DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION /DE/
424A, 1998-03-04
PAPER & PAPER PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>   1
                                                   Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(a)
                                                      Registration No. 333-46927
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 26, 1998
 
PROSPECTUS                                                                , 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                [DAISYTEK LOGO]
 
                                   3,000,000
 
                       DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                 COMMON SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Of the 3,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), of
Daisytek International Corporation (the "Company") offered hereby, 2,300,000 are
being sold by Company and 700,000 are being sold by the Selling Stockholder. See
"Principal and Selling Stockholders." The Company will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholder.
 
The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq") under the
symbol "DZTK." On February 25, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Common
Stock on Nasdaq was $24 3/8 per share (as adjusted for a two for one stock split
effective March 2, 1998). See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
 
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY, SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGES 7-10 .
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Price to     Underwriting Discounts   Proceeds to         Proceeds to
                               Public        and Commissions(1)     Company(2)    Selling Stockholder(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>                      <C>           <C>
Per Common Share             $                                  $             $                         $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)                     $                                  $             $                         $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933. See "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting expenses estimated at $        , which will be paid by the
    Company.
 
(3) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have granted to the Underwriters a
    30-day option to purchase up to 450,000 additional shares of Common Stock on
    the same terms per share solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such
    option is exercised in full, the total price to public will be $        ,
    the total underwriting discounts and commissions will be $        , the
    total proceeds to the Company will be $        and the total proceeds to the
    Selling Stockholder will be $        . See "Underwriting."
 
The Common Stock is being offered by the Underwriters as set forth under
"Underwriting" herein. It is expected that delivery of certificates therefor
will be made at the offices of SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc., New York, New York,
on or about             , 1998. The Underwriters include:
 
SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                                                         WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY
<PAGE>   2
 
                                   [picture]
 
        DAISYTEK'S SALES FORCE SERVICES OVER 25,000 CUSTOMER LOCATIONS.
 
                                   [picture]
 
  THE COMPANY'S "SUPERHUB" DISTRIBUTION CENTER, LOCATED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,
                                    UTILIZES
 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE OPERATING EFFICIENCY AND CUSTOMER
                                    SERVICE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT
STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING
OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK
AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID DURING AND AFTER THE OFFERING. IN ADDITION,
CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS (AND SELLING GROUP MEMBERS, IF ANY) ALSO MAY ENGAGE IN
PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL
MARKET, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 UNDER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto,
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Except as otherwise indicated herein,
the information in this Prospectus assumes no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option and reflects the two for one stock split of the Company's
Common Stock effective as of March 2, 1998. Unless the context otherwise
requires, references to the "Company" mean Daisytek International Corporation
and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Daisytek, Incorporated, the
Company's primary operating subsidiary, but do not include the Company's
recently acquired subsidiary, Steadi-Systems, Ltd., and its subsidiaries. See
"Business -- Recent Acquisition." References in this Prospectus to the Company's
fiscal year means the 12 month period ending on March 31 of such year.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Daisytek International Corporation ("Daisytek" or the "Company") is a
leading wholesale distributor of non-paper computer and office automation
supplies and accessories. The Company distributes over 10,000 products to over
25,000 customer locations, including value added resellers ("VARs"), computer
supplies dealers, office product dealers, contract stationers, buying groups,
computer and office product superstores and other retailers who resell the
products to end-users. The Company believes it is the largest wholesale
distributor of non-paper computer and office automation supplies and accessories
in the world.
 
     The Company sells primarily nationally known, name-brand products
manufactured by over 150 original equipment manufacturers, including
Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Lexmark, IBM, Okidata, Digital Equipment Corporation,
Apple, Panasonic, Kodak, Imation, Epson, Sony, Xerox, Brother and Maxell. The
Company's products include consumable supplies such as laser toner, inkjet
cartridges, copier toner, printer ribbons, diskettes, optical storage products,
computer tape cartridges and accessories. The Company's products are used in a
broad range of computers and office automation products, including laser and
inkjet printers, photocopiers, fax machines and data storage products.
 
     The Company utilizes sophisticated telemarketing, direct mail programs,
frequent innovative sales promotions and electronic commerce technology to
market and distribute its products throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Australia and Latin America, as well as in other international markets,
including Singapore and the Pacific Rim. The Company presently operates one
centralized "superhub" distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee, to service the
U.S. and certain international markets. To service other international markets,
the Company also operates smaller regional sales and distribution centers in
Miami, Florida, Mexico, Australia, Canada and recently opened a sales and
distribution facility in Singapore. Most of the Company's U.S. shipments are
shipped via Federal Express under a contractual arrangement which, together with
the Company's centralized distribution center, enables the Company to accept
orders until 9:00 p.m. EST and offer its customers next business day delivery of
product in stock.
 
     The Company also operates Priority Fulfillment Services, Inc. ("PFS"), a
wholly owned subsidiary, which provides a wide array of outsourcing solutions to
major corporations. Through PFS, the Company sells its core competencies in call
center, product fulfillment, logistics and support services. PFS services
include: order entry, order tracking, customer service (inbound) and outbound
telemarketing services; product fulfillment, logistics and distribution
services; and other support services such as invoicing, credit management and
collection services, and accounting and systems support.
 
     In January 1998, the Company expanded its product line and customer base by
acquiring Steadi-Systems, Ltd. ("Steadi-Systems"), an independent wholesale
distributor of a wide array of professional media products (film stock, video,
audio and data storage media) and video hardware (analog and digital equipment)
to the filmed entertainment and multimedia industries.
 
     Industry sources estimate that the U.S. non-paper computer and office
automation supplies market was approximately $16 billion (at retail) in 1996 and
is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 10% over the
next four years. The Company believes that the demand for consumable supplies is
driven by three major trends: (i) the rapid advancement in hardware and
peripheral technology such as laser
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
and inkjet printers, (ii) the increasing automation of the workplace and the
corresponding increase in the demand for computer and office automation
supplies, particularly in the small and home office environment, and (iii) the
substantial growth and acceptance of laser and color-printer technologies which
require significantly more consumable supplies than older, impact printing
technologies.
 
     Unlike the computer hardware or office equipment industry, the Company
believes the non-paper computer and office automation supplies industry is not
generally subject to the risk of rapid technological advances and subsequent
product obsolescence. This is because the demand for non-paper consumables is
not dependent on the level or type of computer hardware or office equipment
sales in any particular year, but rather reflects the amount and type of
equipment already in use. As a result, the consumable needs for any particular
computer or item of office equipment will often continue for an extended period
of time, even after the manufacture of such computer or office equipment is
discontinued.
 
     The Company believes that the market for outsourcing of call center
(inbound and outbound) and product fulfillment and distribution operations
should grow rapidly as more companies focus on product development and marketing
and turn to third party providers for their teleservice and distribution needs.
The Company further believes that the increasing use of the Internet for
electronic commerce activities should fuel growth for the outsourcing of small
package distribution.
 
     The Company's net sales increased from $233.5 million in fiscal year 1993
to $603.8 million in fiscal year 1997, a compound annual revenue growth rate of
26.8%, while operating income increased from $6.4 million (without giving effect
to certain one-time events) to $23.3 million over the same period, a compound
annual operating income growth rate of 38.2%. These growth rates reflect the
Company's wide selection of popular products at competitive prices, its ability
to continually increase sales to existing customers and add new product lines
and new customers and its emphasis on controlling operating expenses and
achieving distribution efficiencies.
 
     The key components of the Company's strategy to increase its market share
and achieve continued sales and earnings growth are to:
 
          - Continue to Focus on the Consumable Supplies Industry by increasing
     sales to existing customers within the contract stationer, VAR and computer
     and office product superstore channels and initiating new customer
     relationships and new channels such as mass merchants, grocery and
     convenience stores. Additionally, the Company will continue to focus on the
     introduction of new products such as media products, color printer
     supplies, optical storage products and bar coding products.
 
          - Leverage Innovative Technology to Capture Market Share. The Company
     regularly uses innovative technology based tools to closely monitor sales
     and profitability, improve productivity in telemarketing and distribution
     and provide value-added services, such as an electronic catalog and on-line
     ordering (known as "SOLO", the System for Online Ordering), electronic data
     interchange ("EDI"), drop-shipping to end-users, advanced order tracking
     systems and "customer links" which provide customers with direct access to
     proprietary Company databases. These technology tools should allow the
     Company to continue to improve overall operating efficiency and customer
     service and win further market share.
 
          - Expand International Presence by utilizing the Company's strength in
     marketing and distributing consumable supplies in emerging growth markets
     in other areas of the world, including Latin America and the Pacific Rim.
     The Company's financial strength, consumable supplies experience and broad
     product range should provide the Company with strong growth opportunities
     in these markets.
 
          - Capitalize on the Outsourcing Trend by Expanding PFS through
     Leveraging the Company's Small Package Distribution and Telemarketing
     Expertise. In particular, the Company believes that the growth of
     electronic commerce over the Internet will provide the Company with
     significant growth opportunities to offer its call center, product
     fulfillment and distribution services to a wide array of customers in a
     variety of industries.
 
          - Seek Acquisitions of Selected Product Lines, Fulfillment Services
     and International Operations to capitalize on the Company's expertise in
     small package distribution, especially products having high value low
     weight characteristics.
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 500 North Central
Expressway, Plano, Texas 75074, and its telephone number is (972) 881-4700.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Common Stock offered by the
  Company........................    2,300,000 shares
 
Common Stock offered by the
  Selling Stockholder............    700,000 shares
 
Common Stock outstanding after
  the Offering...................    15,961,032 shares(1)
 
Use of Proceeds by the Company...    Repayment of indebtedness under the
                                     Company's
                                     bank credit facilities. See "Use of
                                     Proceeds."
 
Nasdaq National Market symbol....    DZTK
- ---------------
 
(1) Based on the number of shares outstanding as of the date of this Prospectus.
    Does not include (i) 1,731,186 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
    upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and (ii) 2,103,452 shares of
    Common Stock available for the future grant of stock options under the
    Company's Stock Option Plans.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           NINE MONTH
                                                                                          PERIODS ENDED
                                           FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,                   DECEMBER 31,
                               -----------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                 1993        1994       1995       1996       1997       1996       1997
                               --------    --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales..................  $233,458    $276,699   $352,953   $464,169   $603,814   $429,471   $538,966
  Gross profit...............    23,263      28,817     35,971     47,970     59,966     42,463     53,940
  Income (loss) from
    operations...............    (2,260)(1)    8,479    12,711     18,946     23,336     16,385     20,797
  Net income (loss)..........    (2,921)      4,257      6,496     10,767     13,367      9,360     11,836
PER SHARE DATA(2):
  Net income (loss) per
    common share:
    Basic....................  $  (0.34)   $   0.49   $   0.68   $   0.85   $   1.03   $   0.73   $   0.87
    Diluted..................  $  (0.34)   $   0.40   $   0.59   $   0.80   $   0.97   $   0.68   $   0.83
  Weighted average common
    shares outstanding:
    Basic....................     8,620       8,676      9,550     12,602     12,934     12,904     13,530
  Weighted average common and
    common equivalent shares
    outstanding:
    Diluted..................     8,620      10,576     11,084     13,514     13,826     13,832     14,260
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1997
                                                              ------------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital...........................................    $ 93,784
  Total assets..............................................     186,973
  Long-term debt, net of current maturities.................      28,849
  Shareholders' equity......................................      82,140
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The Company's income from operations for fiscal year 1993 would have been
    approximately $6.4 million without giving effect to the events described in
    footnote (1) on page 13.
 
(2) In February 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for one
    stock split to be effected in the form of a stock dividend payable on March
    2, 1998 to stockholders of record on February 16, 1998. Share data is based
    upon the weighted average common shares and share equivalents outstanding
    for each period, adjusted to reflect the split.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors should carefully consider the following factors, as
well as the other information contained in this Prospectus, in evaluating an
investment in the Common Stock.
 
ADVERSE EFFECT OF COMPETITION AND SHIFTING CUSTOMER MIX
 
     The non-paper computer and office automation product supplies wholesale
distribution industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with product
manufacturers, general office supply wholesalers, other national and regional
computer supplies wholesale distributors, computer hardware and software
distributors, and, to a lesser extent, non-specialized wholesalers. Many of the
Company's competitors such as product manufacturers and general office supply
wholesalers are larger and have substantially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. Competition in the Company's industry is generally
based on price, breadth of product lines, product and credit availability,
delivery time and the level and quality of customer services.
 
     In addition, the Company has generally experienced and, over time, expects
to continue to experience, declining gross profit margins primarily as a result
of customer consolidation and a shifting customer mix from small and medium
sized dealers and resellers to large national accounts and computer and office
product superstores, many of whom have direct purchasing relationships with
product manufacturers, and as a result of price competition. Although,
historically, the Company has been able to offset such declines by reducing the
Company's operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, and while management
believes it will generally be able to continue to do so, no assurance can be
given in this regard. Management also expects that the continuing consolidation
among its customers may cause a reduction in the sales growth of the Company's
core domestic supplies business. The Company presently expects to partially
offset this reduced growth rate with further growth in its international and PFS
businesses, but no assurance can be given in this regard. The growth in sales to
computer and office product superstores has also created an increased
concentration of credit risk, as such customers now account for a larger
percentage of net sales and accounts receivable. See "Business -- Competition"
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
 
DEPENDENCE ON SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS WITH A THIRD PARTY
 
     The Company presently ships approximately 85% of its U.S. shipments under a
five-year contractual arrangement with Federal Express (the "Federal Express
Agreement") pursuant to which the Company, subject to compliance with certain
conditions, receives favorable shipping rates. The Federal Express Agreement has
a scheduled termination date of November 1999, but may be terminated at any time
upon prior notice, and there can be no assurance that such termination, or a
substantial change in the operations of, or disruption of services provided by,
Federal Express, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business. See "Business -- Distribution."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY SUPPLIERS
 
     Although the Company regularly carries products and accessories
manufactured by more than 150 original equipment manufacturers, approximately
76% of the Company's net sales during the nine months ended December 31, 1997
were derived from products manufactured by the Company's ten largest suppliers,
with the sale of Hewlett-Packard and Canon products accounting for approximately
39% and 10% of total net sales, respectively, and the sale of Lexmark, Digital
Equipment Corporation, Epson, Okidata, Panasonic and Xerox products each
accounting for between approximately 3% to 6% of total net sales. In addition,
the Company's business is dependent upon terms provided by its key suppliers,
including pricing and related provisions, product availability and dealer
authorizations. The Company's direct purchasing agreements with its major
suppliers are generally terminable by the supplier at any time, with or without
cause, and, while the Company considers its relationships with its key
suppliers, including Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Lexmark, Digital Equipment
Corporation, Epson, Okidata, Panasonic and Xerox to be good, there can be no
assurance that these relationships will not be terminated or that such
relationships will continue as presently in effect. In addition, changes by one
or more of such key suppliers of their policies regarding wholesale distributors
or volume discount schedules or other marketing programs applicable to the
Company may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. See
"Business -- Suppliers."
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
RISK OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND EXPANSION
 
     Approximately 19% of the Company's total net sales in fiscal year 1997, and
22% of the Company's total net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 1997
were sold through the Company's Canadian, Mexican, Australian and U.S. export
operations, including Latin America. The Company believes that international
markets represent further opportunities for growth. To take advantage of the
growing Far East and Australia marketplace, in October 1996 the Company acquired
Lasercharge Pty Ltd., a large computer and office automation supplies
wholesaler, and recently opened a sales and distribution facility in Singapore.
To service the growing Latin American market, in November 1994 the Company
opened a sales office and distribution center in Mexico City, Mexico, and in
January 1996 the Company opened a similar facility in Miami, Florida. There can
be no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in these or other
international efforts or that the risks inherent in international operations,
such as currency fluctuations or the political or economic instability of
certain foreign countries and regions, will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations. The Company attempts to protect itself
from foreign currency translation risks by denominating substantially all of its
non-Canadian and non-Australian international sales in U.S. dollars. In
addition, on an annual basis, the Company has entered into various one-year
forward Canadian and various forward Australian currency exchange contracts in
order to hedge the Company's net investment in, and its intercompany payable
applicable to, its Canadian and Australian subsidiaries. The Company may also
consider entering into other forward exchange contracts in order to hedge the
Company's net investment in its other foreign subsidiaries, although no
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to do so on acceptable
terms. The Company also has local currency lines of credit available in Canada
and Australia and may from time to time borrow in foreign currencies in order to
meet the working capital needs of one or more of its foreign subsidiaries. See
"Business -- Business Strategy, -- Sales and Marketing -- Distribution,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" and Note 1 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
ACQUISITIONS
 
     As part of its growth strategy, the Company pursues the acquisition of
companies that either complement or expand its existing business. As a result,
the Company regularly evaluates potential acquisition opportunities, which may
be material in size and scope. Acquisitions involve a number of risks and
uncertainties, including expansion into new geographic markets and business
areas, the requirement to understand local business practices, the diversion of
management's attention to the assimilation of the operations and personnel of
the acquired companies, the possible requirement to upgrade the acquired
companies' management information systems to the Company's standards, possible
dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of additional debt, the
amortization of any acquired intangible assets and potential adverse short-term
effects on the Company's operating results. See "Business -- Business Strategy."
 
DEPENDENCE ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
     The Company depends on a variety of information systems for its operations,
particularly its centralized information processing system which supports, among
other things, inventory management, order processing, shipping, receiving, and
accounting. Although the Company has not in the past experienced significant
failures or down time of its centralized information processing system or any of
its other information systems, and while the Company believes it presently has
adequate safeguards and backups in place, any such failure or significant down
time could prevent the Company from taking customer orders, and/or shipping
product and could prevent customers from accessing price and product
availability information from the Company. Consequently, a failure of the
Company's information systems could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition,
the inability of the Company to attract and retain the highly-skilled personnel
required to implement, maintain, and operate its centralized information
processing system and the Company's other information systems could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, or
results of operations. See "Business - Management Information Systems."
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
 
     The Company has developed plans to ensure its information systems are
capable of properly utilizing dates beyond December 31, 1999 (the "Year 2000"
issue). The Company believes that with upgrades or modifications to existing
software and conversion to new software, the impact of the Year 2000 issue can
be mitigated. However, if such upgrades, modifications and conversions are not
made, or are not made in a timely manner, the Year 2000 issue could have a
material impact on the Company's operations. The Company is also seeking to work
with its customers, suppliers and other service providers to ensure their
systems are Year 2000 compliant. There can be no assurance that customers or
suppliers will successfully implement Year 2000 compliant systems. In the event
that numerous or significant customers or suppliers do not successfully
implement Year 2000 compliant systems, the Company's operations could be
materially and adversely affected. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
 
DEPENDENCE ON SENIOR MANAGEMENT
 
     The success of the Company is largely dependent on the skills, experience
and efforts of its senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of
its senior management could have an adverse effect on the Company's future
business and prospects. The Company currently maintains, and is the beneficiary
of, key-person term life insurance in the aggregate amount of $5 million on the
lives of certain of its executive officers. The Company does not presently
require any of its senior management to execute employment or non-competition
agreements. See "Management."
 
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     The market price of the Common Stock may be subject to significant
fluctuations in response to variations in the Company's quarterly operating
results, general trends in the Company's industry and other factors, as well as
general economic conditions. In addition, the stock market, at times, has
experienced substantial price and volume fluctuations that often have been
unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. These
fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See
"Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
 
AVAILABILITY OF PREFERRED SHARES FOR ISSUANCE
 
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Company to issue
up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, although the Company has no present
intention to issue any shares of preferred stock. However, since the rights and
preferences of any series of preferred stock may be set by the Board of
Directors in its sole discretion, the rights and preferences of any such
preferred stock may be superior to those of the Common Stock and thus may
adversely affect the rights of holders of Common Stock. The ability to issue
preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in
control of the Company.
 
POSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS
 
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include certain
anti-takeover provisions. These provisions are intended to enhance the
likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of, and in the
policies formulated by, the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, these provisions,
together with certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, may
delay or prevent a takeover attempt that a stockholder of the Company might
consider to be in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company currently intends to retain all future earnings to finance the
further development of its business and does not anticipate paying any cash
dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. See "Price Range of
Common Stock and Dividend Policy" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
 
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This Prospectus, including the documents incorporated herein by reference,
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Prospectus, the words
"believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements may include plans relating to future operations, acquisitions,
financing needs or the Company's products and services; projections of revenue
and net income and issues that may affect revenue or net income; projections of
capital expenditures; and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking
statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which
cannot be predicted or quantified. The Company's actual results and events may
differ significantly from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to,
those discussed herein under "Risk Factors."
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,300,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby are estimated to be approximately
$52.5 million (approximately $60.4 million if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full) assuming an offering price of $24 3/8 per share
(the last reported sales price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market
on February 25, 1998), after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and offering expenses. The net proceeds of the Offering to the
Company will be used to reduce indebtedness under the Company's revolving bank
credit facilities. As of January 31, 1998, the Company had approximately $56.7
million outstanding under these facilities at a weighted average interest rate
of 6.6%. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the
respective maturities of the Company's revolving bank credit facilities.
 
     The receipt of the proceeds of the Offering will strengthen the Company's
balance sheet and will provide additional funding for domestic and international
growth and possible acquisitions to expand its product line and its call center
and fulfillment and distribution capabilities. While the Company regularly
reviews acquisition opportunities, and is presently commencing review of a
possible acquisition opportunity, no acquisitions are currently pending.
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock by the Selling Stockholder in the Offering.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
 
                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company's Common Stock is listed and trades on the Nasdaq National
Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "DZTK." The following
table sets forth for the period indicated the high and low sale price for the
Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, as adjusted to reflect
the two for one stock split effective as of March 2, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PRICE
                                                              -----------------------
                                                                HIGH           LOW
                                                              ---------     ---------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Fiscal Year 1996
  First Quarter.............................................  $12 1/2       $ 9 9/16
  Second Quarter............................................  $16 7/16      $10 1/2
  Third Quarter.............................................  $16 1/2       $13 1/8
  Fourth Quarter............................................  $17 7/8       $13 7/8
Fiscal Year 1997
  First Quarter.............................................  $23 1/2       $16 1/4
  Second Quarter............................................  $22 1/16      $17 1/4
  Third Quarter.............................................  $21 3/4       $17 1/4
  Fourth Quarter............................................  $21           $15 1/2
Fiscal Year 1998
  First Quarter.............................................  $19 7/8       $12 3/8
  Second Quarter............................................  $24           $19 3/8
  Third Quarter.............................................  $22 1/2       $16 5/16
  Fourth Quarter (through February 25, 1998)................  $24 7/8       $17 3/8
</TABLE>
 
     The closing price of a share of Common Stock on February 25, 1998 was
$24 3/8. As of January 31, 1998, there were approximately 2,200 shareholders of
which 83 were record holders of the Common Stock.
 
     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not
anticipate the payment of cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable
future. The Company currently intends to retain all earnings to finance the
further development of its business. The payment of any future dividends will be
at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon,
among other things, future earnings, operations, capital requirements, the
general financial condition of the Company and general business conditions. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
December 31, 1997 and as adjusted as of such date to give effect to: (i) the
sale by the Company of the shares of Common Stock offered by it hereby (at an
assumed public offering price of $24 3/8 per share) and (ii) the application of
the estimated net proceeds thereof to reduce indebtedness under the Company's
revolving credit facilities. See "Use of Proceeds." This table should be read in
conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements, including the
notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                 ACTUAL           AS ADJUSTED
                                                              -------------     ----------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>
Short-term debt:
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............    $    367            $    367
                                                                ========            ========
Long-term debt:
  Revolving credit facilities(1)............................    $ 28,718            $     --
  Capital lease obligations.................................         131                 131
                                                                --------            --------
     Total long-term debt...................................    $ 28,849            $    131
                                                                --------            --------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 1,000,000 shares
     authorized, none issued and outstanding................    $     --            $     --
  Common stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares
     authorized, 13,636,340 shares issued and outstanding
     (actual), 15,936,340 shares issued and outstanding (as
     adjusted)..............................................         136                 159
  Additional paid-in capital................................      36,907              89,363
  Retained earnings.........................................      46,939              46,939
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment........      (1,842)             (1,842)
                                                                --------            --------
     Total shareholders' equity.............................    $ 82,140            $134,619
                                                                --------            --------
          Total capitalization..............................    $110,989            $134,750
                                                                ========            ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) As of January 31, 1998, the Company had approximately $56.7 million
    outstanding under its revolving credit facilities.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   13
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The selected consolidated statement of operations data presented below for
each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, and the selected
consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 1996 and 1997 have been derived
from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements, and should be read
in conjunction with those statements, which are included in this Prospectus. The
selected consolidated statements of operations data for the fiscal years ended
March 31, 1993 and 1994 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of
March 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 have been derived from the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with those
statements, which are not included in this Prospectus. The consolidated
statement of operations data for the nine month periods ended December 31, 1996
and 1997 and the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 1997 are
derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein. In the
opinion of management, the unaudited information includes all adjustments,
consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair
presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the Company
at the date and for the period presented. Results for the nine month period
ended December 31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the full fiscal year. The selected consolidated financial data
set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto which are included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     NINE MONTH
                                                                                                    PERIODS ENDED
                                                  FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,                      DECEMBER 31,
                                     ------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------
                                       1993         1994       1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                     --------     --------   --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)            (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                  <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales........................  $233,458     $276,699   $352,953   $464,169   $603,814    $429,471      $538,966
  Cost of sales....................   208,972      247,480    316,982    416,199    543,848     387,008       485,026
  Provision for losses from
    disposal of software and
    hardware inventory.............     1,223          402         --         --         --          --            --
                                     --------     --------   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
    Gross profit...................    23,263       28,817     35,971     47,970     59,966      42,463        53,940
  Selling, general and
    administrative expenses........    21,822       20,338     23,260     29,024     36,630      26,078        33,143
  Other operating expenses.........     3,701           --         --         --         --          --            --
                                     --------     --------   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
    Income (loss) from
      operations...................    (2,260)(1)    8,479     12,711     18,946     23,336      16,385        20,797
  Interest expense.................     1,723        1,726      2,050      1,482      1,677       1,220         1,619
                                     --------     --------   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
    Income (loss) before income
      taxes........................    (3,983)       6,753     10,661     17,464     21,659      15,165        19,178
  Provision (benefit) for income
    taxes..........................    (1,062)       2,496      4,165      6,697      8,292       5,805         7,342
                                     --------     --------   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
    Net income (loss)..............  $ (2,921)    $  4,257   $  6,496   $ 10,767   $ 13,367    $  9,360      $ 11,836
                                     ========     ========   ========   ========   ========    ========      ========
PER SHARE DATA(2):
  Net income (loss) per common
    share:
    Basic..........................  $  (0.34)    $   0.49   $   0.68   $   0.85   $   1.03    $   0.73      $   0.87
    Diluted........................  $  (0.34)    $   0.40   $   0.59   $   0.80   $   0.97    $   0.68      $   0.83
  Weighted average common shares
    outstanding:
    Basic..........................     8,620        8,676      9,550     12,602     12,934      12,904        13,530
  Weighted average common and
    common equivalent shares
    outstanding:
    Diluted........................     8,620       10,576     11,084     13,514     13,826      13,832        14,260
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AS OF MARCH 31,                                      AS OF
                                             ---------------------------------------------------                 DECEMBER 31,
                                              1993       1994       1995       1996       1997                       1997
                                             -------   --------   --------   --------   --------                 ------------
                                                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                          <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital..........................  $22,290   $ 28,167   $ 43,427   $ 56,663   $ 80,248                   $ 93,784
  Total assets.............................   57,213     67,385     94,421    128,601    175,288                    186,973
  Long-term debt, net of current
    maturities.............................   16,815     19,640     11,334     16,419     30,454                     28,849
  Shareholders' equity.....................   11,844     15,937     40,817     51,661     67,193                     82,140
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The Company's income from operations for fiscal year 1993 would have been
    approximately $6.4 million without giving effect to the following events:
    (i) a $4.3 million loss from operations related to the Company's PC hardware
    and software division which was eliminated in fiscal year 1993, including a
    $1.2 million provision for losses from disposal of software and hardware
    inventory; (ii) a $3.7 million loss from operations related to the following
    other operating expenses: (1) the Company's write-off of trade receivables
    and advances owing from a related party in the aggregate amount of $1.2
    million and establishment of a reserve of $0.5 million for trade receivables
    owing from another related party, (2) costs aggregating $1.6 million
    incurred by the Company in connection with the consolidation of its five
    U.S. regional distribution centers into one "superhub" distribution center
    in Memphis, Tennessee, and (3) costs aggregating $0.5 million incurred by
    the Company in connection with a withdrawn initial public offering; and
    (iii) a $0.7 million loss from operations related to the Company's temporary
    reduction of outbound shipping rates as part of a promotional marketing
    program in connection with the opening of the Memphis distribution center.
 
(2) In February 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for one
    stock split to be effected in the form of a stock dividend payable on March
    2, 1998 to stockholders of record on February 16, 1998. Share data is based
    upon the weighted average common shares and share equivalents outstanding
    for each period, adjusted to reflect the split.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   14
 
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth certain financial information from the
Company's audited and unaudited consolidated statements of income expressed as a
percentage of net sales.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        NINE MONTH
                                                                                      PERIODS ENDED
                                                     FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -----------------------------    --------------
                                                      1995       1996       1997      1996     1997
                                                     -------    -------    -------    -----    -----
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>
Net sales..........................................   100.0%     100.0%     100.0%    100.0%   100.0%
Cost of sales......................................    89.8       89.7       90.1      90.1     90.0
                                                      -----      -----      -----     -----    -----
  Gross profit.....................................    10.2       10.3        9.9       9.9     10.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses.......     6.6        6.2        6.0       6.1      6.1
                                                      -----      -----      -----     -----    -----
  Income from operations...........................     3.6        4.1        3.9       3.8      3.9
Interest expense...................................     0.6        0.3        0.3       0.3      0.3
                                                      -----      -----      -----     -----    -----
  Income before income taxes.......................     3.0        3.8        3.6       3.5      3.6
Provision for income taxes.........................     1.2        1.5        1.4       1.3      1.4
                                                      -----      -----      -----     -----    -----
  Net income.......................................     1.8%       2.3%       2.2%      2.2%     2.2%
                                                      =====      =====      =====     =====    =====
</TABLE>
 
     The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly financial data
and certain data expressed as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 1997 and
the first three quarters of fiscal year 1998. The unaudited quarterly
information includes all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring
adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the
information shown. The financial data and ratios for any quarter are not
necessarily indicative of results of any future period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         FISCAL YEAR 1997                             FISCAL YEAR 1998
                         ------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
                         JUNE 30    SEPTEMBER 30   DECEMBER 31   MARCH 31   JUNE 30    SEPTEMBER 30   DECEMBER 31
                         --------   ------------   -----------   --------   --------   ------------   -----------
                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Net sales..............  $136,894     $138,148      $154,429     $174,343   $172,812     $179,568      $186,586
Gross profit...........    13,670       13,589        15,204       17,503     17,306       17,871        18,763
  Gross profit
    margin.............      10.0%         9.8%          9.8%        10.0%      10.0%        10.0%         10.1%
SG&A expenses..........  $  8,306     $  8,397      $  9,375     $ 10,552   $ 10,583     $ 11,052      $ 11,508
  Percent of net
    sales..............       6.1%         6.1%          6.1%         6.1%       6.1%         6.2%          6.2%
Income from
  operations...........  $  5,364     $  5,192      $  5,829     $  6,951   $  6,723     $  6,819      $  7,255
  Operating margin.....       3.9%         3.8%          3.8%         4.0%       3.9%         3.8%          3.9%
Net income.............  $  3,041     $  2,955      $  3,364     $  4,007   $  3,829     $  3,869      $  4,138
  Net margin...........       2.2%         2.1%          2.2%         2.3%       2.2%         2.2%          2.2%
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   15
 
RECENT RESULTS
 
     The following table sets forth certain unaudited information with respect
to the results of operations of the Company for the nine month periods ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Such information is not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year, but, in
the opinion of management, includes all adjustments, consisting of only normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of
operations for such periods:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                              --------------------------
                                                                 1996           1997
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER
                                                                     SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Net sales...................................................   $429,471       $538,966
Cost of sales...............................................    387,008        485,026
                                                               --------       --------
  Gross profit..............................................     42,463         53,940
Selling, general and administrative expenses................     26,078         33,143
                                                               --------       --------
  Income from operations....................................     16,385         20,797
Interest expense............................................      1,220          1,619
                                                               --------       --------
  Income before income taxes................................     15,165         19,178
Provision for income taxes..................................      5,805          7,342
                                                               --------       --------
Net income..................................................   $  9,360       $ 11,836
                                                               ========       ========
PER SHARE DATA(1):
Net income per common share:
  Basic.....................................................   $   0.73       $   0.87
  Diluted...................................................   $   0.68       $   0.83
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
  Basic.....................................................     12,904         13,530
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding:
  Diluted...................................................     13,832         14,260
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In February 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for one
    stock split, to be effected in the form of a stock dividend payable on March
    2, 1998 to stockholders of record on February 16, 1998. The weighted average
    common share and net income per common share calculations have been adjusted
    to reflect the split for all periods presented.
 
  Results of Operations for the Nine Month Periods Ended December 31, 1997 and
1996.
 
     Net Sales. Net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 were
$539.0 million as compared to $429.5 million for the nine months ended December
31, 1996, an increase of $109.5 million, or 25.5%. This increase was the result
of an increase in U.S. net sales of $65.7 million, or 18.6%, and an increase in
international net sales of $43.8 million, or 57.5%. The growth in U.S. and
international net sales was primarily due to new customers, increased sales
volume to large national accounts, computer and office product superstores, the
Company's continued introduction of new products, and the addition of net sales
from its Australian subsidiary which was acquired by the Company during the
third quarter of fiscal year 1997. Net sales to new customers for the nine
months ended December 31, 1997 were approximately $27 million, while net sales
to existing customers increased by approximately $83 million during this period.
 
     During November 1997, the Company announced that it would not match lower
pricing offered by a competitor to one of the Company's largest customers. Net
sales to this customer ranged from approximately 5% to 7% of the Company's total
net sales during fiscal year 1997 and the first six months of fiscal year 1998.
The Company believes that the loss of net sales to this customer in the future
will reduce the Company's growth rate in net sales, gross profit and net income
for the remainder of this fiscal year and next fiscal year. In
                                       15
<PAGE>   16
 
addition, continuing consolidation among the Company's domestic customers may
reduce the rate of U.S. sales growth below that achieved in the past.
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 was
$53.9 million as compared to $42.5 million in the same period in 1996, an
increase of $11.4 million, or 27.0%, primarily as the result of increased sales
volume in the first nine months of fiscal year 1998. The Company's gross profit
margin as a percent of net sales was 10.0% for the nine month period ended
December 31, 1997 as compared to 9.9% for the same period in 1996. The increase
in the Company's gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was a result
of higher margin fee revenue business for PFS, the Company's subsidiary which
provides outsourcing services, and enhanced product sourcing in fiscal year
1998. The Company believes that the competitive environment and consolidation of
its wholesale customers will continue to place downward pressure on the
Company's gross profit margin percentage during fiscal year 1998.
 
     SG&A Expenses. SG&A expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 1997
were $33.1 million, or 6.1% of net sales, as compared to $26.1 million, or 6.1%
of net sales, for the nine months ended December 31, 1996. The increase in SG&A
expenses was primarily a result of the increase in costs associated with the
Company's increased sales volume. The Company continues to incur incremental
SG&A expenses to invest in growth areas of the business, PFS in particular. SG&A
as a percentage of net sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 1998
remained unchanged as these incremental SG&A expenses were offset by improved
operating efficiencies and staff productivity as a result of increased sales
volume and continued technological enhancements implemented by the Company.
 
     Income from Operations. Income from operations for the nine months ended
December 31, 1997 was $20.8 million as compared to $16.4 million for the same
period during 1996, an increase of $4.4 million, or 26.9%. This increase was due
to increased sales volume and increased gross profit partially offset by
increased SG&A expenses related to the incremental volume. Income from
operations as a percentage of net sales was 3.9% for the nine months ended
December 31, 1997 as compared to 3.8% for the corresponding period ending
December 31, 1996.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense for the nine months ended December 31,
1997 was $1.6 million as compared to $1.2 million for the nine months ended
December 31, 1996. Interest expense was higher during the nine months ended
December 31, 1997, due to an increase in the average amounts outstanding under
the Company's lines of credit due to increased sales volume, in addition to a
slight increase in interest rates. The weighted average interest rate was 6.9%
and 6.7% for the nine month periods ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
 
     Income Taxes. The Company's provision for income taxes was $7.3 million for
the nine months ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $5.8 million for the nine
months ended December 31, 1996. The increase was primarily due to increased
pretax profits. The effective tax rate for all periods presented was
approximately 38.3%. For an analysis of the Company's provision for income
taxes, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
  Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1997 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1996
 
     Net Sales. Net sales for the year ended March 31, 1997 were $603.8 million
as compared to $464.2 million for the year ended March 31, 1996, an increase of
$139.6 million, or 30.1%, as the result of an increase in U.S. net sales of
$103.0 million, or 26.5%, and an increase in international net sales of $36.6
million, or 48.2%. The growth in U.S. and international net sales was primarily
due to increased sales volume to large national accounts, computer and office
product superstores, new customers and the Company's continued introduction of
new products, and the addition of net sales from its Australian subsidiary which
was acquired by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year 1997. The
growth rate in net sales to computer and office product superstore customers for
the year ended March 31, 1997 was less than the growth rate experienced for such
customers during the prior year. Net sales to new customers for the year ended
March 31, 1997 were approximately $49 million, including the net sales from its
new Australian subsidiary, while net sales to existing customers increased by
approximately $91 million during the year.
                                       16
<PAGE>   17
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended March 31, 1997 was $60.0
million as compared to $48.0 million in fiscal year 1996, an increase of $12.0
million, or 25.0%, primarily as the result of increased sales volume in fiscal
year 1997. The Company's gross profit margin as a percent of net sales was 9.9%
for the year ended March 31, 1997 as compared to 10.3% for the prior year. Gross
profit margin percentage declined during the year ended March 31, 1997 primarily
because the prior year's results include the benefit of incremental margins
earned on the sale of certain one-time inventory purchases by the Company prior
to manufacturer price increases. If the benefits of the one-time inventory
purchase actions are excluded from the prior year's results, gross profit as a
percentage of net sales for fiscal year 1997 is slightly lower as compared to
the prior year. Increased sales at lower gross profit margins to large national
accounts and computer and office product superstores also contributed to the
decline in gross profit margin percentages during the year ended March 31, 1997.
 
     SG&A Expenses. SG&A expenses for the year ended March 31, 1997 were $36.6
million, or 6.0% of net sales, as compared to $29.0 million, or 6.2% of net
sales, for the year ended March 31, 1996. The increase in SG&A expenses was
primarily a result of the increase in variable costs associated with the
Company's increased sales volume. The decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage
of net sales was primarily due to improved operating efficiencies and staff
productivity as a result of increased sales volume and continued technological
enhancements implemented by the Company. During fiscal 1997, the Company
incurred incremental SG&A expenses associated with its PFS subsidiary and also
associated with an expansion of its leased facilities in Memphis and Plano.
 
     Income from Operations. Income from operations for the year ended March 31,
1997 was $23.3 million as compared to $18.9 million for fiscal year 1996, an
increase of $4.4 million, or 23.2%. This increase was primarily due to increased
sales volume, increased gross profit and improved operating efficiencies. Income
from operations as a percentage of net sales was 3.9% for the year ended March
31, 1997 as compared to 4.1% for last year, primarily as the result of a
decrease in gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales which was somewhat
offset by a decline in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales. Income from
operations as a percentage of net sales for the year ended March 31, 1997
declined primarily because the prior year's results include the effects of the
one-time inventory purchase actions. When the benefits of the one-time inventory
purchase actions are excluded from the prior year's results, income from
operations as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 1997 was slightly higher
than fiscal year 1996.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense was $1.7 million during the year ended
March 31, 1997 and was $1.5 million during the year ended March 31, 1996.
Interest expense increased as a result of an increase in the average line of
credit to support a larger revenue base, which was partially offset by a
reduction in interest rates during fiscal year 1997. The weighted average
interest rate was 6.7% during the year ended March 31, 1997 as compared to 7.5%
for the previous year.
 
     Income Taxes. The Company's provision for income taxes was $8.3 million for
the year ended March 31, 1997 as compared to $6.7 million for the year ended
March 31, 1996. The increase was primarily due to increased pretax profits. The
effective tax rate for both years was approximately 38.3%.
 
  Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1996 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1995
 
     Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal year 1996 were $464.2 million as compared
to $353.0 million for fiscal year 1995, an increase of $111.2 million, or 31.5%,
as the result of an increase in U.S. net sales of $94.8 million, or 32.3%, and
an increase in international net sales of $16.4 million, or 27.6%. The growth in
U.S. and international net sales was primarily due to increased sales volume to
large national accounts, computer and office product superstores, new customers
and the Company's continued introduction of new products. Net sales to new
customers for fiscal year 1996 were approximately $35 million, while net sales
to existing customers increased by approximately $77 million during this period.
 
     Gross Profit. Gross profit for fiscal year 1996 was $48.0 million as
compared to $36.0 million in fiscal year 1995, an increase of $12.0 million, or
33.4%, primarily as the result of increased sales volume in fiscal year 1996, as
well as incremental gross profit earned on the sale of certain inventory
purchased by the Company prior to manufacturer price increases. The Company's
gross profit margin was 10.3% for fiscal year 1996 as
                                       17
<PAGE>   18
 
compared to 10.2% for the prior year. The increase in gross profit margin
percentage was primarily the result of incremental margins earned on the sale of
certain inventory purchased by the Company prior to manufacturer price
increases. Without the benefit gained from such incremental gross profit, gross
profit margin percentage for fiscal year 1996 decreased slightly compared to the
previous year. This gross profit margin percentage decline occurred primarily as
the result of increased sales at lower gross profit margins to large national
accounts and computer and office product superstores.
 
     SG&A Expenses. SG&A expenses for fiscal year 1996 were $29.0 million, or
6.2% of net sales, as compared to $23.3 million, or 6.6% of net sales, for
fiscal year 1995. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily a result of the
increase in costs associated with the Company's increased sales volume. The
decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to
improved operating efficiencies and staff productivity as a result of increased
sales volume and continued technological enhancements implemented by the
Company.
 
     Income from Operations. Income from operations for fiscal year 1996 was
$18.9 million as compared to $12.7 million for fiscal year 1995, an increase of
$6.2 million, or 49.1%. This increase was primarily due to increased sales
volume, increased gross profit and improved operating efficiencies. Income from
operations as a percentage of net sales was 4.1% for fiscal year 1996 as
compared to 3.6% for fiscal year 1995, primarily as the result of an increase in
gross profit margin, related to the one-time inventory purchase actions, and a
decline in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales. When the benefits of the
one-time inventory purchase actions are excluded from fiscal year 1996 results,
the Company's income from operations as a percentage of net sales increased
slightly from the prior year.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense for fiscal year 1996 was $1.5 million as
compared to $2.1 million in fiscal year 1995. The decrease was primarily the
result of a reduction in the outstanding balance in the Company's line of credit
attributable to the proceeds received from the Company's initial public offering
(the "IPO") in January 1995. The weighted average interest rate was 7.5% during
fiscal year 1996 as compared to 7.9% for fiscal year 1995. Interest expense for
fiscal year 1996 was also impacted by the incremental borrowings required to
finance the Company's additional inventory purchases discussed above.
 
     Income Taxes. The Company's provision for income taxes was $6.7 million for
fiscal year 1996 as compared to $4.2 million in fiscal year 1995. The increase
was primarily due to increased pretax profits. The effective tax rate for fiscal
year 1996 was 38.3% as compared to the effective tax rate of 39.1% for fiscal
year 1995.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Historically, the Company's primary source of cash has been from financing
activities. Net cash of $10.1 million, $5.2 million and $15.6 million was
provided by financing activities during fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. During the nine months ended December 31, 1996, net cash of $11.1
million was provided by financing activities, compared to net cash provided by
financing activities of $1.7 million for the nine months ended December 31,
1997. In January 1995, the Company sold 2,760,000 shares of Common Stock in an
initial public offering and received net proceeds of approximately $18.6
million. The Company used such net proceeds, along with an aggregate of $2.3
million received by the Company concurrently with the initial public offering
from an officer of the Company and a selling stockholder in repayment of
indebtedness owing by such officer and selling stockholder to the Company, to
reduce its outstanding indebtedness under the Company's line of credit. During
fiscal years 1996 and 1997, proceeds from bank borrowings and the exercise of
Common Stock options were used to finance the Company's operations and
expansion. Cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended
December 31, 1996 was generated primarily from the exercise of Common Stock
options, and an increase in the Company's revolving line of credit facility, and
during the nine months ended December 31, 1997, the exercise of Common Stock
options. Financing activities should provide the Company's primary source of
cash during the remainder of fiscal year 1998, primarily to support the
Company's growth.
 
     During fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, $7.5 million, $0.4 million and
$7.0 million, respectively, were used in operating activities. During the nine
months ended December 31, 1996, $4.6 million was used in
                                       18
<PAGE>   19
 
operating activities, while net cash of $2.4 million was provided by operating
activities for the nine months ended December 31, 1997. During the fiscal years
1995, 1996 and 1997 and the nine months ended December 31, 1996, increased
working capital required to support the Company's growth was partially funded by
cash generated from operating activities. Increased working capital requirements
during the nine months ended December 31, 1997, were funded by cash generated by
the Company's operations.
 
     The Company's principal use of funds for investing activities were for
capital expenditures of $3.7 million, $5.0 million and $5.9 million during
fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The Company's principal use of
funds for investing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 1996
and 1997 was for capital expenditures of $3.9 and $3.7 million, respectively.
Capital expenditures have consisted primarily of additions to upgrade the
Company's management information systems, including the Company's Internet based
catalog and ordering tool (SOLO) and other methods of electronic commerce, and
general expansion of its facilities, both domestic and foreign. The Company
anticipates that its total investment in upgrades and additions to facilities
for fiscal year 1998 will be approximately $5.0 million to $6.0 million, and for
fiscal year 1999 will be approximately $5.0 million to $7.0 million.
 
     Working capital increased to $93.8 million at December 31, 1997 from $80.2
million at March 31, 1997. This increase of $13.6 million was primarily
attributable to an increase in accounts receivable and inventory and a decrease
in accounts payable. During fiscal years 1996 and 1997 and the nine month period
ended December 31, 1997, the Company generally maintained an accounts receivable
balance of approximately 45, 46 and 47 days of sales, respectively. Inventory
turnover, excluding PFS, was approximately 11 turns for fiscal years 1996 and
1997 and for the nine month period ended December 31, 1997.
 
     In May 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with certain banks for
an unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") that, as amended
on February 13, 1998, has a maximum borrowing availability of $65.0 million and
expires on December 31, 2000. The maximum borrowing availability at December 31,
1997, prior to amendment, was $50.0 million. Availability under the Facility is
based upon amounts of eligible accounts receivable, as defined. As of December
31, 1997, the Company had borrowed $26.0 million, leaving $24.0 million
available under the Facility for additional borrowings. The Facility accrues
interest, at the Company's option, at the prime rate of a bank or a eurodollar
rate plus an adjustment ranging from 0.625% to 1.125% depending on the Company's
financial performance. A commitment fee of 0.20% to 0.25% is charged on the
unused portion of the Facility. The Facility contains various covenants
including, among other things, the maintenance of certain financial ratios
including the achievement of a minimum fixed charge ratio and minimum level of
tangible net worth, and restrictions on certain activities of the Company,
including loans and payments to related parties, incurring additional debt,
acquisitions, investments and asset sales.
 
     During October 1997, the Company's Australian subsidiary entered into an
agreement with an Australian bank for an unsecured revolving line of credit
facility (the "Australian Facility"). The Australian Facility, which expires on
July 1, 1999, allows the Company to borrow Australian dollars up to a maximum of
$7.5 million (Australian), or approximately $4.9 million (U.S.) at December 31,
1997. The Australian Facility accrues interest at the Australian Bank Bill Rate
plus 0.75%. A commitment fee of 0.25% is charged on the total amount of the
Australian Facility. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had borrowed
approximately $2.7 million (U.S.), leaving approximately $2.2 million (U.S.)
available under the Australian Facility for additional borrowings.
 
     During December 1997, the Company's Canadian subsidiary entered into an
agreement with a Canadian bank for an unsecured revolving line of credit
facility (the "Canadian Facility"). The Canadian Facility, which expires on July
1, 1999, allows the Company to borrow Canadian or U.S. dollars up to a maximum
of $15.0 million (Canadian), or approximately $10.5 million (U.S.) at December
31, 1997. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Canadian Facility
at December 31, 1997. The Canadian Facility accrues interest at the Company's
option at the bank's prime rate, the bank's cost of funds plus 0.65%, the bank's
U.S. dollar commercial loan rate or LIBOR plus 0.65%. A commitment fee of 0.25%
is charged on the unused portion of the Canadian Facility.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   20
 
     During January 1998, the Company entered into a promissory note agreement
with a bank which allows the Company to borrow up to a maximum of $10.0 million.
Amounts borrowed under this note agreement bear interest at the bank's
discretion, primarily based on a money market borrowing rate plus an adjustment.
The maturity date of any amounts borrowed will occur prior to January 1999, the
expiration date of the note.
 
     During fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the nine months ended December
31, 1997, approximately 17%, 16%, 19% and 22%, respectively, of the Company's
net sales were sold through the Company's Canadian, Mexican, Australian and U.S.
export operations, including Latin America. The Company believes that
international markets represent further opportunities for growth. The Company
attempts to protect itself from foreign currency translation risks by
denominating substantially all of its non-Canadian and non-Australian
international sales in U.S. dollars. In addition, on an annual basis, the
Company has entered into various one-year forward Canadian and various forward
Australian currency exchange contracts in order to hedge the Company's net
investment in, and its intercompany payable applicable to, its Canadian and
Australian subsidiaries. In May 1997, the Company entered into a $9.6 million
(U.S.) one-year forward Canadian currency exchange contract to replace the
previous contract, which matured during that same month. In October 1997, the
Company entered into a $1.8 million (U.S.) one-year forward Australian currency
exchange contract to replace a previous contract, which matured during that same
month. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had incurred unrealized gains of
approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million, net of income taxes, on these
outstanding Canadian and Australian forward exchange contracts, respectively.
The Company may consider entering into other forward exchange contracts in order
to hedge the Company's net investment in its Canadian, Australian, Mexican, and
Singaporean subsidiaries, although no assurance can be given that the Company
will be able to do so on acceptable terms.
 
     During January 1998, the Company purchased all of the common stock of
Steadi-Systems. Steadi-Systems is an independent wholesale distributor of media
products to the filmed entertainment and multimedia industries. The acquisition
of Steadi-Systems will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting,
and, accordingly, the purchase price will be allocated to the assets and
liabilities assumed based on the fair values at the date of acquisition. The
Company will record one-time charges related to the completion of transition,
integration and merger activities, estimated at about $0.6 million, or
approximately $0.03 per share, in the Company's fourth financial quarter ending
March 31, 1998.
 
     The Company may attempt to acquire other businesses to expand its product
line in its core wholesale business and/or in the call-center or public
warehousing industries in connection with its efforts to grow its PFS
subsidiary. The Company currently has no agreements to acquire any such
businesses. Should the Company be successful in acquiring other businesses, the
Company may require additional financing to consummate such a transaction.
Acquisitions involve certain risks and uncertainties, therefore, the Company can
give no assurance with respect to whether it will be successful in identifying
such a business to acquire, whether it will be able to obtain financing to
complete such an acquisition, or whether the Company will be successful in
operating the acquired business.
 
     The Company believes it will be able to satisfy its working capital needs
for fiscal year 1999, as well as business growth and planned capital
expenditures, through the net proceeds from this Offering, funds available under
the Company's various lines of credit facilities, trade credit, lease financing,
internally generated funds and by increasing the amount available under the
Company's credit facilities. In addition, depending on market conditions and the
terms thereof, the Company may also consider obtaining additional funds through
an additional line of credit, other debt financing or the sale of capital stock;
however, no assurance can be given in such regard.
 
     The Company has developed plans to ensure its information systems are
capable of properly utilizing dates beyond December 31, 1999. The Company
believes that with upgrades or modifications to existing software and conversion
to new software, the impact of the Year 2000 issue can be mitigated. However, if
such upgrades, modifications and conversions are not made, or are not made in a
timely manner, the Year 2000 issue could have a material impact on the Company's
operations. The total cost of implementing these system upgrades and
modifications is not expected to be material to the Company's results of
operations or cash flows, and the Company estimates completion by December 31,
1998. The costs of the Year 2000 project and the
                                       20
<PAGE>   21
 
date on which the Company plans to complete Year 2000 modifications are based on
management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions
of future events including the continued availability of certain resources,
third party modification plans and other factors. However, there can be no
assurance that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ
materially from these estimates.
 
     To the extent it can, the Company is also working with its customers,
suppliers and other service providers to ensure their systems are Year 2000
compliant. There can be no assurance that customers or suppliers will
successfully implement Year 2000 compliant systems. In the event that numerous
or significant customers or suppliers do not successfully implement Year 2000
compliant systems, the Company's operations could be materially affected. In the
event any service providers are unable to convert their systems appropriately,
the Company plans to switch to providers capable of performing such processing.
 
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
 
     The Company manages its computer consumable supplies inventories held for
sale in its wholesale distribution business by maintaining sufficient quantities
of product to achieve high order fill rates while at the same time maximizing
inventory turnover rates. Inventory balances will fluctuate as the Company adds
new product lines and makes large purchases from suppliers to take advantage of
attractive terms. To reduce the risk of loss to the Company due to supplier
price reductions and slow moving inventory, the Company's purchasing agreements
with many of its suppliers, including most of its major suppliers, contain price
protection and stock return privileges under which the Company receives credits
against future purchases if the supplier lowers prices on previously purchased
inventory or the Company can return slow moving inventory in exchange for other
products.
 
     During fiscal year 1997, the Company, through its PFS subsidiary, began
providing product fulfillment and distribution services for third parties.
Certain of these distribution agreements provide that the Company own the
related inventory, some of which also allow for the third party to manage the
levels of inventory held by the Company. As a result, the levels of inventory
held by the Company under these contracts are higher than the Company would
normally carry in its core wholesale business.
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Although the Company historically has experienced its greatest sequential
quarter revenue growth in its fourth fiscal quarter, management has not been
able to determine any specific seasonal factors that may cause quarterly
variability in operating results. Management believes, however, that factors
that may influence quarterly variability include the overall growth in the
non-paper computer supplies industry and shifts in demand for the Company's
products due to a variety of factors, including sales increases resulting from
the introduction of new computer supplies products. The Company generally
experiences a relative slowness in sales during the summer months, which may
adversely affect the Company's first and second fiscal quarter results in
relation to sequential quarter performance. The Company believes that results of
operations for a quarterly period may not be indicative of the results for any
other quarter or for the full year.
 
INFLATION
 
     Management believes that inflation has not had a material effect on the
Company's operations.
 
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per
Share." This statement establishes new standards for computing and presenting
earnings per share ("EPS"). The Company adopted SFAS No. 128 during the quarter
ended December 31, 1997. The Company restated its EPS data for all periods
presented.
 
     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information." These statements are effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997; however, earlier adoption is permitted. SFAS No. 130
requires
                                       21
<PAGE>   22
 
the presentation of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of
financial statements. SFAS No. 131 requires the disclosure of financial and
descriptive information about reportable operating segments. Both SFAS No. 130
and 131 are modifications of existing disclosure requirements which will have no
effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The
Company is currently evaluating the standards and their potential impact on
disclosures and will adopt these pronouncements in its fiscal year 1999
financial statements.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   23
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The Company is a leading wholesale distributor of non-paper computer and
office automation supplies and accessories. The Company distributes over 10,000
products to over 25,000 customer locations, including value-added resellers
("VARs"), computer supplies dealers, office product dealers, contract
stationers, buying groups, computer and office product superstores and other
retailers who resell the products to end-users. The Company believes it is the
largest wholesale distributer of non-paper computer and office automation
supplies and accessories in the world.
 
     The Company sells primarily nationally known, name-brand products
manufactured by over 150 original equipment manufacturers, including
Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Lexmark, IBM, Okidata, Digital Equipment Corporation,
Apple, Panasonic, Kodak, Imation, Epson, Sony, Xerox, Brother and Maxell. The
Company's products include consumable supplies such as laser toner, inkjet
cartridges, copier toner, printer ribbons, diskettes, optical storage products,
computer tape cartridges and accessories. The Company's products are used in a
broad range of computers and office automation products, including laser and
inkjet printers, photocopiers, fax machines and data storage products.
 
     The Company utilizes sophisticated telemarketing, direct mail programs,
frequent innovative sales promotions and electronic commerce technology to
market and distribute its products throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Australia and Latin America, as well as in other international markets,
including Singapore and the Pacific Rim. The Company presently operates one
centralized "superhub" distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee, to service the
U.S. and certain international markets. To service other international markets,
the Company also operates smaller regional sales and distribution centers in
Miami, Florida, Mexico, Australia and Canada and recently opened a sales and
distribution facility in Singapore. Most of the Company's U.S. shipments are
shipped via Federal Express under the Federal Express Agreement which, together
with the Company's centralized distribution center, enables the Company to
accept orders until 9:00 p.m. EST and offer its customers next business day
delivery of product in stock.
 
     During fiscal year 1996, the Company formed PFS to provide outsourcing
solutions to its business partners and other customers. Through PFS, the Company
sells its core competencies in call center, product fulfillment, logistics and
support services. PFS customizes these services to meet the specific
requirements of these companies. PFS's call-center services include: order
entry, order tracking and customer service (inbound), outbound telemarketing
services and customized reporting of customer and call information. PFS also
provides other support services such as invoicing, credit management and
collection services, and accounting and systems support. PFS utilizes the
Company's distribution facilities and maintains relationships with a number of
shipping companies to provide next business day delivery on domestic package
orders, truck shipments on larger domestic orders and a variety of air and
surface delivery options for international orders. PFS presently provides its
services under both fee based contracts (where revenue is based on either the
sales value of the products or service activity volume) and transaction based
contracts (where PFS takes title and resells the products).
 
INDUSTRY
 
     Industry sources estimate that the U.S. non-paper computer and office
automation supplies market was approximately $16 billion (at retail) in 1996 and
is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 10% over the
next four years. The Company believes that the demand for consumable supplies is
driven by three major trends: (i) the rapid advancement in hardware and
peripheral technology such as laser and inkjet printers, (ii) the increasing
automation of the workplace and the corresponding increase in the demand for
computer and office automation supplies, particularly in the small and home
office environment, and (iii) the substantial growth and acceptance of laser and
color-printer technologies which require significantly more consumable supplies
than older, impact printing technologies.
 
     Advances in printing technologies will further increase the demand for
consumable supplies products. The comparison of a typewriter and a printer
exemplifies the change in demand for consumables. Of the total expenditures
incurred over the average lifespan of the standard typewriter, 90% is spent on
the cost and service of the machine itself and only 10% on the supplies consumed
in its operation. In contrast, approximately 40%
                                       23
<PAGE>   24
 
of the total expenditures over the average lifespan of the standard inkjet or
laser printer are for the machine, with 60% spent on consumables. In addition,
color printing is expected to further drive the consumption of supplies. The
page coverage or amount of ink used on a traditional black and white printed
page is approximately 5% of the page. In contrast, color printing typically
covers approximately 40% of the page, using significantly more toner or ink jet
supplies.
 
     The Company believes that the role of wholesale distributors in the
industry generally has increased in importance in recent years as an increasing
number of vendors choose to sell a wider range of products through wholesale
distributors, rather than to resellers or dealers directly. This has occurred
primarily because of the vendor's high cost of direct sales, warehousing,
financing and distribution associated with dealing directly with numerous small
dealers or resellers.
 
     Unlike the computer hardware or office equipment industry, the Company
believes that the non-paper computer and office automation supplies industry is
not generally subject to the risk of rapid technological advances and subsequent
product obsolescence. In general, the demand for non-paper computer supplies is
not dependent on the level or type of computer hardware or office equipment
sales in any particular year, but rather reflects the amount and type of
equipment already in use (the "installed base"). As a result, the consumable
needs for any particular computer or office equipment will often continue for an
extended period of time, even after the manufacture of such computer or office
equipment is discontinued. Nevertheless, the Company attempts to insulate itself
from the risk of technological obsolescence faced by manufacturers by (i)
distributing a wide range of brand-name products so that the Company is not
dependent upon the success of any particular computer or office equipment
manufacturer, (ii) carrying primarily consumable supplies for computer or office
equipment which the Company believes has a substantial installed base and (iii)
entering into agreements with major suppliers under which the Company can return
slow-moving inventory.
 
     The Company believes that the market for outsourcing of call center
(inbound and outbound) and product fulfillment and distribution operations
should grow rapidly as more companies focus on product development and marketing
and turn to third party providers for their teleservice and distribution needs.
The Company further believes that the increasing use of the Internet for
electronic commerce activities should fuel growth for the outsourcing of small
package distribution.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     The Company believes its growth is attributable to its wide selection of
popular products at competitive prices, its ability to continually increase
sales to existing customers, add new product lines and attract new customers and
the overall growth in the consumable supplies industry. The Company strives to
differentiate itself from its competitors through high order fill rates, next
business day delivery at ground shipping rates, same-day shipments, and the
quality and breadth of its value-added customer services, such as innovative
marketing programs, on-line order processing, automated order tracking and a
product knowledgeable sales staff.
 
     The key components of the Company's strategy to increase its market share
and achieve continued sales and earnings growth are to:
 
     1. Continue to Focus on the Growing Consumable Supplies Industry by
increasing sales to existing customers within the contract stationer, VAR and
computer and office product superstore channels and initiating new customer
relationships and new channels such as mass merchants, grocery and convenience
stores. The Company believes that the contract stationer, VAR and computer and
office product superstore customer segments will continue to grow faster than
the industry's growth rate. Additionally, the Company will continue to focus on
the introduction of new products. Management believes these initiatives will
allow the Company to capture further market share in the industry's fastest
growing segments.
 
     The Company believes that its continued sales growth will be driven, in
part, by the following opportunities:
 
          - Sales to computer and office product superstores will continue to
     present opportunities for growth as the Company demonstrates its ability to
     serve the superstores' needs. The Company believes that it is
                                       24
<PAGE>   25
 
     able to serve the needs of its superstore customers for timely delivery of
     fast-moving products and efficient distribution of a variety of product
     lines to multiple store locations at a lower net cost than if the
     superstore customer purchased the products directly from the manufacturer.
     The Company believes that it can also increase sales to VARs by offering
     value-added services such as drop-shipping directly to end-users and
     same-day shipping.
 
          - The Company will continue to establish direct purchasing
     relationships with new suppliers and will regularly introduce new products
     such as media products, color printer supplies, optical storage products
     and bar coding products, from new and existing suppliers.
 
          - The Company is developing new innovative product merchandising
     methods which will allow its customers to offer a broader range of
     consumable products in a manner that is substantially more efficient than
     the traditional approach of keeping large quantities of inventory on-hand
     in each store.
 
          - With the proliferation of personal and home computers, the Company
     believes that new channels of distribution, such as grocery and convenience
     stores, will emerge to satisfy the growing need for consumable supplies.
     The Company believes that its expertise in product selection, fulfillment
     and distribution should enable it to take advantage of these growth
     opportunities and increase sales.
 
     2. Leverage Innovative Technology to Capture Market Share. The Company
regularly uses innovative technology based tools to closely monitor sales and
profitability, improve productivity in telemarketing and distribution and
provide value-added services, such as EDI, drop-shipping to end-users, advanced
order tracking systems and "customer links" which provide customers with direct
access to proprietary Company databases. These technology tools should allow the
Company to continue to improve overall operating efficiency and customer service
and win further market share.
 
     The Company believes that improving operating efficiency, cost control and
profit margin monitoring are critical factors for success within the industry.
As a result, the Company's organizational structure is designed to closely
supervise and monitor sales profitability and facilitate cost containment. The
Company utilizes customized computer systems to provide daily sales and margin
reporting, inventory control and automated order processing. In particular,
since April 1991, the Company has invested approximately $10.2 million in
various management information systems, including client-server and EDI
technology, to enhance its ability to improve efficiency, monitor its
operations, manage inventory risks and offer faster and higher levels of service
to its customers and vendors.
 
     The Company plans further initiatives to improve efficiency and promote
growth in market share. For example:
 
          - The Company receives approximately 30% of its U.S. and Canadian
     revenue from orders placed electronically. The Company presently offers an
     electronic catalog and on-line ordering (known as "SOLO", the System for
     Online Ordering) and the Company intends to continue to develop a variety
     of technology based tools that will further automate and improve the
     efficiency of the transactions it conducts with its business partners.
 
     Further, the Company continues to use its advanced management information
systems and distribution efficiency to provide highly attractive customer
services. For example, the Company delivers "fax flyers" to its customers to
announce price changes. The Company delivers next day "Daisygrams" to provide
daily customer information by fax on orders processed by the Company and
delivered by Federal Express.
 
     3. Expand International Presence by utilizing the Company's strength in
marketing and distributing consumable supplies in emerging growth markets in
other areas of the world, including Latin America and the Pacific Rim. The
Company's financial strength, consumable supplies experience and broad product
range should provide the Company with strong growth opportunities in these
markets.
 
          - In November 1994, the Company opened a sales and distribution
     facility in Mexico City, Mexico, to service the Mexican consumable supplies
     market. In January 1996, the Company opened a sales and distribution
     facility in Miami, Florida, to service the Latin American consumable
     supplies market outside
                                       25
<PAGE>   26
 
     of Mexico. The Company believes there are strong growth opportunities in
     these markets and that these facilities will enable it to more effectively
     compete in these regions.
 
          - In order to enter the growing Australian and Pacific Rim market, in
     October 1996 the Company acquired Lasercharge Pty Ltd., a large computer
     and office automation supplies wholesaler in Australia, and in January 1998
     the Company opened a sales and distribution facility in Singapore.
 
          - The Company continues to pursue new international markets with
     exponential growth opportunities where the Company's range of products and
     financial strength provide a competitive advantage.
 
     4. Capitalize on the Outsourcing Trend by Expanding PFS through Leveraging
the Company's Small Package Distribution and Telemarketing Expertise. Since
fiscal year 1996, the Company's PFS subsidiary has offered a wide array of
logistical support, marketing services, order processing, product drop-shipping,
receivable financing and other operating and distribution services to its
business partners enabling them to focus on product development and increasing
their sales to end-users and other customers. The Company believes that by
offering this program, it can provide many of its business partners with a more
cost-effective and reliable means of marketing and distributing their products.
 
          - Since beginning operations in fiscal year 1996, PFS has entered into
     over 20 contracts to provide various call center, credit management and
     distribution service functions and presently distributes products for a
     variety of clients, including IBM, Hewlett-Packard and others. The Company
     believes that PFS is well positioned to capitalize on the growing
     international business trend toward outsourcing as major corporations, in
     an effort to improve speed and quality of service while simultaneously
     reducing costs, look to outsource their call center and distribution
     logistics service requirements.
 
          - The Company believes that the growth of electronic and Internet
     commerce will present additional growth opportunities for PFS to offer its
     call center, logistics and distribution services to a wide variety of
     customers across a spectrum of markets and industries.
 
          - In addition to the growth opportunities in outsourcing, the PFS
     business offers the potential of higher gross margins since it is primarily
     fee or activity based.
 
     5. Seek Acquisitions of Selected Product Lines, Fulfillment Services and
International Operations to capitalize on the Company's expertise in small
package distribution, especially products having high value low weight
characteristics.
 
          - The Company plans to take advantage of its strong financial
     position, vendor relationships and distribution expertise to continue to
     expand its business in additional strategic product lines and geographic
     markets, as well as expanding its call center, fulfillment and distribution
     capabilities. The Company's expansion strategy focuses on identifying
     companies with significant market positions and quality management teams.
     The Company seeks to enhance value by providing capital, delivering value-
     added services and providing operational and logistics expertise.
 
          - The Company recently expanded its product line by acquiring
     Steadi-Systems, an independent wholesale distributor of media products and
     video hardware to the filmed entertainment and multimedia industries.
 
PRODUCTS
 
     The Company distributes over 10,000 different non-paper computer and office
automation supplies and related products and regularly updates its product line
to reflect advances in technology and provide a wide product range of the most
popular products. The Company's major product categories can generally be
classified as follows:
 
     Non-Impact Printer Supplies. Non-impact printer supplies include toner
cartridges, inkjet cartridges, optical photo conductor kits, copier supplies and
fax supplies. Non-impact printers, such as laser printers, personal copiers and
fax machines, are rapidly growing in popularity and have a wide range of
applications. Sales of non-impact printer supplies accounted for approximately
56% of the Company's total net sales in the
                                       26
<PAGE>   27
 
nine months ended December 31, 1997. The Company also sells specialized
all-in-one toner cartridges for laser printers produced by manufacturers such as
Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Digital, Brother and Apple. Sales of these supplies
accounted for approximately 23% of the Company's total net sales in the nine
months ended December 31, 1997.
 
     Magnetic Media Products. Magnetic media products include computer tapes,
data cartridges, diskettes, optical disks and other products which store or
record computer information and are used in a variety of computers ranging from
notebook and personal computers to large mainframe computer systems. Sales of
magnetic media products accounted for approximately 8% of the Company's total
net sales in the nine months ended December 31, 1997.
 
     Impact Printer Supplies. Impact printer supplies include printwheels,
ribbons, elements, fonts and other consumable supplies used in impact printers
ranging from electronic typewriters to high speed dot matrix printers. While new
technology is moving toward non-impact printing, the Company believes that a
substantial installed base of impact printers, such as dot matrix printers, are
still in use and require a continuing amount of consumable computer supplies.
Sales of impact printer supplies accounted for approximately 8% of the Company's
total net sales in the nine months ended December 31, 1997.
 
     Accessories and Other Products. Accessories sold by the Company include
cleaning supplies, disk storage boxes, data cartridge storage, racks, surge
protection devices, workstation accessories and anti-glare screens. The Company
also sells a number of other products such as transparencies, banking supplies
and selected business machines. Sales of accessories and other products
accounted for approximately 5% of the Company's total net sales in the nine
months ended December 31, 1997.
 
SUPPLIERS
 
     The Company's products are manufactured by over 150 original equipment
manufacturers, including Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Lexmark, IBM, Okidata, Digital
Equipment Corporation, Apple, Panasonic, Kodak, Imation, Epson, Sony, Xerox,
Brother and Maxell. During the nine months ended December 31, 1997,
approximately 76% of the Company's total net sales were derived from products
supplied by the Company's ten largest suppliers, with the sale of
Hewlett-Packard and Canon products accounting for approximately 39% and 10% of
total net sales, respectively, and the sale of Lexmark, Digital Equipment
Corporation, Epson, Okidata, Panasonic and Xerox products each accounting for
between approximately 3% to 6% of total net sales.
 
     Many of the Company's suppliers offer rebate programs under which, subject
to the Company purchasing certain predetermined amounts of inventory, the
Company receives rebates based on a percentage of the dollar volume of total
rebate program purchases. The Company also takes advantage of several other
programs offered by substantially all of its suppliers. These include price
protection plans under which the Company receives credits against future
purchases if the supplier lowers prices on previously purchased inventory and
stock rotation or stock balancing privileges under which the Company can return
slow moving inventory in exchange for other products. In addition, in order to
introduce new products, many suppliers will permit the Company to return all
unsold inventory after an introductory trial period. Material changes by one or
more of the Company's key suppliers of their pricing arrangements or other
marketing programs may materially and adversely affect the Company's business.
 
     The Company's purchases of inventory are closely tied to sales and are
generally based upon the sales volume of the most recent six to ten week
periods. Many of the Company's suppliers require minimum annual purchases which,
for fiscal year 1998, will aggregate approximately $47 million.
 
     The Company has entered into written distribution agreements with
Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Lexmark, Okidata, Digital Equipment Corporation,
Panasonic and Xerox and many of the other major suppliers of the products it
distributes. As is customary in the industry, these agreements generally provide
non-exclusive distribution rights, have one year renewable terms and are
terminable by either party at any time, with or without cause. The Company
considers its relationships with its major suppliers, including Hewlett-Packard,
Canon, Lexmark, Okidata, Digital Equipment Corporation, Panasonic and Xerox to
be good; nevertheless, there can be no assurance that a material change in the
Company's relationship with one or more of its major suppliers will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business.
                                       27
<PAGE>   28
 
     Although the Company purchases most of its products directly from
authorized U.S. manufacturers, the Company also imports products from foreign
sources, particularly when fluctuations in foreign exchange rates or product
prices make it attractive to do so. Similarly, depending upon product pricing
and availability, the Company also purchases products from secondary sources,
such as other wholesalers and selected dealers, rather than directly from the
manufacturer. The Company utilizes its ability to purchase imported and
secondary source products in order to provide its customers with competitive
prices and a wide range of product lines. In order to ensure that such imported
and secondary source products are not produced by unauthorized manufacturers,
the Company has established various procedures which it believes enable it to
identify unauthorized products and, to the extent possible, return such
unauthorized products to the foreign or secondary source. Nevertheless, there
can be no assurance that the Company will be completely successful in such
efforts or that such imported and secondary source products will continue to be
available or that any unavailability will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     The Company utilizes sophisticated telemarketing, direct mail programs and
frequent innovative sales promotions and other marketing efforts to distribute
its products to a wide array of dealers, VARs, retailers and other resellers.
 
     The Company's customer and prospect list includes U.S., Canadian,
Australian, Mexican, Latin American and other foreign computer supplies dealers,
office product dealers, VARs, buying groups, computer stores, contract
stationers, computer and office product superstores, catalog merchandisers,
college bookstores and other resellers. The Company currently ships its products
to over 25,000 customer locations. The Company's typical customer is a small to
medium sized reseller who does not have the resources to establish direct
purchasing relationships with multiple manufacturers and, instead, must rely on
wholesale distributors like the Company. The Company also sells its products to
computer and office product superstores, which the Company believes will become
an increasingly important group of customers as the Company demonstrates its
ability to serve the superstores' need for timely delivery of fast-moving
products and efficient distribution of a variety of product lines to multiple
store locations in a more cost-effective manner than presently provided by many
product manufacturers. No single customer accounts for more than 10% of the
Company's sales for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997
or the nine month period ended December 31, 1997. At March 31, 1997 and December
31, 1997, five computer and office product superstores and warehouse clubs
represent approximately 26% and 25%, respectively, of the Company's trade
accounts receivable, with the largest being approximately 12% and 10%,
respectively, of trade accounts receivable, and reflects the significance of
this market segment. As a result of customer consolidation, the Company's U.S.
sales growth has been slowing. The Company presently expects to partially offset
this reduced sales growth through international expansion, growth in its PFS
business and acquisitions of complementary product lines. There can be no
assurance, however, that these activities will be successful.
 
     The Company's international sales accounted for approximately 19% of the
Company's total net sales in fiscal year 1997 and approximately 22% of the
Company's total net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 1997, and the
Company believes that international markets represent further opportunities for
growth. To take advantage of the growing Far East and Australia marketplace, in
October 1996, the Company acquired Lasercharge Pty Ltd., a large computer and
office automation supplies wholesaler in Australia, and in January 1998, the
Company opened a sales and distribution facility in Singapore. To service the
growing Latin American market, the Company opened a sales office and
distribution center in Mexico City, Mexico in November 1994 and opened a similar
facility in Miami, Florida, in January 1996. The Company also has sales and
distribution operations in Canada. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company will be successful in these or other international efforts or that the
risks inherent in international operations, such as currency fluctuations or the
political or economic instability of certain foreign countries and regions, such
as Mexico and the Pacific Rim, will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for certain financial information regarding the Company's
domestic and international sales during the last three fiscal years.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   29
 
     The Company's sales force, as of December 31, 1997, consisted of
approximately 197 telemarketing sales representatives located in the Company's
headquarters in Plano, Texas, 37 telemarketing sales representatives located in
Memphis, Tennessee, 43 telemarketing sales representatives located in the
Company's office in Canada, 14 telemarketing sales representatives located in
the Company's office in Mexico, 15 telemarketing sales representatives located
in the Company's office in Australia, and three telemarketing sales
representatives located in the Company's office in Miami, Florida.
 
     The Company's sales and telemarketing department is divided into several
groups or teams, each having its own particular sales objective. For example,
the Retail Department focuses specifically on large computer retailers and
office product superstores and highlights the Company's ability to more
efficiently distribute a wide variety of small shipments to a larger number of
store locations than presently provided by product manufacturers. Similarly, a
separate group of sales representatives are responsible for a select group of
national accounts, such as contract stationers, office products dealers and
buying groups, while others focus on new accounts, existing business or
international and export sales. By utilizing sophisticated telemarketing
software and call management systems, including caller identification, sales
representatives are able to verify customer account numbers and contact persons
and quickly identify a customer's buying patterns, recent purchases, credit
availability and other sales and marketing information. The telecommunications
software also enables sales and marketing management to better identify, control
and monitor sales representatives' prospecting activity with the Company's
customers.
 
     The Company provides extensive training for new sales personnel with
special emphasis on the need for regular customer contact, response to
customers' demands for product information and the need to inform customers of
technological advancements by the Company's suppliers. The Company, together
with its major suppliers, provide the Company's sales personnel with ongoing
product-specific training and education emphasizing computer supplies as well as
new technologies, new products and new product applications.
 
     In order to maintain its position as a low cost wholesale distributor, the
Company regularly monitors the efficiency of its sales staff. By utilizing
sophisticated telecommunications equipment, the Company is able to measure the
number of calls being fielded by a sales representative, their success rate in
terms of orders obtained compared to calls taken and customer service
statistics, such as abandoned call rates and average response times. The
Company's sales force receives a base salary as well as varying sales incentives
based on gross profit margin achievements. In addition, a number of suppliers
periodically offer sales bonus programs in connection with specific product
sales campaigns which can further augment a sales representative's compensation.
 
     One of the Company's primary marketing tools is its quarterly catalog,
known as the "Book of Deals." In order to promote its image as a low cost
wholesaler and provider of value-added services, the Book of Deals will usually
highlight a theme related to specific products, customer services or a
combination of the two. The Company presently distributes a total of
approximately 40,000 catalogs and contract price books to its active U.S.
customers each quarter. The Company also distributes a separate Book of Deals
designed specifically for each of its Canadian, Mexican and Australian
subsidiaries. Other catalog-type marketing tools used by the Company include
customized catalogs produced by the Company for the reseller to distribute to
its end-user customers. The Company also distributes "flyers" which announce new
product line additions or special promotions and are usually inserted in the
Book of Deals or mailed directly to customers.
 
     Although the Book of Deals remains one of the Company's primary marketing
tools, the Company also uses electronic commerce marketing tools as well. The
Company believes it has established itself as a leader in the deployment of
electronic commerce in the computer and office automation supplies and
accessories industry. These tools are designed to win further market share and
to reduce cost in the customer relationship by automating information flow. By
accepting both externally developed commercially available technologies as well
as internally developed proprietary technologies, the Company can offer a suite
of electronic commerce solutions including: traditional X.12 and proprietary
EDI; third party software systems such as DDMS, OPUS, Britannia, and Moore O.P.
Services; and Internet, intranet, and extranet systems.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   30
 
     During fiscal year 1997, the Company introduced an electronic catalog and
on-line ordering tool, known as "SOLO", the System for Online Ordering. SOLO
provides customers with on-line ordering capabilities; fingertip access to
up-to-date pricing, product and order information; search and retrieval
capabilities based on part numbers, manufacturers, product description, retail
price, machine compatibility and other factors; and convenient access to
manufacturers' product literature and training videos. The Company provides
CD-ROM, diskette and World Wide Web versions of SOLO.
 
     Certain of the Company's suppliers provide the Company with cooperative
advertising programs, marketing development funds and other types of incentives
and discounts which offset the production costs of the Company's quarterly Book
of Deals, other published marketing tools and other related costs.
 
     The Company permits its customers to return defective products (most of
which are then returned by the Company to the manufacturer) and incorrect
shipments for credit against other purchases. During the last three fiscal
years, the Company's net expense for returns of the Company's consumable supply
products has not been material.
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
     The Company maintains advanced management information systems and has
automated virtually all key business functions using on-line, real time systems.
These on-line systems provide management with information concerning sales,
inventory levels, customer payments and other operations which is essential for
the Company to operate as a low cost, high efficiency wholesale distributor.
 
     The implementation of these systems has allowed the Company to offer an
advanced suite of electronic commerce tools to its customers so that the Company
can communicate with their computer systems and automatically process, send and
receive purchase orders, invoices and acknowledgments. The Company offers
"customer links" to provide customers with direct access to a proprietary
Company database to examine pricing, credit information, product description and
availability and promotional information. This link also allows customers to
place orders directly into the Company's order processing system. These systems
also allow the Company to offer similar features to its customers through SOLO.
 
     The Company has also invested in advanced telecommunications, voice
response equipment, electronic mail and messaging, automated fax technology,
scanning, wireless technology, bar-coding, fiber optic network communications
and automated inventory management. The Company has developed and utilizes
telecommunications technology which provide for automatic customer call
recognition and customer profile recall for inbound telemarketing
representatives and computer generated outbound call objectives for outbound
telemarketing representatives.
 
     The Company plans to continue to invest in various management information
systems enhancements and upgrades to improve efficiency, monitor its operations,
manage inventory risks and offer faster and higher levels of service to its
customers and vendors.
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
     During fiscal year 1993, the Company consolidated its five U.S. regional
distribution centers into a new "superhub" distribution center located in
Memphis, Tennessee. During fiscal year 1997, the Company more than doubled the
size of this facility to its current size of 371,233 square feet. The facility
is located approximately four miles from the Federal Express hub facility and
contains automated conveyors, in-line scales and shipment photographs for
automatic accuracy checking, computerized sorting equipment, powered material
handling equipment and scanning and bar-coding systems.
 
     Since the consolidation of its regional distribution centers and the
opening of the Memphis distribution center, the Company has (i) reduced the
amount of "safety stock" inventory previously carried in different distribution
centers, which, in turn, has reduced the Company's working capital borrowings,
(ii) increased its inventory turnover rate from approximately nine turns to
approximately 11 turns in fiscal year 1997, (iii) improved its order fill rate
to a level of approximately 95%, (iv) improved personnel productivity and
reduced shipping errors and their associated costs, (v) improved delivery time
to most geographic areas through later order acceptance times (currently 9:00
p.m. eastern standard time) and next business day delivery with the
implementation of the Federal Express Agreement and (vi) reduced real estate
expenses.
                                       30
<PAGE>   31
 
     The Company believes that consumable supplies and other products sold by
the Company are particularly suited to cost effective overnight delivery because
of their unique value to weight characteristics. Accordingly, all of the
Company's U.S. package orders are shipped via Federal Express, except for
certain "heavyweight" packages or as otherwise requested by the customer. The
Company's centralized distribution center, together with the implementation of
the Federal Express Agreement, enables the Company to offer to its customers
next business day delivery to most U.S. geographic areas. The Company ships
virtually 100% of U.S. orders for product in stock on the same day.
 
     The material handling system at its Memphis distribution center includes
several high technology enhancements, including an automated package routing
system and a paperless order picking system. These systems have allowed the
Company to substantially increase the package movement capacity within the
existing facility, further improve package shipment accuracy and enhance the
Company's ability to perform value-added services for its customers, including
custom labeling and price stickering.
 
     The Company's U.S. sales and executive and administrative offices are
located in a 65,419 square foot central office facility located in Plano, Texas,
a Dallas suburb. The Company also operates regional sales and distribution
centers in Singapore; Toronto, Ontario; Mexico City, Mexico; Vancouver, British
Columbia; Sydney, Australia; and Miami, Florida. The Company's central
distribution center is located in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
     All of the Company's facilities are leased under leases which contain one
or more multiple year renewal options.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 669 full-time employees and 93
part-time employees, of which 216 were in executive and administrative
positions, including accounting, purchasing, credit and management information
systems, 309 were in sales and marketing and 237 were in warehousing and related
functions. None of the Company's employees are represented by a labor union, and
the Company has never suffered an interruption of business as a result of a
labor dispute. The Company considers its relations with its employees to be
favorable, and the Company believes it will be able to continue this
relationship by various employee incentive and participation programs, including
employee stock options.
 
     The Company also actively recruits college graduates through on-campus
recruiting programs. Each newly-hired employee from this program is placed into
the Company's training program for approximately three months which introduces
them to most aspects of the Company's business. Management believes that this
program is an important tool in recruiting and developing high quality
individuals with management potential to support the Company's future growth.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company believes that most, if not all, of its customers maintain
several sources of supply for their product requirements. Accordingly, the
Company competes with product manufacturers, general office supply wholesalers,
other national and regional wholesale computer supplies distributors, computer
hardware and software distributors and, to a lesser extent, non-specialized
wholesaler distributors. Many of these competitors such as product
manufacturers, computer hardware distributors and general office supply
wholesalers are larger and have substantially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. Competition in the Company's industry is generally
based on price, breadth of product lines, product and credit availability,
delivery time and the level and quality of customer services. The Company
competes primarily on the basis of its ability to offer low prices and quality
service while maintaining a high level of operating efficiency. The Company
believes its competitive advantages over product manufacturers and other
wholesale distributors include its ability to efficiently maintain a wide
selection of name brand products in stock ready to be shipped on a same-day
basis and delivered overnight, to efficiently distribute its products, to
provide innovative and high quality value-added customer service programs and to
respond to changing customer demands and product development.
                                       31
<PAGE>   32
 
BACKLOG
 
     The Company does not have a significant backlog of orders and does not
consider backlog to be material to an understanding of its business.
 
LITIGATION
 
     The Company is involved in certain litigation arising in the ordinary
course of business. Management believes that such litigation will be resolved
without material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.
 
RECENT ACQUISITION
 
     In January 1998, the Company expanded its product line and customer base by
acquiring Steadi-Systems, an independent wholesale distributor of media products
to the filmed entertainment and multimedia industries. Steadi-Systems
distributes a wide array of professional media products (film stock, video,
audio and data storage media) and video hardware (analog and digital equipment)
and is an authorized dealer for leading manufacturers such as Sony, Fuji, JVC,
Avid and others. Steadi-Systems' customers include production companies,
post-production operations, educational institutions, governmental agencies,
television stations and other professional and individual customers. The Company
believes that the integration of Steadi-Systems and the Company's call center
technology, management information systems and distribution expertise should
provide Steadi-Systems with the opportunity to expand its customer base and
offer higher and more efficient levels of service, although no assurance can be
given in this regard.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   33
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of the directors and
executive officers of the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                   AGE                           POSITION
                ----                   ---                           --------
<S>                                    <C>    <C>
David A. Heap........................  54     Chairman of the Board
Mark C. Layton.......................  38     President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
                                              Officer and Director
Christopher Yates....................  43     Senior Vice President -- Business Development and
                                              Director
James R. Powell......................  36     Senior Vice President -- Sales and Marketing and
                                              Director
Steven Graham........................  45     Senior Vice President -- Information Technologies,
                                              Chief Information Officer
Harvey H. Achatz.....................  56     Vice President -- Administration and Secretary
Thomas J. Madden.....................  36     Vice President -- Finance, Chief Financial Officer,
                                              Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
Peter D. Wharf.......................  38     Vice President -- International Operations
Suzanne Garrett......................  33     Vice President -- Product Management and Marketing
Peter P. J. Vikanis..................  47     Director
Timothy M. Murray....................  45     Director
Edgar D. Jannotta, Jr................  37     Director
</TABLE>
 
     DAVID A. HEAP has served as Chairman of the Board since 1982, as Chief
Executive Officer from 1982 until his retirement in April 1997 and as President
from 1982 to 1990. From 1970 to 1985, Mr. Heap served as Chairman of ISA
International plc (and its predecessors) ("ISA"), a now publicly traded company
he founded in England in 1970. ISA is a distributor of computer supplies in
Western Europe.
 
     MARK C. LAYTON has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Operating Officer since April 1997 and as a Director since 1988. Mr. Layton
served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer from
1993 to April 1997, as Executive Vice President from 1990 to 1993 and as Vice
President -- Operations from 1988 to 1990. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Layton served as a management consultant with Arthur Andersen & Co., S.C. for
six years through 1988 specializing in wholesale and retail distribution and
technology.
 
     CHRISTOPHER YATES was appointed Senior Vice President -- Business
Development in February 1996 and served as Vice President -- Business
Development from November 1995 to February 1996, as a Director of the Company
since February 1995, as Vice President -- Marketing from January 1994 to
November 1995, as Vice President -- Sales from 1988 to 1994 and in various other
sales capacities for the Company since 1982. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Yates served in various sales capacities for ISA.
 
     JAMES R. POWELL has served as a Director and Senior Vice President -- Sales
and Marketing since 1996. Mr. Powell served as Vice President -- Sales from 1992
to 1996, and in various other sales capacities from 1988 to 1992. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Powell was engaged in various sales and marketing
activities.
 
     STEVEN GRAHAM has served as Senior Vice President of Information
Technologies and Chief Information Officer since 1996. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Graham was employed by Ingram Micro, a major microcomputer
distributor. Mr. Graham has over 23 years of experience in the
information-technology field.
 
     HARVEY H. ACHATZ serves as Vice President -- Administration and Secretary,
positions he has held since 1993 and 1984, respectively. Mr. Achatz served as
Vice President -- Finance from 1985 to 1993, as Controller from 1981 to 1985 and
as a Director from 1984 to 1990.
 
     THOMAS J. MADDEN was appointed Chief Financial Officer in July 1997 and
serves as Vice President -- Finance, Treasurer and as Chief Accounting Officer,
positions he has held since November 1994, March 1994 and 1992, respectively.
From 1992 to 1994 he also served as Controller. From 1983 to 1992, Mr. Madden
served in various capacities with Arthur Andersen & Co., S.C., including
financial consulting and audit manager. Mr. Madden is a certified public
accountant.
                                       33
<PAGE>   34
 
     PETER D. WHARF serves as Vice President -- International Operations, a
position he has held since February 1996. Mr. Wharf joined the Company in 1992
and has served in various export and international sales capacities since such
time. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wharf served in various sales capacities
for ISA.
 
     SUZANNE GARRETT was recently promoted to Vice President of Product
Management and Marketing and has served as new-products manager, marketing
manager, and director of product management and marketing. Prior to joining the
Company in 1991, Ms. Garrett served as an account executive for United Media.
 
     PETER P. J. VIKANIS was appointed a Director of the Company during fiscal
year 1996. Mr. Vikanis served as Chief Operating Officer of ISA from 1991 to
1995, as a director of ISA from 1979 to 1995, and also served in various
management capacities at ISA from 1971 to 1991.
 
     TIMOTHY M. MURRAY has served as a Director of the Company since 1991. Mr.
Murray is a Principal of William Blair & Company, L.L.C., an investment banking
firm he joined in 1979. Mr. Murray is also a director of several privately held
corporations.
 
     EDGAR D. JANNOTTA, JR. has served as a Director of the Company since 1991.
Mr. Jannotta is a Principal of William Blair & Company, L.L.C., an investment
banking firm he joined in 1988. Mr. Jannotta is also a director of Gibraltar
Packaging Group, Inc., a diversified packaging company, and several privately
held corporations.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   35
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth as of the date of this Prospectus, certain
information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by (i) each
person who is known to the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the
Common Stock, (ii) each of the Directors and executive officers of the Company
individually, (iii) the Directors and executive officers of the Company as a
group and (iv) the Selling Stockholder. The information contained in this table
reflects "beneficial ownership" as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Unless otherwise
indicated, the stockholders identified in this table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares owned of record by them.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          SHARES OF COMMON                           SHARES OF COMMON
                                         STOCK OWNED BEFORE                          STOCK OWNED AFTER
                                           THE OFFERING(1)                            THE OFFERING(1)
                                        ---------------------                       -------------------
                                          NUMBER                SHARES TO BE SOLD    NUMBER
 NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER    OF SHARES    PERCENT    IN THE OFFERING    OF SHARES   PERCENT
 ------------------------------------   -----------   -------   -----------------   ---------   -------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>       <C>                 <C>         <C>
David A. Heap(2)......................    2,187,163    16.0%         700,000        1,487,163     9.3%
  500 North Central Expressway
  Plano, Texas 75074
Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company
  (Jersey) Limited, Brian Gerald
  Balleine and Kenneth Edward Rayner,
  Trustees, of the David Heap Life
  Interest Settlement (No. 10)(3).....    1,169,346     8.6%              --        1,169,346     7.3%
  19-21 Broad Street
  St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands
Robert Fleming Inc.(4)................    1,053,910     7.7%              --        1,053,910     6.6%
  1285 Avenue of the Americas
  New York, New York 10019
Amvescap Plc(5).......................      915,600     6.7%              --          915,600     5.7%
  11 Devonshire Square
  London, England
Wasatch Advisors Inc.(6)..............      779,736     5.7%              --          779,736     4.9%
  68 S. Main St.
  Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.(7)....      684,010     5.0%              --          684,010     4.3%
  222 W. Adams
  Chicago, Illinois 60606
Mark C. Layton(8).....................      245,213     1.8%              --          245,213     1.5%
Christopher Yates(9)..................       32,849     *                 --           32,849       *
Harvey H. Achatz(10)..................       57,694     *                 --           57,694       *
James R. Powell(11)...................       11,957     *                 --           11,957       *
Steven Graham(12).....................        9,000     *                 --            9,000       *
Thomas J. Madden(13)..................       45,933     *                 --           45,933       *
Edgar D. Jannotta, Jr.(14)............       38,768     *                 --           38,768       *
Timothy M. Murray(15).................       69,468     *                 --           69,468       *
Peter P.J. Vikanis(16)................        1,914     *                 --            1,914       *
Suzanne Garrett(17)...................        5,374     *                 --            5,374       *
Peter D. Wharf(18)....................        7,251     *                 --            7,251       *
All directors and executive officers
  as a group (11 persons)(19).........    2,712,584    19.9%         700,000        2,012,584    12.6%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
   * Represents less than 1%
 
 (1) This table is based on 13,661,032 shares of Common Stock outstanding on
     February 25, 1998 and 15,961,032 shares of Common Stock outstanding after
     consummation of the Offering.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   36
 
 (2) Includes outstanding options to purchase 60,565 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include (i) 1,800 shares
     held by Mr. Heap's spouse as custodian for minor children as to which
     beneficial ownership is disclaimed, (ii) options to purchase 166,655 shares
     of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable and (iii) 1,169,346
     shares of Common Stock held of record by the trust set forth above (the
     "Heap Trust"). Although Mr. Heap and members of his family are the primary
     beneficiaries of the Heap Trust, neither Mr. Heap nor such beneficiaries
     have voting or investment power with respect to such shares.
 
 (3) Shares are held of record by a Trust established by Mr. Heap for which he
     and members of his family are the primary beneficiaries, although neither
     Mr. Heap nor such beneficiaries may exercise voting or investment power
     with respect to such shares.
 
 (4) Based upon a Schedule 13G dated February 19, 1998 filed by Robert Fleming
     Inc. reporting beneficial ownership and shared voting and dispositive power
     as of December 31, 1997.
 
 (5) Based upon a Schedule 13G dated February 9, 1998 filed by Amvescap Plc, as
     parent holding company of Avz, Inc., AIM Management Group, Inc., Amvescap
     Group Services Inc., Invesco, Inc., and Invesco North American Holdings
     Inc., reporting beneficial ownership and shared voting and dispositive
     power as of December 31, 1997.
 
 (6) Based upon a Schedule 13G dated February 11, 1998 filed by Wasatch Advisors
     Inc. reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 1997.
 
 (7) Based upon a Schedule 13G dated February 14, 1998 filed by William Blair &
     Company, L.L.C. reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 1997.
 
 (8) Includes outstanding options to purchase 38,039 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding
     options to purchase 132,431 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or
     exercisable.
 
 (9) Includes outstanding options to purchase 32,849 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding
     options to purchase 92,169 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or
     exercisable.
 
(10) Includes outstanding options to purchase 57,694 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding
     options to purchase 8,164 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or
     exercisable.
 
(11) Includes outstanding options to purchase 11,417 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding
     options to purchase 78,703 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or
     exercisable.
 
(12) Includes outstanding options to purchase 9,000 shares of Common Stock which
     are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding options to
     purchase 51,000 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable.
 
(13) Includes outstanding options to purchase 44,483 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding
     options to purchase 65,999 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or
     exercisable.
 
(14) Includes outstanding options to purchase 300 shares of Common Stock which
     are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding options to
     purchase 4,180 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable.
 
(15) Includes outstanding options to purchase 300 shares of Common Stock which
     are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding options to
     purchase 4,180 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable.
 
(16) Includes outstanding options to purchase 300 shares of Common Stock which
     are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding options to
     purchase 4,180 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   37
 
(17) Includes outstanding options to purchase 5,374 shares of Common Stock which
     are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding options to
     purchase 36,244 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable.
 
(18) Includes outstanding options to purchase 7,251 shares of Common Stock which
     are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include outstanding options to
     purchase 54,261 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or exercisable.
 
(19) Includes outstanding options to purchase 267,572 shares of Common Stock
     which are fully vested and exercisable. Does not include (i) outstanding
     options to purchase 698,166 shares of Common Stock which are not vested or
     exercisable or (ii) shares of Common Stock held by the Heap Trust.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   38
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     The names of the Underwriters of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby
and the aggregate number of shares which each has severally agreed to purchase
from the Company and the Selling Stockholder, subject to the terms and
conditions specified in the Underwriting Agreement, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF
                        UNDERWRITER                            SHARES
                        -----------                           ---------
<S>                                                           <C>
SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc. ...............................
PaineWebber Incorporated....................................
William Blair & Company, L.L.C. ............................
 
          Total.............................................
</TABLE>
 
     The Managing Underwriters are SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc., PaineWebber
Incorporated and William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
 
     If any shares of Common Stock offered hereby are purchased by the
Underwriters, all such shares of Common Stock will be so purchased. The
Underwriting Agreement contains certain provisions whereby, if any Underwriter
defaults in its obligation to purchase such shares, and the aggregate
obligations of the Underwriters so defaulting do not exceed 10% of the shares
offered hereby, the remaining Underwriters, or some of them, must assume such
obligations.
 
     The shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being initially offered
severally by the Underwriters for sale at the price set forth on the cover page
hereof, or at such price less a concession not to exceed $     per share on
sales to certain dealers. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $  per share on sales to certain other
dealers. The offering of the shares is made for delivery when, as, and if
accepted by the Underwriters and subject to prior sale and withdrawal,
cancellation or modification of the offer without notice. The Underwriters
reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of the shares. After the
public offering, the public offering price, the concession and the reallowance
may be changed by the Managing Underwriters.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholder have granted to the Underwriters an
option, which may be exercised within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus,
to purchase up to 345,000 and 105,000 additional shares of Common Stock,
respectively, to cover over-allotments, if any, on the same terms per share. To
the extent the Underwriters exercise this option, each of the Underwriters will
be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the number of
additional shares of Common Stock proportionate to such Underwriter's initial
commitment.
 
     During the 90 day period following the date of this Prospectus, the
Company, all of its officers and directors, the Selling Stockholder and the Heap
Trust have agreed not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, directly or
indirectly, an aggregate of 2,914,358 shares of Common Stock without the prior
written consent of SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc. (except for the issuance or
exercise of employee stock options).
 
     The Managing Underwriters, on behalf of the Underwriters, may engage in
over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which
creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to
purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a
specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the
Common Stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in
order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the Managing
Underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate
                                       38
<PAGE>   39
 
member when the Common Stock originally sold by such syndicate member is
purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short
positions. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids may cause the price of the Common Stock to be higher than it would
otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be
effected on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.
 
     As permitted by Rule 103 under the Exchange Act, certain Underwriters (and
selling group members, if any) that are market makers ("passive market makers")
in the Common Stock may make bids for or purchases of the Common Stock in the
Nasdaq National Market until such time, if any, when a stabilizing bid for such
securities has been made. Rule 103 generally provides that (1) a passive market
maker's net daily purchases of the Common Stock may not exceed 30% of its
average daily trading volume in such securities for the two full consecutive
calendar months (or any 60 consecutive days ending within the 10 days)
immediately preceding the filing date of the registration statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part, (2) a passive market maker may not effect
transactions or display bids for the Common Stock at a price that exceeds the
highest independent bid for the Common Stock by persons who are not passive
market makers and (3) bids made by passive market makers must be identified as
such.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
     The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to accounts over which they
exercise discretionary authority.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company and the Selling Stockholder by Wolff & Samson, P.A.,
Roseland, New Jersey. Certain legal matters in connection with the Offering are
being passed upon for the Underwriters by Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy
LLP, Atlanta, Georgia.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Daisytek
International Corporation and subsidiaries included and incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement to the
extent and for the periods indicated in their reports have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), all
of which may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at 7 World Trade Center,
Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material also can be obtained at
prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Reports, proxy and information
statements and other information concerning the Company can also be inspected at
The Nasdaq National Market at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 or
from the Commission's World Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
     This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the
Company with the Commission under the Securities Act. This Prospectus omits
certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Reference is hereby made to
the
                                       39
<PAGE>   40
 
Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect
to the Company and the Common Stock. Statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of any document are not necessarily complete and, in each instance,
where a copy of such document has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or otherwise has been filed with the Commission, reference is made to
the copy so filed. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents have been filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act, File No. 0-25400, and are incorporated herein by
reference:
 
           1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
     1997.
 
           2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.
 
           3. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
     1997.
 
           4. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
     1997.
 
           5. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 1997.
 
           6. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 1997.
 
           7. Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 23, 1997.
 
           8. Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 5, 1997.
 
           9. Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 1998.
 
          10. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 1998.
 
          11. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on
     August 15, 1997.
 
          12. The Registration Statement on Form 8-A under the Exchange Act as
     filed with the Commission on January 20, 1995.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Common Stock hereby shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which is
or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents
incorporated herein by reference (not including the exhibits to such documents,
unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such
documents). Requests for such copies should be directed to Mr. Harvey Achatz,
Vice President and Secretary of the Company, at Daisytek International
Corporation, 500 North Central Expressway, Plano, Texas 75074.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   41
 
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants....................  F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1996 and 1997,
  and December 31, 1997 (unaudited).........................  F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Fiscal Years Ended
  March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, and the Nine Month Periods
  Ended December 31, 1996 (unaudited) and December 31, 1997
  (unaudited)...............................................  F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, and the
  Nine Month Period Ended December 31, 1997 (unaudited).....  F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years
  Ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, and the Nine Month
  Periods Ended December 31, 1996 (unaudited) and December
  31, 1997 (unaudited)......................................  F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................  F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   42
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Daisytek International Corporation:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Daisytek
International Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of March
31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Daisytek International
Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                                    ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Dallas, Texas,
April 25, 1997
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   43
 
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   MARCH 31,
                                                              --------------------    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                1996        1997          1997
                                                              --------    --------    ------------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash......................................................  $    204    $    552      $    914
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $1,758 and $2,360 at March 31, 1996 and
    1997, respectively, and $2,262 at December 31, 1997.....    69,740      90,778        95,943
  Inventories, net:
    Inventories, excluding Priority Fulfillment Services....    44,358      54,426        58,631
    Inventories, Priority Fulfillment Services..............        --      10,354        11,664
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................     2,120       1,214         2,616
  Deferred income tax asset.................................       762         565            --
                                                              --------    --------      --------
         Total current assets...............................   117,184     157,889       169,768
                                                              --------    --------      --------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment.........................    15,325      20,949        24,249
  Leasehold improvements....................................       306         673           991
                                                              --------    --------      --------
                                                                15,631      21,622        25,240
  Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization..........    (6,136)     (9,648)      (12,727)
                                                              --------    --------      --------
         Net property and equipment.........................     9,495      11,974        12,513
EMPLOYEE RECEIVABLE.........................................       395         423           448
EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED, net................     1,527       5,002         4,244
                                                              --------    --------      --------
         Total assets.......................................  $128,601    $175,288      $186,973
                                                              ========    ========      ========
 
                               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt.........................  $    650    $    662      $    367
  Trade accounts payable....................................    55,222      69,321        65,194
  Accrued expenses..........................................     4,230       6,260         7,415
  Income taxes payable......................................       419       1,398         1,940
  Deferred income tax liability.............................        --          --         1,068
                                                              --------    --------      --------
         Total current liabilities..........................    60,521      77,641        75,984
                                                              --------    --------      --------
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion........................    16,419      30,454        28,849
                                                              --------    --------      --------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 1,000,000 shares
    authorized at March 31, 1996 and 1997, and December 31,
    1997; none issued and outstanding.......................        --          --            --
  Common stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
    authorized at March 31, 1996, and 20,000,000 shares
    authorized at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1997;
    12,685,506, 13,041,418 and 13,636,340 shares issued and
    outstanding at March 31, 1996 and 1997, and December 31,
    1997, respectively......................................       127         130           136
  Additional paid-in capital................................    30,810      33,266        36,907
  Retained earnings.........................................    21,736      35,103        46,939
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment........    (1,012)     (1,306)       (1,842)
                                                              --------    --------      --------
         Total shareholders' equity.........................    51,661      67,193        82,140
                                                              --------    --------      --------
         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.........  $128,601    $175,288      $186,973
                                                              ========    ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance
                                    sheets.
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   44
 
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                                                   FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,           DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ------------------------------    -------------------------
                                                    1995       1996       1997         1996          1997
                                                  --------   --------   --------    -----------   -----------
                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
NET SALES.......................................  $352,953   $464,169   $603,814     $429,471      $538,966
COST OF SALES...................................   316,982    416,199    543,848      387,008       485,026
                                                  --------   --------   --------     --------      --------
  Gross profit..................................    35,971     47,970     59,966       42,463        53,940
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES....    23,260     29,024     36,630       26,078        33,143
                                                  --------   --------   --------     --------      --------
  Income from operations........................    12,711     18,946     23,336       16,385        20,797
INTEREST EXPENSE................................     2,050      1,482      1,677        1,220         1,619
                                                  --------   --------   --------     --------      --------
  Income before income taxes....................    10,661     17,464     21,659       15,165        19,178
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES:
  Current.......................................     4,470      6,460      8,095        5,567         5,709
  Deferred......................................      (305)       237        197          238         1,633
                                                  --------   --------   --------     --------      --------
                                                     4,165      6,697      8,292        5,805         7,342
                                                  --------   --------   --------     --------      --------
NET INCOME......................................  $  6,496   $ 10,767   $ 13,367     $  9,360      $ 11,836
                                                  ========   ========   ========     ========      ========
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE(1):
  Basic.........................................  $   0.68   $   0.85   $   1.03     $   0.73      $   0.87
  Diluted.......................................  $   0.59   $   0.80   $   0.97     $   0.68      $   0.83
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING(1):
  Basic.........................................     9,550     12,602     12,934       12,904        13,530
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON SHARE
  EQUIVALENTS OUTSTANDING(1):
  Diluted.......................................    11,084     13,514     13,826       13,832        14,260
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In February 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for one
    stock split, which provides for each holder of common stock to receive one
    additional share for each share held. The weighted average common shares
    outstanding, common share equivalents outstanding and net income per common
    share calculations have been adjusted to reflect the split.
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   45
 
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               COMMON STOCK
                                        COMMON STOCK             WARRANTS         ADDITIONAL              CUMULATIVE
                                     -------------------   --------------------    PAID-IN     RETAINED   TRANSLATION
                                       SHARES     AMOUNT    WARRANTS    AMOUNT     CAPITAL     EARNINGS   ADJUSTMENT     TOTAL
                                     ----------   ------   ----------   -------   ----------   --------   -----------   -------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
BALANCE,
March 31, 1994.....................   8,932,008    $ 89     1,738,698   $ 1,600    $10,608     $ 4,473      $  (833)    $15,937
  Net income.......................          --      --            --        --         --       6,496           --       6,496
  Exercise and termination of
     common stock warrants.........     797,356       8    (1,738,698)   (1,600)     1,596          --           --           4
  Issuance and net proceeds from
     sale of common stock..........   2,760,000      28            --        --     18,529          --           --      18,557
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment....................          --      --            --        --         --          --         (177)       (177)
                                     ----------    ----    ----------   -------    -------     -------      -------     -------
BALANCE,
March 31, 1995.....................  12,489,364     125            --        --     30,733      10,969       (1,010)     40,817
  Net income.......................          --      --            --        --         --      10,767           --      10,767
  Net proceeds from exercise of
     common stock options..........     196,142       2            --        --        561          --           --         563
  Costs associated with secondary
     offering of stock.............          --      --            --        --       (484)         --           --        (484)
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment....................          --      --            --        --         --          --           (2)         (2)
                                     ----------    ----    ----------   -------    -------     -------      -------     -------
BALANCE,
March 31, 1996.....................  12,685,506     127            --        --     30,810      21,736       (1,012)     51,661
  Net income.......................          --      --            --        --         --      13,367           --      13,367
  Net proceeds from exercise of
     common stock options..........     315,796       3            --        --      1,635          --           --       1,638
  Issuance of common stock for
     acquisition of subsidiary.....      38,562      --            --        --        791          --           --         791
  Issuance of common stock.........       1,554      --            --        --         30          --           --          30
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment....................          --      --            --        --         --          --         (294)       (294)
                                     ----------    ----    ----------   -------    -------     -------      -------     -------
BALANCE,
March 31, 1997.....................  13,041,418     130            --        --     33,266      35,103       (1,306)     67,193
  Net income (unaudited)...........          --      --            --        --         --      11,836           --      11,836
  Net proceeds from exercise of
     common stock options
     (unaudited)...................     592,384       6            --        --      3,596          --           --       3,602
  Issuance of common stock
     (unaudited)...................       2,538      --            --        --         45          --           --          45
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment (unaudited)........          --      --            --        --         --          --         (536)       (536)
                                     ----------    ----    ----------   -------    -------     -------      -------     -------
BALANCE,
December 31, 1997 (unaudited)......  13,636,340    $136            --   $    --    $36,907     $46,939      $(1,842)    $82,140
                                     ==========    ====    ==========   =======    =======     =======      =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   46
 
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                                                    FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,          DECEMBER 31,
                                                   ------------------------------   -------------------------
                                                     1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                                   --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income.....................................  $  6,496   $ 10,767   $ 13,367    $  9,360      $ 11,836
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     provided by (used in) operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization...............     1,393      2,296      3,786       2,704         3,356
     Provision for doubtful accounts.............       750        999      1,594         908         1,250
     Deferred income tax provision (benefit).....      (305)       237        197         238         1,626
     Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities --
       Accounts receivable.......................   (16,368)   (18,888)   (22,801)    (11,186)       (7,415)
       Inventories, net..........................    (9,863)   (12,017)   (19,580)    (12,196)       (6,189)
       Trade accounts payable and accrued
          expenses...............................     9,839     18,495     14,559       4,386        (1,230)
       Income taxes payable......................       575       (478)       969         198           710
       Prepaid expenses and other current
          assets.................................        32     (1,776)       873         960        (1,516)
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
          Net cash provided by (used in)
            operating activities.................    (7,451)      (365)    (7,036)     (4,628)        2,428
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment............    (3,740)    (4,959)    (5,931)     (3,932)       (3,679)
  Acquisition of subsidiary......................        --         --     (2,105)     (2,105)           --
  Collections (advances) of employee receivables,
     net.........................................     1,575        (80)       (30)        (94)          (81)
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
          Net cash used in investing
            activities...........................    (2,165)    (5,039)    (8,066)     (6,131)       (3,760)
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from (payments of) revolving lines of
     credit, net.................................    (7,918)     5,735     14,660      10,130        (1,382)
  Payments on capital leases and notes payable...      (541)      (571)      (656)       (478)         (513)
  Net proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of
     stock options and warrants..................    18,561         79      1,638       1,492         3,602
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
          Net cash provided by financing
            activities...........................    10,102      5,243     15,642      11,144         1,707
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH.................       (82)       (83)      (192)        (32)          (13)
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH..................       404       (244)       348         353           362
CASH, beginning of period........................        44        448        204         204           552
                                                   --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
CASH, end of period..............................  $    448   $    204   $    552    $    557      $    914
                                                   ========   ========   ========    ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   47
 
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND RELATED TO THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                   DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED.)
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Nature of Business
 
     Daisytek International Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and
subsidiaries (the "Company") is a wholesale distributor of non-paper computer
and office automation supplies and accessories, whose primary products are laser
toner, inkjet cartridges, copier toner, printer ribbons, diskettes, optical
storage products, computer tape cartridges and accessories such as cleaning kits
and media storage files. The Company's products are used in a broad range of
computers and office automation products including laser and inkjet printers,
photocopiers, fax machines and data storage products. The Company, through its
wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Mexico and Singapore,
sells products primarily in North America, as well as in Latin America,
Australia, Singapore, the Pacific Rim, Europe, and Africa.
 
     The Company's customers include value-added resellers, computer supplies
dealers, office product dealers, contract stationers, buying groups, computer
and office product superstores and other retailers who resell the products to
end-users. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's
annual net sales for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, or
the nine month period ended December 31, 1997. At March 31, 1997 and December
31, 1997, five computer and office product superstores and warehouse clubs
represent approximately 26% and 25%, respectively, of trade accounts receivable,
with the largest being approximately 12% and 10%, respectively, of trade
accounts receivable, reflecting the significance of this market segment.
 
     The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of product to customers and
provides for estimated returns and allowances. The Company permits its customers
to return defective products (many of which are then returned by the Company to
the manufacturer) and incorrect shipments for credit against other purchases.
The Company offers terms to its customers that it believes are standard for its
industry.
 
     During fiscal year 1996, the Company formed Priority Fulfillment Services,
Inc. ("PFS"), a wholly owned subsidiary, to provide outsourcing solutions to its
business partners and other customers. Through PFS, the Company sells its core
competencies in call-center, product fulfillment, logistics and support services
to client companies worldwide. PFS customizes these services to meet specific
requirements of these companies. PFS's call-center services include: order
entry, order tracking and customer service (inbound), outbound telemarketing
services and customized reporting of customer and call information. PFS also
provides other support services such as invoicing, credit management and
collection services, and accounting and systems support. PFS utilizes primarily
the Company's centralized distribution facility in Memphis, Tennessee and also
the Company's foreign distribution facilities, and maintains relationships with
a number of shipping companies to provide next business day delivery on domestic
package orders, truck shipments on larger domestic orders and a variety of air
and surface delivery options for international orders. PFS presently provides
its services under both fee based contracts (where revenue is based on either
the sales value of the products or service activity volume) and transaction
based contracts (where PFS takes title and resells the product).
 
  Basis of Presentation
 
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Daisytek
International Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions are eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   48
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Reclassifications
 
     Certain prior year data has been reclassified to conform to the current
period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously
reported net income, shareholders' equity or net cash flows.
 
  Inventories
 
     Inventories (merchandise held for resale, all of which is finished goods)
are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market.
 
     Inventories held and owned by the Company's PFS subsidiary relate to
product fulfillment and logistics services provided for third parties, and are
presented separately in the consolidated balance sheet as certain of these
distribution agreements generally allow for the third party to manage the levels
of inventory held by the Company. As a result, the levels of inventory held by
the Company under these contracts are higher than the Company would normally
carry in its core wholesale business.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets
which range from one to seven years.
 
  Excess of Cost Over Net Assets Acquired
 
     Excess of cost over net assets acquired is amortized on a straight-line
basis over 20 to 40 years. The related amortization expense for each of the
fiscal years 1995 and 1996 was approximately $50,000, and was $140,000 for
fiscal year 1997. Amortization expense for the nine month periods ended December
31, 1996 and 1997 was $82,000 and $163,000, respectively. Accumulated
amortization as of March 31, 1996 and 1997, and December 31, 1997 was $468,000,
$608,000 and $741,000, respectively.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
 
     For the Company's Canadian and Australian subsidiaries, the local currency
is the functional currency. All assets and liabilities are translated at
exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, and income and expense items
are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. Translation
adjustments are reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. In
addition, the Company periodically enters into foreign exchange contracts in
order to hedge the Company's net investment in, and its intercompany payable
balance (of a long-term investment nature) applicable to its Canadian and
Australian subsidiaries. In May 1997, the Company entered into a one-year, $9.6
million (U.S.) forward Canadian currency exchange contract. As of December 31,
1997, the Company had incurred a gain of approximately $0.4 million, net of
applicable income taxes, on this contract. In October 1997, the Company entered
into a one-year, $1.8 million (U.S.) forward Australian currency exchange
contract. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had incurred a gain of
approximately $0.1 million, net of applicable income taxes, on this contract.
 
     For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, the Company
incurred losses of approximately $31,000 and $59,000, and a gain of
approximately $44,000, net of income taxes, respectively, related to a one-year,
$3.0 million (U.S.) forward Canadian currency exchange contract that expired in
May 1995, a one-year, $4.3 million (U.S.) forward Canadian currency exchange
contract that expired in April 1996, and a one-year, $6.6 million (U.S.) forward
Canadian currency exchange contract that expired in May 1997, respectively.
These gains and losses are included as a component of shareholders' equity.
 
     For the Company's Mexican subsidiary, the U.S. dollar is the functional
currency. Monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of
exchange on the balance sheet date and certain assets (notably inventory, and
property and equipment) are translated at historical rates. Income and expense
items are
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   49
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
translated at average rates of exchange for the period except for those items of
expense which relate to assets which are translated at historical rates. The
gains and losses from foreign currency transactions and translation related to
the Mexican subsidiary are included in net income and have not been material.
 
  Net Income Per Common Share
 
     Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income by
the weighted average common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted net
income is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common
shares and share equivalents outstanding for each period. The difference between
the Company's basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is
due to dilutive common stock options outstanding. The stock splits discussed in
Note 3 have been reflected in the net income per common share calculations for
all periods presented.
 
  Adoption of New Accounting Standards
 
     The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of," in fiscal year 1997. SFAS No. 121 requires companies
to periodically evaluate long-lived assets and to record an impairment loss if
the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of
those assets. The effect of the application of SFAS No. 121 was not material.
 
     The Company adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," in fiscal year 1997. The Company has chosen to continue to apply
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees," and related Interpretations in accounting for its plans, and has
opted to comply with the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123.
 
     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share." This statement establishes new standards for
computing and presenting earnings per share ("EPS"). The Company adopted SFAS
No. 128 during the quarter ended December 31, 1997. The Company restated its EPS
data for all periods presented.
 
     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information." These statements are effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997; however, earlier adoption is permitted. SFAS No. 130
requires the presentation of comprehensive income and its components in a full
set of financial statements. SFAS No. 131 requires the disclosure of financial
and descriptive information about reportable operating segments. Both SFAS No.
130 and 131 are modifications of existing disclosure requirements, which will
have no effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the
Company. The Company is currently evaluating the standards and their potential
impact on disclosures and will adopt these pronouncements in its fiscal year
1999 financial statements.
 
  Acquisition of Subsidiary
 
     Effective October 1, 1996, the Company acquired, with cash and common
stock, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Lasercharge Pty Ltd
("Lasercharge"). Lasercharge is an Australian wholesale distributor of computer
and office automation supplies and accessories. The acquisition of Lasercharge
was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and, accordingly, the
purchase price has been allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based on
fair values at the date of acquisition. This resulted in cost in excess of fair
value of approximately $3.6 million which is being amortized on a straight-line
basis over 20 years. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented
because the effects of the acquisition were not significant.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   50
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
2. DEBT
 
     Debt at March 31, 1996 and 1997, and at December 31, 1997 is as follows
(dollars in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    MARCH 31,    MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                      1996         1997           1997
                                                    ---------    ---------    ------------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>
Revolving line of credit with commercial banks,
  interest (weighted average rate of 6.6% and 6.8%
  at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1997,
  respectively) at the Company's option at the
  prime rate of a bank (8.5% at March 31, 1997 and
  December 31, 1997) or the Eurodollar rate plus
  0.625% to 1.125% (6.3% and 6.8% at March 31,
  1997 and December 31, 1997, respectively), due
  December 31, 2000...............................   $15,440      $30,100       $26,000
Revolving line of credit with commercial bank,
  interest (weighted average of 5.6% at December
  31, 1997) at the Australian Bank Bill Rate plus
  0.75% (5.6% at December 31, 1997), due July 1,
  1999............................................        --           --         2,718
Notes payable and obligations under capital leases
  for warehouse equipment, computer equipment,
  office furniture and fixtures, interest at
  varying rates ranging from 8% to 21%, with
  initial lease terms varying from three to seven
  years...........................................     1,629        1,016           498
                                                     -------      -------       -------
  Long-term debt..................................    17,069       31,116        29,216
Less: current portion of long-term debt...........      (650)        (662)         (367)
                                                     -------      -------       -------
  Long-term debt, less current portion............   $16,419      $30,454       $28,849
                                                     =======      =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
     In May 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with certain banks for
an unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") that, as amended
in February 1998, has a maximum borrowing availability of $65.0 million and
expires on December 31, 2000. The maximum borrowing availability at March 31,
1997 and December 31, 1997, prior to amendment, was $50.0 million. Availability
under the Facility is based upon amounts of eligible accounts receivable, as
defined. The Facility accrues interest, at the Company's option, at the prime
rate of a bank or the Eurodollar rate plus an adjustment ranging from 0.625% to
1.125% depending on the Company's financial performance. A commitment fee of
0.20% to 0.25% is charged on the unused portion of the Facility. The Facility
contains various covenants including, among other things, the maintenance of
certain financial ratios (minimum fixed charge ratio and minimum level of
tangible net worth) and restrictions on certain activities of the Company,
including loans and payments to related parties, incurring additional debt,
acquisitions, investments and asset sales. As of March 31, 1997 and December 31,
1997, approximately $19.9 million and $24.0 million, respectively, was available
under the Facility for additional borrowings. This Facility is part of the
Company's integrated cash management system in which accounts receivable
collections are used to pay down the Facility and disbursements are paid from
the Facility. This system allows the Company to optimize its cash flow.
 
     During October 1997, the Company's Australian subsidiary entered into an
agreement with an Australian bank for an unsecured revolving line of credit
facility (the "Australian Facility"). The Australian Facility, which expires on
July 1, 1999, allows the Company to borrow Australian dollars up to a maximum of
$7.5 million (Australian), or approximately $4.9 million (U.S.) at December 31,
1997. The Australian Facility accrues interest at the Australian Bank Bill Rate
plus 0.75%. A commitment fee of 0.25% is charged on the total amount of the
Australian Facility. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had borrowed
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   51
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
approximately $2.7 million (U.S.), leaving approximately $2.2 million (U.S.)
available under the Australian Facility for additional borrowings.
 
     During December 1997, the Company's Canadian subsidiary entered into an
agreement with a Canadian bank for an unsecured revolving line of credit
facility (the "Canadian Facility"). The Canadian Facility, which expires on July
1, 1999, allows the Company to borrow Canadian or U.S. dollars up to a maximum
of $15.0 million (Canadian), or approximately $10.5 million (U.S.) at December
31, 1997. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Canadian Facility
at December 31, 1997. The Canadian Facility accrues interest at the Company's
option at the bank's prime rate, the bank's cost of funds plus 0.65%, the bank's
U.S. dollar commercial loan rate or LIBOR plus 0.65%. A commitment fee of 0.25%
is charged on the unused portion of the Canadian Facility.
 
     The Company is a party to a number of non-cancelable capital lease
agreements involving warehouse equipment, computer equipment, and office
furniture and fixtures. The Company's property held under capital leases,
included in furniture, fixtures and equipment in the balance sheet, amounted to
approximately $1,112,000, net of accumulated amortization of approximately
$1,560,000 at March 31, 1996, approximately $684,000, net of accumulated
amortization of approximately $2,054,000 at March 31, 1997, and approximately
$385,000, net of accumulated amortization of approximately $2,353,000 at
December 31, 1997.
 
     Annual maturities of long-term debt and capital leases are as follows (in
thousands), after giving effect to the February 1998 amendment to the Facility
which extended the maturity of the Facility to December 31, 2000, for the
December 31, 1997 presentation:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                1997           1997
                                                              ---------    ------------
                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Three month period ended March 31, 1998.....................   $    --       $   144
Fiscal year ended March 31,
  1998......................................................       662            --
  1999......................................................    30,364           264
  2000......................................................        90         2,808
  2001......................................................        --        26,000
                                                               -------       -------
          Total.............................................   $31,116       $29,216
                                                               =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
3. STOCK OPTIONS AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  Public Offerings
 
     In January 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering (the
"IPO") of 2,760,000 shares of common stock. In January 1996, the Company
completed a secondary offering of 2,415,500 shares of common stock, sold by
certain principal and selling shareholders. The Company did not receive any of
the proceeds from the sale of shares by these principal and selling
shareholders. The Company incurred approximately $484,000 in costs related to
the secondary offering, which is reflected as a reduction in Shareholders'
Equity.
 
  Preferred Stock
 
     In connection with the IPO, the Company authorized the issuance of up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, none of which is
issued or outstanding at March 31, 1996 and 1997, and December 31, 1997.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   52
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Stock Splits
 
     In conjunction with the IPO, the Company's Board of Directors approved the
conversion of each share of common stock into 1.45 shares upon consummation of
the IPO. In February 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for
one stock split which provides for each holder of common stock to receive one
additional share for each share held. The stock split is to be effected in the
form of a stock dividend payable as of March 2, 1998 to stockholders of record
as of February 16, 1998. The consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto have been adjusted to reflect these stock splits on a retroactive basis
for all periods presented.
 
  Stock Purchase Agreement
 
     Pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated December 13, 1991, as amended
on December 23, 1991 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), the Company issued to a
private investor 3,333,660 shares of common stock, warrants to purchase 797,356
shares of common stock (the "A Warrants"), and warrants to purchase 941,342
shares of common stock (the "B Warrants") for an aggregate consideration of
$10,000,000. The A Warrants contained an exercise price of $0.005 per share,
were only exercisable upon the occurrence of certain specified events, and,
subject to certain conditions, granted the Company the right to repurchase all
or a portion of the A Warrants at prices ranging from $2.315 per share to $2.405
per share. Such warrants were exercised simultaneous with the IPO. The B
Warrants contained an exercise price of $0.005 per share and, pursuant to their
terms, terminated in January 1995 in conjunction with the IPO.
 
  Stock Options
 
     At March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1997, the Company had stock option
compensation plans and a non-employee Director stock option plan, which are
described below. The Company may also, from time to time, issue non-qualified
options outside these plans. The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related
Interpretations in accounting for these stock options. Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized for stock-based compensation awards. Pro
forma net income and earnings per share assuming compensation cost for the
Company had been determined under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," are as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          FISCAL YEARS ENDED     NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                                              MARCH 31,                DECEMBER 31,
                                          ------------------    --------------------------
                                           1996       1997         1996           1997
                                          -------    -------    -----------    -----------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Net income:
  As reported...........................  $10,767    $13,367      $9,360         $11,836
  Pro forma.............................  $10,039    $11,202      $7,741         $ 9,293
Earnings per share:
  Basic:
     As reported........................  $  0.85    $  1.03      $ 0.73         $  0.87
     Pro forma..........................  $  0.80    $  0.87      $ 0.60         $  0.69
  Diluted
     As reported........................  $  0.80    $  0.97      $ 0.68         $  0.83
     Pro forma..........................  $  0.74    $  0.81      $ 0.56         $  0.65
</TABLE>
 
     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for
grants in fiscal year 1996: no dividends; expected volatility of 38.51%;
risk-free interest rate of 6.9%; and expected life of 6 years. The following
assumptions were used for grants during fiscal year 1997: no dividends, expected
volatility ranging between 39.25% and 39.50%; risk-free interest rate ranging
between 5.9% and 6.6%; and expected life of 6 years. The following assumptions
were used for grants during the nine months ended December 31, 1997: no
dividends, expected
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   53
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
volatility ranging between 40.97% and 41.19%; risk-free interest rate ranging
between 6.2% and 6.8%; and expected life of 6 years.
 
     In January 1989, the Company established an employee stock option plan (the
"Plan") in which shares of common stock are reserved for the granting of options
at an amount not less than market price, as determined by the Board of
Directors, at the date of grant. As of March 31, 1996 and 1997, 12,758 and
17,108 options, respectively, remain available to be granted under the Plan.
There were no options available at December 31, 1997 to be granted under the
plan.
 
     In 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Key Employees
of Daisytek International Corporation (the "1994 Plan"). The 1994 Plan
authorizes the Company to grant options to selected officers and other key
employees of the Company and to non-employee directors. The 1994 Plan provides
for the granting to employees of both incentive stock options and nonqualified
stock options. The maximum number of shares of common stock for which options
may be granted is 1,450,000, subject to adjustments for certain changes in the
shares issued and outstanding as described in the 1994 Plan.
 
     The exercise price of incentive stock options granted under the 1994 Plan
may not be less than the fair market value at the date of the grant. The
exercise price of nonqualified stock options granted under the 1994 Plan is
determined by the option committee of the Board of Directors. As of March 31,
1996 and 1997, and December 31, 1997, 984,000, 510,904, and 46,488 options,
respectively, remain to be granted in the future under the 1994 Plan.
 
     During fiscal year 1997, the Company adopted the Non-Employee Director
Stock Option and Retainer Plan (the "Non-Employee Director Plan"). The
Non-Employee Director Plan authorizes the Company to grant nonqualified common
stock options to non-employee directors at the fair market value of the
Company's common stock on the date of grant. The options vest over a three-year
period starting on the date of grant. The maximum number of shares which may be
granted under the Non-Employee Director Plan is 100,000 shares, subject to
adjustments for certain changes in the shares issued and outstanding as
described in the plan. As of March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1997, there were
6,000 and 7,440 options, respectively, granted under the Non-Employee Director
Plan.
 
     During the nine months ended December 31, 1997, the Company adopted the
1997 Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan"). The 1997 Plan authorizes the Company
to grant options to selected officers, directors and other key employees of the
Company. The 1994 Plan provides for the granting to employees of both incentive
stock options and nonqualified stock options. The maximum number of shares of
common stock for which options may be granted is 2,000,000, subject to
adjustments for certain changes in the shares issued and outstanding as
described in the 1997 Plan.
 
     The exercise price of incentive stock options granted under the 1997 Plan
may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's stock at the date of
the grant. In the case of an individual then owning more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of the Company, the exercise price may not be less than
110% of the fair market value of the Company's stock at the date of the grant.
As of December 31, 1997, 1,914,442 options remain to be granted in the future
under the 1997 Plan.
 
     During fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, and the nine months period ended
December 31, 1997, the Company granted options to certain employees pursuant to
its employee stock option plans. In addition to the options under such plans,
during fiscal years 1996 and 1997, and the nine month period ended December 31,
1997, the Company granted options to certain key employees, executives and
directors to purchase 45,000, 110,000 and 79,266 shares of common stock,
respectively. These options were granted at the fair market value at the date of
the grant and become exercisable over a three-year period starting on the date
of the grant.
 
     During the nine months ended December 31, 1997, the Company, at the option
of individual employees, canceled options issued during fiscal year 1997 and
issued replacement options, granted at the fair market
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   54
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
value of the Company's common stock on the date of the replacement grant. Such
options also become exercisable over a three year period starting with the date
of the replacement grant, based on vesting percentages.
 
     The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three years in
the period ended March 31, 1997, and the nine month period ended December 31,
1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PRICE PER      WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                             SHARES          SHARE         EXERCISE PRICE
                                            ---------      ---------      ----------------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>              <C>
Outstanding, March 31, 1994...............  1,127,188    $ 0.64 - $ 2.65       $ 1.74
  Granted.................................      8,700            $ 3.80        $ 3.80
  Exercised...............................         --                --            --
  Canceled................................    (12,758)           $ 2.65        $ 2.65
                                            ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 1995...............  1,123,130    $ 0.64 - $ 3.80       $ 1.75
  Granted.................................    520,000            $ 9.75        $ 9.75
  Exercised...............................   (196,142)   $ 0.64 - $ 3.80       $ 1.84
  Canceled................................     (9,000)           $ 9.75        $ 9.75
                                            ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 1996...............  1,437,988    $ 0.64 - $ 9.75       $ 4.58
  Granted.................................    678,228    $16.25 - $20.00       $16.54
  Exercised...............................   (315,796)   $ 0.64 - $ 9.75       $ 2.45
  Canceled................................    (93,482)   $ 3.80 - $16.25       $13.27
                                            ---------
Outstanding, March 31, 1997...............  1,706,938    $ 0.64 - $20.00       $ 9.25
  Granted (Unaudited).....................  1,286,650    $12.50 - $22.44       $12.72
  Exercised (Unaudited)...................   (592,384)   $ 0.64 - $16.25       $ 2.52
  Canceled (Unaudited)....................   (646,302)   $ 9.75 - $20.00       $16.30
                                            ---------
Outstanding, December 31, 1997
  (Unaudited).............................  1,754,902    $ 0.64 - $22.44       $11.47
                                            =========
</TABLE>
 
     The weighted average fair values of options granted during each of the
years ended March 31, 1996 and 1997, and the nine months ended December 31,
1997, were $4.85, $8.08 and $6.15 respectively. As of March 31, 1996 and 1997,
and December 31, 1997, 806,788, 682,543 and 258,472, respectively, of options
outstanding were exercisable. The remaining options will become exercisable over
the next three years based on vesting percentages.
 
     The following table summarizes information about the Company's stock
options outstanding at March 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                                 OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                      WEIGHTED
                                      AVERAGE           WEIGHTED                          WEIGHTED
   RANGE OF      OUTSTANDING AS      REMAINING          AVERAGE       EXERCISABLE AS      AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES    OF 3/31/97     CONTRACTUAL LIFE   EXERCISE PRICE     OF 3/31/97     EXERCISE PRICE
- ---------------  --------------   ----------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>              <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>
$ 0.64 - $ 5.00     626,018             4.6              $ 1.59          626,018           $1.59
$ 5.01 - $10.00     457,260             8.1              $ 9.75           56,525           $9.75
$10.01 - $20.00     623,660             9.1              $16.57               --              --
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   55
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The following table summarizes information about the Company's stock
options outstanding at December 31, 1997 (unaudited):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                                 OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                      WEIGHTED
                                      AVERAGE           WEIGHTED                          WEIGHTED
   RANGE OF      OUTSTANDING AS      REMAINING          AVERAGE       EXERCISABLE AS      AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES   OF 12/31/97     CONTRACTUAL LIFE   EXERCISE PRICE    OF 12/31/97     EXERCISE PRICE
- ---------------  --------------   ----------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>              <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>
$ 0.64 - $ 5.00      103,050            3.8              $ 1.85          103,050           $ 1.85
$ 5.01 - $10.00      381,324            7.4              $ 9.75          153,892           $ 9.75
$10.01 - $15.00    1,219,660            9.3              $12.50               --               --
$15.01 - $22.44       50,868            9.2              $19.15            1,530           $16.25
</TABLE>
 
4. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NINE MONTHS PERIODS
                                                                                  ENDED
                                        FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,          DECEMBER 31,
                                       ------------------------------   -------------------------
                                         1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                       --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                        (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest...........................   $2,119     $1,445     $1,830      $1,274        $1,644
  Income taxes.......................   $3,896     $6,953     $6,411      $4,493        $2,832
Fixed assets acquired under capital
  leases.............................   $  212     $   --     $   --      $   --        $   --
Acquisition of subsidiary:
  Fair value of net assets
     acquired........................   $   --     $   --     $2,896      $2,896        $   --
  Stock issued.......................       --         --       (791)       (791)           --
                                        ------     ------     ------      ------        ------
     Net cash paid for acquisition...   $   --     $   --     $2,105      $2,105        $   --
                                        ======     ======     ======      ======        ======
</TABLE>
 
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Company has made various loans to its President, a Senior Vice
President, and a Vice President. These loans accrue interest at the Company's
effective borrowing rate (6.8% and 7.0% at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1997,
respectively). The Company had notes receivable (including accrued interest)
from its President of approximately $395,000, $423,000 and $448,000 as of March
31, 1996 and 1997, and December 31, 1997, respectively, which are classified as
non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company's note
receivable from a Senior Vice President as of March 31, 1997 and December 31,
1997 were approximately $122,000 and $181,000, respectively. The Company's notes
receivable from a Vice President as of March 31, 1997 was $61,000. These notes
are classified as accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheet.
 
     The Company also had trade accounts receivable due from companies in which
either the Company or its largest shareholder owns a minority interest. Such
sales were made in accordance with the Company's usual terms, except that such
companies were provided with extended payment terms. In fiscal year 1993, the
principal shareholder transferred his minority interest in all but one of these
companies to a subsidiary of the Company for a nominal amount, which
approximated the fair market value of these minority interests. In fiscal year
1997, the Company sold its remaining interest in one of the companies, and as
such, the fiscal year 1997 information presented below excludes such information
for this former related party. Trade accounts receivable and advances from these
related party companies totaled approximately $757,000 and $517,000 at March 31,
1996 and 1997, respectively, and $377,000 at December 31, 1997 and are
classified as accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheet. Sales to these related parties totaled approxi-
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   56
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
mately $2,285,000, $2,707,000 and $1,844,000 for the fiscal years ended March
31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $1,247,000 and $1,693,000 for the
nine month periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.
 
6. INCOME TAXES
 
     Deferred taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the
amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such
amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations. These differences relate
primarily to provisions for doubtful accounts, capitalization of inventory
costs, reserves for inventory, book versus tax depreciation differences, and
certain accrued expenses deducted for book purposes but not yet deductible for
tax purposes. A reconciliation of the difference between the expected income tax
provision at the U.S. Federal statutory corporate tax rate (34.0%, 34.9% and
35.0% in fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and 35.0% in the nine
month periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997) and the Company's effective tax
rate is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NINE MONTH PERIODS
                                        FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,       ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       ------------------------------   -------------------------
                                         1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                       --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                        (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Provision computed at statutory
  rate...............................   $3,625     $6,086     $7,581      $5,308        $6,712
Impact of foreign taxation at
  different rates....................      137        141        270         154           317
State income taxes, net of federal
  benefit............................      174        297        335         221           249
Expenses not deductible for tax
  purposes...........................       49         56        104          60            97
Change in valuation reserve..........      378          8       (123)        (94)          (77)
Other................................     (198)       109        125         156            44
                                        ------     ------     ------      ------        ------
          Provision for income
            taxes....................   $4,165     $6,697     $8,292      $5,805        $7,342
                                        ======     ======     ======      ======        ======
</TABLE>
 
     The consolidated income before taxes, by domestic and foreign entities, is
as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NINE MONTH PERIODS
                                     FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,       ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                    ------------------------------   -------------------------
                                      1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                    --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Domestic..........................  $ 9,991    $16,355    $18,703      $13,428       $15,522
Foreign...........................      670      1,109      2,956        1,737         3,656
                                    -------    -------    -------      -------       -------
          Total...................  $10,661    $17,464    $21,659      $15,165       $19,178
                                    =======    =======    =======      =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   57
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The provision (benefit) for income taxes is summarized as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          NINE MONTH PERIODS
                                       FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,       ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      ------------------------------   -------------------------
                                        1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                      --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                       (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Current
  Domestic.........................    $3,576     $5,349     $6,317      $4,516        $3,891
  State............................       263        456        515         340           383
  Foreign..........................       631        655      1,263         711         1,435
                                       ------     ------     ------      ------        ------
          Total current............     4,470      6,460      8,095       5,567         5,709
                                       ------     ------     ------      ------        ------
Deferred
  Domestic.........................      (237)       265        197         239         1,630
  Foreign..........................       (68)       (28)        --          (1)            3
                                       ------     ------     ------      ------        ------
          Total Deferred...........      (305)       237        197         238         1,633
                                       ------     ------     ------      ------        ------
            Total..................    $4,165     $6,697     $8,292      $5,805        $7,342
                                       ======     ======     ======      ======        ======
</TABLE>
 
     The components of the deferred tax asset (liability) as of March 31, 1996
and 1997, and the nine month period ended December 31, 1997, are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           MARCH 31,
                                                        ---------------    DECEMBER 31,
                                                        1996      1997         1997
                                                        -----    ------    ------------
                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>       <C>
Deferred tax asset:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...................    $ 670    $  872      $   583
  Capitalized inventory costs.......................       84       170          211
  Inventory obsolescence reserve....................      288       273          170
  Accrued straight-line rent........................       81        70           65
  Accrued vacation..................................       58        58           60
  Foreign net operating loss carryforwards..........      687       631        1,269
  Other.............................................      266       204           32
                                                        -----    ------      -------
                                                        2,134     2,278        2,390
  Less -- Valuation reserve.........................     (386)     (263)        (186)
                                                        -----    ------      -------
          Total deferred tax asset..................    1,748     2,015        2,204
                                                        -----    ------      -------
Deferred tax liability:
  Property and equipment............................     (487)     (426)        (257)
  Accounts receivable discount......................       --      (411)      (1,701)
  Foreign inventory purchases.......................     (404)     (463)      (1,111)
  Other.............................................      (95)     (150)        (203)
                                                        -----    ------      -------
          Total deferred liability..................     (986)   (1,450)      (3,272)
                                                        -----    ------      -------
Deferred tax asset (liability), net.................    $ 762    $  565      $(1,068)
                                                        =====    ======      =======
</TABLE>
 
     For financial reporting purposes, the tax benefit of cumulative temporary
differences is recorded as an asset to the extent that management assesses the
utilization of such temporary differences to be "more likely than not". As of
March 31, 1996 and 1997 and December 31, 1997, a valuation allowance was
recorded due to uncertainties regarding the Company's utilization of its Mexico
subsidiary's net tax asset.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   58
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries lease equipment and facilities under
operating leases expiring in various years through fiscal year 2002. In most
cases, management expects that, in the normal course of business, leases will be
renewed or replaced by other leases. Minimum future annual rental payments under
non-cancelable operating leases having original terms in excess of one year are
as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 1997           1997
                                                               ---------    ------------
                                                                            (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>
Three month period ending March 31, 1998...................     $    --       $ 1,047
Fiscal year ending March 31, 1998..........................       3,085            --
  1999.....................................................       2,635         3,528
  2000.....................................................       2,382         3,363
  2001.....................................................       1,724         2,195
  2002.....................................................         943         1,051
  Thereafter...............................................          --            --
                                                                -------       -------
          Total............................................     $10,769       $11,184
                                                                =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
     Total rental expense under operating leases approximated $1,900,000,
$2,255,000 and $3,107,000 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and
1997, respectively, and approximately $2,206,000 and $2,545,000 for the nine
month periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
     Although the Company carries products and accessories supplied by numerous
vendors, the Company's net sales from products manufactured by its ten largest
suppliers were approximately 66%, 72% and 74% of total net sales during fiscal
years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and 75% and 76% of total net sales for
the nine month periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The
Company has entered into written distribution agreements with nearly all of its
major suppliers. As is customary in the industry, these agreements generally
provide non-exclusive distribution rights, have one-year renewable terms and are
terminable by either party at any time, with or without cause. Certain of these
agreements require minimum annual purchases. Total minimum purchase requirements
for fiscal year 1998 approximate $47 million. Additionally, many of the
Company's suppliers offer rebate programs under which, subject to the Company
purchasing certain predetermined amounts of inventory, the Company receives
rebates based on a percentage of the dollar volume of total rebate program
purchases. The Company also takes advantage of several other programs offered by
substantially all of its suppliers. These include price protection plans under
which the Company receives credits against future purchases if the supplier
lowers prices on previously purchased inventory and stock rotation or stock
balancing privileges under which the Company can return slow-moving inventory in
exchange for other products. Certain of the Company's suppliers also provide the
Company with cooperative advertising programs, marketing development funds and
other types of incentives and discounts which offset the production costs of the
Company's published marketing tools and other related costs.
 
     The Company is involved in certain litigation arising in the ordinary
course of business. Management believes that such litigation will be resolved
without material effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
 
8. FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND EXPORTS
 
     The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Daisytek (Canada) Inc.,
Daisytek Australia Pty Ltd and Daisytek de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., sells products
in Canada, Australia and in Mexico. All intercompany activity is eliminated in
computing net sales and net income. Information related to the
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   59
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Company's Australia and Mexico subsidiaries are included in Other in the
following table. Financial information, summarized by geographical area, is as
follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NINE MONTH PERIODS
                                 FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,       ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                ------------------------------   -------------------------
                                  1995       1996       1997        1996          1997
                                --------   --------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                 (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Net sales:
  Domestic...................   $323,462   $424,667   $541,710    $388,812      $464,111
  Canada.....................     38,487     44,459     57,295      39,046        54,947
  Other......................      1,368      8,932     26,425      15,946        38,459
  Intercompany
     eliminations............    (10,364)   (13,889)   (21,616)    (14,333)      (18,551)
                                --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
     Consolidated............   $352,953   $464,169   $603,814    $429,471      $538,966
                                ========   ========   ========    ========      ========
Net income:
  Domestic...................   $  6,437   $ 10,284   $ 11,675    $  8,396      $  9,617
  Canada.....................        640        759      1,346         810         1,332
  Other......................       (581)      (276)       346         154           887
                                --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
     Consolidated............   $  6,496   $ 10,767   $ 13,367    $  9,360      $ 11,836
                                ========   ========   ========    ========      ========
Identifiable assets:
  Domestic...................   $ 83,194   $115,219   $144,836    $129,561      $149,804
  Canada.....................      9,055     10,360     16,924      14,543        19,677
  Other......................      2,172      3,022     13,528      12,016        17,492
                                --------   --------   --------    --------      --------
     Consolidated............   $ 94,421   $128,601   $175,288    $156,120      $186,973
                                ========   ========   ========    ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company also exports its products for sale throughout Latin America
(through its wholly owned subsidiary, Daisytek Latin America, Inc., beginning in
January 1996), Europe, the Far East, Africa and Australia. Total export sales to
these geographic regions for fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, included in
Domestic sales in the preceding table, were approximately $28.0 million, $31.8
million and $33.5 million, respectively. Total export sales to these geographic
regions for the nine month periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, included in
domestic sales in the preceding table, were approximately $24.8 million and
$27.3 million, respectively.
 
9. EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN
 
     In fiscal year 1994, the Company implemented a defined contribution
employee savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Substantially all full-time and part-time U.S. employees are eligible to
participate in the plan. The Company, at its discretion, may match employee
contributions to the plan and also make an additional matching contribution in
the form of profit sharing in recognition of Company performance. For fiscal
years 1995 and 1996, the Company matched 25% of the employee contributions
resulting in charges against income of approximately $81,000 and $95,000,
respectively. For fiscal year 1997, the Company matched 20% of the employee
contributions resulting in a charge against income of approximately $78,000. For
the nine month period ended December 31, 1997, the Company matched 10% of the
employee contributions, resulting in a charge against income of approximately
$37,000.
 
10. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company estimates fair value based on market information and
appropriate valuation methodologies. Fair value is the amount at which the
instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   60
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. The fair values of all
non-derivative financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
     The Company has only limited involvement with derivative financial
instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. The Company's derivative
financial instruments outstanding as of March 31, 1996 and 1997, and December
31, 1997, consisted of forward foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge
the Company's net investment in, and its intercompany payable balance applicable
to its Canadian and Australian subsidiaries (See Note 1). The fair value of
these contracts based on fiscal year-end exchange rates, excluding related
income taxes, was a net loss of approximately $90,000 at March 31, 1996, and net
gains of approximately $67,000 and $472,000 at March 31, 1997 and December 31,
1997, respectively.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
     During January 1998, the Company purchased all of the common stock of
Steadi-Systems, Ltd. ("Steadi-Systems"). Steadi-Systems is an independent
wholesale distributor of media products to the filmed entertainment and
multimedia industries. The acquisition of Steadi-Systems will be accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting, and, accordingly, the purchase price
will be allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based on the fair values
at the date of acquisition. The Company will record a one-time charge related to
the completion of transition, integration and merger activities, estimated at
about $0.6 million, or approximately $0.03 per share, in the Company's fourth
financial quarter ending March 31, 1998.
 
     After giving effect to operating leases entered into after December 31,
1997, including operating leases of Steadi-Systems, the Company's minimum future
annual rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases having original
terms in excess of one year are approximately $1.2 million, $4.3 million, $4.5
million, $3.3 million, $2.1 million, $0.9 million and $5.9 million for the three
month period ending March 31, 1998, fiscal years ending March 31, 1999, 2000,
2001, 2002, 2003 and thereafter, respectively.
 
     During January 1998, the Company entered into a promissory note agreement
with a bank which allows the Company to borrow up to a maximum of $10 million.
Amounts borrowed under this note agreement bear interest at the bank's
discretion, primarily based on a money market borrowing rate plus an adjustment.
The maturity date of any amounts borrowed will occur prior to January 1999, the
expiration date of the note.
 
     In February 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for one
stock split which provides for each holder of common stock to receive one
additional share for each share held. The stock split is to be effected in the
form of a stock dividend payable as of March 2, 1998 to stockholders of record
as of February 16, 1998. The consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto have been adjusted to reflect these stock splits on a retroactive basis
for all periods presented.
 
     In February 1998, the Company filed a Form S-3 registration statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company intends to reduce
outstanding indebtedness under the Company's line of credit through the
application of the net proceeds from the sale of 2,300,000 shares of common
stock. The unaudited supplemental income per share data has been calculated
assuming this offering occurred as of the beginning of the respective period.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   61
              DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NINE MONTH PERIOD
                                                                    ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                              -----------------
                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>
Supplemental net income per common share
  Basic.....................................................       $  0.82
  Diluted...................................................       $  0.79
Supplemental weighted average common shares outstanding (in
  thousands):
  Basic.....................................................        15,830
  Diluted...................................................        16,560
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   62
 
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation other than those contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and if given or made,
such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company, the Selling Stockholder or any Underwriter. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer
to buy, shares of Common Stock in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is
not lawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction or in
which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under
any circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................     3
Risk Factors..........................     7
Use of Proceeds.......................    10
Price Range of Common Stock and
  Dividend Policy.....................    11
Capitalization........................    12
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................    13
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................    14
Business..............................    23
Management............................    33
Principal and Selling Stockholders....    35
Underwriting..........................    38
Legal Matters.........................    39
Experts...............................    39
Available Information.................    39
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements..........................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
PROSPECTUS                                                                , 1998
 
                                 DAISYTEK LOGO
 
                                   3,000,000
 
                       DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                 COMMON SHARES
                          SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                            WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY


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