ThZeal - The Zeal

DEF 14A 1 h03285def14a.txt DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14 (a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.) Filed by the Registrant [x] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6 (e) (2) ) [x] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Materials Pursuant of Section 240.14a-11 (c) or Section.14a-12 DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. ----------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) (Name of Person (s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing fee (Check the appropriate box): [x] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6 (i) (1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: N/A (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A (5) Total fee paid: N/A [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: N/A [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (a) (2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: N/A (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: N/A (3) Filing Party: N/A (4) Date Filed: N/A DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. 7272 Pinemont Houston, Texas 77040 713/996-4700 May 3, 2003 Dear Shareholder: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of DXP Enterprises, Inc. to be held at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at our offices, 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas 77040. This year you will be asked to consider one proposal concerning the election of directors. This matter is explained more fully in the attached proxy statement, which you are encouraged to read. The Board of Directors recommends that you approve the proposal and urges you to return your signed proxy card at your earliest convenience, whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, /s/ DAVID R. LITTLE David R. Little Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. 7272 Pinemont Houston, Texas 77040 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 3, 2003 The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of DXP Enterprises, Inc., a Texas corporation, will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at its offices at 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas 77040, for the following purposes: (1) To elect four directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; and (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The holders of record of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock at the close of business on April 17, 2003, will be entitled to vote at the meeting. By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/ MAC McCONNELL Mac McConnell, Secretary May 3, 2003 DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 3, 2003 This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of DXP Enterprises, Inc., 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas 77040 (Tel. No. 713/996-4700), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of DXP of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at its offices, 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas 77040, or any adjournment thereof. Proxies in the form enclosed, properly executed by shareholders and received in time for the meeting, will be voted as specified therein. If a shareholder does not specify otherwise, the shares represented by his or her proxy will be voted for the director nominees listed therein. The giving of a proxy does not preclude the right to vote in person should the person giving the proxy so desire, and the proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by written notice delivered to DXP at or prior to the meeting. This Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy are to be mailed on or about May 3, 2003, to shareholders of record on April 17, 2003 (the "Record Date"). At the close of business on the Record Date, there were outstanding and entitled to vote 4,071,685 shares of Common Stock, 1,168 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), and 15,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), and only the holders of record on such date are entitled to vote at the meeting. The holders of record of Common Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote per share on each matter presented to such holders at the meeting. The holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to one-tenth of one vote per share on each matter presented to such holders at the meeting voting together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class. The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the meeting, four directors are to be elected for a one year term expiring at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The holders of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, are entitled to elect the four nominees for election to the Board of Directors. All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal. It is the intention of the persons named in the proxies for the holders of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock to vote the proxies for the election of the nominees named below, unless otherwise specified in any particular proxy. Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees will become unavailable for any reason, but if that should occur before the meeting, proxies will be voted for another nominee, or other nominees, to be selected by the Board of Directors. In accordance with DXP's by-laws and Texas law, a shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors may withhold authority to vote for certain nominees for directors or may withhold authority to vote for all nominees for directors. The director nominees receiving a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors, will be elected directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., shares held in street name for which the record holder does not have discretionary authority to vote under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange) will not be treated as a vote for or against any particular director nominee and will not affect the outcome of the election. The persons listed below have been nominated for election to fill the four director positions to be elected by the holders of the 1 Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

INFORMATION REGARDING NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS Background of Nominees for Director David R. Little. Mr. Little has served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of DXP since its organization in 1996 and also has held these positions with SEPCO Industries, Inc. ("SEPCO"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, since he acquired a controlling interest in SEPCO in 1986. Mr. Little has been employed by SEPCO since 1975 in various capacities, including Staff Accountant, Controller, Vice President/Finance and President. Cletus Davis. Mr. Davis has served as a Director of DXP since 1996. Mr. Davis is an attorney practicing in the areas of commercial real estate, banking, corporate, estate planning and general litigation and is also a trained mediator. From May 1988 to February 1992, Mr. Davis was a member of the law firm of Wood, Lucksinger & Epstein. Since March 1992, Mr. Davis has practiced law with the law firm of Cletus Davis, P.C. Timothy P. Halter. Mr. Halter has served as a Director of DXP since July 2001. Mr. Halter is the President of Halter Financial Group, Inc., a position he has held since 1995. Halter Financial Group is a Dallas, Texas based consulting firm specializing in the areas of mergers, acquisitions and corporate finance. Mr. Halter is also a Registered Representative with Founder's Equity Securities, Inc., a NASD member firm. Kenneth H. Miller. Mr. Miller has served as a Director of DXP since 1996. Mr. Miller also served as a Director of SEPCO from April 1989 to 1996. Mr. Miller is a Certified Public Accountant and has been a solo practitioner since 1983. Committees of the Board of Directors and Meeting Attendance The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors has not established a nominating committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, the Board of Directors met three times, the Compensation Committee met three times and the Audit Committee met four times. Each director attended all of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of which he is a member. The Audit Committee, composed of Messrs. Davis, Miller and Halter, assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, including making recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters regarding the independent auditors and the annual audit of DXP's financial statements. The Audit Committee is composed solely of independent directors, as defined by rule 4200 (a) (15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee Report included in this proxy statement summarizes actions of the Audit Committee in connection with DXP's audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002. The Compensation Committee, composed of Messrs. Davis, Miller and Halter, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding compensation for the executive officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents, and acts as the administrative committee for DXP's stock plans. 2 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth information as of April 17, 2003, with respect to (i) persons known to DXP to be beneficial holders of five percent or more of either the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) named executive officers and directors of DXP and (iii) all executive officers and directors of DXP as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owners have sole voting and investment power, as applicable, over the shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock listed below.

* Less than 1%. (1) Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options, warrants and other convertible securities that are held by such person (but not those held by any other person) and that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days have been exercised or converted. The business address for all listed beneficial owners is 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas, 77040. (2) Unless otherwise noted, DXP believes that all persons named in the above table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock beneficially owned by them. (3) Includes 1,712,796 shares of Common Stock and 15,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock owned by the Kacey Joyce, Andrea Rae and Nicholas David Little 1988 Trusts (the "Trusts") for which Mr. Vinson serves as trustee. Because of this relationship, Mr. Vinson may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares and the 420,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 15,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by the Trusts. Also includes 37,350 shares of Common Stock to issuable to Mr. Vinson upon exercise of options. (4) Includes 1,041,700 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Little upon exercise of options. (5) Includes 41,350 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Wappler upon exercise of options. (6) Includes 140,000 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. McConnell upon exercise of options. 3 (7) Includes 56,000 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Halter upon exercise of options. (8) Includes 18,500 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Davis upon exercise of options. (9) See notes (1) through (8) EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION The following section sets forth the names and background of the named executive officers. BACKGROUND OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

For further information regarding the background of Mr. Little, see "Background of Nominees for Director". Mac McConnell. Mr. McConnell was elected Senior Vice President/Finance and Chief Financial Officer in September 2000. From February 1998 until September 2000, Mr. McConnell served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of Transportation Components, Inc., a NYSE listed distributor of truck parts. From December 1992 to February 1998, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Sterling Electronics Corporation, a NYSE listed electronics parts distributor, which was acquired by Marshall Industries, Inc., in 1998. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. McConnell was Vice President-Finance of Interpak Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded company involved in packaging and warehousing thermoplastic resins. From 1976 to 1990, he served in various capacities, including partner, with Ernst & Young LLP. J. Michael Wappler. Mr. Wappler was elected Senior Vice President/Sales and Marketing in October 2000. Mr Wappler has served in various capacities with DXP since his employment in 1986, including Senior Vice President/Operations and Vice President/Corporate Development. David C. Vinson. Mr. Vinson was elected Senior Vice President/Operations in October 2000. From 1996 until October 2000, Mr. Vinson served as Vice President/Traffic, Logistics and Inventory. Mr. Vinson has served in various capacities with DXP since his employment in 1981. All officers of DXP hold office until the regular meeting of directors following the annual meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT The Compensation Committee is composed of Cletus Davis, Timothy Halter and Kenneth Miller, all of whom are outside directors. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to review, approve and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters regarding the compensation of officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents of DXP and act as the administrative committee for any stock plans of DXP. The Compensation Committee makes its compensation decisions based upon its own research and analysis. DXP is prepared to engage an outside compensation consultant if the Compensation Committee so requests. The Compensation Committee believes that DXP's success depends upon a highly qualified and stable management team. DXP believes that the stability of a management team is important to its success and has adopted a strategy to (i) compensate its executive officers through a stable base salary set at a sufficiently high level to retain and motivate such officers, (ii) link a portion of their 4 compensation to their individual and DXP's performance and (iii) provide a portion of their compensation in a manner that aligns the financial interests of DXP's executive officers with those of DXP's shareholders. DXP was privately held until December 1996. The compensation packages of most of DXP's executive officers were established prior to DXP becoming public. The Compensation Committee reviewed these executive compensation packages with outside advisors and determined that they were consistent with the long-term strategies of DXP. The major components of DXP's executive compensation program consist of base salary, incentive compensation tied to DXP's performance and equity participation in the form of stock ownership and stock options. Base Salary Base salaries for executives are influenced by both objective and subjective criteria. Salaries are determined by reviewing the executive level of responsibility, tenure, prior year compensation and effectiveness of the management team. In setting compensation levels for positions other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers recommendations from the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee believes executive base salaries and incentive compensation for 2002 were reasonable based upon the duties and responsibilities of those executives. Incentive Compensation The Compensation Committee believes incentive compensation tied to DXP's performance is a key component of executive compensation. The incentive compensation for the executive officers ranges from 0% to 200% of the cash portion of their annual compensation package. The Compensation Committee believes this type of incentive compensation motivates the executive to focus on the DXP's performance. Additionally, poor performance by DXP results in lower compensation for the executives. Stock Options The Compensation Committee believes equity participation is a key component of the executive compensation program. Stock options are granted to executives based upon the officer's past and anticipated contribution to the growth and profitability of DXP. The Compensation Committee also believes that the granting of stock options enhances shareholder value by aligning the financial interests of the executive with those of the shareholders. Chief Executive Officer's 2002 Compensation Mr. Little's annual salary for 2002 remained at $270,000, the same as for 2001. Mr. Little's base compensation had not been adjusted in several years. Mr. Little's compensation program includes an incentive bonus of 5% of DXP's profit before tax.This incentive bonus amounted to $85,000 for 2002. In addition the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Little a discretionary bonus of $64,220 for 2002. On September 4, 2002, DXP, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, granted Mr. Little non-qualified stock options to purchase 175,000 shares of Common Stock. The exercise price of the options was 100% of fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. This report is furnished by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Kenneth H. Miller, Chairman Cletus Davis Timothy P. Halter SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION Set forth in the following table is certain compensation information concerning our Chief Executive Officer and each of our other most highly compensated executive officers as to whom the total annual salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, exceeded $100,000. 5 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

(1) Began employment with DXP effective September 2000. (2) Salary information includes base salary and automobile allowance. (3) Amounts of "All Other Compensation" reflect matching contributions pursuant to our 401(k) plan. OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The following table contains information about option awards made to the named executive officers during 2002. Shown are hypothetical gains that could be realized for the respective options, based on assumed rates of annual compound stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% from the date the options were granted over the term of the options. Any amount realized upon exercise of the options will depend upon the market price of DXP common stock at the time the option is exercised relative to the exercise price of the option. There is no assurance that the amounts reflected in this table will be realized.

STOCK OPTION EXERCISES AND DECEMBER 31, 2002 STOCK OPTION VALUE TABLE The following table shows certain information concerning options exercised during 2002 by the named executive officers and the number and value of unexercised options at December 31, 2002. DXP has not granted stock appreciation rights. The values of unexercised in-the-money stock options at December 31, 2002 as shown below are presented pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Any amount realized upon exercise of stock options will depend upon the market price of DXP common stock at 6 the time the stock option is exercised. There is no assurance that the values of unexercised in-the-money options reflected in this table will be realized. AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

(1) Closing price of stock on December 31, 2002 ($1.09) less exercise price. EQUITY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table provides information regarding shares covered by the Company's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2002:

(1) Included are 175,000, 5,390 and 1,443 shares that may be issued under the DXP Enterprises, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan, the DXP Enterprises, Inc. Long-term Incentive Plan and the DXP Enterprises, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Option Plan, respectively. STOCK PERFORMANCE The following performance graph compares the performance of DXP Common Stock to the Dow Jones Industrial Services Index and the Nasdaq Composite (US). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in DXP Common Stock and in each index was $100 at December 31, 1997, and that all dividends were reinvested. [GRAPH] TOTAL RETURN ANALYSIS 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99 12/31/00 12/31/01 12/31/02 DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. $ 100 $ 59 $ 21 $ 5 $ 10 $ 9 DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL $ 100 $ 114 $ 148 $ 95 $ 96 $ 72 SERVICE INDEX NASDAQ COMPOSITE (US) $ 100 $ 140 $ 259 $ 157 $ 124 $ 85

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS DXP pays each non-employee director $1,000 per committee or board meeting attended, not to exceed $1,500 in the event two or more meetings occur on the same day. In addition, DXP reimburses travel expenses relating to service as a director. In 2002, Messrs. Davis, Halter and Miller each received $4,500 for attendance at board and committee meetings. 7 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS In 1996, DXP entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Little. Such employment agreement expired on June 30, 2001. The Compensation Committee and Mr. Little expect to enter into another employment agreement within the next twelve months. DXP has entered into an employment agreement (the "McConnell Employment Agreement"), effective as of October 1, 2000, with Mac McConnell. The McConnell Employment Agreement is for a term of one year, renewable automatically for a one-year term. The McConnell Employment Agreement provides for (i) base salary ("Salary") in the minimum amount of $150,000 per annum, and (ii) other perquisites in accordance with DXP policy. The McConnell Employment Agreement provides for a bonus: Mr. McConnell is entitled to a quarterly bonus of three quarters of one percent of the quarterly profit before tax of DXP, excluding sales of fixed assets and extraordinary items. The aggregate of the quarterly bonuses in any one year may not exceed twice the annual base salary. In the event Mr. McConnell terminates his employment for "Good Reason" (as defined therein), or is terminated by DXP for other than "Cause" (as defined therein), he would receive (i) 12 monthly payments each equal to one month of the current Salary, (ii) a termination bonus equal to the previous four quarterly bonuses and (iii) any other payments due through the date of termination. In the event Mr. McConnell dies, becomes disabled, or terminates the McConnell Employment Agreement with notice or the McConnell Employment Agreement is terminated by DXP for Cause, Mr. McConnell or Mr. McConnell's estate, as applicable, would receive all payments then due him under the McConnell Employment Agreement through the date of termination. BENEFIT PLANS Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") During 2002 the ESOP was terminated and all assets of the ESOP were distributed to participants. Messrs. Little, McConnell, Wappler, and Vinson received distributions of 58,082, 45, 9,435 and 8,616 shares of DXP common stock, respectively. Long-Term Incentive Plan In August 1996, DXP established the Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"). The LTIP provides for the grant of stock options (which may be non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options for tax purposes), stock appreciation rights issued independent of or in tandem with such options, restricted stock awards and performance awards to certain key employees. The LTIP is administered by the Compensation Committee. As of January 1 of each year the LTIP is in effect, if the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, not including any shares issued under the LTIP, exceeds the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of January 1 of the preceding year, the number of shares available will be increased by an amount such that the total number of shares available for issuance under the LTIP equals 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, not including any shares issued under the LTIP. Lapsed, forfeited or canceled awards will not count against these limits. Cash exercises of SARs and cash settlement of other awards will also not be counted against these limits but the total number of SARs and other awards settled in cash shall not exceed the total number of shares authorized for issuance under the LTIP (without reduction for issuances). Based on the common shares presently outstanding, 330,000 shares are authorized to be issued under the LTIP. Employee Stock Option Plan The Board of Directors and shareholders approved the Employee Stock Option Plan in 1999. The purpose of the Employee Stock Option Plan is to provide those persons who have substantial responsibility for the management and growth of DXP with additional incentives by increasing their ownership interests in DXP. Individual awards under the Employee Stock Option Plan may take the form of either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options, the value of which is based in whole or in part upon the value of Common Stock. The Compensation Committee administers the Employee Stock Option Plan and selects the individuals who will receive awards and establishes the terms and conditions of those awards. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock authorized under the Employee Stock Option Plan is 500,000. 8 Director Stock Option Plan The Board of Directors adopted the Director Stock Option Plan on April 19, 1999, which was approved by the shareholders on June 8, 1999. The Director Stock Option Plan provides for (i) the grant of options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock to any new non-employee director on the date of his or her election and (ii) the automatic annual grant on July 1 of options to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock to non-employee directors. DXP currently has three non-employee directors, each of whom is eligible to receive grants under the Director Stock Option Plan. Under the terms of the Director Stock Option Plan, the exercise price of each option will be the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. Under the Director Stock Option Plan, an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Common Stock have been authorized and reserved for issuance to non-employee directors. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, Messrs. Davis, Halter, and Miller each received an option on July 1, 2002 to purchase 1,000 shares of DXP Common Stock, pursuant to the Director Stock Option Plan. TRANSACTIONS A company wholly owned by Mr. Wappler is reimbursed by DXP for Mr. Wappler's and other DXP employees' business use of a plane owned and operated by such company. During 2002, DXP reimbursed such company for an aggregate of $25,763 for business use of the plane during 2002. Mr. Vinson is the trustee of three trusts for the benefit of Mr. Little's children, each of which holds 570,932 shares of Common Stock and 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Mr. Vinson exercises sole voting and investment power over the shares held by such trusts. Mr. Little has personally guaranteed up to $500,000 of the obligations of DXP under its credit facility. Additionally, certain shares held in trust for Mr. Little's children are pledged to secure the credit facility. In previous years, the Board of Directors had approved DXP making advances and loans to Mr. Little. As of December 31, 2000, the outstanding advances and loans including accrued interest amounted to $763,897. During April 2001, the bank lender for the credit facility loaned $455,000 to DXP, which in turn was advanced to Mr. Little, who then retired his personal loan with the lender. During 2001 the advances and loans were consolidated into three notes receivable, each bearing interest at 3.97 percent per annum and due December 30, 2010. Accrued interest is due annually. The total balance of the notes was $1,251,238 at December 31, 2001 and 2002. During 2002 Mr. Little paid $49,674 of accrued interest to DXP. The notes are partially secured by 224,100 shares of DXP common stock, options to purchase 800,000 shares of DXP common stock and real estate. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The Audit Committee reports as follows: We have reviewed and discussed with management the Company's audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002. We have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Independence Standards Board, and have discussed with the auditors their independence. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Cletus Davis, Chairman Timothy P. Halter Kenneth H. Miller 9 RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Hein + Associates ("Hein") served as independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. The Audit Committee has recommended the retention of Hein as independent auditors for 2003. Representatives of Hein are expected to be present at the annual meeting of shareholders, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. AUDIT FEES Hein has billed us fees as set forth in the table below for (i) the audit of our 2002 annual financial statements and reviews of our 2002 quarterly financial statements, (ii) financial information systems design and implementation work rendered in 2002 and (iii) all other services rendered in 2002. Audit Fees $92,162 Financial Information Systems Design And implementation Fees $ -0- All Other Fees $32,625

All Other Fees consist of federal and state tax compliance services. The Audit Committee has determined the provision of services relating to All Other Fees described above is compatible with maintaining the independence of Hein. SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Section 16(a)"), requires the that DXP's officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of DXP equity securities to file statements on Form 3, Form 4, and Form 5 of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports which they file. Based solely on a review of copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations from reporting persons that no other reports were required, we believe that all filing requirements were met during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING Any proposals of shareholders intended to be included in DXP's proxy statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by DXP at its principal executive offices, 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas 77040, no later than January 2, 2004, in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. For any proposal of a shareholder intended to be presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders but not included in DXP's proxy statement for such meeting, the shareholder must provide notice to DXP of the proposal no later than May 1, 2004. These requirements are separate and apart from and in addition to the requirements of federal securities laws with which a shareholder must comply to have a shareholder proposal included in DXP's Proxy Statement under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. OTHER MATTERS We know of no other matters that may come before the meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred to above should properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment. The cost of solicitation of proxies in the accompanying form will be paid by DXP. In addition to solicitation by use of the mails, certain directors, officers or employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for the solicitation of proxies, may solicit the return of proxies by telephone, telegram or personal interview. 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. PROXY - ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS JUNE 3, 2003 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned holder of Common Stock of DXP Enterprises, Inc. ("DXP") hereby appoints David R. Little and Mac McConnell, or either of them, proxies of the undersigned with full power of substitution, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of DXP to be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at 9:00 a.m., Houston time, at the offices of DXP, 7272 Pinemont, Houston, Texas 77040, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, the number of votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast if personally present. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. (continued and to be signed on other side) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: FOR all of the nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [ ] (except as indicated to the contrary to vote for election below) of directors NOMINEES: David R. Little, Cletus Davis, Timothy P. Halter, and Kenneth H. Miller. (Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the space provided below.) -------------------------------------------------- (2) In their discretion, the above-named proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business As may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof and upon matters incident to the conduct of the meeting. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED IN ITEM 1, OR IF ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES BECOMES UNAVAILABLE, FOR ANOTHER NOMINEE OR OTHER NOMINEES TO BE SELECTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND FOR THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH IN ITEM 2. Signature of Shareholder(s) Date , 2003. -------------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners must each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as such. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------