemptions on securities and
                            payments to affiliates); share  repurchase of either
                            common stock or Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial


                                        5

<PAGE>



                        Interests in Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures
                        prohibited unless demonstrated pro forma compliance with
                        Leverage Test of less than 2.25x.
                        c. Negative Pledge, Negative-Negative Pledge;
                        d. Limitation on Investments ;
                        e. Limitation on Mergers (surviving entity),
                           Acquisitions (similar line of business and pro forma
                           compliance), Divestitures (prohibited over a certain
                           threshold, mandatory reductions if in excess of a
                           certain threshold);
                        f. No more restrictive agreements.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT:      Customary for credit facilities of this type , including
                        but not limited to:

                        a.     Failure to pay principal, interest, or fees when
                               due;
                        b.     Noncompliance with covenants;
                        c.     Any Representation or Warranty shall prove to
                               be incorrect, false or misleading in a material
                               respect when made;
                        d.     Insolvency; Bankruptcy;
                        e.     Cross default to other indebtedness;.
                        f.     Judgments;
                        g.     Change in Control.

INCREASED COST/CHANGE
OF CIRCUMSTANCES:       The Credit Agreement will contain customary provisions
                        protecting the Lenders in the event of unavailability of
                        funding, illegality, capital adequacy requirements,
                        increased costs, and funding losses.


ASSIGNMENTS AND
PARTICIPATIONS:         Except for assignments within the Lender group (which
                        are not limited) each Lender will be permitted to assign
                        outstandings and commitments with the approval of the
                        Borrowers and the Agent provided that the aggregate
                        amount assigned is at least $10,000,000. Assigning Bank
                        will be responsible to the Agent for an administrative
                        fee of $3,500 per assignment. No restrictions on
                        participations, except voting limitations.



                                        6

<PAGE>



INDEMNIFICATIONS:      The Borrowers will indemnify the Lenders and their
                       agents against all losses, liabilities, claims, damages,
                       or expenses relative to the loans, the Borrowers' use of
                       loan proceeds, or the Commitment, including but not
                       limited to legal fees and settlement costs whether or
                       not the transaction contemplated hereby is consummated.

EXPENSES:              The Borrowers will pay all legal and other reasonable
                       out-of-pocket expenses of the Agents related to this
                       transaction and any subsequent waivers or
                       amendments.

GOVERNING LAW:         Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL:  By all parties.

REQUIRED LENDERS:      Lenders holding at least 51% of the aggregate amount
                       of the outstanding loans, outstanding letter of credit
                       exposures and undrawn commitments; except that
                       reductions in pricing, increased commitment levels,
                       extension of maturity, release of  guarantees or
                       changes in the definition of required banks requires
                       approval of 100% of the Lenders.

OTHER:                 This term sheet is intended as an outline only and does
                       not purport to summarize all the conditions, covenants,
                       representations, warranties and other provisions which
                       would be contained in definitive legal documentation for
                       the Commitment contemplated hereby.

ANTICIPATED 
CLOSING DATE:          No later than May 31, 1997







                                        7

<PAGE>



SELECTED DEFINITIONS
All determined in accordance with GAAP


CAPITALIZATION TEST
Ratio of Funded Debt to Total Capital

Funded Debt
Sum of the following: (i) Indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) Indebtedness
evidenced by notes, debentures or similar instruments; (iii) Capital Leases;
(iv) guarantees of Indebtedness or Capital Leases; and (v) Letters of Credit and
letter of credit reimbursement obligations. For purposes of this definition, the
Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Company's Junior Subordinated
Debentures are not considered Funded Debt.

Total Capital
Sum of the following: (i) Funded Debt; (ii) Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial
Interests in Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) Net Worth.

FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE TEST
Ratio of Adjusted EBITDAR to Fixed Charges determined on a rolling four quarter
basis.

EBITDA
Net Income plus General Partner management fees plus Interest Expense (including
all Distributions paid on the Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in
Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures whether paid in cash or in kind) plus
all provisions for taxes plus depreciation and amortization plus extraordinary
losses minus extraordinary gains. For purposes of this definition the
restructuring charges ($4.9MM) and conversion transaction charges ($2.1MM)
incurred during 1996 and conversion transaction charges (including make whole
provisions and other costs) , not to exceed $8.0MM, incurred in 1997 are deemed
to be extraordinary losses.

Adjusted EBITDAR
EBITDA plus rent expense minus capital expenditures.


Fixed Charges
Interest Expense (including Distributions paid on the Guaranteed Preferred
Beneficial Interests in Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures to the extent
paid in cash) plus General Partner management fees plus rent expense plus
scheduled maturities paid on Funded Debt (excluding Commitment) plus cash
dividends plus Partnership Distributions.





                                        8

<PAGE>


LEVERAGE TEST
Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA with EBITDA determined on a rolling four quarter
basis.



Additional Indebtedness
Prohibited except: Indebtedness under Commitment, Indebtedness under the Bank of
Nova Scotia Canadian Revolving Credit Facility, Trade Indebtedness in the
ordinary course of business except no more that $5,000,000 shall be in the form
of Trade Notes, Indebtedness for purchase of or lease of fixed or capital assets
provided that the total amount shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any calendar year,
Contingent Obligations (other than those under Commitment) in excess of
$5,000,000 at any one time and Indebtedness outstanding and disclosed at
Closing.


Restricted Payments
Prohibited except (provided there exists no Event of Default or Default and no
Event of Default or Default will result therefrom): dividends on common stock,
Distributions on Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Company's Junior
Subordinated Debentures and Partnership Distributions. Share repurchase of
either common stock or Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Company's
Junior Preferred Subordinated Debentures prohibited unless demonstrated pro
forma compliance with Leverage Test below 2.25x. In the event of a Tax Event
redemptions on Subordinated Debt are prohibited.




                                        9


<PAGE>
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
730 Third Avenue
New York, NY  10017









                                                                May 15, 1997

Mr. Joseph M. Corvino
Chief Financial Officer
SDI Operating Partners, L.P. ("SDI")
One Logan Square, Suite 2600
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Re:   SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
      $60,000,000 7.66% Senior Notes due 2002 (the "Notes")
      -----------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Corvino:

      This letter is delivered to you pursuant to the Commitment Letter and
Summary of Proposed Terms dated March 4, 1997, (together the "Commitment
Letter") between SDI and the undersigned, Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America (TIAA). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms shall have the meaning set forth in the Commitment Letter. TIAA hereby
agrees to extend the expiry of the Commitment Letter from May 31, 1997 to June
30, 1997. In addition to the fees outlined in the Commitment Letter and any
other fees agreed to by SDI and TIAA, SDI hereby agrees to pay TIAA for their
own account a fee of 18.75 basis points per annum on the principal amount of the
Notes, payable on a per diem basis for the period commencing May 31, 1997 until
closing. Payment is due upon closing.

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return the enclosed copy of this letter.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                           ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA



                                           BY  /s/
                                               --------------------------------
                                                William Stuart Shepetin
                                                Director-Private Placements

Accepted and Agreed to:
SDI OPERATING PARTNER, L.P./SUNSOURCE, INC.

By:     _________________________________

Its:    _________________________________


<PAGE>



Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
College Retirement Equities Fund
730 Third Avenue
New York, NY  10017












                                                       March 4, 1997

Mr. Joseph M. Corvino
Chief Financial Officer
Sunsource, Inc.
One Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103


Re:    SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
       $60,000,000 7.66% Senior Notes due 2002 (the "Notes")
       -----------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Corvino:

       We are pleased to confirm that our Officers Investment Committee has
authorized the acquisition by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of
America ("TIAA") of the captioned securities.

       This authorization is contingent upon the preparation, execution and
delivery of documents, in form and substance satisfactory to TIAA and of TIAA's
special counsel, substantially in accordance with the Summary of Proposed Terms
attached hereto; and is further contingent upon the absence of any material,
adverse change in the business or financial condition of the Company from that
in existence on December 31, 1995. This authorization will expire if the
necessary documents, as aforesaid, have not been executed prior to May 31, 1997,
unless TIAA has extended said date in writing.

Other provisions: The documents shall contain such representations and
warranties, closing conditions, other covenants, events of default and remedies,
requirements for delivery of financial statements, and other information and
provisions as are usual and customary in this type of transaction and as we and
our special counsel may deem reasonably necessary to accomplish this
transaction.

Special Counsel:  Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy

Expenses: The Company agrees to pay or, at TIAA's option to reimburse TIAA, for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this
transaction including, without limitation, fees and expenses of our special
counsel, printing costs, and broker's or finder's fees or commissions, if any,
whether or not this transaction is consummated.



<PAGE>


       If the foregoing properly sets forth your understanding of this
transaction, please evidence acceptance of the conditions of this letter by
having it executed below by a duly authorized officer of the Company and by
returning one executed counterpart to TIAA, attention: Securities Division.

       Upon receipt by TIAA of an accepted counterpart of this letter, our
agreement to purchase from you and your agreement to issue, sell and deliver to
us, or at our request to our wholly-owned subsidiary, the captioned securities,
shall become a binding agreement between us. Failure to receive such acceptance
by March 15, 1997 will constitute termination of this authorization.


                                  Very truly yours,

                                  TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                      ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA



                                           BY /s/
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                William Stuart Shepetin
                                                Director-Private Placements







Accepted and agreed to:


/s/___________________________

BY____________________________
       TITLE






<PAGE>




                            Summary of Proposed Terms



Re:  SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
     $60,000,000 7.66% Senior Notes due 2002 (the "Notes")
     -----------------------------------------------------

TIAA's investment in the above referenced securities is further conditioned upon
the repayment of our existing Senior Note investment ($33,650,000 SDI Operating
Partners, L.P. Series A Senior Notes due 2002) with accrued interest and a
makewhole premium, per its terms, as part of the conversion of the SunSource, LP
from a Master Limited Partnership to a C-Corporation structure (the
"Conversion") as outlined in the draft version of the SEC S-4 Registration
Statement dated December 31, 1996 (the "S-4") you have furnished to us. A
further condition of TIAA's investment will be the completion of the Conversion,
also as outlined in the S-4.

Please note that references to the "Bank Facility" are to that bank facility
outlined in the memorandum titled Summary Terms and Conditions provided to you
by CoreStates, dated February 18, 1997, the relevant pages of which have been
attached hereto.


Issuer:           SDI Operating Partners, L.P.

Guarantors:       Certain owners and affiliates of the Issuer.

Amount:           $60,000,000

Interest Rate:    7.66%, payable quarterly in arrears. The interest rate
                  on the Notes shall be 7.91% (the "Surcharge Rate") for any
                  interest period during which the Company's Leverage Test (as
                  defined) meets or exceeds 2.75x. Application of the Surcharge
                  Rate will be based on the Leverage Test calculated for the
                  rolling four quarter period ended immediately prior to the
                  date of the interest payment then being made. In any event,
                  the Surcharge Rate shall be applied for the period from
                  closing through September 30, 1997.

Fees:             There will be a commitment fee of 25 basis points on the
                  entire principal amount of the Notes, payable at closing.

Maturity:         Co-terminus with the Bank Facility, but not later than 5 years
                  from closing. The maturity will also be prior to the first
                  call date of the Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures (the
                  "Junior Debentures"), as such debentures are outlined in the
                  Company's S-4. In any event the maturity of the Notes will
                  also be not more than 59 months after the date of issuance of
                  the Junior Debentures. There will be no required amortization
                  of the Notes - they shall be due in their entirety at
                  maturity.


<PAGE>



Prepayment:       i) The Notes may be prepaid at any time, in whole or in part,
                  at par plus a makewhole to Treasuries plus 50 basis points.

                  ii) Upon the occurrence of a change of control event, TIAA
                  shall have the right to require prepayment of the Notes at par
                  plus accrued interest.

                  iii) Upon the occurrence of the sale, divestiture or spin-off
                  of either the Hillman Fastener or Harding Glass Divisions of
                  the Company, a cumulative total of up to $15 million of the
                  Loan may be prepaid at par plus accrued interest, without
                  makewhole premium.

Ranking:          The Notes will rank pari passu to the Bank Facility and to any
                  other senior unsecured debt of the Company.

Affirmative
Covenants:        Substantially similar to those outlined in the Bank Facility
                  Summary Terms and Conditions.

Financial
Covenants:        Substantially similar to those outlined in the Bank Facility
                  Summary Terms and Conditions.

Negative
Covenants:        Substantially similar to those outlined in the Bank Facility
                  Summary Terms and Conditions.


Voting:           The Notes will be issued under a Note Purchase Agreement
                  separate from the Bank Facility. Holders of the Notes will
                  vote separately from the holders Loans under the Bank
                  Facility.





<PAGE>
================================================================================


A Presentation to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of
Lehman / SDI, Inc.

Project Sprinter


December 10, 1996


Confidential

================================================================================
                                                               SMITH BARNEY INC.


<PAGE>


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Confidential

            MATERIAL FOR SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                       OF

                               LEHMAN / SDI, INC.

The following pages contain material that was provided to the Special
Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Special Committee") of Lehman/SDI
Inc. (the "Company") by Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney") in the context of
meetings of the Special Committee held to evaluate the potential conversion of
SunSource, L.P. (the "Partnership") from a publicly traded partnership to a
publicly traded corporation. The Company is the general partner of SDI 
Partners I, L.P., a limited partnership that acts as the general partner of SDI
Operating Partners, L.P., which is the operating partnership of SunSource, L.P.
The accompanying material was compiled or prepared on a confidential basis
solely for use by the Special Committee and not with a view toward public
disclosure under state and federal securities laws. The information contained in
this material was obtained from the Partnership and other sources. Any estimates
and projections for the Partnership contained herein have been prepared by
management or are based upon such estimates and projections, and involve
numerous and significant subjective determinations, which may or may not be
correct. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the
accuracy or completeness of such information and nothing contained herein is, or
shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation, whether as to the past or
the future. Because this material was prepared for use in the context of an oral
presentation to the Special Committee, the material was not prepared to comply
with the disclosure standards set forth under state and federal securities laws
and to the extent the material was not prepared to comply with the disclosure
standards set forth under state and federal securities laws and to the extent
the material may be used by readers not as familiar with the business and
affairs of the Partnership as the Special Committee, neither the Partnership nor
Smith Barney nor any of their respective legal or financial advisors or
accountants takes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of
the material when used by persons other than the Board of Directors. Neither the
Partnership nor Smith Barney expects to update or otherwise revise the
accompanying materials.


<PAGE>

                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                             Tab
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TRANSACTION SUMMARY....................................................1
       SUMMARY FINANCIALS.....................................................2
       VALUATION SUMMARY......................................................3
       VALUATION MATRIX.......................................................4
       ANALYSIS OF CLASS A INTERESTS..........................................5
       ANALYSIS OF CLASS B INTERESTS..........................................6
       ANALYSIS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER INTEREST AND THE MANAGEMENT FEE........7

APPENDIX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       TERM SHEET.............................................................A
       FINANCIAL COMPARISON OF SELECTED INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANIES.....B



<PAGE>

                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Summary

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                <C>                                <C>
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Existing Security/Interest                        New Security/Interest
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Offers:   11.100 million Class A Units       Each Class A Unit shall be exchanged for 0.38 shares of
                                                      Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities") and
                                                      $1.30 in cash
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   21.676 million Class B Units       Each Class B Unit shall be exchanged for one share of
                                                      Common Stock
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   GP rights to 1.99% economic        GP shall receive 4.000 million shares of Common Stock
                   interest and Management Fee        for the GP Interest (0.3 million shares to be held back for   
                   (collectively, the "GP Interest")  a period of 2 years subject to dividend payments on the                       
                                                      trust preferred securities)
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Stock:         =  To be listed on the NYSE

                      =  Entitled to one vote per share, with Lehman, its affiliates
                         and management agreeing to vote their Excess Voting Shares in
                         the same proportion as shares of common stock owned by
                         unaffiliated persons

                      =  Lehman, its affiliates and management will agree not to sell
                         any shares of common stock in a single transaction to a third
                         party which to their knowledge would own after such sale in
                         excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock (15% if such
                         third party is eligible to report the acquisition of such
                         shares on Schedule 13G)

Preferred Securities: =  Structured as retail trust preferred stock

                      =  To be listed on the NYSE

                      =  11.6% dividend rate payable monthly

                      =  30 year maturity

                      =  Redeemable after five years at par plus accrued and unpaid distributions

                      =  Redeemable at 101% of par plus accrued and unpaid distributions upon certain Special Events relating to
                         changes in tax treatment

</TABLE>
                                    Page 1-1
<PAGE>


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Summary
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Corporate Governance: =  9 members of the Board of Directors with Lehman electing 2 directors if they hold 20% or more of the Common
                         Stock (1 director if they hold between 10% and 20%), 3 directors from management and 4 independent
                         directors

                      =  Approval of a majority of disinterested directors required for significant corporate actions for three
                         years following the Conversion 

                      =  Shareholder rights plan to be implemented

Ownership Structure(1):

                                    Pre-Conversion                                          Post-Conversion
              ------------------------------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
               Class A Units                     Class B Units                       Common Stock
   Holder     (in millions)       Percent        (in millions)        Percent        (in millions)        Percent
              ---------------    ---------       --------------      ----------     --------------       ---------
<S>                <C>              <C>                <C>               <C>              <C>                <C>
Public            11.01             99.2%            11.634            53.7%            11.636             45.3%
Lehman             0.00              0.0%             5.897            27.2%             8.097             31.5%
Management         0.09              0.8%             4.145            19.1%             5.943             23.2%
              ---------------    ---------       --------------      ----------     --------------       ---------
 Total            11.10            100.0%            21.676           100.0%            25.676            100.0%


- --------------------
(1)Note that this does not reflect the 1.99% economic interest of the General Partner and assumes that the 300,000 shares to be held
   back are distributed to the G.P.

</TABLE>
                                    Page 1-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONFIDENTIAL / DRAFT                                       Assumes Corporate Conversion                             Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P. 5 Year Projections

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)


                                                               Historical                            Projected 
                                            ----------------------------------------------          ----------- 
                                               1993                1994              1995               1996               Adjust.
                                            ----------          ---------         --------          -----------          ---------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>
INCOME STATEMENT

   Sales(1)                                  $493,437            $558,754          $599,865           $648,199                    
   Cost of sales                              292,878             331,609           355,004            386,430                    
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------
     Gross profit                             200,559             227,145           244,861            261,769                    
   Operating expenses                         159,772             177,765           194,917            206,679                    
   Corporate SG&A                               9,067              11,487            10,263             11,813                
     Management Risk Adjustment(3)                  0                   0                 0                342(4)                 
   Other operating income (expense)               (72)                 46              (367)              (117)                   
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------
     EBITDA                                    31,648              37,939            39,314             42,818                    
   Depreciation                                 3,556               3,249             3,358              3,244                    
   Amortization                                 2,496               2,143             1,961              2,396                    
   Management EBIT Adjustment(3)                    0                   0                 0                 76                 
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------
     EBIT                                      25,596              32,547            33,995             37,102                    
   Interest income                                 85                  66               412                177                    
   Interest expense                             9,876               9,956             7,332              6,314                 95
   Management fee                               3,330               3,330             3,330              3,330             (3,330)
   MIPS dividends                                   0                   0                 0                  0             12,232 
   Other income (expense)                         450              (1,496)            1,071               (498)                   
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------
     EBT                                       12,925              17,831            24,816             27,137             (8,997)
   Income taxes                                   869                 100               537              1,065              6,942 
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------
     Net income                                12,056              17,731            24,279             26,072            (15,938)
   Minority interest in OLP                       187                 298               446                263               (263)
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------

     Net income available to common            11,869              17,433            23,833             25,809            (15,675)
   Extraordinary items                          6,637              12,111            20,285                  0              2,073(2)
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------           ---------
     Adjusted net income                      $18,506             $29,544           $44,118            $25,809           ($13,602)
                                            =========            =========        =========          =========           =========


                                                                   Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996                1997              1998               1999  
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>              <C>                <C>
INCOME STATEMENT

   Sales(1)                                  $648,199            $705,757          $766,494           $832,159
   Cost of sales                              386,430             420,872           457,018            496,630
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     Gross profit                             261,769             284,885           309,476            335,529
   Operating expenses                         206,679             221,854           238,910            257,502
   Corporate SG&A                              11,813              13,709            14,085             14,474
     Management Risk Adjustment(3)                342(4)            2,513(4)          6,000              8,600
   Other operating income (expense)              (117)               (190)             (175)              (172)
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     EBITDA                                    42,818              46,619            50,306             54,781
   Depreciation                                 3,244               3,242             3,340              3,402
   Amortization                                 2,396               2,052             1,732              1,645
   Management EBIT Adjustment(3)                   76(4)              180(4)              0                  0
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     EBIT                                      37,102              41,145            45,234             49,734
   Interest income                                177                 177               177                177
   Interest expense                             6,409               6,409             5,906              5,272
   Management fee                                   0                   0                 0                  0
   MIPS dividends                              12,232              12,232            12,232             12,232
   Other income (expense)                        (498)               (645)             (677)              (711)
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     EBT                                       18,140              22,036            26,596             31,697
   Income taxes                                 8,006               9,453            11,277             13,320
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     Net income                                10,134              12,583            15,319             18,377
   Minority interest in OLP                         0                   0                 0                  0
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     Net income available to common            10,134              12,583            15,319             18,377
   Extraordinary items                          2,073                   0                 0                  0
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
     Adjusted net income                      $12,207             $12,583           $15,319            $18,377
                                            =========            =========        =========          =========

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                   Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               2000                2001
                                            ---------           ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C> 
INCOME STATEMENT

   Sales(1)                                 $903,369             $981,413
   Cost of sales                             539,836              587,308
                                            ---------           ---------
     Gross profit                            363,533              394,105
   Operating expenses                        277,610              300,108
   Corporate SG&A                             14,875               15,290
     Management Risk Adjustment(3)            11,000               13,000
   Other operating income (expense)             (172)                (172)
                                            ---------           ---------
     EBITDA                                   59,876               65,535
   Depreciation                                3,480                3,557
   Amortization                                1,645                1,645
   Management EBIT Adjustment(3)                   0                    0
                                            ---------           ---------
     EBIT                                     54,751               60,333
   Interest income                               177                  177
   Interest expense                            4,514                3,579
   Management fee                                  0                    0
   MIPS dividends                             12,232               12,232
   Other income (expense)                       (747)                (784)
                                            ---------           ---------
     EBT                                      37,435               43,915
   Income taxes                               15,617               18,212
                                            ---------           ---------
     Net income                               21,818               25,703
   Minority interest in OLP                        0                    0
                                            ---------           ---------
     Net income available to common           21,818               25,703
   Extraordinary items                             0                    0
                                            ---------           ---------
     Adjusted net income                     $21,818              $25,703
                                            =========           =========

- ---------------------------------
Source: Company Consolidated July 1996 Projections
(1) Includes commission income.
(2) Extraordinary after tax loss from the early extinguishment of debt and deferred tax benefit.
(3) Consolidated 1996 and 1997 EBIT and EBITDA are adjusted per November 1996 Projections. Subsequent years are based on July 1996
    Projections, risk adjusted, and adjusted for revised corporate administrative costs and accrued deferred compensation expense.
(4) The 1996 and 1997 risk adjustment numbers reflect the management risk adjustment included in the November 1996 Projections and
    certain other differences between the November 1996 Projections and the July 1996 Projections. Sales and balance sheet
    adjustments were not changed from the July 1996 Projections.

</TABLE>
                                    Page 2-1
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONFIDENTIAL / DRAFT                                       Assumes Corporate Conversion                             Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P. 5 Year Projections

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)


                                                               Historical                            Projected 
                                            ----------------------------------------------          ----------- 
                                               1993                1994              1995               1996                 Adjust.
                                            ----------          ---------         --------          -----------            ---------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>                  <C>
BALANCE SHEET

Assets:
   Cash & equivalents                        $  1,327            $  4,903          $  5,900           $  5,900                      
   Accounts receivable                         80,006              77,521            75,824             79,167                      
   Inventories                                 95,617              92,653            96,022             97,498                      
   Other current assets                         5,294               6,703             4,742              4,551                      
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------            ------
    Total                                     182,244             181,780           182,488            187,116                     

   Net PP&E                                    29,629              27,514            20,181             20,291                   
   Net intangibles                             59,446              50,935            45,562             43,166                    
   Deferred income taxes                        1,410               2,144             2,844              2,844             7,500    
   Other assets                                   764               3,813             3,516              6,516 
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------            ------
   Total assets                              $273,493            $266,186          $254,591           $259,933            $7,500
                                            =========            =========        =========          =========            ======
Liabilities and Equity
   Accounts payable                          $ 50,333            $ 44,435          $ 42,437           $ 45,014                      
   Other current liabilities                   30,090              39,219            35,062             35,139           (11,149)(2)
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------            ------
    Total current liabilities                  80,423              83,654            77,499             80,153           (11,149)
 
   Total Debt(1)                              113,915              96,847            73,082             61,787            31,517
   Deferred compensation plan                   5,363               6,398             7,829              9,765
   Other liabilities                              910                  68             1,238              1,238      

   MIPS                                             0                   0                 0                  0           105,446
   Common shareholders equity                       0                   0                 0                  0          ( 11,324)
   Partners equity                             72,882              79,219            94,943            106,990          (106,990) 
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------            ------
    Total liabilities & equity               $273,493            $266,186          $254,591           $259,933            $7,500
                                            =========            =========        =========          =========            ======

                                                                     Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996                1997              1998               1999  
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>              <C>                <C>
BALANCE SHEET

Assets:
   Cash & equivalents                        $  5,900            $  5,900          $  5,900           $  5,900
   Accounts receivable                         79,167              86,128            92,967            100,592
   Inventories                                 97,498             104,346           111,036            119,186
   Other current assets                         4,551               4,716             4,921              5,086
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
    Total                                     187,116             201,090           214,824            230,764

   Net PP&E                                    20,291              20,849            21,579             22,357
   Net intangibles                             43,166              41,114            39,382             37,737
   Deferred income taxes                       10,344              10,107             9,779              9,410
   Other assets                                 6,516               9,516            12,516             15,516
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
   Total assets                              $267,433            $282,675          $298,080           $315,784
                                            =========            =========        =========          =========
Liabilities and Equity
   Accounts payable                          $ 45,014            $ 50,396          $ 54,578           $ 59,545
   Other current liabilities                   23,990              25,323            27,085             28,987
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
    Total current liabilities                  69,004              75,719            81,663             88,532

   Total Debt(1)                               93,304              86,117            77,056             66,236
   Deferred compensation plan                   9,765              12,896            16,100             19,377      
   Other liabilities                            1,238               1,238             1,238              1,238                      

   MIPS                                       105,446             105,446           105,446            105,446                      
   Common shareholders equity                 (11,324)              1,259            16,578             34,955                
   Partners equity                                  0                   0                 0                  0                      
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          --------- 
    Total liabilities & equity               $267,433            $282,675          $298,080           $315,784
                                            =========            =========        =========          =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               2000                2001
                                            ---------           ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C> 
BALANCE SHEET

Assets:
   Cash & equivalents                        $  5,900            $  5,900  
   Accounts receivable                        108,739             117,809  
   Inventories                                128,330             138,800 
   Other current assets                         5,211               5,311  
                                            ---------            --------- 
    Total                                     248,180             267,820  

   Net PP&E                                    23,207              24,030  
   Net intangibles                             36,092              34,447  
   Deferred income taxes                        9,057               8,724  
   Other assets                                18,516              21,516 
                                            ---------            --------- 
   Total assets                              $335,051            $356,537 
                                            =========            =========
Liabilities and Equity
   Accounts payable                          $ 64,955            $ 70,859 
   Other current liabilities                   31,033              33,278  
                                            ---------            --------- 
    Total current liabilities                  95,988             104,137
  
   Total Debt(1)                               52,876              37,080  
   Deferred compensation plan                  22,731              26,161 
   Other liabilities                            1,238               1,238  

   MIPS                                       105,446             105,446  
   Common shareholders equity                  56,773              82,476  
   Partners equity                                  0                   0 
                                            ---------            --------- 
    Total liabilities & equity               $335,051            $356,537  
                                            =========            =========

- -----------------------------------
(1) Includes current portion.
(2) Represents distribution and management fees payable (balance as of 1995 year end.)

</TABLE>
                                    Page 2-2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONFIDENTIAL / DRAFT                                       Assumes Corporate Conversion                             Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P. 5 Year Projections

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)


                                                               Historical                            Projected 
                                            ----------------------------------------------          ----------- 
                                               1993                1994              1995               1996                 Adjust.
                                            ----------          ---------         --------          -----------            ---------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>                  <C>
CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Cash Flow From Operations:
  Net Income                                 $18,506             $29,544           $44,118            $25,809             ($13,602) 
  Provision for deferred compensation            721               3,187             2,340              1,936                    0  
  Deferred taxes                                 208                (734)             (700)                 0                   47  
  Depreciation                                 3,556               3,249             3,358              3,244                    0  
  Amortization                                 2,496               2,143             1,961              2,396                    0  
  Minority Interest                              187                 298               446                263                 (263) 
  Extraordinary loss                               0                   0               629                  0               (2,073) 
  Other                                          783              (5,770)          (20,410)                 0                    0  
  Changes in working capital                  (2,886)            (14,213)          (14,690)            (1,974)                   0  
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------            ---------
    Net cash from operations                  23,571              17,704            17,052             31,675              (15,891) 
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------            ---------
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures                        (3,734)             (4,263)           (4,299)            (3,354)                      
  Other                                          439              27,513            35,085                  0                       
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------            ---------
    Net cash used by investing                (3,295)             23,250            30,786             (3,354)                    0 
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------            ---------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Issuance of senior notes                         0                   0                 0                  0                     0 
  Issuance of subordinated notes                   0                   0                 0                  0                     0 
  Bank debt borrowings (paydowns)                  0                   0                 0                  0                68,122 
  Revolver/other borrowings (paydowns)        (4,801)            (11,321)              (21)                 0                22,429 
  Repayment of senior notes                        0              (5,700)          (19,600)           (11,295)              (59,034)
  Repayment of subordinated notes                  0                   0                 0                 0                      0 
  Issuance of common stock                         0                   0                 0                 0                112,331 
  Issuance of MIPS                                 0                   0                 0                 0                105,446 
  Retirement of common stock                       0                                     0                 0                        
  Retirement of preferred stock                    0                   0                 0                 0                        
  Retirement of Class A interests                  0                   0                 0                 0               (119,875)
  Retirement of Class B interests                  0                   0                 0                 0                (94,831)
  Retirement of GP interest                        0                   0                 0                 0                 (1,935)
  Retirement of management fee                     0                   0                 0                 0                (15,565)
  Distributions/Dividends                    (14,940)            (20,357)          (27,218)          (14,026)                14,026 
  Investments in Rabbi Trust                       0                   0                 0            (3,000)
  Transaction costs                                0                   0                 0                 0                 (8,000)
  Other                                           47                   0                 0                 0                        
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------            ---------
   Net cash used by financing                (19,694)            (37,378)          (46,839)          (28,321)                23,113 
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------            ---------
  Cash increase(decrease)                       $582              $3,576              $999                $0                 $7,222 
                                            =========           =========         =========          =========            =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996                1997              1998               1999  
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>              <C>                <C>
CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Cash Flow From Operations:
  Net income                                 $12,207             $12,583           $15,319            $18,377 
  Provision for deferred compensation          1,936               3,131             3,204              3,278 
  Deferred taxes                                  47                 237               327                369 
  Depreciation                                 3,244               3,242             3,340              3,402 
  Amortization                                 2,396               2,052             1,732              1,645 
  Minority Interest                                0                   0                 0                  0 
  Extraordinary loss                          (2,073)                  0                 0                  0 
  Other                                            0                   0                 0                  0 
  Changes in working capital                  (1,974)             (7,259)           (7,791)            (9,071)
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------
    Net cash from operations                  15,784              13,987            16,132             18,000 
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures                        (3,354)             (3,800)           (4,070)            (4,180)
  Other                                            0                   0                 0                  0 
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------
    Net cash used by investing                 3,354)             (3,800)           (4,070)            (4,180)
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Issuance of senior notes                         0                   0                 0                  0 
  Issuance of subordinated notes                   0                   0                 0                  0 
  Bank debt borrowings (paydowns)             68,122              (7,187)           (9,062)           (10,820)
  Revolver/other borrowings (paydowns)        22,429                   0                 0                  0 
  Repayment of senior notes                  (70,329)                  0                 0                  0 
  Repayment of subordinated notes                  0                   0                 0                  0 
  Issuance of common stock                   112,331                   0                 0                  0 
  Issuance of MIPS                           105,446                   0                 0                  0 
  Retirement of common stock                       0                   0                 0                  0 
  Retirement of preferred stock                    0                   0                 0                  0 
  Retirement of Class A interests           (119,875)                  0                 0                  0 
  Retirement of Class B interests            (94,831)                  0                                    0 
  Retirement of GP interest                   (1,935)                  0                 0                  0 
  Retirement of management fee               (15,565)                  0                 0                    
  Distributions/Dividends                          0                   0                 0                  0 
  Investments in Rabbi Trust                  (3,000)             (3,000)           (3,000)            (3,000)
  Transaction costs                           (8,000)                  0                 0                  0 
  Other                                            0                   0                 0                  0
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------
   Net cash used by financing                 (5,207)            (10,187)          (12,062)           (13,820)
                                            ---------           ---------         ---------          ---------
  Cash increase(decreasc)                     $7,222                  $0                $0                 $0 
                                            =========           =========         =========          =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                   Projected Pro Forma
                                            -----------------------------
                                               2000                2001
                                            ---------           ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C> 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Cash Flow From Operations:
  Net income                                 $21,818              $25,703
  Provision for deferred compensation          3,353                3,430
  Deferred taxes                                 354                  332
  Depreciation                                 3,480                3,557
  Amortization                                 1,645                1,645
  Minority Interest                                0                    0
  Extraordinary loss                               0                    0
  Other                                            0
  Changes in working capital                  (9,960)             (11,491)
                                            ---------           ---------       
    Net cash from operations                  20,690               23,176
                                            ---------           ---------       
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures                        (4,330)              (4,380)
  Other                                            0                    0
                                            ---------           ---------       
    Net cash used by investing                (4,330)              (4,380)
                                            ---------           ---------       
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Issuance of senior notes                         0                    0
  Issuance of subordinated notes                   0                    0
  Bank debt borrowings (paydowns)            (13,360)             (15,796)
  Revolver/other borrowings (paydowns)             0                    0
  Repayment of senior notes                        0                    0
  Repayment of subordinated notes                  0                    0
  Issuance of common stock                         0                    0
  Issuance of MIPS                                 0                    0
  Retirement of common stock                       0                    0
  Retirement of preferred stock                    0                    0
  Retirement of Class A interests                  0                    0
  Retirement of Class B interests                  0
  Retirement of GP interest                        0                    0
  Retirement of management fee                     0                    0
  Distributions/Dividends                          0                    0
  Investments in Rabbi Trust                  (3,000)              (3,000)
  Transaction costs                                0                    0
  Other                                            0                    0
                                            ---------           ---------       
   Net cash used by financing                (16,360)             (18,796)
                                            ---------           ---------       
  Cash increase(decrease)                         $0                   $0
                                            =========           =========
</TABLE>
                                    Page 2-3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONFIDENTIAL / DRAFT                                       Assumes Corporate Conversion                             Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P. 5 Year Projections

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)


                                                               Historical                            Projected 
                                            ----------------------------------------------          ----------- 
                                               1993                1994              1995               1996                 Adjust.
                                            ----------          ---------         --------          -----------            ---------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>                  <C>
CONSOLIDATED

Growth rate assumptions
  Sales growth rate                             --                 13.2%             7.4%                8.1%                       
  EBITDA growth                                 --                 19.9%             3.6%                8.9%                       
  EBIT growth                                   --                 27.2%             4.4%                9.1%                       
  Net income growth                             --                 46.9%            36.7%                8.3%                       

Margin assumptions
  Gross margin                                40.6%                40.7%            40.8%               40.4%                       
  Operating expenses as a % of sales          32.4%                31.8%            32.5%               31.9%                       
  SG&A as a % of sales                         1.8%                 2.1%             1.7%                1.8%                       
  EBITDA margin                                6.4%                 6.8%             6.6%                6.6%                       
  Taxes as a % of EBT                            NM                   NM               NM                3.9%                       
  Net income margin                            4.1%                 5.3%             6.7%                6.7%                       

Working capital assumptions
  Days receivable                             59.2                 50.6             46.1                44.6                        
  Inventory turns                              3.1                  3.6              3.7                 4.0                        
  Other current assets (% sales)               1.1%                 1.2%             0.8%                0.7%                       
  Days payables                                 --                 49.4             43.2                42.4                        
  Other current liabilities (% of sales)       6.1%                 7.0%             5.8%                5.4%                       
  Capex/depreciation                           1.1x                 1.3x             1.3x                1.0x                       

Segment revenue contribution analysis
  Technology services                         45.5%                46.6%            47.6%               46.4%        
  Kar Products / A&H Bolt                     20.1%                19.1%            19.0%               19.0%       
  SIMCO / Special-T Metals                     3.8%                 3.8%             4.1%                4.8%       
  Hillman Fasteners                           11.5%                13.0%            14.1%               15.7%           
  Harding Glass Industries                    19.2%                17.4%            15.3%               14.1%          
                                            --------             --------         --------            --------
                                             100.0%               100.0%           100.0%              100.0%         



                                                                       Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996                1997              1998               1999  
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>              <C>                <C>
CONSOLIDATED

Growth rate assumptions
  Sales growth rate                            8.1%                 8.9%             8.6%                8.6%   
  EBITDA growth                                8.9%                 8.9%             7 9%                8.9%   
  EBIT growth                                  9.1%                10.9%             9.9%                9.9%   
  Net income growth                          (57.5%)               24.2%            21.7%               20.0%  

Margin assumptions
  Gross margin                                40.4%                40.4%            40.4%               40.3%  
  Operating expenses as a % of sales          31.9%                31.4%            31.2%               30.9%  
  SG&A as a % of sales                         1.8%                 1.9%             1.8%                1.7%   
  EBITDA margin                                6.6%                 6.6%             6.6%                6.6%   
  Taxes as a % of EBT                         44.1%                42.9%            42.4%               42.0%  
  Net income margin                            2.6%                 3.0%             3.4%                3.7%   

Working capital assumptions
  Days receivable                             44.6                 44.5             44.3                44.1   
  Inventory turns                              4.0                  4.0              4.1                 4.2 
  Other current assets (% sales)               0.7%                 0.7%             0.6%                0.6%   
  Days payables                               42.4                 43.0             43.0                43.1   
  Other current liabilities (% of sales)       5.4%                 3.6%             3.5%                3.5%   
  Capex/depreciation                           1.0x                 1.2x             1.2x                1.2x   

Segment revenue contribution analysis
  Technology services                         46.4%                46.0%            45.7%               45.5%  
  Kar Products / A&H Bolt                     19.0%                18.7%            18.4%               18.1%  
  SIMCO / Special-T Metals                     4.8%                 5.4%             5.9%                6.4%   
  Hillman Fasteners                           15.7%                16.5%            17.1%               17.8%  
  Harding Glass Industries                    14.1%                13.3%            12.8%               12.2%  
                                            --------             --------         --------            --------
                                             100.0%               100.0%           100.0%              100.0%    

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 Projected Pro Forma
                                            -----------------------------
                                               2000                2001
                                            ---------           ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C> 
CONSOLIDATED

Growth rate assumptions
  Sales growth rate                           8.6%                 8.6%
  EBITDA growth                               9.3%                 9.5%
  EBIT growth                                10.1%                10.2%
  Net income growth                          18.7%                17.8%

Margin assumptions
  Gross margin                               40.2%                40.2%
  Operating expenses as a % of sales         30.7%                30.6%
  SG&A as a % of sales                        1.6%                 1.6%
  EBITDA margin                               6.6%                 6.7%
  Taxes as a % of EBT                        41.7%                41.5%
  Net income margin                           4.0%                 4.4%

Working capital assumptions
  Days receivable                            43.9                 43.8
  Inventory turns                             4.2                  4.2
  Other current assets (% sales)              0.6%                 0.5%
  Days payables                              43.2                 43.3
  Other current liabilities (% of sales)      3.4%                 3.4%
  Capex/depreciation                         1.2x                  1.2x

Segment revenue contribution analysis
  Technology services                       45.3%                 45.0%
  Kar Products / A&H Bolt                   17.7%                 17.4%
  SIMCO / Special-T Metals                   6.9%                  7.5%
  Hillman Fasteners                         18.2%                 18.7%
  Harding Glass Industries                  11.8%                 11.4%
                                           --------             -------- 
                                           100.0%                100.0%

</TABLE>
                                    Page 2-4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONFIDENTIAL / DRAFT                                       Assumes Corporate Conversion                             Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P. 5 Year Projections

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)


                                                               Historical                            Projected 
                                            ----------------------------------------------          ----------- 
                                               1993                1994              1995               1996                 Adjust.
                                            ----------          ---------         --------          -----------            ---------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>                  <C>
CONSOLIDATED CONT'D

Consolidated working capital
  Accounts receivable                        $80,006             $77,521          $75,824             $79,167                       
  Inventory                                   95,617              92,653           96,022              97,498                       
  Other current assets                         5,294               6,703            4,742               4,551                       
  Accounts payable                            50,333              44,435           42,437              45,014                       
  Other current liabilities                   30,090              39,219           35,062              35,139              (11,149) 

  Change in Working Capital                                       (7,271)           5,866               1,974                       

Leverage ratios
  Total debt / EBITDA                           3.6x                2.6x             1.9x                1.4x                       
  Total debt + pref / EBITDA                      NA                  NA               NA                  NA                       
  Total debt / book capitalization             61.0%               55.0%            43.5%               36.6%                       
  (Total debt + pref.) / book capitalization      NA                  NA               NA                  NA                       

  EBITDA / interest                             3.2x                3.8x             5.4x                6.8x                       
  EBITDA / (interest +Class A)                  1.4x                1.7x             2.0x                2.3x                       
  EBITDA / (int.+Class A+Mgmt Fee)              1.2x                1.5x             1.7x                2.0x                       
  EBITDA / (interest+Preferred)                   NA                  NA               NA                  NA                       
  EBITDA /(senior int.)                           NA                  NA               NA                6.8x                       

  (EBITDA-capex) / interest                     2.8x                3.4x             4.8x                6.3x                       
  (EBITDA-capex) / (interest +Class A)          1.3x                1.5x             1.8x                2.1x                       
  (EBITDA-capex) / (int.+Class. A+Mgmt Fee)     1.1x                1.3x             1.5x                1.8x                       
  (EBITDA-capex) / (int. +preferred)            2.8x                3.4x             4.8x                6.3x                       
  (EBITDA-capex) / (senior int.)                  NA                  NA               NA                  NA                       




                                                                    Projected Pro Forma
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996                1997              1998               1999  
                                            ---------            ---------        ---------          ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>              <C>                <C>
CONSOLIDATED CONT'D

Consolidated working capital
  Accounts receivable                        $79,167              $86,128          $92,967           $100,592    
  Inventory                                   97,498              104,346          111,036            119,186   
  Other current assets                         4,551                4,716            4,921              5,086    
  Account% payable                            45,014               50,396           54,578             59,545    
  Other current liabilities                   23,990               25,323           27,085             28,987 

  Change in Working Capital                    1,974                7,259            7,791              9,071    

Leverage ratios
  Total debt / EBITDA                           2.2x                 1.8x             1.5x               1.2x    
  Total debt + pref / EBITDA                    4.6x                 4.1x             3.6x               3.1x  
  Total debt / book capitalization             49.8%                44.7%            38.7%              32.1%    
  (Total debt + pref.) / book capitalization  106.0%                99.3%            91.7%              83.1%    

  EBITDA / interest                             6.7x                 7.3x             8.5x              10.4x   
  EBITDA / (interest +Class A)                    NA                   NA               NA                 NA      
  EBITDA / (int.+Class A+Mgmt Fee)                NA                   NA               NA                 NA      
  EBITDA / (interest+Preferred)                 2.3x                 2.5x             2.8x               3.1x  
  EBITDA /(senior int.)                         8.9x                 9.7x            11.7x              14.9x   

  (EBITDA-capex) / interest                     6.2x                 6.7x             7.8x               9.6x    
  (EBITDA-capex) / (interest +Class A)            NA                   NA               NA                 NA      
  (EBITDA-capex) / (int.+Class. A+Mgmt Fee)       NA                   NA               NA                 NA      
  (EBITDA-capex) / (int. +preferred)            2.1x                 2.3x             2.5x               2.9x    
  (EBITDA-capex) / (senior int.                 8.2x                 8.9x            10.7x              13.8x 


</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 Projected Pro Forma
                                            -----------------------------
                                               2000                2001
                                            ---------           ---------
<S>                                            <C>                  <C> 
CONSOLIDATED CONT'D

Consolidated working capital
  Accounts receivable                        $108,739            $117,809
  Inventory                                   128,330             138,800
  Other current assets                          5,211               5,311
  Account% payable                             64,955              70,859
  Other current liabilities                    31,033              33,278

  Change in Working Capital                     9,960              11,491

Leverage ratios
  Total debt / EBITDA                            0.9x                0.6x
  Total debt + pref / EBITDA                     2.6x                2.2x
  Total debt / book capitalization              24.6%               16.5%
  (Total debt + pref.) / book capitalization    73.6%               63.3%

  EBITDA / interest                             13.3x               18.3x
  EBITDA / (interest +Class A)                     NA                  NA
  EBITDA / (int.+Class A+Mgmt Fee)                 NA                  NA
  EBITDA / (interest+Preferred)                  3.6x                4.1x
  EBITDA /(senior int. )                        20.5x               33.0x

  (EBITDA-capex) / interest                     12.3x               17.1x
  (EBITDA-capex) / (interest +Class A)             NA                  NA
  (EBITDA-capex) / (int.+Class. A+Mgmt Fee)        NA                  NA
  (EBITDA-capex) / (int. +preferred)             3.3x                3.9x
  (EBITDA-capex) / (senior int.                 19.0x               30.8x

</TABLE>
                                    Page 2-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>            
                                                                                                                 Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projection Reconciliation


                                                       July Projections                                  
                                -------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Sales                         Divisional EBIT      
                                ----------------------------      ---------------------------
                                  1996              1997              1996             1997   
                                ----------       -----------      ----------      -----------
<S>                              <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>      
  Technology Services            $300,555        $324,573           $19,594          $22,708  
  Kar Products / A&H Bolt(1)      123,042         132,194            17,991           19,468  
  SIMCO / Special-T Metals         31,195          38,058               982            1,507  
  Hillman Fastener                101,937         116,718             9,291           11,525  
  Harding Glass                    91,470          94,214             3,916            4,439  
  Management Risk Adjustment            0               0            (2,000)          (6,000) 
                                ---------        --------         ---------       ----------
  Total Operating Divisions      $648,199        $705,757           $49,774          $53,647  

Corporate and Other Adjustments
  Deferred Compensation                                               2,436            2,558  
  Insurance, net                                                        992              350  
  Compensation Expense                                                2,899            3,044  
  Depreciation Expense                                                   45               47  
  All other Administrative costs                                      5,486            5,760
                                                                  ---------       ----------  
        Total Administrative Expenses                                11,858           11,759  
  Total Amortization                                                  2,396            2,052  
  Other GAAP Expenses(2)                                                498              645  


  GAAP EBIT                                                         $35,022          $39,191  



                                                       November Projections(3)
                                -------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Sales                       Divisional EBIT
                                -------------------------------   ---------------------------
                                  1996              1997              1996             1997
                                ----------       -----------      ----------      -----------
  Technology Services            $300,400        $324,200           $17,931          $25,157
  Kar Products / A&H Bolt(1)      123,200         131,000            19,150           21,450
  SIMCO / Special-T Metals         34,500          56,000(4)            613            1,591
  Hillman Fastener               (104,500)        124,000             9,648           13,350
  Harding Glass                    91,034          95,500             3,587            4,800
  Management Risk Adjustment            0               0            (1,254)          (8,800)
                                ---------        --------         ---------       ----------
  Total Operating Divisions      $653,634        $730,700           $49,675          $57,548

Corporate and Other Adjustments
  Deferred Compensation                                               1,760            3,631
  Insurance, net                                                        495              142
  Compensation Expense                                                2,298            3,054
  Depreciation Expense                                                   54               55
  All other Administrative costs                                      5,182            6,827
                                                                  ---------       ----------
        Total Administrative Expenses                                 9,789           13,709
  Total Amortization                                                  2,362            2,069
  Other GAAP Expenses(2)                                                422              625


  GAAP EBIT                                                         $37,102          $41,145

- ----------------------------------
(1) 1996 and 1997 July Divisional EBIT Projections does not include management fee income of $360 and $360, respectively.
(2) Note that for the purpose of the Model, Smith Barney treats these expenses as other income, below the EBIT line.
(3) In November 1996, the division heads were asked to update 1996 and 1997 Sales and EBIT projections, which when combined with new
    management Risk Adjustments and estimates of corporate expenses, produced revised earnings estimates.
(4) Increase in 1997 Sales projections principally results from $15.0 MM of additional break-even sales at SIMCO.

</TABLE>

                                    Page 2-6

<PAGE>


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation Summary

o Valuation parameters of Company based on current management projections and
  assuming corporate conversion

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                             <C>
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                     ---
                                                                     | |
Current Trading Value                                                | |
                                                                     ---


                                                                ----------------------
                                                                |                    |
Comparable Trading Multiples                                    |                    |
                                                                ----------------------
                                                              


                                                                           --------------------
DCF (EBITDA multiples)                                                     |                  |
                                                                           |                  |
                                                                           --------------------


                                                       -------------------------
DCF (perpetuity growth rates)                          |                       |
                                                       |                       |
                                                       -------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 $100      $150      $200      $250      $300      $350      $400      $450      $500   

                                                                   Enterprise Value ($ MM)

</TABLE>
                                    Page 3-1
<PAGE>


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation Summary


Multiple Valuation Analysis: Assuming Corporate Conversion

Based on Comparable Trading Multiples(1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Multiple Range(2)        Total Enterprise Value                           Total Equity Value
                                  ----------------------   --------------------------            Net       -------------------------
                       Value       Mean          Median      Mean            Median         Debt & Pref.    Mean             Median
                     ---------   -------        --------   ---------       ----------      -------------   -------          --------
<S>                     <C>        <C>             <C>        <C>              <C>               <C>         <C>                <C>
LTM EBITDA            $39,111      7.2x           6.5x     $281,599         $254,222          $192,850     $88,749           $61,371
FY+1 EBITDA            42,818      6.6x           6.lx      282,599          261,190           192,850      89,749            68,340
FY+2 EBITDA            46,619      6.2x           5.9x      289,038          275,052           192,850      96,188            82,202

FY+1 Net Income        10,134     12.8x          12.0x      322,564          314,457           192,850     129,714           121,607
FY+2 Net Income        12,583     11.6x          11.7x      338,814          340,072           192,850     145,964           147,222

</TABLE>
- ----------------------------------
(1) Based on comparable companies: B, BMCW, BER, CABP, HUG, LAWS, NCH, and RXL.
(2) As of 12/6/96 and LTM ended 9/30/96.

<PAGE>


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation Summary


Unlevered DCF Valuation Analysis: Assuming Corporate Conversion using Terminal
Values Based off of 2001 EBITDA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                           Projected 
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1997               1998              1999                2000               2001
                              ----------         ----------        ----------         -----------          ----------
<S>                              <C>                 <C>               <C>                <C>                  <C>
Sales                          $705,757           $766,494          $832,159            $903,369            $981,413
EBITDA                           46,619             50,306            54,781              59,876              65,535
EBIT                           $ 41,145           $ 45,234          $ 49,734            $ 54,751            $ 60,333
Management Fee                        0                  0                 0                   0                   0
Income Taxes                    (16,458)           (18,093)          (19,894)            (21,900)            (24,133)
                              ----------         ----------        ----------         -----------          ----------
   Unlevered Net Income          24,687             27,140            29,841              32,850              36,200
D&A                               5,294              5,072             5,047               5,125               5,202
Capital expenditures             (3,800)            (4,070)           (4,180)             (4,330)             (4,380)
Investment in Rabbi Trust        (3,000)            (3,000)           (3,000)             (3,000)             (3,000)
Changes in working capital       (7,259)            (7,791)           (9,071)             (9,960)            (11,491)
                              ----------         ----------        ----------         -----------          ----------
   Free Cash Flow              $ 15,922           $ 17,351          $ 18,636            $ 20,686            $ 22,530
                              ==========         ==========        ==========         ===========          ==========


                                             
Discounted Free Cash Flows(1)                   
                                             
    Discount            PV of free              
     Rate               cash flows              
   ---------           ------------
      9.0%               $76,110            
     10.0%                74,397            
     11.0%                72,750            
                                             

Cap. Structure Adj.                          

                        Pro forma               
                         12/31/96              
                       -----------
   Total debt            $93,304            
   Class A's                   0           
   MIPS                  105,446            
   Cash                   (5,900)           
                       -----------
   Total                $192,850             
                       ===========                                             
                                             
</TABLE>
                                                            
<PAGE>
                                                            
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            
                                                            
Discounted Terminal Value
                                           EBITDA exit multiple
          Discount       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Rate             6.0x                6.5x               7.0x                7.5x
        ---------        ---------            -----------        ----------          -----------
           <S>              <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
           9.0%          $255,558              $276,855           $298,151            $319,448
          10.0%           244,151               264,497            284,843             305,189
          11.0%           233,350               252,796            272,242             291,687

Total Enterprise Value (TEV)
                                           EBITDA exit multiple
          Discount       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Rate             6.0x                6.5x               7.0x                7.5x
        ---------        ---------            -----------        ----------          -----------
           <S>              <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
           9.0%          $331,668              $352,965           $374,262            $395,558
          10.0%           318,549               338,894            359,240             379,586
          11.0%           306,100               325,546            344,991             364,437

Common Equity Value
                                           EBITDA exit multiple
          Discount       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Rate             6.0x                6.5x               7.0x                7.5x
        ---------        ---------            -----------        ----------          -----------
           <S>              <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
           9.0%           $138,818             $160,115           $181,411            $202,708
          10.0%            125,699              146,044            166,390             186,736
          11.0%            113,250              132,696            152,141             171,587

                                                                                                               
Common Equity Value Class B Units(2)                                                                           
                                           EBITDA exit multiple
          Discount       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Rate             6.0x                6.5x               7.0x                7.5x
        ---------        ---------            -----------        ----------          -----------
           <S>              <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
          9.0%          $117,192               $135,171           $153,150            $171,129       
         10.0%           106,116                123,293            140,469             157,645        
         11.0%            95,607                112,023            128,440             144,856      


Per Share Common Equity Value Class B Units(2)
                                           EBITDA exit multiple
          Discount       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Rate             6.0x                6.5x               7.0x                7.5x
        ---------        ---------            -----------        ----------          -----------
           <S>              <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
           9.0%            $5.41                $6.24               $7.07              $7.89
          10.0%            $4.90                $5.69               $6.48              $7.27
          11.0%            $4.41                $5.17               $5.93              $6.68

- ------------------------------
(1) Discounted back to 1/1/97, assuming mid-year convention.
(2) Represents the value of the common stock to be received.

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation Summary


Unlevered DCF Valuation Analysis: Assuming Corporate Conversion using Terminal
Values Based on Perpetuity Growth Rates

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Projected
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1997             1998           1999            2000              2001
                                ----------       ----------     ----------      ----------       ----------
<S>                                <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
Sales                            $705,757         $766,494       $832,159        $903,369         $981,413
EBITDA                             46,619           50,306         54,781          59,876           65,535
EBIT                             $ 41,145         $ 45,234       $ 49,734        $ 54,751         $ 60,333
Management Fee                          0                0              0               0                0
Income Taxes                      (16,458)         (18,093)       (19,894)        (21,900)         (24,133)
                                ----------       ----------     ----------      ----------       ----------
  Unlevered Net Income             24,687           27,140         29,841          32,850           36,200
D&A                                 5,294            5,072          5,047           5,125            5,202
Capital expenditures               (3,800)          (4,070)        (4,180)         (4,330)          (4,380)
Investment in Rabbi Trust          (3,000)          (3,000)        (3,000)         (3,000)          (3,000)
Changes in working capital         (7,259)          (7,791)        (9,071)         (9,960)         (11,491)
                                ----------       ----------     ----------      ----------       ----------
  Free Cash Flow                 $ 15,922         $ 17,351        $18,636         $20,686         $ 22,530
                                ==========       ==========     ==========      ==========       ==========



                                                      
 Discounted Free Cash Flows(l)            
                                                      
                 Discount      PV of free              
                  Rate         cash flows              
                ---------     ------------
                   9.0%          $76,110             
                  10.0%           74,397            
                  11.0%           72,750       
                                                      
 Capital Structure Adjustments            
                                 Pro forma              
                                 12/31/96              
                               ------------
               Total debt         $93,304             
               Class A's                0             
               MIPS               105,446            
               Cash                (5,900)            
                               ------------
               Total             $192,850             
                               ============                                                      

</TABLE>
                                                      
<PAGE>
                                                      
                                                      
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      
                                                      
                                                      

     Discounted Terminal Value
                                   Perpetuity Growth Rate
         Discount      --------------------------------------------
           Rate            1.0%             2.0%            3.0%
        ----------     ----------       -----------      ----------
<S>        <C>          <C>              <C>              <C>     
           9.0%         $183,039         $209,188         $244,052
          10.0%          155,439          174,869          199,850
          11.0%          133,706          148,562          167,133

     Total Enterprise Value (TEV)
                                   Perpetuity Growth Rate
         Discount      --------------------------------------------
           Rate            1.0%             2.0%            3.0%
        ----------     ----------       -----------      ----------
           9.0%         $259,149         $285,298        $320,162
          10.0%          229,836          249,266         274,247
          11.0%          206,456          221,312         239,882

     Common Equity Value
                                   Perpetuity Growth Rate
         Discount      --------------------------------------------
           Rate             1.0%            2.0%            3.0%
        ----------     ----------       -----------      ----------
           9.0%          $66,299          $92,448         $127,312
          10.0%           36,986           56,416           81,397
          11.0%           13,606           28,462           47,032

     Common Equity Value to B Units(2)                           
                                   Perpetuity Growth Rate
         Discount      --------------------------------------------
           Rate             1.0%            2.0%            3.0%
        ----------     ----------       -----------      ----------
           9.0%          $55,971          $78,045        $107,478  
          10.0%           31,224           47,627          68,717
          11.0%           11,486           24,028          39,705  



     Per Share Common Equity Value Class B Units(2)
                                   Perpetuity Growth Rate
         Discount      --------------------------------------------
           Rate             1.0%            2.0%            3.0%
        ----------     ----------       -----------      ----------
           9.0%           $2.58            $3.60            $4.96
          10.0%           $1.44            $2.20            $3.17
          11.0%           $0.53            $1.11            $1.83


- ---------------------------
(1) Uses mid-year convention back to 1977.
(2) Represents the value of the common stock to be received.

</TABLE>





<PAGE>



                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation Matrix


o Based upon the valuation analysis described in Tab 3, the range of post
conversion per share values for the common stock is $4.50 - $6.50.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 SDP Class B
                                   12/6/96                                    Assumed Value per Share
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Price Per Share                    $4.38     $4.50     $4.75      $5.00     $5.25     $5.50     $5.75     $6.00     $6.25     $6.50

Premium                                       2.9%      8.6%      14.3%     20.0%     25.7%     31.4%     37.1%     42.9%     48.6%

- ----------------------------
Shares Outstanding   25,676
- ----------------------------
<S>                               <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Equity Value                    $112,331    $115,541    $121,960     $128,379    $134,798   $141,217    $147,636    $154,054

Plus: Debt (Pro Forma 12/31/96)   93,304      93,304      93,304       93,304      93,304     93,304      93,304      93,304 

Plus: MIPS (Pro Forma 12/31/96)  105,446     105,446     105,446      105,446     105,446    105,446     105,446     105,446

Less: Cash (Pro Forma 12/31/96)    5,900       5,900       5,900        5,900       5,900      5,900       5,900       5,900
                               ----------   ---------- ----------   ----------  ---------- ----------  ----------  ----------  
Enterprise Value                $305,181    $308,391    $314,810     $321,229    $327,648   $334,067    $340,486    $346,904
                               ==========   ========== ==========   ==========  ========== ==========  ==========  ==========

<S>                                 <C>       <C>
Equity Value                     $160,473  $166,892

Plus: Debt (Pro Forma 12/31/96)    93,304    93,304

Plus: MIPS (Pro Forma 12/31/96)   105,446   105,446

Less: Cash (Pro Forma 12/31/96)     5,900     5,900
                                ---------- ---------
Enterprise Value                 $353,323  $359,742
                                ========== =========


               Pro Forma                                                     
               Financial                                                                                 Comparable Company    
               Statistic                                 Enterprise Value                                      Ranges(2)
              -----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
EBITDA                                                                                                      Median   Mean
                                                                                                         ---------- --------
<S>                <C>      <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>
 LTM(1)         $39,111     7.8x    7.9x    8.0x    8.2x    8.4x    8.5x    8.7x    8.9x    9.0x    9.2x     6.5x    7.2x
 1996E           42,818     7.1x    7.2x    7.4x    7.5x    7.7x    7.8x    8.0x    8.1x    8.3x    8.4x     6.1x    6.6x
 1997E           46,619     6.5x    6.6x    6.8x    6.9x    7.0x    7.2x    7.3x    7.4x    7.6x    7.7x     5.9x    6.2x

                                                         Equity Value
Net Income                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LTM(1)          10,236    11.0x   11.3x   11.9x   12.5x   13.2x   13.8x   14.4x   15.1x   15.7x   16.3x    13.0x   13.4x
 1996E           10,134    11.1x   11.4x   12.0x   12.7x   13.3x   13.9x   14.6x   15.2x   15.8x   16.5x    12.0x   12.8x
 1997E           12,583     8.9x    9.2x    9.7x   10.2x   10.7x   11.2x   11.7x   12.2x   12.8x   13.3x    11.7x   11.6x

- -------------------------
(1) LTM ended 9/30/96.
(2) Based on comparable companies: B, BMCW, BER, CABP, HUG, LAWS, NCH, and RXL as of 12/6/96.

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of Class A Interests


Current Value of Class A Limited Partnership Interests:
(In millions, except for per share/unit data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

o Market value:                                                                                        
                                                                                                     52 Week
                                                                      Current                       High / Low     
                                                            ----------------------------         ---------------
    <S>                                <C>                        <C>        <C>                       <C> 
    Class A units outstanding          11.100                                             
    Market price (as of 12/6/96)       $10.50                    Yield      10.48%                9.36% / 10.73%
                                      --------                  Price      $10.50                $11.75 / $10.25
            Total market value         $116.6                    


o Discounted cash flow analysis of Class A Units(1):

                                    Assuming           Assuming            Assuming          Assuming
                  Discount          Immediate        Liquidation         Liquidation      Liquidation
                   Rate            Liquidation       at y/e 1997         at y/e 2001      at y/e 2036
                 ----------       -------------     -------------       -------------    -------------
<S>                 <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>              <C> 
Total value         9.4%             $111.0            $112.7              $118.2           $129.3
  per share                          $10.00            $10.16              $10.65           $11.65
                                                                                                      -------------------------
Total value        10.5%             $111.0            $111.6              $113.2           $116.3     High (per share) $11.65
 per share                           $10.00            $10.05              $10.20           $10.47     Low (per share)  $ 8.83
                                                                                                      -------------------------
Total value        12.5%             $111.0            $109.4              $104.8            $98.0
 per share                           $10.00             $9.86               $9.44            $8.83

- -------------------------

(1) The Partnership Agreement provides that upon liquidation of the Partnership, holders of Class A Units will receive $10.00 per
    unit.

</TABLE>


Page 5-1

<PAGE>

                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of Class A Interests


o Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Class A Interests are being offered 0.38
  shares of Preferred Securities and $1.30 in cash (the "Class A
  Consideration"). The value of the Class A Consideration was compared to the
  value of the Class A Interests described on page 5-1

o The Preferred Securities were analyzed in relation to the trading value of the
  Class A Interests

o The change from no call life to a call in five years at par would have the
  following effect on yield:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                          <C>      <C>                                   <C>
Current Trading Price of Class A Interest   $10.50   Current Yield on Class A Interest          10.48%
11% Annual Dividend                          $1.10   Increase for Change in Call Protection(1)   0.93%
                                                                                              -------
                                                       Resulting Yield                          11.41%

</TABLE>

o For illustrative purposes, assuming the Preferred Securities trade to yield
  11.41%, the value to be received by a holder of a Class A Interest 
  would be calculated as follows:


Liquidation Value per Share           $25.00
11.6% Annual Dividend                  $2.90
Assumed Yield                         11.41%
Implied Price                         $25.42
Shares for each Class A Unit            0.38
                                     ---------
Implied value for each Class A Unit    $9.66
Cash for each Class A Unit              1.30
                                     ---------
 Total Consideration                  $10.96


o In addition to the changes in dividend rate and call protection, the following
  factors, among others, were also considered in analyzing the differences
  between the Preferred Securities and the Class A Interests:

  = Market risk associated with the Preferred Securities

  = Changes in other terms of the securities (e.g., potential for a 5 year
    dividend policy)

  = Changes in corporate governance (e.g., holders of Class A Interests could
    remove general partner)

o In comparing the value of the Class A Consideration with the value of the
  Class A Interests, the potention payment of taxes by holders of Class A
  Interests in the Conversion and the amount of monthly distributions payable
  were also considered.

- -----------------------------
(1) Based upon treasury yield curve as of December 6, 1996, interest rate
    volatility of 9% and a 40 year maturity.

<PAGE>

                                                               Project Sprinter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Analysis of Class A Interests


o   Consideration to holders of Class A Interests:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Yield to                                                  Yield to
                             Call Price(1)            Cash               Value         Maturity Price         Cash           Value
                             -------------       -------------       -----------      ----------------     ---------     ----------

<S>             <C>               <C>                  <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>   
                9.4%              $10.33               $1.30             $11.63            $11.59            $1.30          $12.89
Trading Yield   9.8%               10.17                1.30              11.47             11.15             1.30           12.45
of Preferred   10.2%               10.02                1.30              11.32             10.74             1.30           12.04
 Securities    10.6%                9.87                1.30              11.17             10.36             1.30           11.66
               11.0%                9.72                1.30              11.02             10.00             1.30           11.30
               11.4%                9.57                1.30              10.87              9.66             1.30           10.96
               11.6%                9.50                1.30              10.80              9.50             1.30           10.80
               11.8%                9.43                1.30              10.73              9.34             1.30           10.64
               12.2%                9.29                1.30              10.59              9.05             1.30           10.35


</TABLE>
 

      

- ------------------------------------
(1) Assumes a five year call at par.
       


Page 5-3                                                       SMITHBARNEY 



<PAGE>


                                                               Project Sprinter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Analysis of Class A Interests


Recent Trading Performance of the Class A Limited Partnership Interest:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                     Price / Volume Analysis for SunSource, L.P. Class A Units

                                                      Latest Twelve Months
<S>  <C>                                                                                                                  <C>   
     70,000--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$12.00


V    60,000                           *
                                                                                                                         $11.50  P
O                             *              *        *
     50,000                                                   *                                                    *             R
L                                                                          *        *             
             *                                                                                                                   I
U    40,000                                                                              *        *        *             $11.00
                                                                                                                                 C
M                       
     30,000                                                                                                            *         E
E                                                                                                                        $10.50

     20,000 

                                                                                                                         $10.00
     10,000 


          O-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $9.50
             
       12/6/95  1/3/96  1/31/96  2/28/96  3/27/96  4/24/96  5/22/96  6/19/96  7/17/96  8/14/96  9/11/96  10/9/96  11/6/96  12/4/96  
              
                                                      ====== Volume   ----- Closing Price  

</TABLE>
                           


Source: IDD Information Services / Tradeline


Page 5-4                                                            SMITHBARNEY


<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of Class B Interests

Current Value of Class B Limited Partnership Interests:
(in millions, except for per share/unit data)

 o Market value:

   Class B units outstanding           21.676                          52 Week 
                                                       Current        High/Low
                                                    --------------   ----------
   Market price (as of 12/6/96)        $4.375  Price     $4.375     $5.125/$4.00
                                      -------
         Total market value            $94.83

Recent Trading Performance of the Class B Limited Partnership Interest:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Price / Volume Analysis for SunSource, L.P. Class B Units 
                                                           Latest Twelve Months
<S>                                                                                                                       <C>  
   70,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$5.50
V  60,000                                                                                                                       P
o  50,000 -                                                                                                              -$5.00 r
l  40,000                                                                                                                       i
u  30,000 -                                                                                                              -$4.50 c
m  20,000                                                                                                                       e
e  10,000 -                                                                                                              -$4.00
       0 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$3.50
         12/6/95 1/3/96 1/31/96 2/28/96 3/27/96 4/24/96 5/22/96 6/19/96 7/17/96 8/14/96 9/11/96 10/9/96 11/6/96 12/4/96

                                                      ---------------------------------
                                                       ==== Volume  ---- Closing Price
                                                      ---------------------------------
                                                                                                                            S
</TABLE>

                                                                          [LOGO]
Page 6-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Project Sprinter
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of Class B Interests

Unlevered DCF Valuation Analysis: Assuming No Conversion using Terminal Values Based off of 2001 EBITDA

                                                                       Projected
                                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------      
                                           1997             1998              1999            2000             2001
                                          ------           ------            ------          ------           ------ 
<S>                                       <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>              <C>     
           Sales                          $705,757        $766,494          $832,159        $903,369         $981,413
           EBITDA                           46,619          50,306            54,781          59,876           65,535
           EBIT                           $ 41,145        $ 45,234          $ 49,734        $ 54,751         $ 60,333
           Management Fee                   (3,330)         (3,330)           (3,330)         (3,330)          (3,330)
           Income Taxes                        154         (13,962)          (16,035)        (18,370)         (21,016)
                                          --------        --------          --------        --------         --------
              Unlevered Net Income          37,969          27,942            30,369          33,051           35,986
           DD&A                              5,294           5,072             5,047           5,125            5,202
           Capital expenditures             (3,800)         (4,070)           (4,180)         (4,330)          (4,380)
           Investment in Rabbi Trust        (3,000)         (3,000)           (3,000)         (3,000)          (3,000)
           Changes in working capital       (7,259)         (7,791)           (9,071)         (9,960)         (11,491)
                                          --------        --------          --------        --------         --------
              Free Cash Flow               $29,204         $18,153           $19,165         $20,886          $22,317
                                          ========        ========          ========        ========         ========

       Discounted Free
          Cash Flows                             Discounted Terminal Value 
- ----------------------------------               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                EBITDA exit multiple                               
   Discount        PV of free                         Discount      ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Rate          cash flows                           Rate            5.5x              6.0x             6.5x             7.0x
- --------------   -----------------               -----------------  -----------       ------------     -----------      ------------
       11.5%           $85,618                          11.5%         $198,523          $216,571         $234,619         $252,666  
       12.5%            83,990                          12.5%          189,856           207,115          224,375          241,634  
       13.5%            82,421                          13.5%          181,638           198,151          214,663          231,176  
- ----------------------------------               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                 Total Enterprise Value (TEV)                                                       
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                EBITDA exit multiple                               
                                                      Discount      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Rate            5.5x              6.0x             6.5x             7.0x    
                                                 -----------------  -----------       ------------     -----------      ------------
                                                       11.5%          $284,141          $302,189         $320,237         $338,284  
                                                       12.5%           273,845           291,105          308,365          325,624  
                                                       13.5%           264,059           280,571          297,084          313,596  
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Cap Structure AdJ                          Total Equity Value                                                       
- ----------------------------------               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Pro forma                                                 EBITDA exit multiple                               
                      12/31/96                        Discount      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                     ----------                         Rate            5.5x              6.0x             6.5x             7.0x    
  Total debt          $61,787                    -----------------  -----------       ------------     -----------      ------------
  Class A's           110,996                          11.5%          $228,254          $246,302         $264,350         $282,397  
  MIPS                      0                          12.5%           217,958           235,218          252,478          269,737  
  Cash                 (5,900)                         13.5%           208,172           224,684          241,197          257,709  
                      --------                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total adj.         $166,883
- ----------------------------------               
                                  
                                                 Value to GP (2)                                                                    
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               EBITDA exit multiple                                
                                                      Discount      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Rate            5.5x              6.0x             6.5x             7.0x    
                                                 -----------------  -----------       ------------     -----------      ------------
                                                       11.5%          $4,542              $4,901         $5,261            $5,620   
                                                       12.5%           4,337               4,681          5,024             5,368   
                                                       13.5%           4,143               4,471          4,800             5,128   
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                             <C>

                                                 Equity Value of Class A and Class B Interests                                      
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               EBITDA exit multiple                                
                                                      Discount      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Rate            5.5x              6.0x             6.5x             7.0x    
                                                 -----------------  -----------       ------------     -----------      ------------
                                                       11.5%         $223,712           $241,401         $259,089         $276,777  
                                                       12.5%          213,621            230,537          247,453          264,370  
                                                       13.5%          204,029            220,213          236,397          252,581  
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                 Equity Value of Class B Interests                                      
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               EBITDA exit multiple                                
                                                      Discount      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Rate            5.5x              6.0x             6.5x             7.0x    
                                                 -----------------  -----------       ------------     -----------      ------------
                                                       11.5%          $112,716         $130,405          $148,093         $165,782 
                                                       12.5%           102,625          119,542           136,458          153,374 
                                                       13.5%            93,033          109,217           125,401          141,585 
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Discounted back to 1/1/97, assuming mid-year convention, terminal value
    adjusted for the effect of the management fee when the Partnership is
    maintained.
(2) Reflects 1.99% of Total Equity Value.

Page 6-2                                                                        
                                                                          [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Analysis of General Partner Interest and Management Fee

 o  In determining the amount of value to be given for the management fee, the 
    following factors, among others, were considered:

    == the accelerated timing of the receipt of the consideration by the General
       Partner

    == the illiquidity of the management contract

    == the potential elimination of the management fee in the event of: (a) a 
       liquidation or sale of the Partnership, or (b) removal of the General
       Partner by a vote of 80% of the unaffiliated partners

    == the subordination of the management fee to the Class A distributions 

    == the services provided by the General Partner


 Management Fee:
 ---------------                                                                
- ----------------------       ----------------------       ----------------------
                                    Discount
 Annual Distribution                  Rate                        NPV
- ----------------------       ----------------------       ----------------------

       $3.33                                  9.4%               $35.6
                                             10.5%                31.8
                                             12.5%                26.6

                             -----------------------      ----------------------
                               LTM EBITDA Multiple               Value
                             -----------------------      ----------------------
       $3.33                   Median         6.5x               $21.6
                               Mean           7.2x               $24.0

                             -----------------------      ----------------------
                             LTM Net Income Multiple             Value
                             -----------------------      ----------------------
       $3.33(1)                Median        13.0x               $26.0
                               Mean          13.4x               $26.8

 1.99% Interest:
 ---------------
                              High            Low
                            ---------       -------
 Enterprise Value            $356.3          $280.6       ----------------------
 Less: Net Debt                55.9            55.9              Value
                             ------          ------       ----------------------
                             $300.4          $224.7        High           Low

 G.P. 1.99% Interest                                       $6.0          $4.5

o The total potential value attributed to the General Partner's 1.99% interest 
  and management fee ranges from $26.1 MM to $41.6 MM

     
- ---------------------


(1)  Note that management fee is tax effected at a 40% corporate tax rate for
     purposes of this valuation.


Page 7-1 

                                                                          [LOGO]

<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Analysis of General Partner Interest and Management Fee

Shares to be Received for the 1.99% G.P. Interest and the Management Fee
(Share Amounts in Thousands)


                Potential Value of 1.99% G.P. Interest and Management Fee ($MM)
             -------------------------------------------------------------------
                      $25.0             $30.0            $35.0            $40.0
             --------------     -------------     ------------     -------------
 S    $3.00           8,333            10,000           11,667           13,333
 h    $3.50           7,143             8,571           10,000           11,429
 a    $4.00           6,250             7,500            8,750           10,000
 r           -------------------------------------------------------------------
 e    $4.50           5,556             6,667            7,778            8,889
      $5.00           5,000             6,000            7,000            8,000
 P    $5.50           4,545             5,455            6,364            7,273
 r    $6.00           4,167             5,000            5,833            6,667
 i    $6.50           3,846             4,615            5,385            6,154
 c           -------------------------------------------------------------------
 e    $7.00           3,571             4,286            5,000            5,714
      $7.50           3,333             4,000            4,667            5,333
      $8.00           3,125             3,750            4,375            5,000


o    Utilizing the range of values of the Common Stock of the Company
     post-conversion described in Tab 4, 4.0 million shares have an implied
     value of $18.0 million to $26.0 million


Page 7-2 


<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT A

                                 LEHMAN BROTHERS

                                    FACSIMILE
                     --------------------------------------


DATE:     December 9,  1996        PAGES (INCLUDING COVER):                    8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To:            Peter Cripps -               215 994 2222
               David Schinasi -             212 816 7475/7949/7457
               Norm Edmonson -              215 665 3662
               Dom Scott -                  215 963 5299
               Andrew Keller -              212 455 2502
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM:          Murat Erkurt
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MESSAGE:


Please find attached the final term sheet for SunSource.

Regards.




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information contained in this facsimile message is intended only for the 
personal and confidential use of the designated recipients named above. If the
reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for
delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have 
received this document in error, and that any review, dissemination, 
distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited.  If you have 
received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone 
and return the original message to us by mail.  Thank you.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               



<PAGE>
                                 SUNSOURCE, L.P.

                                                                           FINAL

                    Summary Terms of the Conversion Proposal
                    ----------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                    <C>   

Exchange Offer...................  (i)   Holders of Class A Interest will receive 0.38 shares of Trust 
                                         Preferred Securities, par value $25.00 per share ("Preferred 
                                         Securities") of the Trust and $1.30 of cash for each unit of Class A 
                                         Interest;

                                   (ii)  holders of Class B Interest will receive one share of common 
                                         stock (to be adjusted for any stock-split, the terms of which are 
                                         to be approved by the Board of Directors), par value $0.01 per share 
                                         ("Common Stock") of the Corporation for each unit of Class B Interest;

                                   (iii) the General Partner ("G.P.") will receive 4,000,000 shares (to be 
                                         adjusted for any stock-split) of Common Stock in exchange for 
                                         the G.P.'s general partnership interest in SunSource L.P. and 
                                         SDI Operating Partners, L.P. which interest includes the right to 
                                         receive the management fee (the "General Partnership Interest") 
                                         of which 3,700,000 shall be distributed to the G.P. upon 
                                         consummation of the Conversion and 300,000 shall be escrowed 
                                         until the second anniversary of the Conversion and shall be 
                                         distributed to the G.P. thereafter provided the conditions 
                                         specified herein are satisfied; and

                                   (iv)  the distributions on Class A Interest, Class B Interest and the 
                                         management fee to the G.P. will accrue until the Conversion and 
                                         shall be payable in cash upon Conversion.

Common Stock to be Distributed 
in Exchange for the 
G.P. Interest.....................  2,152,000 shares to be distributed through the G.P. to Lehman Brothers 
                                             and its affiliates upon consummation of the Conversion;
                                
                                   1,548,000 shares to be distributed through the G.P. to beneficiaries
                                             of the General Partnership Interest other than Lehman Brothers 
                                             and its affiliates upon consummation of the Conversion; and

                                     300,000 shares to be held in escrow (the "Escrow Shares") and 
                                             distributed to beneficiaries of the General Partnership
                                             Interest other than Lehman Brothers and its affiliates on the 
                                             second anniversary of the Conversion provided that, if at that 
                                             time the Company is not current on distributions on Preferred 
                                             Securities, then the distribution of such Escrow Shares shall 
                                             be delayed until the Company becomes current on distributions
                                             on Preferred Securities.

                                   4,000,000 TOTAL SHARES FOR GENERAL PARTNERSHIP INTEREST
</TABLE>
                                       -1-


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>   

Contribution Agreement between 
Lehman Brothers and the Company... Lehman Brothers, as part of the Conversion, will agree that, if the 
                                   Company exercises its Optional Redemption right in case of an
                                   occurrence of a Special Event, as described herein, so long as there are 
                                   any outstanding Escrow Shares, Lehman Brothers shall pay in cash to the 
                                   Company upon occurrence of such redemption, an amount equal to the product
                                   obtained by multiplying; (i) 1% of par value of Preferred Securities by 
                                   (ii) the number shares of Preferred Securities redeemed under such 
                                   redemption by (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number 
                                   of the Escrow Shares outstanding at the time of such redemption, and the 
                                   denominator of which is equal to the number of the Escrow Shares outstanding 
                                   immediately after the Conversion by (iv) a fraction, the numerator of which is 
                                   equal the number of shares of Common Stock to be held by Lehman Brothers and 
                                   its affiliates immediately after the Conversion minus the number of shares of 
                                   Common Stock to he held by Lehman Brothers and affiliates at the time of 
                                   such event, and the denominator of which is equal to the total number of shares 
                                   of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Conversion. 

Approval of Conversion ........... Affirmative vote by:

                                   (i)   unaffiliated holders of more than 50% of Class A Interests outstanding; and

                                   (ii)  unaffiliated holders of more than 50% of Class B Interests outstanding.

Management post Conversion........ Same management team, but without involvement by the General Partner;

                                   Employee Benefits Plans and Deferred Compensation Plans substantially 
                                   consistent with the existing plans. 

Federal Income Tax 
Considerations.................... Holders of only Class A Interest: Subject to Federal income tax on the gain 
                                      recognized as the difference between their tax basis in the Class A Interests 
                                      and the total consideration received as Preferred Securities and cash.

                                   Holders of only Class B Interest: Not subject to Federal income tax on the receipt 
                                      of Common Stock. 

                                   Investors holding both Class A Interests and Class B Interests: While not free 
                                      from doubt, a likely result is that these investors will be subject to 
                                      Federal income tax on the gain recognized as the difference between their 
                                      aggregate tax basis in the Class A Interests and Class B Interests and the 
                                      aggregate fair market value of the consideration received through Preferred 
                                      Securities, cash and Common Stock, to the extent of boot received, where boot 
                                      is the Preferred Securities and cash.
</TABLE>

                                       -2-

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>   
Conditions to Conversion.......... The Conversion will not be consummated unless the following conditions are satisfied or
                                   waived:

                                   (i)    approval by a majority of unaffiliated Class A Interests and a majority of 
                                          unaffiliated Class B Interests, voting separately;

                                   (ii)   listing of the Common Stock and the Preferred Securities on the NYSE;

                                   (iii)  completion of certain necessary governmental filings;

                                   (iv)   effectiveness of a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, 
                                          as amended;  

                                   (v)    absence of any court order or legal restraint preventing the consummation
                                          of the Conversion;

                                   (vi)   approval by existing senior lenders to the Company or availability of
                                          financing to refinance existing senior debt on terms acceptable to the
                                          Company;

                                   (vii)  the Special Committee determining that the Conversion is fair to the holders 
                                          of Class A Interests and holders of Class B Interests and such determination 
                                          shall not have been withdrawn;

                                   (viii) Smith Barney delivering its opinion that a) the consideration to be received 
                                          in the Conversion is fair to the holders of the Class A Interests and holders 
                                          of the Class B Interests from a financial point of view, and b) the allocation 
                                          of consideration to the General Partner in exchange for the General Partnership 
                                          Interest is fair to the holders of the Class A Interests and holders of the 
                                          Class B Interests from a financial point of view, and such opinion shall not 
                                          have been withdrawn;
                                     
                                   (ix)   the Company shall have received, in a form satisfactory to the Company, all
                                          opinions of counsel, including the opinion regarding the Federal income
                                          tax consequences of the Conversion to the Company and the holders of the
                                          Class A Interests and the holders of the Class B Interests;

                                   (x)    the Company shall have received, in a form satisfactory to the Company,
                                          from each of the following members of management, Donald T. Marshall, John P.
                                          McDonnell and Norman V. Edmonson, who own, directly or indirectly, an
                                          economic interest in the General Partner, an undertaking to defer into
                                          Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees of SDI Operating Partners, L.P.
                                          all payments due under the Company's previous Deferred Compensation Plans and
                                          the Long Term Preference Share Plan; and
                                                                                      
                                   (xi)   there being no material change in applicable law, including with respect
                                          to the taxation of the Company, the Corporation or the Preferred Securities. 

Solicitation Agent................ To be determined.
</TABLE>

                                       -3-

<PAGE>
                                  Common Stock
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>    
Issuer............................ The Corporation

Listing .......................... NYSE

Common Stock to be Outstanding
immediately after the Conversion.. 11,633,603(1)    shares to be owned by unaffiliated Class B Interest holders;

                                    4,145,465(1)(2) shares to be owned by the executive officers of SunSource L.P. 
                                                    and directors of Lehman/SDI, Inc. (excluding shares to be 
                                                    distributed to General Partner) of which 4,114,965 shares will be 
                                                    owned by the Senior Executives as defined;

                                    5,896,678(1)(2) shares to be owned by Lehman Brothers and affiliates, excluding
                                                    shares to be distributed to General Partner; and
   
                                    4,000,000       shares to be distributed in accordance with the conditions 
                                                    specified herein, of which 1,663,200 shares will be owned by the
                                                    Senior Executives.

                                   25,675,746 TOTAL OUTSTANDING                                                                    
                                                                
                                   (1) The foregoing numbers represent the number of Class B Interests held by such 
                                       persons as of December 11, 1996 and assume no change prior to closing of the 
                                       Conversion in number of outstanding Class B Interests or number owned by such
                                       persons.                                    
                                   (2) Does not include Class B Interests owned by Lehman LTD I, Inc. or Lehman Brothers
                                       Capital Partners I.
                                   (3) Includes Class B Interests owned by Lehman LTD I, Inc. and Lehman Brothers
                                       Capital Partners I.

Common Stock to be Distributed
to General Partners............... 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be distributed upon consummation of Conversion,
                                   of which 3,700,000 shall be distributed to the G.P. and 300,000 to be held in escrow 
                                   and distributed on the second anniversary of the Conversion, provided that the
                                   conditions specified herein are satisfied.  
      
Voting............................ Holders of Common Stock are entitled to cast one vote per share on matters submitted
                                   to a vote of shareholders, subject to the provisions below. No holders of Common Stock
                                   will be entitled to any cumulative voting rights.

                                   On matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, Lehman Brothers and its affiliates 
                                   and each of the following members of management, Donald T. Marshall, John P. McDonnell,
                                   Norman V. Edmonson, Harold J. Cornelius, Max W. Hillman and Joseph M. Corvino 
                                   (the "Senior Executives") will agree to vote, in the same proportion as the shares of
                                   outstanding common Stock not owned by them ("Unaffiliated Shares") that are voted on any
                                   such matter, that percentage of Excess Voting Shares held by them at such time that
                                   equals the percentage of outstanding Unaffiliated Shares that are voted on such matter,
                                   "Excess Voting Shares" means the shares of common stock beneficially owned by Lehman
                                   Brothers and its 
</TABLE>

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>   
                                   affiliates and the Senior Executives, at any time, that represents voting power
                                   in excess of the respective voting powers immediately prior to the Conversion that
                                   they would have had in a vote of the holders of Class A Interests and Class B
                                   Interests voting together as a single class.

Dividends......................... If, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds
                                   legally available.

Liquidation....................... Standard, distributions to Common Stock after payments to creditors
                                   including the Trust for the Series A Junior Subordinated Notes that may be
                                   outstanding at the time.

Preemptive Rights................. No preemptive rights.

Board of Directors................ Total of 9 directors.

                                   Lehman Brothers and its affiliates elect 1 director if they hold between 10% and
                                   20% of Common Stock outstanding and 2 directors if they hold more than 20% of
                                   Common Stock.

                                   3 directors from management and 4 independent directors.

Directors' Liability.............. Indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware statute.

Resale of Common Stock............ Pursuant to Securities Act and Rule 144 for "affiliated" holders.

                                   Lehman Brothers and its affiliates and the Senior Executives will agree with the
                                   Company not to sell any shares of common stock which they beneficially own, in a
                                   single transaction or series of related transactions, to any third person(s) which,
                                   to the knowledge of Lehman Brothers and its affiliates and the Senior Executives after
                                   reasonable inquiry, would beneficially own after such transactions more than 10% of 
                                   the outstanding common stock (or more than 15% of the outstanding common stock if such
                                   third person(s) are eligible to report the acquisition of such shares on Schedule 13G
                                   pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under Exchange Act, as such rule is currently in effect).

Corporate Governance.............. Standard Charter and By Laws under Delaware Law; Shareholder Rights Plan.

Certain By Law Provisions......... Approval of majority of Independent Directors required for:

                                   a)  prior to third anniversary of Conversion,

                                       i)    sale of the Company or substantial part thereof, and

                                       ii)   amendment of Charter, By Laws or Shareholder Rights Plan or any waiver or 
                                             opt-out under any anti-takeover statute:

                                   b)  i)    affiliate transactions; and

                                       ii)   amendments to Shareholders' Agreement among Lehman Brothers, the Senior
                                             Executives and the Company.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                           Trust Preferred Securities

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>    
Issuer............................ A statutory business trust created under Delaware law (the "Trust") solely for the
                                   purpose of holding the Corporation's Series A Junior Subordinated Notes and issuing
                                   Preferred Securities and Common Securities.

Preferred Securities.............. 11.6% coupon payable monthly with $25 par value and 30 year maturity.

Listing........................... NYSE

Preferred Securities to be 
Outstanding immediately after
the Conversion.................... 4,217,837*                                                                                       
                                   * Assumes 11,099,573 Class A Interests outstanding as of  Dec. 11, 1996
                                     (subject to cash-out of any fractions)  

Junior Subordinated Notes......... The Company will issue to the Trust Junior Subordinated Notes with principal amount, 
                                   interest rate, payment dates, call provisions and maturity matching to those of
                                   Preferred Securities.

                                   Junior Subordinated Notes will be subordinate to all Senior Indebtedness. Definition
                                   of Senior Indebtedness standard.

Mandatory Redemption.............. 30 year maturity; redemption at par plus accrued and unpaid distributions.

Optional Redemption............... Redeemable, in whole or in part, from time to time, at the option of the Company,

                                   (i)   on or after 5 years from date of Conversion, at par plus accrued and unpaid 
                                         distributions, or

                                   (ii)  under certain circumstances, upon occurrence of a Special Event, as defined
                                         below, at 101% of par plus accrued and unpaid distributions.

Guarantee......................... The payment of distributions on the Preferred Securities is guaranteed by the
                                   Company to the extent required by applicable law.

Deferral of Distributions......... Deferrable at any time for up to 60 consecutive months.

Voting Rights..................... Standard creditors rights as per Trust Indenture.

                                   Amendments to the Trust Agreement adversely affecting rights of the holders require
                                   a class vote seeking approval of at least two-thirds of holders of Preferred Securities.

Trust Covenants................... If distributions on Preferred Securities are under deferral, no dividend payment or
                                   redemption of capital or servicing of debt ranking subordinate to Junior Subordinated
                                   Notes.

                                   Event of Default if distributions are deferred beyond 60 consecutive months or principal
                                   is not fully paid upon maturity or optional redemption.

                                   No financial covenants, no change of control provision.       
</TABLE>
                                      -6-


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>  
Special Event..................... A Special Event means a Tax Event or an Investment Company Act Event.                           

                                   "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have requested and received 
                                   an opinion from independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (which may 
                                   be counsel to the Company) to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment 
                                   to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws 
                                   (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision 
                                   or taxing authority thereof or therein, (b) any amendment to, or change (including 
                                   any announced prospective change) in, an interpretation or application of such 
                                   laws or regulations, (c) any interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a 
                                   position with respect to such laws or regulations that differs from the generally 
                                   accepted position of (d) any action by any governmental agency or body or
                                   regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is or
                                   within 90 days would be subject to United States Federal income tax with respect to
                                   income accrued or received or the Junior Subordinated Notes, (ii) interest payable 
                                   to the Trust on the Junior Subordinated Notes is or within 90 days would not be 
                                   deductible by the Corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes, or 
                                   (iii) the Trust is or within 90 days would be subject to more than a de minimis
                                   amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges, which change,
                                   amendment, interpretation, pronouncement or action becomes effective on or after 
                                   the date of exchange.

                                   "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have requested
                                   and received an opinion of independent counsel (which may be counsel to the
                                   Corporation) to the effect that, as a result of a change in law or regulation or a
                                   change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative
                                   body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority after the date of exchange,
                                   there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be considered
                                   an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                   Except otherwise provided herein, the Preferred Securities shall have such other 
                                   terms as are consistent with securities generally similar to the Preferred
                                   Securities.
</TABLE>

     

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT B


                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of Selected Industrial Distribution Companies
(Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                    Stock Price                                   Equity Market Value(1)/                  
                                    -----------                   ------------------------------------------------------   
                                      vs. LTM        Equity              Net Income               After-Tax Cash Flow      
                        Price at    ------------     Market       ------------------------     -------------------------   
        Company         12/6/96     High     Low     Value(1)     LTM      1996E     1997E     LTM        1996E    1997E   
        -------         -------     ----     ---     --------     ---      -----     -----     ---        -----    -----   
Industrial Distribution
 Companies
- ------------------------
<S>                      <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>    
Barnes Group, Inc.       $56.75     (8.3%)   62.1%     $392      12.7x     11.9X     10.8x     6.8x       6.6x      6.3x   
BMC West Corp.           $11.88    (43.5%)    1.1%     $140      11.8X     11.6x      9.5x     6.1x       6.4x      5.7x   
Bearings, Inc.           $27.63    (18.1%)   15.1%     $345      14.0x     11.2x       NA      9.4x       7.6x       NA    
Cameron Ashley Building 
 Products, Inc.          $14.88     (0.8%)   98.3%     $141      13.3x     11.0x       NA      8.8x       7.8x       NA    
Hughes Supply, Inc.      $43.00     (3.6%)   61.5%     $427      16.7x     18.2x     14.1x    10.9x      12.9x     10.7x   
Lawson Products, Inc.    $21.63    (17.6%)    3.0%     $250      13.1x     12.1x     11.7x    11.3x      10.6x     10.2x   
NCH Corporation          $57.00    (12.3%)    8.6%     $459      13.0x     12.3x       NA     10.2x       9.8x       NA    
Rexel Inc.               $13.88    (12.6%)   23.3%     $359      12.3x     13.6x     12.1x    12.8x      14.9x     13.1x   
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Mean:          13.4x     12.8x     11.6x     9.5x       9.6x      9.2x 
                                                  Median:        13.0x     12.0x     11.7x     9.8x       8.8x     10.2x 
                                                  High:          16.7x     18.2x     14.lx    12.8x      14.9x     13.1x 
                                                  Low:           11.8x     11.0x      9.5x     6.1x       6.4x      5.7x 
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
SunSource L.P.            $4.63     (9.8%)   15.6%     $100       8.0x       NA        NA      5.5x        NA        NA      
</TABLE>
RESTUBBED TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                        Enterprise Value(2)/
                                     -------------------------
                                               EBITDA
                         Enterprise  -------------------------
        Company            Value(2)  LTM       1996E     1997E
        -------            --------  ---       -----     -----
Industrial Distribution
 Companies
- ------------------------
<S>                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C> 
Barnes Group, Inc.         $447      5.8x      5.6x      5.3x
BMC West Corp.             $228      6.2x      5.8x      5.2x
Bearings, Inc.             $421      6.6x      5.6x       NA
Cameron Ashley Building 
 Products, Inc.            $197      7.7x      6.7x       NA
Hughes Supply, Inc.        $587     12.1x     10.6x      8.7x
Lawson Products, Inc.      $236      6.8x      6.4x      6.1x
NCH Corporation            $444      6.0x      5.6x       NA
Rexel Inc.                 $395      6.4x      6.5x      5.9x
                           -----------------------------------
                                     7.2x      6.6x      6.2x      
                                     6.5x      6.1x      5.9x      
                                    12.1x     10.6x      8.7x      
                                     5.8x      5.6x      5.2x    
                           -----------------------------------
                           $287      7.3x       NA        NA

</TABLE>                            

- ----------
 *  Denotes an unaccounted for transaction.
(1) Equity Market Value = Total Shares Outstanding (calculated by the treasury
    method) * Current Common Stock Price.
(2) Enterprise Value = Equity Market Value + Market Value of Preferred + Total 
    Debt (principal amount) + Minority Interest - Unrestricted Cash and 
    Marketable Securities 
(3) Latest Twelve Months as of 9/30/96.
(4) Excludes outliers.
(5) The effective tax rate for fiscal year 1995, rather than LTM 09/30/96, is 
    used because of the negative NIAC.

Page B-1
<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of Selected Industrial Distribution Companies
(Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 
                                                       Total Debt/                               LTM              
                              S&P Senior            Capitalization       Total Deb/   LTM       EBITDA-             Dividend Payout
                              Unsecured     Total ---------------------     LTM      EBITDA     Capex/   Dividend  ---------------
                  Company   Credit Rating   Debt   Book(1)   Market(2)    EBITDA   Interest   Interest     Yield    EPS      ATCF(3)
                  -------   -------------   ----  --------   ----------   ------   --------   --------     -----    ---      -------
<S>                             <C>         <C>   <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>  
Industrial Distribution
 Companies
Barnes Group, Inc.              NR/NR       $ 77  33.8%       16.4%       1.0x       15.6x    15.6x      3.2%      39.2%    20.8%
BMC West Corp.                  NR/NR       $ 96  40.1%       40.7%       2.6x        3.3x     3.3x       NA         NM       NM
Bearings, Inc.                  NR/NR       $ 91  31.9%       20.9%       1.4x        8.2x     8.2x      2.0%      28.4%    19.0%
Cameron Ashley Building                                                                                                   
 Products, Inc.                 NR/NR       $ 58  38.9%       29.1%       2.3x        7.6x     7.6x       NA         NM       NM
Hughes Supply, Inc.             NR/NR       $161  40.3%       27.4%       3.3x        5.8x     5.8x      0.8%      13.2%     8.6%
Lawson Products, Inc.           NR/NR       $  0   NM           NM         NM          NM       NM       2.4%      31.4%    27.1%
NCH Corporation                 NR/NR       $  9   2.8%        1.8%       0.lx         NM       NM       2.1%      50.1%    39.3%
Rexel Inc.                      NR/NR       $ 48  20.5%       11.9%       0.8x       12.3x    12.3x      N/A         NM       NM
                                                                                                                                   
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Mean:         29.8%       21.2%       1.6x        8.8x     8.8x      2.1%      32.5%    23.0%
                                    Median:       33.8%       20.9%       1.4x        7.9x     7.9x      2.1%      31.4%    20.8%
                                    High:         40.3%       40.7%       3.3x       15.6x    15.6x      3.2%      50.1%    39.3%
                                    Low:           2.8%        1.8%       0.1x        3.3x     3.3x      0.8%      13.2%     8.6%
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P.                  NR/NR       $ 72  41.8%       24.9%       1.8X        5.7x     5.7x      2.6%       NM        NM

</TABLE>
- ----------
 *  Denotes an unaccounted for transaction.
(1) Book Capitalization = Total Debt + Common Book Equity + Preferred (at 
    liquidation preference) + Minority Interest.
(2) Market Capitalization = Total Debt + Common Equity Market Value + Preferred
    Market Value + Minority Interest.
(3) ATCF = After Tax Cash Flow. 
(4) Excludes outliers.
(5) The effective tax rate for fiscal year 1995, rather than LTM 06/30/96, is 
    used because of the negative NIAC.

Page B-2
<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of Selected Industrial Distribution Companies
(Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Equity Market                                                            LTM Return
                                     SB       Value/       5 Year CAGR(2)   5 Year EPS     LTM Return  LTM Return   on Average
                         Ticker  Research    Tangible      ---------------   Projected     on Average  on Average    Invested
        Company          Symbol   Rating   Book Value(1)   EBITDA    EPS    Growth Rate      Equity      Assets     Capital(1)
        -------          ------   ------   -------------   ------    ---    -----------      ------      ------     ----------

<S>                      <C>        <C>      <C>            <C>     <C>                      <C>          <C>        <C>  
Industrial Distribution
  Companies
Barnes Group, Inc.        B          NR       3.0x           6.9%    12.7%        NA          22.1%        7.8%       25.5%
BMC West Corp.            BMCW       3H       1.1x          40.7%    38.4%        NA           9.4%        1.9%       13.3%
Bearings, Inc.            BER        NR       1.8x          25.7%    45.8%      17.5%         14.2%        6.2%       17.3%
Cameron Ashley Building                                                                                             
  Products, Inc.          CABP       NR       1.6x         157.6%      NM         NA          12.5%        5.9%       15.9%
Hughes Supply, Inc.       HUG        2H       2.7x          65.4%      NM       12.5%         13.2%        5.1%       16.0%
Lawson Products, Inc.     LAWS       NR       1.9X           7.4%     9.3%       5.0%         15.7%       12.1%       20.5%
NCH Corporation           NCH        NR       1.6x          (1.4%)   (2.1%)      7.3%         11.3%        6.7%       18.5%
Rexel Inc.                RXL        NR       2.8x          62.3%      NM         NA          16.8%        6.9%       22.2%
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Mean:           2.lx          45.6%    20.8%      10.6%         14.4%        6.6%       18.6%
                              Median:         1.8x          33.2%    12.7%       9.9%         13.7%        6.4%       17.9%
                              High:           3.0x         157.6%    45.8%      17.5%         22.1%       12.1%       25.5%
                              Low:            1.1x          (1.4%)   (2.1%)      5.0%          9.4%        1.9%       13.3%
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P.            SDP B      NR      -8.3x           1.6%    35.2%        NA          13.0%        4.9%       18.7%
</TABLE>

- ----------
 *  Denotes an unaccounted for transaction.
(1) Tangible Book Value = Common Equity Book Value - Goodwill.
(2) CAGR = Compounded Annual Growth Rate.
(3) Invested Capital = Total Debt + Common Equity Book Value + Preferred Book 
    Value + Minority Interest + Deferred Income Tax Liability. 
(4) Excludes outliers.
(5) The effective tax rate for fiscal year 1995, rather than LTM 09/30/96, is 
    used because of the negative NIAC.

Page B-3


<PAGE>
                                                                Project Sprinter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of Selected Industrial Distribution Companies
(Dollars in millions, except for per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Operating                     LTM(1)Data
                                    LTM(1)  LTM(1)     LTM(1)  LTM(1)   Expenses   ------------------------------------------------
                                   Gross    EBITDA      EBIT    Net     as a % of            Gross
                                   Margin   Margin     Margin   Margin   Sales     Revenues  Profit    EBITDA    EBIT    EBT   NIAC
                                   ------   ------     ------   ------   -----     --------  ------    ------    ----    ---   ----
<S>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>    <C>     <C> 
Industrial Distribution
 Companies
Barnes Group, Inc.                  39.5%    13.0%      8.5%    5.0%     26.5%       591.0    233.6      76.8    50.1   47.3    29.5
BMC West Corp.                      21.8%     5.2%      3.8%    1.5%     16.6%       712.1    155.1      37.0    26.8   17.4    10.6
Bearings, Inc.                      27.1%     5.5%      4.4%    2.1%     21.6%     1,148.9    311.7      63.5    50.1   42.4    24.2
Cameron Ashley Building
 Products, Inc.                     20.2%     4.5%      3.5%    1.8%     15.7%       567.1    114.6      25.5    20.1   16.7    10.3
Hughes Supply, Inc.                 20.8%     4.0%      3.0%    1.6%     16.8%     1,202.8    250.8      48.4    36.3   33.8    19.8
Lawson Products, Inc.               69.9%    14.2%     12.7%    8.0%     55.7%       242.3    169.4      34.5    30.7   32.8    19.3
NCH Corporation                     49.3%     9.6%      7.6%    4.5%     39.7%       773.2    381.4      74.4    59.1   58.9    34.7
Rexel Inc.                          21.2%     5.5%      4.8%    2.4%     15.7%     1,124.9    238.3      62.2    53.8   47.6    26.9
                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Mean:    33.7%     7.7%      6.0%    3.4%     26.0%      $795.3   $231.9     $52.8   $40.9  $37.1   $21.9
                           Median:  24.5%     5.5%      4.6%    2.3%     19.2%       742.6    236.0      55.3    43.2   38.1    22.0
                           High:    69.9%    14.2%     12.7%    8.0%     55.7%     1,202.8    381.4      76.8    59.1   58.9    34.7
                           Low:     20.2%     4.0%      3.0%    1.5%     15.7%       242.3    114.6      25.5    20.1   16.7    10.3
                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunSource L.P.                      40.5%     6.2%      4.8%    2.0%     34.2%       633.9    256.6      39.5    30.7   25.0    12.6

</TABLE>
- ----------
1) Latest Twelve Months as of 9/30/96


Page B-4


<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 17(g)(1)


                                                                       JULY 1996
                                                                      PROJECTION

                              SUNSOURCE PROJECTION
                           1997 PRELIMINARY PLAN DATA
                               VS. 1996 PROJECTION

                                                                       1997
                                                                      PRELIM.
                                                     1996 PROJ.        PLAN
                                                     ----------    -----------

Historical EBIT                                     $ 49,675(1)    $ 57,546(2)
                                                    ----------     ---------- 
Administrative Expenses:
 Deferred compensation                                 1,760          3,631
 Insurance, net                                          495            142
 Compensation expense (3)                              2,298          3,054
 Depreciation expense                                     54             55
 All other Administrative costs (4)                    5,182          6,827
                                                    --------       -------- 
   Total administrative expense                        9,789         13,709
                                                    --------       -------- 
Amortization:
 Fixed asset step up                                     262            264
 Inventory                                               228            N/A
 Intangible assets                                       460            398
 Goodwill                                              1,412          1,407
                                                    --------       -------- 
   Total amortization                                  2,362          2,069
                                                    --------       -------- 
Other GAAP expense:
 Bank service fees                                       483            480
 All other expense (income), net                         (61)           143
                                                    --------       -------- 
   Total other expense                                   422            623
                                                    --------       -------- 

GAAP EBIT (5)                                       $ 37,102       $ 41,145

Amortization                                           2,362          2,069

Administrative depreciation                               54             55

Historical depreciation                                3,300          3,350
                                                    --------       -------- 
GAAP EBITDA*                                        $ 42,818       $ 46,619
                                                    ========       ========




*Note: Does not include any
       costs related to conversion
       to corporate form or any
       restructuring charge.


NOTES:

(1)  Based on 1996 projection included with preliminary plan range schedules
     less $1,254 risk adjustment. Includes approximately $3,300 of depreciation.

(2)  Includes approximately $3,350 of depreciation.

(3)  Salary and bonuses for Phila. operating management and financial staff.
     (Excluding B. J. Cornelious and M. W. Hillman.)

(4)  Includes $283 and $1,500 of expenses for Sun Industrial Services - Chicago
     office in the 1996 projection and 1997 preliminary plan respectively.

(5)  Excludes management fee expense and G. P. 1% minority interest.

                                                                      


<PAGE>
                                                                       JULY 1996
                                                                      PROJECTION


                                    SunSource
                               G A A P PROJECTION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             1996         1997        1998     1999      2000         2001
                                            ----          ----        ----     ----      ----         ----
<S>                                          <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>    

Historical E B I T                           $52,134      $60,005    $67,460   $74,866    $82,686   $90,685

Administration Expense:
  -  Deferred Compensation                   $ 2,436      $ 2,558    $ 2,686   $ 2,820    $ 2,961   $ 3,109
  -  Insurance, net                              992          350        368       386        405       425
  -  Compensation Expense                      2,899        3,044      3,196     3,356      3,524     3,700
  -  Depreciation Expense                         45           47         50        52         55        57
  -  All Other Administrative Costs            5,486        5,760      6,048     6,351      6,668     7,002
                                             -------      -------    -------   -------    -------   -------
           Total Administration Expense      $11,858      $11,759    $12,347   $12,965    $13,613   $14,294

Amortization:
  -  Fixed Asset Step Up                     $   254      $   266    $   255   $   255    $   255   $   255
  -  Inventory                                   293          N/A        N/A       N/A        N/A       N/A
  -  Intangible Assets                           459          396         87         -         -          -
  -  Goodwill                                  1,390        1,390      1,390     1,390      1,390     1,390
                                             -------      -------    -------   -------    -------   -------
           Total Amortization                $ 2,396      $ 2,052    $ 1,732   $ 1,645    $ 1,645   $ 1,645


Other G A A P  Expense:
  -  Bank Service Fees                       $   507      $   532    $   559   $   587    $   616   $   647
  -  All Other, net                               (9)         113        118       124        130       137
                                             -------      -------    -------   -------    -------   -------
           Total Other Expense               $   498      $   645    $   677   $   711    $   747   $   784


                 G A A P   E B I T *         $37,382      $45,549    $52,704   $59,545    $66,681   $73,962
                                             =======      =======    =======   =======    =======   =======
</TABLE>



*    Excludes Management Fee Expense, and G.P. 1% Minority Interest



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SunSource                                                 1996-2001 PROJECTION                                             JULY 1996
                                                                                                                          PROJECTION

                                                     SDI - ALL DIVISIONS - CONSOLIDATED                            NO RISK (SPECIAL)
                                                     ----------------------------------
                                                          (dollars in thousands)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ACTUAL              ACTUAL              ACTUAL              ACTUAL                       
HISTORICAL INCOME STATEMENT:             1992                1993                1994                1995                 1996    
- -----------------------------          ---------           ---------           ---------           ---------            ---------

<S>                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>        
SALES                                  $449,185            $487,175            $554,819            $601,152             $648,000   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

GROSS PROFIT                            187,281             199,254             226,382             244,617              261,571   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

OPERATING EXPENSES                      151,042             160,909             179,989             198,251              209,878   
COMMISSION INCOME                           126                 126                 106                 117                  199   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

OPERATING INCOME                         36,365              38,471              46,499              46,483               51,891   

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                      445                (448)                342                 (38)                 243   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

EBIT                                     36,810              38,023              46,841              46,445               52,134   
INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)                   164                  71                  96                  37                   80   
MGT. FEE EXPENSE (INCOME)                   270                 256                 294                 378                  360   
FEDERAL & STATE INCOME TAXES                  0                   0                   0                   0                    0   
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES                        519                 388                 569                 639                  508   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

NET INCOME (HISTORICAL PRE-TAX)          35,857              37,308              45,882              45,391               51,186   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                      3,040               2,998               2,719               3,074                3,199   

NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS                $38,897             $40,306             $48,601             $48,465              $54,385   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  


HISTORICAL BALANCE SHEET:

CASH                                         86                (917)              1,610              (6,353)                   0   
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET                 53,794              56,971              66,299              73,451               77,491   
INVENTORY                                62,960              71,199              80,092              95,488               97,497   
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                      2,717               3,678               2,868               3,308                3,505   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                    119,558             130,930             150,869             165,894              178,493   

FIXED ASSETS, NET                        13,774              13,571              13,650              13,692               13,892   
INTANGIBLE ASSETS                            71                 103                  78                  50                   42   
OTHER ASSETS                                334                 377                 212                 526                  400   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

TOTAL ASSETS                           $133,737            $144,982            $164,809            $180,163             $192,828   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  


ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                         27,893              35,499              39,138              35,415               45,015   
NOTES PAYABLE & CURRENT DEBT              2,206               2,914               2,027               1,966                1,962   
ACCRUED EXPENSES                         12,447              13,263              17,208              17,333               18,335   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                42,546              51,676              58,373              54,714               65,312  

LONG-TERM CAP LEASE OBLIGATIONS             106                  68                   0                   0                    0  
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES               209                 121                 (75)               (307)                (173) 
HISTORIC CAPITAL                         90,877              93,117             106,511             125,755              127,689  
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

TOTAL LIABILITIES & CAPITAL            $133,737            $144,982            $164,809            $180,163             $192,828  
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

DIVIDENDS (CAPITAL)                     $37,642             $33,895             $32,952             $31,663              $49,252  
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                     $2,089              $2,906              $2,895              $3,150               $3,354  
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

NET TANGIBLE ASSETS                     $94,151             $96,116            $101,281            $118,584             $132,325  
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
RESTUBBED TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                          ========P R O J E C T I O N========  
HISTORICAL INCOME STATEMENT:               1997                 1998                1999                 2000                2001
- -----------------------------            ---------           ---------           ---------            ---------           --------

<S>                                      <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>                 <C>     
SALES                                    $705,568            $766,304            $831,968             $903,177            $981,220
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

GROSS PROFIT                              284,696             309,286             335,339              363,340             393,911
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

OPERATING EXPENSES                        225,049             242,200             260,851              281,035             303,608
COMMISSION INCOME                             189                 190                 191                  192                 194
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

OPERATING INCOME                           59,835              67,275              74,678               82,498              90,497

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                        170                 185                 188                  188                 188
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

EBIT                                       60,005              67,460              74,866               82,686              90,685
INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)                      65                  55                  55                   50                  50
MGT. FEE EXPENSE (INCOME)                     360                 360                 360                  360                 360
FEDERAL & STATE INCOME TAXES                    0                   0                   0                    0                   0
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES                          587                 611                 652                  696                 741
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

NET INCOME (HISTORICAL PRE-TAX)            58,993              66,434              73,799               81,579              89,534
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                        3,195               3,290               3,350                3,425               3,500

NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS                  $62,188             $69,724             $77,149              $85,004             $93,034
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  


HISTORICAL BALANCE SHEET:

CASH                                            0                   0                   0                    0                   0
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET                   84,451              91,290              98,916              107,063             116,133
INVENTORY                                 104,346             111,036             119,185              128,330             138,799
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                        3,670               3,875               4,040                4,165               4,265
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                      192,468             206,201             222,142              239,558             259,197

FIXED ASSETS, NET                          14,497              15,277              16,107               17,012              17,892
INTANGIBLE ASSETS                              37                  35                  34                   34                  34
OTHER ASSETS                                  414                 447                 501                  558                 620
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

TOTAL ASSETS                             $207,416            $221,961            $238,785             $257,163            $277,744
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  


ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                           50,396              54,578              59,544               64,955              70,860
NOTES PAYABLE & CURRENT DEBT                1,765               1,558               1,404                1,380               1,380
ACCRUED EXPENSES                           19,668              21,429              23,331               25,377              27,622
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                  71,829              77,564              84,280               91,712              99,862

LONG-TERM CAP LEASE OBLIGATIONS                 0                   0                   0                    0                   0
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES                (173)               (173)               (173)                (173)               (173)
HISTORIC CAPITAL                          135,760             144,570             154,678              165,624             178,055
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

TOTAL LIABILITIES & CAPITAL              $207,416            $221,961            $238,785             $257,163            $277,744
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

DIVIDENDS (CAPITAL)                       $50,922             $57,624             $63,691              $70,633             $77,103
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                       $3,800              $4,070              $4,180               $4,330              $4,380
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

NET TANGIBLE ASSETS                      $133,895            $140,796            $149,037             $158,091            $168,337
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            --------  

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SunSource                                                 1996-2001 PROJECTION                                             JULY 1996
                                                                                                                          PROJECTION

                                                     SDI - ALL DIVISIONS - CONSOLIDATED                            NO RISK (SPECIAL)
                                                     ----------------------------------
                                                          (dollars in thousands)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       ACTUAL              ACTUAL              ACTUAL              ACTUAL                         
                                        1992                1993                1994                1995                 1996     
                                        ----                ----                ----                ----                 ----     
<S>                                     <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>     
FINANCIAL STATISTICS:

SALES GROWTH, %                            N/A                8.5%               13.9%                8.4%                 7.8%   

EBIT GROWTH, %                             N/A                3.3%               23.2%               -0.8%                12.2%   

GROSS PROFIT, %                          41.7%               40.9%               40.8%               40.7%                40.4%   

OPERATING EXPENSE, % OF SALES            33.6%               33.0%               32.4%               33.0%                32.4%   

OPERATING PROFIT, % OF SALES              8.1%                7.9%                8.4%                7.7%                 8.0%   

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DAYS                  43.7                42.7                43.6                44.6                 43.6    

INVENTORY TURNS                           4.16                4.04                4.10                3.73                 3.96   

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DAYS                     38.9                43.8                42.3                34.8                 42.3    

ACCRUED EXPENSES, % OF SALES              2.8%                2.7%                3.1%                2.9%                 2.8%   

RETURN ON NET TANGIBLE ASSETS, %         38.1%               38.8%               45.3%               40.4%                40.8%   

DIVIDENDS, % OF PRE-TAX INCOME          105.0%               90.9%               71.8%               69.8%                96.2%   


EBITA                                  $36,810             $38,055             $46,816             $46,417              $52,126   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

EBITDA                                 $39,850             $41,053             $49,535             $49,491              $55,325   
                                       --------            --------            --------            --------             --------  

</TABLE>
RESTUBBED TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                       ========P R O J E C T I O N========
                                          1997                1998                1999                 2000                2001
                                          ----                ----                ----                 ----                ----
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>                 <C>  
FINANCIAL STATISTICS:

SALES GROWTH, %                             8.9%                8.6%                8.6%                 8.6%                8.6%

EBIT GROWTH, %                             15.1%               12.4%               11.0%                10.4%                9.7%

GROSS PROFIT, %                            40.3%               40.4%               40.3%                40.2%               40.1%

OPERATING EXPENSE, % OF SALES              31.9%               31.6%               31.4%                31.1%               30.9%

OPERATING PROFIT, % OF SALES                8.5%                8.8%                9.0%                 9.1%                9.2%

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DAYS                    43.7                43.5                43.4                 43.3                43.2

INVENTORY TURNS                             4.03                4.12                4.17                 4.21                4.23

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DAYS                       43.0                43.0                43.1                 43.2                43.3

ACCRUED EXPENSES, % OF SALES                2.8%                2.8%                2.8%                 2.8%                2.8%

RETURN ON NET TANGIBLE ASSETS, %           44.3%               48.4%               50.9%                53.1%               54.9%

DIVIDENDS, % OF PRE-TAX INCOME             86.3%               86.7%               86.3%                86.6%               86.1%


EBITA                                    $60,000             $67,458             $74,865              $82,686             $90,685
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            -------

EBITDA                                   $63,195             $70,748             $78,215              $86,111             $94,185
                                         --------            --------            --------             --------            -------

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 17(g)(2)

                                                                   November 1996
                                                                    Projection






                     INFORMATION PROVIDED TO BOB MARTIN
                        OF SMITH BARNEY ON 11/25/96
                       AND SUBSEQUENTLY ADJUSTED PER
                             CONFERENCE CALL *




Risk Management Adjustment to be applied to our July Five-Year Projections are
as follows:

                                                             Updated Adjustments
                                                             Per Conference Call
                                                             -------------------

         1997 Projection                    $6,000M                 --
         1998 Projection                     6,500M             $ 6,000M
         1999 Projection                     7,500M               8,600M
         2000 Projection                     8,000M              11,000M
         2001 Projection                     9,000M              13,000M














*        Reproduction of hand-written note.




<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  APRIL 1997
                                                                                                                  PROJECTION

CONSOLIDATED CASH PROJECTION - 
YEARS 1995 TO 1999 (INPUT DATA)                                                             5 MONTHS        7 MONTHS       
- --------------------------------                                                            --------        --------
     (dollars in thousands)                                  ACTUAL          ACTUAL           PROJ            PROJ        PROJ
     ----------------------                                   1995            1996            1997            1997        1997
                                                             ------          ------           ----            ----        ----  
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>      <C>    

SD ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (INPUT $M OR USE %)
  -- PERCENTAGE COST INCREASE (INPUT %)                                        0.00%           5.00%           5.00%        5.00% 
  -- INSURANCE - ADD'L IBNR LIABILITY                      $     -           $ (400)        $     -         $     -      $     -  
               - LOSS CASUALTY PROGRAM                       3,734            1,800           1,240           1,736        2,976
               - THIRD PARTY POLICIES                          830            1,246             378             529          907
               - A & A BROKERAGE/LOSS CONTROL                 (340)             285             214             300          514
               - ALLOCATION TO DIVISIONS                    (4,904)          (2,826)         (1,603)         (2,245)      (3,848) 
  -- DEFERRED COMPENSATION - OLD PLAN                           41               24               3               4            7
                           - NEW PLAN                        1,135              677             694             972        1,666
                           - LONG-TERM SHARE PLAN            1,186              378           1,569             937        2,506
                           - ALLOCATION TO DIVISIONS                                           (673)           (943)      (1,616) 
  -- WAGES & SALARIES                                        2,744            2,585             874           1,223        2,097
  -- ANNUAL BONUSES                                            334              249             189             264          453
  -- DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                                       45               49              23              32           55
  -- ALL OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS                          5,021            4,830           1,693           3,078        4,771
                                                           -------          -------         -------         -------      -------  
       TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS (calc)                   $ 9,826          $ 8,897         $ 4,600         $ 5,888      $10,488  
                                                           =======          =======         =======         =======      =======  


SD PHILA -- CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                                $0               $0              $0              $0           $0 

DEFERRED COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUNDING                      3,067          $ 1,400         $     -         $ 2,000      $ 2,000
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PARTICIPANT PAYMENTS                                        -               -           2,500        2,500

ACTIVATION, NON-COMPETE PAYMENTS                                 -              292              49              69          118
TRANSACTION/MAKE-WHOLE/RESTRUCTURING COSTS -- PAYMENTS         N/A            1,899           1,000           7,780        8,780

AMORTIZATION OF:
   INVENTORY -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                             65              228             N/A             N/A          N/A
             -- ACQUISITIONS -- 96 & THEREAFTER                                                   -               -
   FIXED ASSET STEP-UP -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                  254              262             110             154          264
                       -- ACQUISITIONS -- 96 & THEREAFTER                                         -               -            -
   INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                    564              460             166             232          398
   GOODWILL -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                           1,252            1,409             586             821        1,407
            -- ACQUISITIONS -- 96 & THEREAFTER                                                    0               0            0

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET:
   BANK SERVICE FEES - CASH MGT (G & A)                        258          $   224         $   125         $   175      $   300
   BANK SERVICE FEES - CREDIT AGREEMENT (G&A)                  236              235             427             598        1,025
   LOSS (GAIN) ON SALE OF P,P & E  (OTHER)                       -                2              21              29           50
   SD MANAGEMENT FEE INCOME FROM A & H (ELIM)                 (378)            (434)           (150)           (210)        (360)
   SD RISK MANAGEMENT RESERVE EXP (INCOME)                       -                -               -               -            -
   MISCELLANEOUS EXP (INC), NET                                (47)             114              42              58          100
                                                           -------          -------         -------         -------      -------  

      TOTAL OTHER GAAP EXPENSE (INCOME) (calc)                  69          $   141         $   465         $   650      $ 1,115
                                                           =======          =======         =======         =======      =======  

   NON-CASH PORTION OF OTHER GAAP EXPENSES (INCOME)            N/A          $  (749)        $    21         $    -       $    21


STATE & LOCAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE (PARTNERSHIP)                 608          $   418         $   150             N/A          N/A
DEFERRED INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PARTNERSHIP)                      700          $ 2,163         $   300             N/A          N/A

ACQUISITION SPENDING,$M:                                                         $0              $0              $0           $0
DIVIDENDS FROM NEW ACQUISITIONS, $M                                              $0              $0              $0           $0
SALES FROM NEW ACQUISITIONS, $M                                                                   0               0            0
EBIT FROM NEW ACQUISITIONS, $M                                                                    0               0            0

LETTERS OF CREDIT -- OFF BALANCE SHEET: 
  -- STANDBY LC'S AT 12/31, $M                               9,479          $ 4,987         $ 2,736             N/A      $ 3,400
  -- DOCUMENTARY LC'S (TRADE) AT 12/31, $M                   2,397              861           1,000             N/A        1,000 
                                                           -------          -------         -------         -------      -------  

        TOTAL LETTERS OF CREDIT (calc)                      11,876          $ 5,848         $ 3,736         $     -      $ 4,400
                                                           -------          -------         -------         -------      -------  

LEASE GUARANTEES                                             1,700          $ 1,361         $ 1,261             N/A      $ 1,050
                                                           -------          -------         -------         -------      -------  
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
RESTUBBED TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONSOLIDATED CASH PROJECTION - 
YEARS 1995 TO 1999 (INPUT DATA)                           
- --------------------------------                          
     (dollars in thousands)                                          PROJ            PROJ            PROJ            PROJ
                                                                     1998            1999            2000            2001
                                                                     ----            ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>  

SD ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (INPUT $M OR USE %)
  -- PERCENTAGE COST INCREASE (INPUT %)                               5.00%           5.00%           5.00%           5.00%
  -- INSURANCE - ADD'L IBNR LIABILITY                             $      -        $      -        $      -
               - LOSS CASUALTY PROGRAM                               3,125           3,281           3,445           3,617
               - THIRD PARTY POLICIES                                  952           1,000           1,050           1,102
               - A & A BROKERAGE/LOSS CONTROL                          540             567             595             625
               - ALLOCATION TO DIVISIONS                            (4,040)         (4,242)         (4,455)         (4,677)
  -- DEFERRED COMPENSATION - OLD PLAN                                    7               8               8               9
                           - NEW PLAN                                1,749           1,837           1,929           2,025
                           - LONG-TERM SHARE PLAN                    1,686           1,771           1,859           1,952
                           - ALLOCATION TO DIVISIONS                (1,697)         (1,782)         (1,871)         (1,964)
  -- WAGES & SALARIES                                                2,202           2,312           2,428           2,549
  -- ANNUAL BONUSES                                                    476             499             524             551
  -- DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                                               58              61              64              67
  -- ALL OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS                                  5,010           5,260           5,523           5,799
                                                                  --------        --------        --------        -------- 
       TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS (calc)                          $ 10,067        $ 10,571        $ 11,099        $ 11,654
                                                                  ========        ========        ========        ========

SD PHILA -- CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                                        $0              $0              $0              $0

DEFERRED COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUNDING                           $  3,000        $  3,000        $  3,000        $  3,000
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PARTICIPANT PAYMENTS                

ACTIVATION, NON-COMPETE PAYMENTS                          
TRANSACTION/MAKE-WHOLE/RESTRUCTURING COSTS -- PAYMENTS               2,400                -               -               -

AMORTIZATION OF:
   INVENTORY -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                                    N/A             N/A             N/A             N/A
             -- ACQUISITIONS -- 96 & THEREAFTER           
   FIXED ASSET STEP-UP -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                          255             255             255             255
                       -- ACQUISITIONS -- 96 & THEREAFTER               -                -               -               -
   INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                             87               -               -               -
   GOODWILL -- EXISTING @ 12/31/95                                   1,412           1,412           1,412           1,412
            -- ACQUISITIONS -- 96 & THEREAFTER                           0               0               0               0

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET:
   BANK SERVICE FEES - CASH MGT (G & A)                           $    315        $    331        $    347        $    365
   BANK SERVICE FEES - CREDIT AGREEMENT (G&A)                        1,076           1,130           1,187           1,246
   LOSS (GAIN) ON SALE OF P,P & E  (OTHER)                              53              55              58              61
   SD MANAGEMENT FEE INCOME FROM A & H (ELIM)                         (420)           (420)           (420)           (420)
   SD RISK MANAGEMENT RESERVE EXP (INCOME)                               -               -               -               -
   MISCELLANEOUS EXP (INC), NET                                        105             110             116             122
                                                                  --------        --------        --------        -------- 

      TOTAL OTHER GAAP EXPENSE (INCOME) (calc)                    $  1,129        $  1,206        $  1,287        $  1,373
                                                                  ========        ========        ========        ========


   NON-CASH PORTION OF OTHER GAAP EXPENSES (INCOME)               $      -        $      -        $      -        $      -


STATE & LOCAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE (PARTNERSHIP)                         N/A             N/A             N/A             N/A
DEFERRED INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PARTNERSHIP)                              N/A             N/A             N/A             N/A

ACQUISITION SPENDING,$M:                                                $0              $0              $0              $0
DIVIDENDS FROM NEW ACQUISITIONS, $M                                     $0              $0              $0              $0
SALES FROM NEW ACQUISITIONS, $M                                          0               0              $0              $0
EBIT FROM NEW ACQUISITIONS, $M                                           0               0              $0              $0

LETTERS OF CREDIT -- OFF BALANCE SHEET:
  -- STANDBY LC'S AT 12/31, $M                                    $  4,400        $  5,000        $  5,000        $  5,000
  -- DOCUMENTARY LC'S (TRADE) AT 12/31, $M                           1,500           2,000           2,500           3,000
                                                                  --------        --------        --------        -------- 

        TOTAL LETTERS OF CREDIT (calc)                            $  5,900        $  7,000        $  7,500        $  8,000
                                                                  --------        --------        --------        -------- 

LEASE GUARANTEES                                                  $    750        $    450        $    150        $      -
                                                                  ========        ========        ========        ========

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

COMPANY NAME:      Existing Operations Including RISK                APRIL 1997
                       (dollars in thousands)                        PROJECTION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             5 MONTHS      7 MONTHS 
                                     ACTUAL     ACTUAL     ACTUAL     ACTUAL    ACTUAL         PROJ          PROJ
HISTORICAL INCOME STATEMENT:          1992       1993       1994       1995      1996          1997          1997
- -----------------------------         ----       ----      ----        ----      ----          ----          ----
<S>                                <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>      
SALES                              $ 449,185 $ 487,175   $ 554,819   $ 601,152   $ 650,791   $284,174       421,626
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------  

 GROSS PROFIT                        187,281   199,254     226,382     244,617     263,362    114,505       172,121

OPERATING EXPENSES                   151,042   160,909     179,989     198,251     215,643     95,488       136,693

COMMISSION INCOME                        126       126         106         117         290        114           166 
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   
 OPERATING INCOME                     36,365    38,471      46,499      46,483      48,009     19,131        35,594
                                                                                             --------       -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                   445      (448)        342         (38)        248        (24)          304
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   
 EBIT                                 36,810    38,023      46,841      46,445      48,257     19,107        35,898
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   
INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)                164        71          96          37          59         13           (13)
MGT. FEE EXPENSE (INCOME)                270       256         294         378         434        175           245
FEDERAL & STATE INCOME TAXES               -         -           -           -           -          0             -
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES                     519       388         569         639         603        230           403
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   
 NET INCOME (HISTORIC PRETAX
  INCOME)                           $ 35,857  $ 37,308    $ 45,882    $ 45,391    $ 47,161     18,689        35,263
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------       -------
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                   3,040     2,998       2,719       3,074       3,250      1,608         2,010

NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS            $ 38,897  $ 40,306    $ 48,601    $ 48,465    $ 50,411    $20,297       $37,273
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------       -------
                                                                                             5 MONTHS      7 MONTHS
                                                                                               PROJ          PROJ
HISTORICAL BALANCE SHEET:           12/31/92 12/31/93    12/31/94    12/31/95    12/31/96      1997          1997
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------      --------
CASH                                    $ 86   $     -     $ 1,610   $      -     $  1,077    $     0       $     -
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET              53,794    56,971      66,299      73,451      79,207     85,252  
INVENTORY                             62,960    71,199      80,092      95,488      99,967    112,271  
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                   2,717     3,678       2,868       3,308       3,705      3,974  
                                    --------- ---------   ---------  ---------    ---------   --------  
  TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS               119,558   131,847     150,869     172,247     183,956    201,497  
 
FIXED ASSETS, NET                     13,774    13,571      13,650      13,692      15,742     16,606  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS                         71       103          78          50          41         12  
OTHER ASSETS                             334       377         212         526         196         85  
                                    --------- ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------   --------  
  TOTAL ASSETS                     $ 133,737  $145,899   $ 164,809   $ 186,516   $ 199,935   $218,200  
                                   =========  ========   =========   =========   =========   -------- 


ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                    $ 27,893  $ 36,416    $ 39,138    $  41,769  $  46,279     52,772  
NOTES PAYABLE & CURRENT DEBT           2,206     2,914       2,027        1,966      1,854      1,099  
ACCRUED EXPENSES                      12,447    13,263      17,208       17,333     17,456     18,768  
                                   ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------  
  TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES           42,546    52,593      58,373       61,068     65,589     72,639  

LONG-TERM CAP LEASE OBLIGATIONS          106        68           -            -        611        611  

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES            209       121         (75)        (307)      (295)      (318) 

HISTORIC CAPITAL                      90,877    93,117     106,511      125,755    134,030    145,269  
                                   ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------  --------  
  TOTAL LIABILITIES & CAPITAL      $ 133,737  $145,899   $ 164,809    $ 186,516   $199,935   $218,201  
                                   =========  =========   =========    =========   ========  --------

DIVIDENDS (CAPITAL)                $  37,642 $ 33,895   $  32,952      $ 32,207   $ 38,886     $7,450     $37,328
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------                -------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES               $   2,089 $  2,906   $   2,895       $ 3,150   $  4,829     $2,472     $ 2,300
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------                -------
NET TANGIBLE ASSETS                $  94,151 $  96,116  $ 101,281     $ 118,584   $133,989   $144,938  
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------  

<PAGE>

FINANCIAL STATISTICS
 
SALES GROWTH, %                          N/A     8.46%     13.88%         8.35%      8.26%        N/A          N/A
                                    
EBIT GROWTH, %                           N/A     3.30%     23.19%        -0.85%      3.90%        N/A          N/A
                                    
GROSS PROFIT, %                       41.69%    40.90%     40.80%        40.69%     40.47%      40.29%      40.82%
                                    
OPERATING EXPENSE, % OF SALES         33.63%    33.03%     32.44%        32.98%     33.14%      33.60%      32.42%
                                    
OPERATING PROFIT, % OF SALES           8.10%     7.90%      8.38%         7.73%      7.38%       6.73%       8.44%
                                    
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DAYS                43.7      42.7       43.6          44.6       44.4        45.6        43.6
                                    
INVENTORY TURNS                         4.16      4.04       4.10          3.73       3.88        3.63        3.94
                                    
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DAYS                   46.2      44.9       42.3          39.2       43.1        44.1        43.4
                                    
ACCRUED EXPENSES, % OF SALES           2.77%     2.72%      3.10%         2.88%      2.68%       2.75%       2.93%
                                    
RETURN ON NET TANGIBLE ASSETS, %      38.08%    38.82%     46.49%        42.67%     37.34%      32.16%      42.01%
                                    
DIVIDENDS, % OF PRE-TAX INCOME       104.98%    90.85%     71.82%        70.95%     82.45%      39.86%     105.86%
                                    
                                    
UNALLOCATED RISK ADJUSTMENT         
 EXPENSE RESERVE ($M) INPUT                0         0          -            -          -              
                                    
   HISTORICAL NON-CASH CHARGES      
 (INCLUDED IN OPERATING EXPENSE):   
                                    
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE               $   3,040     2,998   $  2,719    $    3,074   $  3,250     $ 1,608    $ 2,010
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE                       -       (32)        25            28          9          29        (23)
                                   --------- ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------    -------
   TOTAL NON-CASH CHARGES          $   3,040     2,966   $  2,744    $    3,102   $  3,259     $ 1,637    $ 1,987

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
RESTUBBED TABLE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  
                                      PROJ        PROJ       PROJ       PROJ         PROJ
HISTORICAL INCOME STATEMENT :         1997        1998       1999       2000         2001
- -----------------------------         ----       ----        ----       ----         ----

<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     
SALES                               $705,800    $766,500    $832,200    $903,400    $981,400
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

 GROSS PROFIT                        286,625     307,795     332,182     359,338     388,664
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
OPERATING EXPENSES                   232,181     249,168     267,499     288,340     310,840
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
COMMISSION INCOME                        280         295         315         335         350
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
 OPERATING INCOME                     54,724      58,922      64,998      71,332      78,174

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                   280         320         335         350         365
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
 EBIT                                 55,004      59,242      65,333      71,682      78,539
                                    
INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)                  0          25          25          25          25
MGT. FEE EXPENSE (INCOME)                420         420         420         420         420
FEDERAL & STATE INCOME TAXES               0           0           0           0           0
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES                     633       1,131       1,343       1,646       2,040

 NET INCOME (HISTORIC PRETAX
  INCOME)                             53,951      57,666      63,545      69,591      76,055
                                    
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                   3,618       3,965       4,160       4,325       4,510
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS              57,569      61,631      67,705      73,916      80,565

                                  
                                       PROJ         PROJ        PROJ        PROJ         PROJ
HISTORICAL BALANCE SHEET:              1997         1998        1999        2000         2001
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
CASH                                       0           0           0           0           0
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET              86,340      93,450     100,365     108,903     118,306
INVENTORY                            108,592     115,764     123,698     132,094     140,599
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                   3,767       4,075       4,385       4,640       4,910
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS               198,699     213,288     228,448     245,637     263,815

FIXED ASSETS, NET                     16,937      17,982      19,022      19,922      20,687
INTANGIBLE ASSETS                         35          32          30          29          28
OTHER ASSETS                             165         200         225         245         280
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  TOTAL ASSETS                       215,836     231,502     247,725     265,833     284,810
                                     =======     =======      =======    =======     =======


ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                      50,163      55,777      61,233      67,355      74,125
NOTES PAYABLE & CURRENT DEBT           1,099       1,099       1,099       1,099       1,099
ACCRUED EXPENSES                      21,174      22,995      24,966      28,005      30,423
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES           72,437      79,871      87,298      96,459     105,647

LONG-TERM CAP LEASE OBLIGATIONS          500         400         300         200         100
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES           (303)       (275)       (275)       (275)       (275)
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

HISTORIC CAPITAL                     143,203     151,506     160,402     169,449     179,337
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  TOTAL LIABILITIES & CAPITAL        215,837     231,502     247,725     265,833     284,810
                                     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======

DIVIDENDS (CAPITAL)                  $44,778     $49,363     $54,648     $60,546     $66,166
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                  $4,772      $5,010      $5,200      $5,225      $5,275
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
NET TANGIBLE ASSETS                 $142,864    $151,199    $160,097    $169,145    $179,034
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
<PAGE>

FINANCIAL STATISTICS

SALES GROWTH, %                        8.45%       8.60%       8.57%       8.56%       8.63%
                                  
EBIT GROWTH, %                        13.98%       7.71%      10.28%       9.72%       9.57%
                                  
GROSS PROFIT, %                       40.61%      40.16%      39.92%      39.78%      39.60%
                                  
OPERATING EXPENSE, % OF SALES         32.90%      32.51%      32.14%      31.92%      31.67%
                                  
OPERATING PROFIT, % OF SALES           7.75%       7.69%       7.81%       7.90%       7.97%
                                  
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DAYS                44.7        44.5        44.0        44.0        44.0
                                  
INVENTORY TURNS                         3.86        3.96        4.04        4.12        4.22
                                  
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DAYS                   42.8        43.7        44.0        44.5        45.0
                                  
ACCRUED EXPENSES, % OF SALES           3.00%       3.00%       3.00%       3.10%       3.10%
                                  
RETURN ON NET TANGIBLE ASSETS, %      38.97%      39.22%      40.83%      42.27%      43.69%
                                  
DIVIDENDS, % OF PRE-TAX INCOME        83.00%      85.60%      86.00%      87.00%      87.00%
                                  
                                  
UNALLOCATED RISK ADJUSTMENT       
 EXPENSE RESERVE ($M) INPUT            6,431      10,095      12,730      13,884      15,196
                                  
   HISTORICAL NON-CASH CHARGES    
 (INCLUDED IN OPERATING EXPENSE): 
                                  
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE                 $ 3,618   $   3,965   $   4,160   $   4,325   $   4,510
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE                       6           3           2           1           1
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
   TOTAL NON-CASH CHARGES            $ 3,624   $   3,968   $   4,162   $   4,326   $   4,511

</TABLE>



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