PRIMESOURCE CORP
8-K, 1998-09-28
PROFESSIONAL & COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)            September 14, 1998
                                               -------------------------------

                             PrimeSource Corporation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

  Pennsylvania                       0000-21750              23-1430030
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction      (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
 of Incorporation)                 File Number)            Identification No.)

  4350 Haddonfield Road, Suite 222, Pennsauken, New Jersey         08109
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (609) 488-4888
                                                   ---------------------------

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








<PAGE>




Item 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

a.   On September 14, 1998 (the "Closing Date"), the Registrant  acquired the
     business including certain assets, and assumed certain liabilities,  of the
     Graphic  Arts  Supply  Group  ("GASG")  of  Bell  Industries  Inc.("Bell"),
     pursuant to an asset  purchase  agreement  ("Agreement")  dated  August 28,
     1998. The Registrant acquired inventory,  receivables,  depreciable assets,
     customer  lists,  and certain other  tangible and  intangible  assets,  and
     assumed certain  accounts  payable and other accrued  liabilities for a net
     purchase price of  approximately  $43.5 million,  subject to a post-closing
     dollar-for-dollar  adjustment  to the extent the  tangible net worth of the
     net assets  acquired  is greater  or less than $31  million on the  Closing
     Date. In addition, Bell has guaranteed $1.7 million of receivables and $2.7
     million of inventory  specifically  identified  by the  Registrant.  To the
     extent the  Registrant has not realized the cost of these assets at the end
     of a six-month  period from the Closing Date, Bell will purchase the assets
     and/or reimburse the Registrant for the unrealized value.

     The  consideration  for the sale was arrived at as a result of  arms-length
     negotiations  between  the  Registrant  and  Bell.  On  the  Closing  Date,
     $22,247,000 was paid with the balance payable over ninety days. Funding for
     the  acquisition  is  provided  from  the  Registrant's   revolving  credit
     agreement with PNC Bank (agent bank),  First Union National Bank and Mellon
     Bank,  a $10 million  uncommitted  credit line with PNC Bank and funds from
     operations.  

b.   The acquired  assets were used primarily in the supply and  distribution of
     photographic and graphic arts supplies and equipment. Registrant intends to
     continue to use the assets for the same purpose.


Item 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

(a)  & (b) The  Registrant  hereby  requests  a 60-day  extension  to supply the
     required financial and pro-forma statements.


<PAGE>



EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.              Name of Exhibit
- ----------              ---------------------------------------

   2                     ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                   SIGNATURES

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

                             PRIMESOURCE CORPORATION
                                  (REGISTRANT)


       BY                           /s/ WILLIAM A. DEMARCO
                                    William A. Demarco
                                    Vice President of Finance and
                                    Chief Financial Officer


       DATE                         September 25, 1998





                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT



         ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made this 28 day of August, 1998
between  PrimeSource  Corporation  ("PrimeSource")  and  Bell  Industries,  Inc.
("Bell"),  and sets out the terms and conditions  pursuant to which  PrimeSource
will purchase certain of Bell's assets.

         Unless  otherwise   specifically   noted,   all  assets,   liabilities,
inventory,  leases,  lists, names,  records,  etc. being purchased or assumed by
PrimeSource  hereunder  pertain  solely to the Graphic Arts Supply Group of Bell
(herein "GASG").



                                    ARTICLE 1
                         CLOSING AND PURCHASE OF ASSETS


         1.1  Closing  and  Closing  Date.  The  closing  of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby  (the  "Closing")  shall occur at the offices of Bell in El
Segundo,  California on the "Closing Date" which shall be on September 14, 1998,
or some other  mutually  agreeable  date, but in no event later than October 30,
1998 (the "Termination Date").

         1.2 Purchase of Assets from Bell. On the Closing  Date,  subject to the
terms and conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations, warranties
and agreements  contained herein,  PrimeSource shall purchase from Bell and Bell
shall sell,  convey,  transfer and assign to PrimeSource,  free and clear of all
liens and  encumbrances,  subject to Section 2.2, the following assets as of the
Closing Date, in each case pertaining  solely to the GASG assets  (collectively,
the "Assets"):
<PAGE>

                  (a) All inventory of GASG  (including  new and used  equipment
and parts).  Such purchased  inventory shall be set out on Schedule 1.2(a) which
will be prepared by Bell and attached to this Agreement when the Closing Balance
Sheet has been finalized.  A physical  inventory of GASG inventory will be taken
jointly by PrimeSource and Bell as of the Closing Date. The items  identified by
the physical  inventory  shall provide the basis for  determination  of the unit
quantities of the inventories for preparation of the Closing Balance Sheet, with
individual  items  valued at  Bell's  book  value  which is in  accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied ("GAAP").

Items  on  order  by Bell as of the  Closing  Date  and  not yet  received  into
inventory shall be paid for by PrimeSource, provided such items for stock are in
usual  amounts and  ordered in the normal  course of the GASG  business.  To the
extent any ordered (but not  received)  inventory  stock has been  recorded as a
liability as of the Closing Date, such liability will not be deemed  outstanding
for the purpose of determining  the Final Purchase  Price.  (b) All accounts and
notes  receivable  of GASG  as of the  Closing  Date  (the  "Receivables").  The
Receivables  shall be listed on Schedule  1.2(b) which shall be prepared by Bell
and attached hereto within 12 days of Closing.

                  (c)      GASG's customer  lists,  trademarks,  servicemarks  
and tradenames as listed on Schedule 1.2(c).

                  (d)  Contracts,  open  orders,  books and  records,  or copies
thereof,  of GASG.  All of such  items will be listed on  Schedule  1.2(d) to be
attached  prior to or at Closing.  Bell may keep  photocopies of all such items,
and in the event that  PrimeSource  wishes to  dispose of any such items  within
five years the originals shall be returned to Bell.

                  (e) All property, plant and equipment of GASG valued at GASG's
net  depreciable  basis. A final listing of such assets will be prepared by Bell
and attached hereto within 12 days of Closing as Schedule 1.2(e).

                  (f) All other miscellaneous  tangible assets of GASG as listed
on the Closing Balance Sheet.

                  PrimeSource is only purchasing  those Assets  described in 1.2
(a)  through  (f) above and  shall in no regard be deemed a legal  successor  to
Bell.
<PAGE>

         1.3 Purchase  Price.  The  purchase  price  ("Purchase  Price") for the
Assets shall be Forty Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($43,500,000);
provided  however,  the final  Purchase  Price shall be  increased  or decreased
dollar-for-dollar  to the extent the net  tangible  assets  being  purchased  by
PrimeSource  have a value on the  Closing  Date  greater or less than Thirty One
Million  Dollars  ($31,000,000).  Net tangible  assets shall mean total tangible
assets  acquired  (inventory,  property,  plant,  and  equipment,   Receivables,
pre-paid expenses,  and other items classified as tangible assets per GAAP), net
of reserves,  and less the book value of Assumed  Liabilities,  all valued based
upon Bell's book values in accordance  with GAAP or as otherwise set out herein.
Two dollars of the  Purchase  Price will be  allocated to items in 1.2 (c) & (d)
for income tax purposes.

                  The final  Purchase Price for the Assets will be determined by
a Closing Balance Sheet and final schedules of GASG as of the Closing Date which
will be prepared in accordance with GAAP by Bell and based on the criteria above
in 1.2 (a), (b) & (e) for valuing assets and delivered to PrimeSource  within 40
days of Closing; provided,  however, that there will be no reserve for inventory
and the reserve for receivables will be $220,529. Along with the Closing Balance
Sheet,  Bell shall  prepare and deliver to  PrimeSource  a  calculation  of "net
tangible  assets" of GASG as of the Closing Date based upon the Closing  Balance
Sheet. Bell shall promptly provide  PrimeSource access to all related accounting
entries,  working  papers  and such  other  documentation  as may be  reasonably
requested by PrimeSource.  In the event that  PrimeSource  disputes any item set
forth  in,  or  any  item  omitted  from,  the  Closing  Balance  Sheet,  or the
calculation of "net tangible assets",  the parties shall attempt, in good faith,
to resolve such dispute or controversy.  In the event the parties cannot resolve
such  dispute  or  controversy,  it shall be  resolved  in  accordance  with the
procedures set forth below. Within 20 days of the receipt of the Closing Balance
Sheet,  final  schedules and calculation of "net tangible  assets",  PrimeSource
shall give notice to Bell setting forth in  reasonable  detail the basis for any
such  dispute  or  controversy.   PricewaterhouseCoopers   LLP  ("Accountants"),
independent accountants for both PrimeSource and Bell, shall promptly commence a
review of the matter and issue its decision to both parties  within 15 days.  If
either party is not satisfied  with the opinion so rendered,  then within10 days
of receipt of the  decision it will so notify the other party,  and  PrimeSource

<PAGE>

and Bell shall jointly, within 10 days thereafter, appoint a national accounting
firm other than  Accountants  to resolve  such  dispute or  controversy.  If the
parties  cannot agree on the selection of such national  accounting  firm,  they
shall  select  such  national  accounting  firm  by  lot  among  the  "Big-Five"
accounting firms other than  Accountants (the "Neutral  Accountants") to resolve
such  dispute  or  controversy.   The  Neutral   Accountants  shall  make  their
determination  as to such  dispute  or  controversy  within  30  days  of  their
appointment and their  determination  shall be final,  binding and conclusive as
between  PrimeSource  and Bell,  absent  fraud or manifest  error.  The fees and
disbursements  of  the  Neutral   Accountants   shall  be  apportioned   between
PrimeSource  and Bell in such  manner  as the  Neutral  Accountants  shall  deem
equitable  in light of the issues  raised  and the  degree to which the  parties
prevail on each such issue. Upon final determination, if the net tangible assets
are more or less than $31 million,  the  difference  will be  transmitted to the
other party within three  business  days by bank wire,  except that in the event
that the net  tangible  assets  are less  than $31  million  and  there  remains
outstanding  any unpaid  portion of the Purchase  Price,  the  difference may be
offset against said unpaid amount.

         1.4 Delivery and Payment.  At the Closing Date,  Bell shall execute and
deliver to  PrimeSource a Bill of Sale  transferring  the Assets (in the form of
Exhibit A attached),  an  Assignment  of Contracts  specifically  related to the
Assets and  business of the GASG (in the form of Exhibit B  attached),  and such
other documents as PrimeSource may reasonably request so as to effect a complete
and valid transfer to PrimeSource of the Assets, free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances.  The assumed  Purchase Price of $43.5  million,  less a good faith
estimate  by Bell of the  Receivables  as of the  Closing  Date (the  "Estimated
Receivables") shall be paid by PrimeSource to Bell at Closing by bank wire.

         Until the sooner of ninety (90) days after the Closing  Date or amounts
equal to the Estimated  Receivables have been received by Bell,  customer checks
relating to both the Receivables and post-closing  receivables shall go into the
existing Bell lockbox at First  Chicago Bank number 100630  located in Pasadena,
California  (account  number  55-50807),  the Bell/Olsen  bank account  (account
number  115-5083423)  at  NorWest  Bank  located  in  Omaha,  Nebraska,  or  the
Bell/Olsen bank account (account number  635-5038443) at NorWest Bank located in
Minneapolis,  Minnesota. All funds attributable to Receivables shall be wired to
Bell as it from time to time may designate. As soon as practical after the close
of business of each day, Bell shall wire all funds relating to  post-receivables
to PrimeSource's  bank account at First Union Bank, ABA No.  031201467,  account
number 2000107583787.  Funds will be allocated in accordance with the invoice(s)

<PAGE>

designated by the customer or if no designation is made and the amount paid does
not match any unpaid  invoice,  then the  payment  will be applied to the oldest
unpaid invoice. As soon as an amount equal to the Estimated Receivables has been
received,  then the receipts of all Receivables  collected  thereafter  shall be
transmitted to  PrimeSource's  bank account above.  If after ninety (90) days an
amount  equal  to the  Estimated  Receivables  has not  been  received  by Bell,
PrimeSource  shall wire Bell to its  account at Union  Bank of  California,  Los
Angeles,  California  (account  number  0710004048) the balance of the Estimated
Receivables,  irrespective  of whether the funds for the  remaining  Receivables
have been  collected  or whether  there  exists a dispute  regarding  the proper
valuations thereof as set forth on the Closing Balance Sheet.


         1.5  Guarantee  of  Certain  Receivables.   Bell  guarantees  that  the
following  receivables  will be paid  within 6 months of the Closing  Date:  all
non-Olson  accounts  receivable  from  Schedule  1.2(b)  that  will be listed on
Schedule  1.5 to be prepared by  PrimeSource  within 14 days of the Closing Date
and to contain not more than $1,700,000 of sums specified by PrimeSource.

         Within 10 days of the end of the  six-month  period,  PrimeSource  will
provide Bell with an accurate  list of the items  qualifying  for the  guarantee
under this ss.1.5 and Bell will  purchase  such  accounts by bank wire within 10
days of receipt of this list.  Upon  receipt  of these  funds  PrimeSource  will
immediately   assign   these   accounts  to  Bell  along  with  any   supporting
documentation.


<PAGE>

         1.6  Guarantee of Certain  Inventory.  PrimeSource  may designate up to
$2.7 million of the inventory items listed on Schedule 1.2(a) for inclusion on a
Schedule 1.6 to be prepared by PrimeSource  within 14 days from the Closing Date
and attached  hereto.  Bell  guarantees  that  PrimeSource  will realize sale or
return  proceeds  from each item on Schedule 1.6,  during the  six-month  period
beginning  on the  Closing  Date,  that are not less than the book value of such
item on Schedule  1.2(a).  At the end of the  six-month  period,  Bell shall pay
PrimeSource for (a) the value of the inventory items listed on Schedule 1.6 that
have not been sold or returned to vendors, (b) for each item sold by PrimeSource
or returned  to its vendor for an amount less than its value  stated on Schedule
1.6, the  difference  between the sale price (or return  proceeds) and the value
listed on Schedule 1.6, and (c) any additional  expenses  approved in advance by
Bell incurred on the sale of Schedule 1.6 items during the six-month period such
as special sales  incentives,  conversion  costs, and freight costs of returning
items to vendors and transferring items to other locations.

         Within 10 days of the end of the  six-month  period,  PrimeSource  will
provide Bell with an accurate list of the items  qualifying for guarantee  under
this  ss.1.6  and Bell will pay  PrimeSource  the total  amount  owed under this
guarantee  by bank wire within 10 days of receipt of this list.  Upon receipt of
these funds PrimeSource will make any Schedule 1.6 unsold inventory available to
Bell.

         PrimeSource  agrees to make commercially  reasonable efforts to sell or
return the inventory on Schedule 1.6 during the six-month post-Closing period.

         1.7 Liabilities and Potential Liabilities.  PrimeSource does not assume
any past,  present or future liabilities or obligations of Bell pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise,  whether such  liabilities or  obligations  are known or
unknown,  actual or  contingent,  asserted  or not,  except as  specified  below
(herein the "Assumed  Liabilities")  which will be assumed by PrimeSource at the
Closing  Date and  PrimeSource  shall  execute and deliver to Bell at Closing as
Assumption of Liabilities  Agreement in the form of Exhibit B hereto  evidencing
such assumption:

                  a.        the liabilities of GASG as reflected on the Closing
                            Balance Sheet  including accounts payable;

                  b.       the contingent and unknown liabilities of the GASG up
                           to $870,000  in the  aggregate  after  receipt of any
                           insurance proceeds from Bell insurance coverage,  but
                           excluding  environmental  liabilities,  any  accounts
                           payable  or  other  known  liabilities  not  properly
                           recorded in accordance  with GAAP or this  Agreement,
                           and any  liabilities  in connection  with  employment
                           agreements  with B.  Greenspan,  R.  Greenspan,  T.J.
                           Dunn, J.
                           Hasse and T. Neis;


<PAGE>

                  c.       personal   property   leases   (trucks,    forklifts,
                           telephone  systems,  etc.), an accurate list of which
                           are attached hereto as Schedule 1.7(c);

                  d.        real estate leases, an accurate list of which is 
                            attached hereto as Schedule 1.7(d);

                  e.        supply contracts entered into prior to the Closing 
                            Date;

                  f.        the employment agreement with Earl Olson; and

                  g.        all consignment agreements.



                                    ARTICLE 2
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BELL


         Bell represents and warrants to PrimeSource that:

         2.1 Authority. Bell is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing,
and in good standing  under the laws of the state of  California.  The execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the related documents to PrimeSource, and the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement have been duly
authorized  and  each  will be a valid  and  binding  obligation  of  Bell.  All
corporate  action  on the  part  of  Bell  and its  directors  and  shareholders
necessary for the  authorization,  execution,  delivery and  performance  of all
obligations of Bell under this  Agreement and related  documents has been taken.
Neither  the  execution  of  this  Agreement  and  related   documents  nor  the
performance by Bell of the transactions  required  hereunder and thereunder will
constitute  a  violation  of or  default  under,  any  law,  regulation,  order,
contract,  commitment, or restriction of any kind to which Bell is a party or by
which Bell is bound, subject,  however, to the fulfillment of the conditions set
forth in Sections 5.4 and 5.5.

         2.2 Title and  Condition of Assets.  Bell will have at Closing good and
marketable  title to the Assets,  free and clear of all title defects,  security
interests,  pledges, options, claims, liens,  encumbrances,  and restrictions of
any nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, leases, chattel mortgages,
conditional  sale  contracts,  purchase  money  security  interests,  collateral
security  arrangements  and  other  title  or  interest-retaining   agreements);
provided, however, to the extent that any Asset is encumbered by bank financing,
such lien may remain on the Asset after  Closing and Bell hereby  agrees to hold
PrimeSource  harmless from such lien(s),  and further  provided that the parties
agree that certain  vendors' and lessors'  approvals will not be obtained by the
Closing Date.


<PAGE>

         2.3 Litigation and Other Proceedings. Other than as set out on Schedule
2.3  hereto,  Bell is not a party to any pending  or, to the best  knowledge  of
Bell,  threatened action,  suit, labor dispute,  proceeding,  investigation,  or
discrimination  claim in or by any court or governmental agency arising from the
actions or inaction's of Bell which could have any significant adverse impact on
PrimeSource  or its business  after  Closing.  Bell is not subject to any order,
writ,  judgment,  decree or injunction barring or adversely affecting the Assets
or transactions contemplated hereby.

         2.4 Personnel Matters. Bell shall retain responsibility for any and all
liability incurred in connection with the termination of its employees as of the
Closing Date, whether or not such employees are subsequently  offered employment
by  PrimeSource   except  to  the  extent  any  such   liabilities  are  Assumed
Liabilities. Bell represents that it has no labor unions and that there has been
no union organizing activities related to Bell since January 1, 1996.

                  To the best of Bell's  knowledge,  Bell has not  violated  any
employment  laws, the violation of which would have a material adverse effect on
the Assets or Assumed  Liabilities.  Schedule 2.4  discloses  any existing  GASG
employee  leave of absence that has been  identified or designated as a leave of
absence subject to the FMLA.

                  No promise has been made by Bell to any of its GASG  employees
that  PrimeSource  will continue,  assume or otherwise be responsible for any of
the employee  benefits that Bell has provided or is providing to such employees,
or that  PrimeSource  will  provide any employee  benefits to employees  who are
hired by PrimeSource subsequent to Closing.

         2.5 Accuracy of Financial Information.  The Closing Balance Sheet to be
delivered to  PrimeSource  by Bell after the Closing Date will be prepared  from
(and will be in accordance  with) the books and records of the Company,  will be
prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP  except as set forth on  Schedule  2.5 or as
otherwise  specified in this Agreement,  and will fairly present in all material
respects as of the Closing Date the financial condition of GASG.

                  All other financial information  concerning GASG delivered and
to be delivered to PrimeSource by Bell on or prior to the Closing Date (a) fully
and fairly reflect the  transactions  set forth therein as recorded on the books
and records of Bell in  accordance  with Bell's  past  practices  and (b) fairly
present in all material  respects as of the dates  indicated the information set
forth therein.


<PAGE>

         2.6 Brokers.  PrimeSource  will not be obligated to pay any broker's or
finder's fees as a result of activities by Bell.

         2.7 Taxes. Bell has filed all tax returns or reports which could affect
the Assets or Assumed  Liabilities which were required to be filed by it for all
periods prior to or including the Closing Date,  and such returns or reports are
correct and complete in all  material  respects.  All  federal,  state and local
income, profits, franchise,  sales, use, occupation,  property, excise, payroll,
withholding,  employment,  estimated  and other taxes of any  nature,  including
interest,  penalties and other additions to such taxes applicable to the assets,
liabilities  and business of GASG  ("Taxes"),  payable by, or due from, Bell for
all periods prior to the date hereof have been fully paid or adequately reserved
for by Bell, or, with respect to Taxes required to be accrued, Bell has properly
accrued  such  Taxes.  All Taxes  which Bell is  required  by law to withhold or
collect  relating to the  business of GASG have been duly  withheld or collected
and have been paid over the appropriate  governmental agency or authority or are
properly recorded as a liability on the books of Bell.

         2.8 Property,  Plant and Equipment.  The assets on Schedule  1.2(e) are
being directly utilized in GASG's business.  Such assets that, as of the Closing
Date,  have not been fully  depreciated by Bell, are in existence and in working
condition,  in accordance  with industry  standards  taking into account the age
thereof.

         2.9 Reliance. The foregoing  representations and warranties are made by
Bell with the knowledge and  expectation  that  PrimeSource is placing  complete
reliance thereon.

         2.10  Insurance.  Bell will  cooperate  with  PrimeSource  in asserting
coverage  under  Bell's  insurance  policies for claims and  litigation  arising
before and after the Closing  Date that  pertain to  activities  or omissions of
Bell  relating to the  business  of GASG prior to the  Closing  Date when such a
claim is filed against  PrimeSource  or  PrimeSource  is named as a defendant in
such litigation.


<PAGE>

         2.11  Environmental  Matters.  Bell  reasonably  believes  that  it has
obtained  and is in  compliance  with  all  permits,  licenses  and  such  other
authorizations  required to be obtained for the operation of GASG's business and
the ownership and use of the Assets under current applicable federal,  state and
local laws,  rules and regulations  relating to pollution or protection of human
health and the environment,  except for any permits,  licenses or authorizations
which,  if not  obtained or  complied  with,  would not have a material  adverse
effect on business or liabilities of GASG.

         2.12 Certain Events. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.12 hereto, since
June 30, 1998 Bell has operated the business in the ordinary  course and, except
as set forth on Schedule 2.12 hereto, there has not occurred:

                  (a)       any  damage,  destruction  or loss  (whether or not
                          covered by  insurance)  materially adversely affecting
                           the Assets or Assumed Liabilities;

                  (b)      any sale,  transfer,  pledge or other  disposition of
                           any  tangible  or  intangible  Assets  except  in the
                           ordinary course of business;

                  (c)      any   capital   appropriation   or   expenditure   or
                           commitment  therefor  on  behalf of Bell for the GASG
                           business in excess of $25,000;

                  (d)      any event or any other  change  in the  condition  of
                           Bell which has,  or could  reasonably  be expected to
                           have, a material  adverse  effect on the Assets,  the
                           Assumed Liabilities, or the GASG business;

                  (e)      any  default  by Bell in any  material  liability  or
                           obligation  relating  to  the  GASG  business  or any
                           material  adverse change in the terms of any contract
                           or instrument relating to the business of GASG;


<PAGE>

                  (f)      any waiver, cancellation,  sale or other disposition,
                           for  less  than  the  face  amount  thereof,  of  any
                           material claim or right which Bell has against others
                           which relate to the GASG business or the Assets;

                  (g)      any change in any method of  accounting  or  
                           accounting  practice  relating to the GASG
                           business; or

                  (h)      any notices  that any  supplier or customer has taken
                           or contemplates  any steps which could materially and
                           adversely disrupt the GASG business.

         2.13 Contracts.  Bell has in all material respects performed all of its
obligations  required to be performed by it to the date hereof under, and is not
in default in any material  respect  under,  any contract  that  PrimeSource  is
assuming under Section 1.7 above.

         2.14 Condition of Facilities. To the best of Bell's knowledge, the GASG
facilities  are in  material  compliance  with local  building,  zoning and fire
protection laws and regulations, and have no known defect which could materially
adversely effect the business of GASG.

         2.15  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  During the last two years,  with
respect  to or for the  GASG  business,  Bell  has  not  purchased,  leased,  or
otherwise acquired any material property or assets or obtained material property
or assets or obtained any material  services from, or sold,  leased or otherwise
disposed of any  material  property or provided  any  material  services to, any
person or entity which is an  "affiliate"  of Bell or any officer or director of
Bell or any member of the immediate family of such officer and director.

         2.16 Material Misstatements or Omissions. No representation or warranty
of  Bell in this  Agreement  nor in any  document,  statement,  certificate,  or
schedule  furnished or to be furnished to  PrimeSource  pursuant  hereto,  or in
connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  (taken  as a  whole),
contains or will contain any untrue  statement of a material  fact,  or omits or
will omit to state a material  fact,  necessary to make the  statements or facts
contained therein or herein not misleading.  All  representations and warranties
of Bell shall be deemed  made as of the date of this  Agreement  and again as of
the Closing Date.

       
<PAGE>

 2.17 Other  Negotiations.  Prior to the  termination of this Agreement,
Bell shall not pursue,  initiate,  encourage  or engage in any  negotiations  or
discussions  with,  or provide any  information  to, any other  person or entity
(other than  PrimeSource and its  representatives)  regarding the sale of any of
the Assets.


                                    ARTICLE 3
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PRIMESOURCE


         PrimeSource hereby represents and warrants to Bell that:

         3.1 Authority.  PrimeSource is a corporation  duly  organized,  validly
existing,   and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  the  Commonwealth  of
Pennsylvania  and has full  corporate  power and  authority  to enter  into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations  under this  Agreement.  The execution,
delivery,  and  performance  of this  Agreement  by  PrimeSource  have been duly
authorized by all necessary  action of the Board of Directors of  PrimeSource or
its Executive  Committee  under  delegated  authority and is a valid and binding
obligation  of  PrimeSource.  PrimeSource  has duly  and  validly  executed  and
delivered this Agreement,  and this Agreement  constitutes a valid,  binding and
enforceable  obligation of PrimeSource in accordance with its terms. Neither the
execution  of this  Agreement  and  related  documents  nor the  performance  by
PrimeSource  of  the  transactions   required   hereunder  and  thereunder  will
constitute  a  violation  of or  default  under,  any  law,  regulation,  order,
contract, commitment, or restriction of any kind to which PrimeSource is a party
or by which  PrimeSource is bound subject,  however,  to the  fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in Sections 4.6 and 4.7.

         3.2 Accuracy of Documents and Information. All instruments, agreements,
other documents,  and written information  delivered and to be delivered to Bell
or its  representatives  by PrimeSource  are and will be complete and correct in
all material respects as of the Closing Date.

       
<PAGE>

 3.3  Employees  and  Employee   Benefits.   PrimeSource   agrees  that,
immediately following the Closing, it shall offer employment to each employee of
the GASG.  These  employees  will be  identified by payroll code or otherwise on
Schedule  3.3  to  be  attached  hereto  prior  to  Closing  (collectively,  the
"Employees"),  such  employment  to be  effective as of the Closing  Date.  Such
employment  shall  be  offered  on terms  reasonably  comparable  to those  such
Employee now enjoys and is entitled to receive from Bell immediately  before the
Closing, but consistent with PrimeSource  compensation programs. Each such offer
of  employment  to an  Employee  (i)  shall be  consistent  with the  employment
policies  and  practices of  PrimeSource  and (ii) shall be  contingent  on such
Employee  assigning  his or  her  personnel  file  to  PrimeSource.  PrimeSource
represents  and  warrants  to Bell that it intends to continue  such  employment
arrangements  with such Employees for a period of at least 90 days following the
Closing  Date,  subject  to  terminations  for good  cause or  otherwise  in the
ordinary course of PrimeSource's business.

         In connection with the foregoing,  PrimeSource  acknowledges and agrees
that it is responsible for the notice and other obligations,  if any, imposed by
the WARN Act with respect to any  termination  of GASG employees on or after the
Closing  Date  and the  foregoing  paragraph  is  provided  to Bell for the sole
purpose of relieving it from any obligations under the WARN Act.
         The  provisions of the foregoing two  paragraphs are for the benefit of
Bell and  PrimeSource  only,  and no other person or entity  (including  without
limitation  past,  present  or future  employees  of the GASG)  will be deemed a
third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

         All  employees  of Bell hired by  PrimeSource  will be given credit for
their past service  with Bell for purposes of  calculating  (a)  eligibility  to
enroll in the  PrimeSource  401(k) Savings Plan, and (b) vacation time under the
PrimeSource  vacation plan, however,  the Bell vacation entitlement formula will
continue to apply until  January 1, 1999.  No credit for prior  service  will be
given for the PrimeSource pension plan or other benefits.

         Bell employees hired by PrimeSource shall be eligible to participate in
PrimeSource's  health benefits (medical,  dental,  vision, life insurance,  AD&D
insurance, and short & long term disability) on the first of the month following
thirty days of service with PrimeSource and other benefits  normally accorded to
new  employees.  For the interim period of time from the Closing Date until such
first of the month,  the former Bell  employees may retain  certain prior health
benefit   coverage  under  Bell's  plans  under  the  provisions  of  COBRA  and
PrimeSource  will pay Bell the COBRA rate for such  coverage.  For this  interim
period, PrimeSource will collect the normal Bell employee contributions for such
coverage from the former Bell employees who want COBRA coverage for this interim
period.


<PAGE>

         3.4 Other  Proceedings.  PrimeSource is not subject to any order, writ,
judgment,  decree or injunction barring or adversely  affecting the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         3.5 Brokers. Bell will not be obligated to pay any broker's or finder's
fee as a result of activities of PrimeSource.

         3.6 Material Misstatements or Omissions.  No representation or warranty
of PrimeSource in this Agreement nor in any document, statement, certificate, or
schedule  furnished or to be furnished to Bell pursuant hereto, or in connection
with the transactions  contemplated hereby (taken as a whole),  contains or will
contain any untrue  statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit to state
a material fact,  necessary to make the statements or facts contained therein or
herein not misleading.  All  representations and warranties of PrimeSource shall
be deemed  made as of the date of this  Agreement  and  again as of the  Closing
Date.

                                    ARTICLE 4
           CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PRIMESOURCE'S PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS


                  The  obligation  of  PrimeSource  to  close  the  transactions
described above is subject to the fulfillment of all of the following conditions
at or prior to the  Closing  Date,  any one or more of which  may be  waived  by
PrimeSource in its sole discretion.

         4.1 No Litigation. No suit, investigation,  action or other proceedings
shall be seriously threatened or pending before any court or governmental agency
which  may  bar or  adversely  affect  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement  or  otherwise  adversely  affect the  business of GASG.  In the event
PrimeSource  becomes  aware  of any  of  the  foregoing  proceedings,  it  shall
immediately notify Bell of such proceedings and the court or agency wherein such
proceeding is involved or threatened.


<PAGE>

         4.2 Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of Bell set forth herein  shall be true and correct in all material  respects as
of the Closing Date.

         4.3 No  Adverse  Event.  The Assets  shall not have been  substantially
damaged or otherwise adversely affected in any material respect by any casualty,
act of God or any judicial,  administrative  or  governmental  proceeding.  Bell
assumes  all  risk of  loss  due to fire or  other  casualty  up to the  time of
Closing.  In the event any such loss occurs prior to the Closing Date, or in the
event the business of Bell is closed or  interrupted  by reason of any event not
in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  PrimeSource  shall  have  the  right to
terminate this Agreement by written notice to Bell received prior to the Closing
Date, and upon such termination  there shall be no further liability on the part
of Bell or PrimeSource hereunder.

         4.4 Documents. All actions, instruments, resolutions, certificates, and
documents  reasonably  requested by  PrimeSource to be executed and delivered to
PrimeSource  in order to convey the Assets to PrimeSource as provided in 1.4 and
carry  out this  Agreement,  and all  other  relevant  legal  matters,  shall be
reasonably satisfactory to PrimeSource.

         4.5  Non-Compete.  Bell shall have  executed  a  five-year  Non-Compete
Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 4.5.

         4.6  Hart-Scott-Rodino.  The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust  Improvement  Act  of  1976  (the  "HSR  Act")  with  respect  to  the
transaction   contemplated   by  this  Agreement  shall  have  expired  or  been
terminated. The U.S. Department of Justice or Federal Trade Commission shall not
have issued any adverse order or  instigated  any  investigation  of the instant
transaction.

         4.7  Financing.  PrimeSource  shall have  obtained  the  consent of its
revolving  credit  lenders  under its Credit  Agreement  dated as of November 1,
1996.




<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 5
                   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BELL'S OBLIGATIONS


         The obligations of Bell to consummate the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment,  prior to or at the Closing Date,
of each of the  following  conditions,  any one or a  portion  of  which  may be
waived, in writing, by Bell:

         5.1  Representations,  Warranties  and  Covenants of  PrimeSource.  All
representations  and warranties  made in this Agreement by PrimeSource  shall be
true and correct in all  material  respects  as of the Closing  Date as fully as
though  such  representations  and  warranties  had  been  made on and as of the
Closing Date, and PrimeSource shall have in all respects  performed and complied
with its obligations under all the covenants, agreements and conditions required
by this Agreement and all related documents.

         5.2      Payment  of  Purchase  Price.  PrimeSource  shall  have  paid 
 the  Purchase  Price  to  Bell  in accordance with 1.4.

         5.3 Resale  Certificate.  PrimeSource  shall deliver to Bell a properly
completed  and  executed  resale  exemption  certificate   indicating  that  the
inventory  type assets are being  purchased  by  PrimeSource  for the purpose of
resale in the normal course of PrimeSource's business.

         5.4  Hart-Scott-Rodino.  The  waiting  period  under  the HSR Act  with
respect to the transaction  contemplated by this Agreement shall have expired or
been  terminated.  The U.S.  Department of Justice or Federal  Trade  Commission
shall not have issued any adverse order or instigated any  investigation  of the
instant transaction.

         5.5  Lenders'  Approval.  Bell shall have  obtained  the consent of its
lenders  under  its  Credit  Agreement  dated  as of  January  7,  1997  to  the
transactions contemplated herein.






<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 6
                                COVENANTS OF BELL


         Bell hereby covenants and agrees with PrimeSource as follows:

         6.1 Conduct of Bell Prior to  Closing.  Between the date hereof and the
Closing, Bell shall:

                  not increase the rate of compensation of any Bell employee who
may be hired by PrimeSource  at the Closing except as in accordance  with Bell's
past practices and, in the event Bell has increased the rate of  compensation of
any such  employee  PrimeSource  shall be so  notified at least five days before
Closing;

                 use reasonable best efforts to maintain good relations with its
 customers and suppliers;

                  not take any action or fail to take any action which taking or
failure  would  directly or  indirectly  have a material  adverse  impact on the
Assets   (including   subjecting  them  to  any  lien  or  encumbrance)  or  the
transactions contemplated hereby;

                  not knowingly  take any action or, insofar as it is able to do
so, suffer to be taken any action that will cause any representation,  warranty,
or schedule to this Agreement to be untrue at the Closing Date;

                  continue to conduct the business of Bell consistent with good 
business practices; and

                  take  all  steps  reasonably  necessary  so as to be  able  to
transfer the Assets and Assumed  Liabilities  to PrimeSource on the Closing Date
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         6.2  Publicity.  The timing and content of any disclosure to vendors or
customers must be approved in advance by PrimeSource.


<PAGE>

         6.3 SAP Business  System.  From the Closing  Date through  February 28,
1999,  PrimeSource  will  utilize  Bell's SAP  computer  business  system  while
PrimeSource  transitions the GASG business to the PrimeSource business system in
accordance  with  Schedule  6.3.  The charge to  PrimeSource  for use of the SAP
system and supporting  Bell personnel  shall be $80,000 per month  (prorated for
any partial month) through  December 1998, and  reimbursement  for Bell's actual
out-of-pocket costs for January and February 1999.

         6.4  Existing  Warranties.   Existing   manufacturer  and  third  party
warranties  on the Assets are assigned to  PrimeSource  as of the Closing  Date.
Except as specifically agreed otherwise herein, BELL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  CONCERNING THE ASSETS,  INCLUDING
WITHOUT  LIMITATION  ANY IMPLIED  WARRANTY OF  MERCHANTABILITY  OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.


         6.5 Use of Names.  PrimeSource  shall be  entitled to use the Bell name
and all  fictitious or assumed  business names utilized by the GASG for a period
of 6 months after the Closing  Date and leave the Bell name on  inventory  being
purchased hereunder for one year from the Closing Date.

         6.6 Dealerships.  Bell shall cooperate with and support  PrimeSource in
any efforts to transfer dealerships utilized by the GASG business.

         6.7 Officer's  Certificate.  If this Agreement is executed prior to the
Closing  Date,  the  President  and  CFO of each  party  will  reaffirm  its own
representations  and  warranties  hereunder  at and as of the  Closing  Date  by
Officer's Certificate.

         6.8  Nonassignable  Contracts.  Nothing  in  this  Agreement  shall  be
construed as an attempt or agreement to assign any contract or claim as to which
a required third party consent to assignment cannot be obtained.  Bell agrees to
use its best  efforts  to obtain the  consent  of each  other  party to any such
contract,  right or commitment to the  assignment  thereof to PrimeSource in all
cases in which such consent is required for assignment or transfer. If, however,
following the Closing,  there is any contract,  right or other  commitment which
would have been assigned had the required  consent been  obtained,  or any claim
for  which  consent  to the  assignment  thereof  cannot be  obtained,  Bell and
PrimeSource  agree to take such action,  to the extent  permitted by  applicable
law, in order for  PrimeSource to obtain the benefit and assume the  obligations
thereunder,  including Bell designating  PrimeSource as Bell's  subcontractor or
agent for purposes of performing such contracts and Bell  collecting  monies due
under such contracts and paying the same promptly over to PrimeSource.




<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 7
                                 INDEMNIFICATION


         7.1 Indemnification by Bell. From and after the Closing, Bell agrees to
defend,  indemnify,  and hold  PrimeSource  harmless  from and  against,  and to
reimburse PrimeSource with respect to, any and all losses, damages, liabilities,
claims,  judgments,  settlements,  costs,  and  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorney's fees) of every nature whatsoever incurred by PrimeSource by reason of
or arising out of or in connection with:

                  (i) any breach of any warranty or representation given by Bell
in this Agreement or in any schedule, or other document delivered to PrimeSource
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement;

                  (ii) any claims made against  PrimeSource  for  liabilities of
Bell  or for  operations  of  Bell  prior  to  Closing  which  are  not  Assumed
Liabilities;

                  (iii)  failure,  partial  or  total,  of Bell to  perform  any
agreement or covenant required by this Agreement or any other document delivered
to PrimeSource pursuant to this Agreement to be performed by it; and


                  (iv)  the  failure  of the  parties  to  comply  with any bulk
transfer  or bulk  sales law or  fraudulent  conveyance  law  applicable  to the
transactions contemplated herein.


<PAGE>

         7.2 Sole and Exclusive  Remedy.  Except for fraud and gross negligence,
and  except  for any  right  to seek  specific  performance  or  recession,  the
indemnification  provided  under this Article 7 shall be the sole and  exclusive
remedy of the parties with respect to the breach of any covenant, representation
or warranty contained herein.

         7.3  Permissible  Offsets.  PrimeSource  shall  make  demand on Bell in
writing for the payment of any  amounts due  pursuant to this  Article 7. In the
event the entire amount is not paid to PrimeSource  within  twenty-five  days of
Bell's receipt of its demand,  PrimeSource  shall have the right,  at its option
and in addition to any other  remedies  available to it, to enforce its claim by
setoff  against,  or deduction  from, any amounts due or which may become due to
Bell or any assignee;  provided  PrimeSource may not offset against the Purchase
Price. If Bell disputes the amount claimed to be due under this Article 7 within
said  twenty-five   days,  then  the  dispute  shall  be  submitted  to  binding
arbitration in accordance with Section 8.10 of this Agreement.

         7.4  Defense  of Claim.  If any claim of  liability  is made by a third
person against PrimeSource based on any liability,  the existence of which would
give rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article 7, PrimeSource shall
with reasonable  promptness give to Bell written notice of the claim and request
Bell to defend  the same.  Bell  shall  have the  right to defend  against  such
liability at their expense,  and shall give written notice to PrimeSource of the
commencement  of such defense with  reasonable  promptness  after receipt of the
written  notice of the claim from  PrimeSource.  Failure to receive  notice from
PrimeSource  shall not relieve Bell of any  liability  which it might  otherwise
have to  PrimeSource  under  this  Article  7 unless  such  failure  materially,
adversely affects Bell's ability to defend against such claim. PrimeSource,  its
successors and assigns shall be entitled at its own expense to participate  with
Bell in such  defense,  but shall not be entitled in any way to release,  waive,
settle,  modify or pay such claim without the consent of Bell. In the event Bell
has assumed said defense and have  employed  counsel with respect  thereto which
represents Bell and  PrimeSource,  PrimeSource  shall also be entitled to employ

<PAGE>

separate  counsel  at its own  expense.  In the event  Bell does not  accept the
defense of the matter as provided above,  PrimeSource  shall have the full right
to defend against such liability,  at Bell's  expense,  and shall be entitled to
settle or agree to pay in full such claimed  liability  in its sole  discretion.
Bell and  PrimeSource,  and their  successors and assigns,  shall, in any event,
cooperate  in the  defense  of such  action  and the  records  of each  shall be
available to the other with respect to such defense.

         7.5 Limitations on Indemnification.  The indemnification obligations in
this Article 7 shall expire four years after Closing,  except for claims arising
from potential (a) federal,  state and local tax liabilities,  (b) environmental
claims,  and (c) claims  involving  clear  title to the Assets  which  shall not
expire  until  60 days  after  the  expiration  of all  applicable  statutes  of
limitation.

         7.6  Indemnification  by  PrimeSource.  PrimeSource  agrees to  defend,
indemnify,  and hold Bell,  its  officers,  directors,  shareholders  and agents
harmless  from and against,  and to reimburse  them with respect to, any and all
losses,  damages,  liabilities,  claims,  judgments,   settlements,  costs,  and
expenses (including attorneys' fees) of every nature whatsoever incurred by them
by reason  of or  arising  out of or in  connection  with (i) any  breach of any
representation or warranty of PrimeSource contained in this Agreement,  (ii) the
failure,  partial or total,  of PrimeSource to perform any agreement or covenant
required by this Agreement or any other  document  delivered to Bell pursuant to
this Agreement to be performed by it, (iii) any liability assumed by PrimeSource
hereunder, and (iv) the operation of the GASG business after Closing.

         7.7 Insurance.  The amount of any indemnification  under this Agreement
will be reduced by any insurance proceeds paid to the claiming party as a result
of the loss or other matter for which indemnification is sought, as adjusted for
any increased insurance premiums. The claiming party will be obligated to submit
to its insurance carrier all coverable claims and pursue such claims against its
insurance  carrier in good faith,  and will not abandon or  compromise  any such
claim  without  the  consent  of  the  other  party,   which  consent  will  not
unreasonably be withheld.




<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 8
                                  MISCELLANEOUS


         8.1 HSR Act Filing and Expenses.  PrimeSource  and Bell shall pay their
own costs and expenses,  including legal and accounting  fees,  relating to this
Agreement,   without  regard  to  whether  the   transaction   is   consummated.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  parties  shall  jointly  make the HSR Act
pre-merger  clearance  filing  and  share  equally  the  out-of-pocket  expenses
associated  with the  preparation  and filing of this document,  including legal
fees. PrimeSource shall be obligated, as the buyer of assets, to pay the HSR Act
filing fee.

         8.2 Owned  Real  Estate.  GASG  operating  facilities  owned by Bell in
Omaha,  NE and St. Paul, MN shall be leased to PrimeSource on a triple net lease
basis on the lease forms attached as Exhibits 8.2(a) and 8.2(b).

         8.3 Sales Tax.  PrimeSource  shall be responsible  for and shall pay or
reimburse  when and if due,  all  applicable  sales,  transfer,  excise,  use or
similar tax which may be imposed by any domestic  authority in  connection  with
the sale of the Assets.

         8.4 Amendment. This Agreement shall not be amended, except by a writing
duly executed by both parties hereto.

         8.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules delivered
pursuant to this Agreement, contains all of the terms and conditions agreed upon
by the parties  relating to the subject  matter of this Agreement and supersedes
all prior agreements,  negotiations,  and communications of the parties, whether
oral or written, respecting that subject matter.

         8.6      Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by, and 
construed in accordance  with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.


<PAGE>

         8.7 Notices. All notices,  requests,  demands, and other communications
made in connection  with this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given on the date of receipt or telecopy, if hand delivered or
telecopied to the persons  identified  below,  or the third day after mailing if
mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested addressed as
follows:

         If to PrimeSource:                   With a copy to:
         -----------------                    --------------
         PrimeSource Corporation              PrimeSource Corporation
         4350 Haddonfield Rd., Suite 222      355 Treck Drive
         Pennsauken, NJ  08109                Seattle, WA  98188
         Attention:  Chief Financial Officer  Attention:  General Counsel
         Fax:  609-486-2999                   Fax:   206-394-5587

         If to Bell:                          With a copy to:
         ----------                           --------------
         Gordon Graham                        Eric Webber
         Bell Industries, Inc.                Irell & Manella
         2201 E. El Segundo Boulevard         333 South Hope Street, Suite 3300
         El Segundo, CA  90245                Los Angeles, CA  90071
         Fax:  310-563-2500                   Fax:  213-229-0515

         Such addresses may be changed,  from time to time, by means of a notice
given in the manner provided in this Section 8.5.

         8.8  Severability.  If any  provision  of this  Agreement is held to be
unenforceable  for any reason,  it shall be  modified  rather  than  voided,  if
possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties to this Agreement to the
fullest extent  possible.  In any event,  all other provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed valid and enforceable to the full extent.

         8.9 Survival of Representation and Warranties.  All representations and
warranties  contained  in this  Agreement,  including  the  schedules  delivered
pursuant to this  Agreement,  shall  survive the Closing  Date for the period of
indemnification in 7.5 or one year, whichever is longer.


<PAGE>

         8.10 Waiver.  Waiver of any term or condition of this  Agreement by any
party shall not be construed  as a waiver of a  subsequent  breach or failure of
the same term or  condition,  or a waiver of any other term or condition of this
Agreement.

         8.11 Assignment. No party to this Agreement may assign, by operation of
law or otherwise, all or any portion of its rights,  obligations, or liabilities
under this  Agreement  without the prior  written  consent of the other party to
this Agreement,  which consent may be withheld in the absolute discretion of the
party asked to grant such consent. Any attempted assignment in violation of this
Section shall be void.

         8.12  Arbitration.  In  the  event  of any  dispute  between  Bell  and
PrimeSource  relating to this  Agreement,  the parties  agree that such  dispute
shall be  resolved  by means  of  binding  arbitration  in  accordance  with the
commercial  arbitration  rules  of the  American  Arbitration  Association,  and
judgment  upon the award  rendered  by the  arbitrator(s)  may be entered in any
court of competent  jurisdiction.  Depositions  may be taken and other discovery
obtained during such arbitration proceedings to the same extent as authorized in
civil judicial  proceedings  in the state in which the  arbitration is held. The
arbitrator(s)  shall be limited to  awarding  compensatory  damages and fees (in
accordance with 8.12) and shall have no authority to award  punitive,  exemplary
or similar type damages. If PrimeSource requests the arbitration then it will be
held in Los Angeles,  CA. If Bell requests the arbitration  then it will be held
in Philadelphia, PA.

         8.13 Attorneys'  Fees. In the event that either party to this Agreement
is required to, or does, maintain or defend any claim or cause of action against
or brought by, as the case may be, the other  arising out of or relating to this
Agreement,  the  prevailing  party in any such  claim,  or cause of  action,  or
arbitration, or trial or appeal therefrom, shall be entitled to recover from the
other its reasonable attorneys' fees incurred therein, in addition to its costs,
expenses and disbursements, including the costs of the arbitration proceeding.


<PAGE>

         8.14  Cooperation.  Bell will fully cooperate with PrimeSource and with
PrimeSource's  counsel and  accountants in connection with any steps required to
be  taken  as  part  of  Bell's  obligations  under  this  Agreement.  Bell  and
PrimeSource  will use their  reasonable  best efforts to cause all conditions to
the  parties'  obligations  to effect the  Closing  under this  Agreement  to be
satisfied  as promptly  as possible  and to obtain all  consents  and  approvals
necessary  for the due and punctual  performance  of this  Agreement and for the
satisfaction of the conditions hereof.

         8.15 Authority.  Each party signing below  represents and warrants that
it has  authority  to execute  this  Agreement  and to perform  its  obligations
hereunder.  Each person signing on behalf of such party  represents and warrants
that he has been duly  authorized  to execute  this  Agreement on behalf of such
party.

         8.16  Termination  of Bell's  Rights.  If Bell  fails to satisfy in all
material  respects any of the conditions to Closing specified in Article 4 at or
prior  to  Closing,  and  such  failure  either  is not  waived  in  writing  by
PrimeSource or cured by Bell prior to the  Termination  Date,  then  PrimeSource
may,  without  liability,  terminate this  Agreement,  provided  PrimeSource has
satisfied (or stood ready to satisfy) all of PrimeSource's  conditions specified
in Article 5, or such  conditions  have otherwise  been satisfied or waived,  by
written notice to Bell.

         8.17  Termination of  PrimeSource's  Rights.  If  PrimeSource  fails to
satisfy in all material  respects any of the conditions to Closing  specified in
Article 5 at or prior to  Closing,  and such  failure  either  is not  waived in
writing by Bell or cured by PrimeSource prior to the Termination Date, then Bell
may, without  liability,  terminate this Agreement,  provided Bell has satisfied
(or stood ready to satisfy) all of Bell's conditions  specified in Article 4, or
such  conditions  have otherwise been satisfied or waived,  by written notice to
PrimeSource.

         8.18 Other  Termination.  If no Closing occurs prior to the Termination
Date,  and the  failure  to close is not the  result of Bell's or  PrimeSource's
failure to satisfy in all  material  respects any of the  conditions  to Closing
specified in Articles 4, 5, or 6 at or prior to the Termination Date, other than
the parties failing to agree to the Schedules  contemplated by 1.2 hereof,  then
any party hereto may  terminate  this  Agreement by written  notice to the other
parties  hereto  without  further  liability  to any of the  parties  under this
Agreement.

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  PrimeSource and Bell have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.



PRIMESOURCE CORPORATION                               BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.




BY:                                            BY:
                   President                            President






By       s/James F. Mullan/____


<PAGE>


                              NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT



         Agreement made and entered into the 14th day of September, 1998, by and
between  PrimeSource  Corporation  ("PrimeSource")  and  Bell  Industries,  Inc.
("Bell").

         Whereas,  PrimeSource has agreed to acquire certain assets of Bell, and
Bell desires that PrimeSource  acquire such assets and will financially  benefit
from such sale to PrimeSource,

         Whereas, a significant concern of PrimeSource  relating to its purchase
of assets from Bell is maintaining  PrimeSource's competitive position in Bell's
business,  the parties have agreed to enter into this  Agreement to protect that
competitive position.

         Now, therefore, in consideration of the purchase of said assets and the
mutual covenants and conditions  contained herein, Bell agrees that it will not,
for a period of five years  following the date first above  written,  solicit or
call on,  directly or  indirectly,  any  customer of Bell's  Graphic Arts Supply
Group for the purpose of selling  graphic arts supplies,  equipment or services,
nor will it for such period  engage in any  activities  directly  or  indirectly
competitive with the graphic arts supplies and equipment  distribution  services
of PrimeSource in the United States. During the term of this Agreement Bell will
not,  directly or indirectly,  solicit for  employment  any current  employee of
PrimeSource or any former employee whose employment with PrimeSource  terminated
less than 180 days  prior to such  hiring by Bell.  In the event of an actual or
threatened  breach of any  provisions of this  paragraph,  PrimeSource  shall be
entitled  to an  injunction  restraining  Bell from such  activity  without  the
necessity of posting a bond or other  security.  Nothing  herein stated shall be
construed as prohibiting PrimeSource from pursuing any other remedy available to
PrimeSource  for such breach or  threatened  breach,  including  the recovery of
damages.

         The parties  agree and  acknowledge  that the time,  scope,  geographic
extent and other  provisions of the foregoing  paragraph have been  specifically
negotiated  by  sophisticated  parties  in good  faith  and with the  advice  of
independent  counsel,  and do hereby  agree  that such time,  scope,  geographic
extent and other  provisions  are fair and reasonable  under the  circumstances.
Bell agrees that if a court should hold any portion of the  foregoing  paragraph
to be unenforceable for any reason, the maximum restrictions of time, scope, and
geographic  extent  reasonable  under the  circumstances,  as  determined by the
court, will be substituted for the provision held enforceable.


<PAGE>

         Bell recognizes that it may have copies of Bell customer lists, pricing
information,  and other non-public information relating to Bell's former graphic
arts  supplies and equipment  distribution  business and that it is obligated to
preserve the confidentiality of such information for the benefit of PrimeSource.



         It is specifically understood that in the event of litigation resulting
from a breach of any covenant herein,  the prevailing party shall be entitled to
recover  all costs it  incurs,  including  a  reasonable  attorney's  fee.  Each
covenant of this  Agreement  shall be construed as  severable  and  independent,
fully enforceable and binding upon the parties.  The laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania   shall  govern  the  interpretation  and  enforceability  of  this
Agreement.

         In witness whereof,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.


PRIMESOURCE CORPORATION                     BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.



By __________________________                     By __________________________
                  President                                            President







By       s/James F. Mullan


<PAGE>


                                    Exhibit A

                                  BILL OF SALE


         Bill  of  Sale  given  to  PrimeSource   Corporation,   a  Pennsylvania
corporation  ("Purchaser")  by Bell Industries,  Inc., a California  corporation
("Seller").


         1.  Conveyance.  In exchange for One Dollar and other good and valuable
consideration,  the receipt  and  sufficiency  of which is hereby  acknowledged,
Seller does hereby  sell,  transfer,  assign,  and deliver to  Purchaser  all of
Seller's  right,  title,  and interest in those certain assets together with all
revenues  therefrom  (the "Assets") set forth in Article 1 of the Asset Purchase
Agreement  by  and  between  Seller  and  Purchaser,  dated  August  ___,  1998,
("Agreement"), the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by this
reference,  in "AS IS" condition and without warranty except as may otherwise be
set out in the Agreement.

         2. Representations and Warranties.  Seller represents and warrants that
Seller has good and marketable title to the Assets, has not conveyed or assigned
any of the  Assets or any  interest  therein to any other  person,  and that the
Assets  are  free and  clear of all  liens,  encumbrances,  security  interests,
pledges,  and  other  rights  or  claims  by any  third  party  except as may be
permitted by the Agreement.

         3. Convenants of Further Assurance. Seller hereby agrees to execute any
and  all  additional  instruments  and to  take  any  and  all  further  actions
reasonably requested by Purchaser to effect the transfer of and to vest title to
the Assets in Purchaser.

         4.  Successors  and Assigns.  This  Assignment  shall be binding  upon,
enforceable by and shall insure to the benefit of the respective  successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Seller has executed this Bill of Sale the ___ day
of ________, 1998.


                                          BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.



                                          By: _____________________________


                                          Its: _____________________________



By       s/James F. Mullan/


<PAGE>




                             BELL CLOSING STATEMENT


                               September 14, 1998




Purchase Price                                                  43,500,000

Good Faith Estimate of Receivables                             (21,253,000)


Total Due to Bell at Closing                                     $22,247,000









BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.                                PRIMESOURCE CORPORATION



By _______________________                  By __________________________








By:      s/James F. Mullan/








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