BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC
10-Q, 1997-05-15
ELECTRONIC PARTS & EQUIPMENT, NEC
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                                                          No. pages 14
                                                                    --
                                                          index exhibit pg. none
                                                                            ----

                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

         ( Mark one )
         [ X ]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For the quarterly period ended:    March 31, 1997
                                            --------------

                                       OR

         [   ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For the transition period from ______________ to ____________

         Commission file number       0-21528
                                      -------

                             Bell Microproducts Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         California                                         94-3057566
- -------------------------------                          -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)

1941 Ringwood Avenue, San Jose, California                  95131-1721
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

(408) 451-9400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

         N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former  name,  former  address and former  fiscal year,  if changed  since last
report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

         Yes      X              No     initial report, previously not
                 ---               ---  required to file

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value --  Number of Shares Outstanding at March 31, 1997:
- ----------------------------                                           
8,515,117

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

                             BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q



                                                                          Page
PART  I  -  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                        Number
                                                                         ------

          Item 1:       Financial Statements

                           Condensed Balance Sheets - 
                           March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996
                                                                            3
                           Condensed Statements of Operations - 
                           Three months ended March 31,
                           1997 and 1996                                    4

                           Condensed Statements of Cash Flows -
                           Three months ended March 31,
                           1997 and 1996                                    5

                           Notes to Condensed Financial Statements          6


          Item 2:      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                       Condition and Results of Operations                  7

PART II  -  OTHER INFORMATION


          Item 6.          Exhibits and Reports                            13

          Signature                                                        14



                                                                               2
<PAGE>


PART I  -  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             Bell Microproducts Inc.
                            Condensed Balance Sheets
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                      March 31,     December 31,
                                                        1997           1996
- ---------------------------------------------------   --------        --------
ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash                                             $  3,318        $  5,682 
     Accounts receivable, net                           90,959          70,686
     Inventories                                        85,900          78,659
     Deferred and refundable income taxes                3,714           3,714
     Prepaid expenses                                    1,504             885
                                                      --------        --------
                  Total current assets                 185,395         159,626
Property and equipment, net                             10,002           9,006
Goodwill                                                 6,606           6,685
Other assets                                               392             363
                                                      --------        --------
     Total assets                                     $202,395        $175,680
                                                      ========        ========
                                                                     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                 
Current liabilities:                                                 
     Notes payable, current portion                   $    147        $    294
     Accounts payable                                   64,951          45,725
     Other accrued liabilities                           7,785           6,271
     Current portion of capitalized lease                            
        obligations                                      1,457           1,378
                                                      --------        --------
                  Total current liabilities             74,340          53,668
                                                                     
Line of credit                                          49,200          45,900
Capitalized lease obligations, less current portion      4,905           4,985
                                                      --------        --------
     Total liabilities                                 128,445         104,553
                                                      --------        --------
                                                                     
Commitments and contingencies                                        
Shareholders' equity:                                                
     Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000 shares                    
       authorized; 8,515 and 8,445 issued and                        
       outstanding                                                   
                                                        52,086          51,644
     Retained earnings                                  21,864          19,483
                                                      --------        --------
         Total shareholders' equity                     73,950          71,127
                                                      --------        --------
     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       $202,395        $175,680
                                                      ========        ========
                                                                     
            See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

                             Bell Microproducts Inc.
                       Condensed Statements of Operations
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (unaudited)



                                                    Three months ended March 31,
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                      1997              1996
                                                   ---------          ---------

Sales                                              $ 140,968          $ 115,431
Cost of sales                                        124,820            101,809
                                                   ---------          ---------
Gross profit                                          16,148             13,622

Marketing, general and
   administrative expenses                            11,151              9,759
                                                   ---------          ---------
Income from operations                                 4,997              3,863
Interest expense                                        (892)              (995)
                                                   ---------          ---------
Income before income taxes                             4,105              2,868
Provision for income taxes                            (1,724)            (1,205)
                                                   ---------          ---------

Net income                                         $   2,381          $   1,663
                                                   =========          =========

Earnings per share                                 $     .27          $     .20
                                                   =========          =========

Weighted average common
   shares and equivalents                              8,935              8,423
                                                   =========          =========


            See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

                                                                               4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                             Bell Microproducts Inc.
                       Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                   (Increase/(decrease) in cash, in thousands)
                                   (unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Three months ended March 31,
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
                                                                                  1997               1996
                                                                                  ----               ----
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>       
 Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income                                                                    $    2,381         $    1,663
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
           Depreciation and amortization                                              769                612
           Change in allowance for doubtful accounts                                 (767)               899
           Change in deferred and refundable income taxes                               -                382
           Changes in assets and liabilities:
               Accounts receivable                                                (19,506)           (11,515)
               Inventories                                                         (7,241)             2,979
               Prepaid expenses                                                      (619)                89
               Other assets                                                           (29)               (98)
               Accounts payable                                                    19,226              9,776
               Other accrued liabilities                                            1,514              2,092
                                                                              --------------     -------------

                 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities               (4,272)             6,879
                                                                              --------------     -------------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
 Acquisition of property and equipment                                             (1,345)              (178)
                                                                              --------------     -------------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
 Net borrowings/(repayments) under line of credit agreement                         3,300             (8,500)
 Payments on short term borrowings                                                   (147)                 -
 Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock                                               442                  -
 Principal payments on long term liabilities                                         (342)              (271)
                                                                              --------------     -------------

                 Net cash provided by (used in) financing  activities               3,253             (8,771)
                                                                              --------------     -------------

 Net decrease in cash                                                              (2,364)            (2,070)
 Cash at beginning of period                                                        5,682              2,489
                                                                              --------------     -------------

 Cash at end of period                                                         $    3,318        $       419
                                                                              ==============     =============

 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:  
     Cash paid during the period for:
          Interest                                                             $      960        $       792
          Income taxes                                                         $      907        $        17
     Obligations incurred under capital leases                                 $      341        $       443

<FN>

            See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation:

         The condensed financial  statements  presented in this Quarterly Report
are unaudited.  It is management's  opinion that all adjustments,  consisting of
normal  recurring  items,  have been included for a fair basis of  presentation.
This  Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q  should  be read in  conjunction  with the
Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The operating  results for the period
ended March 31, 1997 are not  necessarily  indicative of the results that may be
expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.

Recently Issued Accounting Statements

         In February  1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued
Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share." This
statement is effective for the Company's  fiscal year ending  December 31, 1997.
The Statement  redefines earnings per share under generally accepted  accounting
principles.  Under the new standard,  primary  earnings per share is replaced by
basic  earnings  per share and fully  diluted  earnings per share is replaced by
diluted  earnings per share.  If the Company had adopted this  Statement for the
year ended  December  31,  1996 and for the three month  period  ended March 31,
1997, the Company's earnings per share would have been as follows:

                                           Year Ended        Three Months Ended 
                                       December 31, 1996       March 31, 1997
                                       -----------------       --------------

       Basic earnings per share              $0.94                  $0.28
       Diluted earnings per share            $0.92                  $0.27

Note 2 - Inventories:

         A summary of inventories follows (in thousands):

                                           March 31, 1997   December 31, 1996
                                           --------------   -----------------
       Purchased components and materials       $77,535            $69,513
       Work-in-process                            8,365              9,146
                                                -------            -------
       Total                                    $85,900            $78,659
                                                =======            =======

Note 3 - Property and equipment:

         A summary of property and equipment follows (in thousands):

                                         March 31, 1997   December 31, 1996
                                         --------------   -----------------
       Manufacturing and test equipment     $   9,445          $   9,070
       Warehouse equipment                        240                195
       Furniture and fixtures                   1,179              1,147
       Computer and other equipment             4,413              3,212
       Leasehold Improvements                      30                  -
                                            ---------          ---------
                                               15,307             13,624
       Accumulated depreciation                (5,305)            (4,618)
                                            ---------          ---------
       Total                                $  10,002          $   9,006
                                            =========          =========

                                                                               6
<PAGE>

Note 4 - Line of Credit

         On June 25, 1996, the Company  entered into an amendment to the Amended
and Restated Syndicated Credit Agreement arranged by Sumitomo Bank of California
("Sumitomo  Bank") as Agent.  The amendment  increased the Company's $70 million
revolving  line of credit to $80 million and extended  the maturity  date to May
31, 1998. The syndicate  includes  Sumitomo Bank of California,  Union Bank, The
First National Bank of Boston, Comerica Bank - California and The Sumitomo Bank,
Limited.  At the Company's option,  the borrowings under the line of credit will
bear  interest at Sumitomo  Bank's  prime rate or the  adjusted  LIBOR rate plus
1.625%.  At March 31, 1997 the interest  rate was 8.5%.  The  revolving  line of
credit  requires the Company to meet certain  financial tests and to comply with
certain other covenants, including restrictions on incurrence of debt and liens,
restrictions  on  mergers,  acquisitions,  asset  dispositions,  declaration  of
dividends,  repurchases of stock,  making  investments  and  profitability.  The
Company  is in  compliance  with its bank  covenants;  however,  there can be no
assurance  that the Company will be in compliance  in the future.  The Company's
failure  to remain in  compliance  with such  covenants  could  have a  material
adverse effect on the Company's  financial  conditions or results of operations.
Obligations  of the Company  under the  revolving  line of credit are secured by
substantially all of the Company's assets.

ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to three months ended March 31, 1996

         Sales were $141.0  million for the quarter ended March 31, 1997,  which
represented  an increase  of $25.5  million,  or 22.1% over the same  quarter in
1996.  Substantially  all the  increase  in sales was  attributable  to computer
products  with the  expansion  of unit sales in  existing  product  lines due to
increased demand for mass storage  products,  a larger proportion of value-added
and  subsystem  sales and the expansion of the customer base due to the addition
of sales and marketing  resources.  While  semiconductor and manufacturing sales
remained  relatively  flat in the first  quarter  of 1997  compared  to the same
period in 1996, sales increased 21.7% and 11.1%,  respectively,  from the fourth
quarter in 1996.  For the quarter ended March 31, 1997,  Quantum,  the Company's
largest  supplier,  provided  products which  represented 43.5% of the Company's
sales,  as compared to 34.7% in the same quarter in 1996. The loss of Quantum or
any other  significant  supplier  would  have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company's results of operations.

         The  Company's  gross  profit  for the first  quarter of 1997 was $16.1
million, which was $2.5 million, or 18.5% higher than the first quarter of 1996.
As a percentage  of sales,  gross margin was 11.5% in the first quarter of 1997,
compared to 11.8% in the same quarter of 1996.  The decrease in gross margin was
primarily  due to increased  computer  product  sales as a  percentage  of total
sales,  which  typically  contribute  lower  margins  than other  products,  and
decreased semiconductor gross margins. Gross margins may fluctuate quarterly due
to the mix of products sold to customers.

         Marketing,  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  to $11.2
million in the first  quarter of 1997 from $9.8 million in the first  quarter of
1996,  an increase of 1.4 million or 14.3%,  but  decreased as a  percentage  of
sales to 7.9% from 8.5%.  The decline in marketing,  general and  administrative
expenses as a percentage  of sales was primarily  attributable  to the Company's
successful efforts to control costs while increasing sales, and a higher portion
of sales from large  volume  orders,  particularly  for disk  drives and certain
semiconductor  devices,  both of which resulted in lower operating expenses as a
percentage  of sales.  The  increase in expenses was  attributable  to increased
sales  volume  and the  Company's  continuing  effort  to  expand  its sales and
marketing organization and strengthen its financial and administrative support.

         Interest  expense was $892,000 in the first quarter of 1997 as compared
to $995,000 in the first quarter of 1996.  The decrease in interest  expense was
primarily due to lower average bank borrowings throughout the quarter.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

         Net  income  grew to  $2,381,000  in the  first  quarter  of 1997  from
$1,663,000  in the same  period  last  year.  The  increase  in net  income  was
primarily  the  result of  higher  gross  profits  driven  by sales  growth  and
decreased interest expense partially offset by increased  operating expenses and
decreased gross margin percentage.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The  Company has funded its working  capital  requirements  principally
through  borrowings  under bank lines of credit and sales of equity  securities.
Working  capital  requirements  have  included  the  financing  of  increases in
inventory and accounts receivable resulting from sales growth.

         On June 25, 1996,  the Company  increased its revolving  line of credit
from $70 million to $80 million to provide working  capital for the Company.  At
the Company's option, the borrowings under the line of credit will bear interest
at Sumitomo  Bank's prime rate or the adjusted LIBOR rate plus 1.625%.  At March
31, 1997 the interest rate was 8.5%.  The  revolving  line of credit has a final
payment due date of May 31,  1998.  The  revolving  line of credit  requires the
Company  to meet  certain  financial  tests and to  comply  with  certain  other
covenants,  including restrictions on incurrence of debt and liens, restrictions
on  mergers,  acquisitions,   asset  dispositions,   declaration  of  dividends,
repurchases of stock,  making investments and  profitability.  The Company is in
compliance with its bank covenants;  however, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be in compliance in the future.  The Company's failure to remain in
compliance  with such  covenants  could  have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company's  financial  conditions or results of  operations.  Obligations  of the
Company under the revolving line of credit are secured by  substantially  all of
the  Company's  assets.  The Company  intends to utilize its  revolving  line of
credit to fund  future  working  capital  requirements.  The  Company  evaluates
potential  acquisitions  from time to time and may utilize its line of credit to
acquire complementary businesses, provided consent from its banks is obtained.

         Net cash used by operating  activities for the three months ended March
31, 1997, was $4.3 million.  The Company's  accounts  receivable as of March 31,
1997  increased to $91.0 million from 70.7 million as of December 31, 1996, as a
result of increased sales at the end of the quarter.  The Company's  inventories
as of March 31,  1997  increased  to $85.9  million  from  $78.7  million  as of
December  31,  1996,  primarily  as a result of the  Company's  need to  support
anticipated future sales requirements.  The Company's accounts payable increased
to $65.0  million as of March 31,  1997 from $45.7  million as of  December  31,
1996,  primarily  due to  increased  inventory  purchases  as well as  timing of
inventory  receipts and payments  related  thereto.  The  Company's  future cash
requirements  will depend on numerous  factors,  including the rate of growth of
its sales. The Company believes that its working capital, including its existing
credit  facility,  will be sufficient  to meet the Company's  short term capital
requirements.  However, the Company is in the process of negotiating an increase
in its credit facility and it may, in the future, seek additional debt or equity
financing to fund continued growth.

RISK FACTORS

         In evaluating  the Company's  business,  prospective  investors  should
carefully  consider  the  following  risk  factors  in  addition  to  the  other
information set forth herein or incorporated herein by reference. This report on
Form 10-Q contains forward-looking  statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934.  Actual  results  could  differ  materially  from those  projected  in the
forward-looking  statements  as a result of the risk factors set forth below and
in the documents  incorporated by reference herein.  Forward looking  statements
are indicated by an asterisk immediately following the relevant statement.


                                                                               8
<PAGE>

Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results and Effect on Liquidity

         The Company's quarterly operating results have in the past and could in
the future fluctuate  substantially.  The Company's expense levels are based, in
part, on expectations  of future sales. If sales in a particular  quarter do not
meet  expectations,  operating  results  could be  adversely  affected.  Factors
affecting quarterly operating results include the timing of delivery of products
from  suppliers,  the  product mix sold by the  Company,  the percent of revenue
derived  from  distribution  versus  contract  manufacturing,  managing  Company
inventory  in both  the  contract  manufacturing  ("Quadrus")  division  and the
distribution division, availability of products from suppliers, reductions in or
cancellations  of  orders  from  significant  contract  manufacturing  or  other
customers of the Company, management of growth, the Company's ability to collect
accounts  receivable,  price  decreases on inventory that is not price protected
and price competition for products sold by the Company,  including the Company's
ability to sell inventory at anticipated  prices. Due in part to supplier rebate
programs  and  increased  sales by the Company near the end of each  quarter,  a
significant  portion of the Company's gross profit has historically  been earned
by the Company in the third month of each quarter.  Failure to receive  products
from its suppliers in a timely manner or the  discontinuance  of rebate programs
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations in a
particular quarter. In addition,  price competition for the products sold by the
Company is intense and could result in gross margin  declines,  which could have
an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. In various quarters in
the past, the Company's  operating  results have been affected by these factors.
There can be no assurance that any of the foregoing  factors will not materially
adversely affect future operating results.

Dependence on Suppliers

         The Company  relies on a limited number of suppliers for products which
represent a  significant  portion of its sales.  For the quarter ended March 31,
1997,  sales of Quantum products  represented  43.5% of the Company's sales, and
for the quarter  ended March 31,  1996,  sales of Quantum  products  represented
34.7% of the Company's sales. The Company's  distribution agreement with Quantum
is cancelable upon 90 days' notice. In the past, distribution  arrangements with
significant  suppliers have been  terminated and there can be no assurance that,
in  the  future,   one  or  more  of  the  Company's   significant   distributor
relationships  will not be  terminated.  The loss of Quantum or any  significant
supplier  could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  results of
operations.  As the Company  enters  into  distribution  relationships  with new
suppliers,   other   competitive   suppliers  may  choose  to  terminate   their
distribution  arrangements  with the Company with minimal  notice.  In the first
quarter of 1996, Hitachi America Ltd. terminated its distribution agreement with
the Company. This supplier accounted for approximately $1.7 million and $297,000
of the  Company's  sales and gross profit  respectively,  for the quarter  ended
December  31,  1995.  To the extent  that the Company is unable to enter into or
maintain  distribution  arrangements  with leading  suppliers of components  and
computer products, the Company's sales and operating results could be materially
adversely affected.

         The Company has entered into agreements  with most of its  distribution
suppliers which generally  provide the Company with price protection and limited
inventory  rotation rights.  There can be no assurance that such agreements will
not be canceled,  or that price protection and inventory  rotation policies will
provide complete protection or will not be changed in the future. If the Company
were to  purchase  significant  amounts of products on terms that do not include
effective price protection or inventory  rotation rights, it would bear the risk
of obsolescence  and price  fluctuation for those  products.  In particular,  in
February 1996 the Company  reported fourth quarter 1995 charges of $1.6 million,
net of tax related to inventory  valuation issues of certain DRAM products.  The
price  levels  of  such  DRAM  products  had  fallen  significantly,   requiring
revaluation  of  inventory  and these  products  were not  subject  to the price
protection  and  inventory  rotation  rights  normally  applicable to components
purchased  from the Company's  franchised  suppliers.  There can be no assurance
that the  Company  will not have to take  additional  charges to earnings in the
future due to inventory  valuation  issues,  which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations.

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

Dependence on the Personal Computer Industry

         Many of the products the Company sells are used in the  manufacture  or
configuration of personal  computers.  These products are characterized by rapid
technological  change,  short product life cycles and intense  competition.  The
personal computer  industry has experienced  significant unit volume growth over
the  past  three  years,  which  has in turn  increased  demand  for many of the
products  distributed by the Company. Any slowdown in the growth of the personal
computer industry, or growth at less than expected rates, could adversely affect
the Company's ability to continue its recent revenue growth.  In addition,  many
of the Company's  customers in the personal computer industry are subject to the
risks of  significant  shifts in demand and severe  price  pressures,  which may
increase  the  risk  that  the  Company  may  not be able  to  collect  accounts
receivable owed by some of its customers. To the extent the Company is unable to
collect its accounts  receivable,  the Company's  results of operations  will be
adversely affected.

         The Company faces certain  industry-related  risks.  To the extent that
its suppliers do not maintain their product leadership,  the Company's operating
results could be materially adversely affected. Moreover, the increasingly short
product life cycles  experienced  in the  electronics  industry may increase the
Company's exposure to inventory obsolescence and the possibility of fluctuations
in operating  results.  Other factors  adversely  affecting the semiconductor or
computer  industries in general,  including  trade barriers which may affect the
Company's supply of products from its Japanese suppliers,  could have a material
adverse affect on the Company's operating results.

Cyclical Nature of the Semiconductor and Disk Drive Industries

         Semiconductors  and disk drives have represented a significant  portion
of the Company's  sales and the Company  believes they will continue to do so in
future  periods.*  Both the  semiconductor  and the disk drive  industries  have
historically  been  characterized  by  fluctuations in product supply and demand
and,  consequently,  severe fluctuations in price. In the event of excess supply
of disk drives or  semiconductors,  the Company's gross margins may be adversely
affected. In the event of a shortage of supply of disk drives or semiconductors,
the  Company's  results  of  operations  will  depend on the  amount of  product
allocated  to the  Company  by its  suppliers  and the  timely  receipt  of such
allocations. Additionally,  technological changes that affect the demand for and
prices of the  products  distributed  by the  Company  may  further  affect  the
Company's  gross margins.  Although the Company's  agreements with its suppliers
provide the Company with limited price  protection  and certain  rights of stock
rotation,  rapid  price  declines  or a  shortfall  in demand for disk drives or
semiconductor  products could have an adverse  effect on the Company's  sales or
gross margins.

Competition

         The distribution industry is highly competitive. In the distribution of
semiconductor and computer  products,  the Company  generally  competes for both
supplier and customer  relationships with numerous local,  regional and national
authorized and  unauthorized  distributors and for customer  relationships  with
semiconductor  and computer  product  manufacturers,  including  some of its own
suppliers.  Many of the  Company's  distribution  competitors  are larger,  more
established  and have greater  name  recognition  and  financial  and  marketing
resources  than  the  Company.   The  Company   believes  that  competition  for
distribution  customers is based on product  lines,  customer  service,  product
availability,   competitive  pricing  and  technical  information,  as  well  as
value-added  services  including  kitting  and  turnkey  assembly.  The  Company
believes that it competes favorably with respect to these factors.  There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully with existing
or new competitors. Failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations.

         Contract  manufacturing  and  other  value-added  services  are  highly
competitive  and are based  upon  technology,  quality,  service,  price and the
ability to deliver  finished  products on an expeditious and reliable basis. The
Company believes it competes favorably with respect to such factors. The Company
attempts to focus on markets where it has advantages in flexibility, service and
high component  content of the total price. 

                                                                              10
<PAGE>

In this area, the Company  competes with many contract  manufacturers  and other
distributors,  as well as with the in-house  manufacturing  capabilities  of its
existing and potential customers.  Many of the Company's competitors are larger,
more  established and have greater name  recognition and financial and marketing
resources  than  the  Company.  The  Company  also  faces  significant  offshore
competition in turnkey manufacturing.  Although such competitors may offer lower
bid prices,  the Company  believes  that  offshore  manufacturing  is often less
attractive  due to the  additional  costs and risks  associated  with  utilizing
offshore  services,  such as delays in shipping,  long lead items,  shipping and
insurance  costs,  inflexibility  with  respect to  production  and  engineering
changes, high cancellation charges,  uncertain product quality and difficulty in
communication.

         Both  distribution  and contract  manufacturing  businesses  are highly
competitive,  and there can be no  assurance  that the  Company  will be able to
compete  successfully  with existing or new competitors.  Failure to do so would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results.

Short History of Profitability in Contract Manufacturing

         The Company's revenues from its contract  manufacturing  operations are
likely to depend on the  availability  of  necessary  components,  from a single
source  or  otherwise,  whose  lack  of  availability  could  delay  or  curtail
production and shipment of assemblies  utilizing such components.  Manufacturing
sales levels and  profitability  have increased in recent periods as compared to
prior years. Due to the highly competitive nature of the contract  manufacturing
industry,  there can be no assurance that this trend will continue,  that higher
sales levels will in fact result in increased  profitability or that the Company
will be able to  successfully  manage the expanded  operations,  retain existing
customers or attract new contract manufacturing  customers sufficient to support
its  expected  expanded  level of  operations.  Failure  to do so could  have an
adverse  effect  on the  Company's  operating  results.  To date  the  Company's
contract  manufacturing division has been dependent on a relatively limited base
of  significant  customers,  including  Fore Systems and Cisco  Systems Inc. Any
significant  rescheduling or cancellation of orders from these customers, or the
lack of financial  strength of these  customers,  could have a material  adverse
effect on the results of operations of the contract  manufacturing  division and
on the  profitability  of the  Company.  In  addition,  the Company has recently
increased  head-count  and expanded its contract  manufacturing  facilities as a
result of its recent  growth in that  division  and in  anticipation  of further
growth.  Due to the  fixed  nature  of  these  expenses,  any  slow-down  in the
Company's contract  manufacturing  division could result in operating losses for
that division and could  materially  adversely  affect the  Company's  financial
condition and results of operations.

Management of Growth

         The Company has grown  rapidly in recent years,  with sales  increasing
from $34  million  in 1991 to $483  million  in 1996.  The  Company  intends  to
continue to pursue its growth strategy through  increasing sales of existing and
new product  offerings,  as well as through  acquisitions.  This  strategy  will
require  increased  personnel,   expanded  information  systems  and  additional
financial and administrative control procedures.  There can be no assurance that
the Company  will be able to attract  and retain  qualified  personnel,  further
develop  accounting  and  control  systems  or  successfully   manage  expanding
operations,   including   an   increasing   number  of  supplier   and  customer
relationships and geographically  dispersed locations.  Further, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to sustain its recent rate of growth.

Hazardous Materials

         The Company uses small quantities of certain hazardous materials in its
contract  manufacturing  operations.  As a result,  the  Company  is  subject to
stringent Federal,  state and local regulations  governing the storage,  use and
disposal  of such  materials.  Although  the  Company  believes  that its safety
procedures  for  handling  and  disposing  of such  materials  comply  with  the
standards prescribed by state and Federal regulations, there is nevertheless the
risk of accidental  contamination or injury from these  materials.  To date, the
Company has not incurred  substantial  expenditures for preventative action with
respect to  hazardous

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

materials  or for  remedial  action  with  respect  to any  hazardous  materials
accident. In the event of such an accident, the Company could be held liable for
any damages that result.  The liability in the event of an accident or the costs
of such remedial  actions could have a material  adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.

Dependence on Key Personnel

         The  Company's  success  depends  to  a  significant  extent  upon  the
continued  contributions  of its key  employees,  particularly,  W. Donald Bell,
President,  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The loss of other
key  employees  could also have a material  adverse  impact on the Company.  The
Company's  future  success  will depend in part upon its  continuing  ability to
attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for such employees is
intense and there can be no  assurance  that the Company will be  successful  in
attracting  and retaining such  personnel.  Failure to attract and retain highly
qualified  personnel  could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's
results of operations.

Possible Volatility of Stock Price

         The market price of the  Company's  Common Stock is likely to be highly
volatile and could be subject to wide  fluctuations  in response to such factors
as, among others,  variations in the Company's  anticipated or actual results of
operations  and market  conditions  (which  may be  unrelated  to the  Company's
operating performance).


                                                                              12
<PAGE>

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports

         (a)   Exhibits:

               27. Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

         (b)   Reports on Form 8-K:
               None




                                                                              13

<PAGE>





Signature

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

Dated:   May 15, 1997


                     BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.





                     By:      Remo E. Canessa
                        -----------------------------
                     Remo E. Canessa, Vice President,
                     Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller and Secretary
                     (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)


                                                                              14

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<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1997
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                              0
                                        0
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