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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For quarterly period ended June 30, 2022
or
 Transition Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from              to             

Commission file Number: 0-10546 
DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-2229304
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 900,
Chicago,Illinois 60631
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(773) 304-5050
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $1.00 par valueDSGRNASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer¨Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $1 par value, as of August 1, 2022 was 19,444,740.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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Table of Contents
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. The terms “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplates,” “continues,” “could,” “ensure,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “if,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, intentions or beliefs and are subject to a number of factors, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences or that might otherwise impact our business, financial condition and results of operations include:

inventory obsolescence;
work stoppages and other disruptions at transportation centers or shipping ports;
TestEquity Acquisition, LLC's ("TestEquity's") reliance on a significant supplier for a significant amount of its product inventory;
changes in our customers, product mix and pricing strategy;
disruptions of our information and communication systems;
cyber attacks or other information security incidents;
the inability to successfully recruit, integrate and retain productive sales representatives;
failure to retain talented employees, managers and executives;
the inability of management to successfully implement changes in operating processes;
the inability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our organization;
competition in the markets in which we operate;
changes that affect governmental and other tax-supported entities;
our significant amount of indebtedness;
failure to adequately fund our operating and working capital needs through cash generated from operations and cash available through our credit facility;
failure to meet the covenant requirements of our credit facility;
prolonged periods of inflation could require government efforts to combat inflation which could lead to higher financing costs;
declines in the market price of our common stock;
Luther King Capital Management Corporation’s significant influence over the Company in light of its ownership percentage;
violations of environmental protection regulations;
changes in tax matters;
the COVID-19 pandemic;
the issuance of additional shares of our common stock in accordance with the earnout provisions of the Merger Agreements (as defined herein) to entities affiliated with Luther King Capital Management Corporation in connection with the Mergers (as defined herein);
any difficulties in integrating the business operations of TestEquity and 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., conducting business as Gexpro Services ("Gexpro Services") respective businesses with our legacy Lawson operations, and/or the failure to successfully combine those operations within our expected timetable;
business uncertainties as a result of the Mergers;
incurrence of additional transaction costs in connection with the Mergers;
any inaccuracies in the Company’s estimates and judgments related to the acquisition accounting models used to record the purchase price allocation in connection with the Mergers;
potential impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets;
risks arising from TestEquity’s and Gexpro Services’ international operations subjecting us to new and additional legal and regulatory regimes;
stockholder litigation relating to the Mergers;
limitations on our ability to use our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes generated prior to the Mergers;
TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services may not have in place the financial organization, reporting and internal controls necessary for a public company;
a downturn in the economy or in certain sectors of the economy;
changes in energy costs, tariffs and the cost of raw materials used in our products, and other inflationary pressures;
supply chain constraints, inflationary pressure and labor shortages;
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foreign currency exchange rate changes; and
all other factors discussed in the Company’s “Risk Factors” section set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such factors, assumptions and uncertainties or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Table of Contents
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$17,872 $14,671 
Restricted cash194 — 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,058 and $2,473, respectively
168,247 80,574 
Inventories, net250,696 132,717 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets30,801 8,098 
Total current assets467,810 236,060 
Property, plant and equipment, net64,958 9,079 
Rental equipment, net26,108 24,727 
Goodwill355,440 106,145 
Deferred tax asset267 266 
Intangible assets, net242,926 96,608 
Cash value of life insurance17,537 — 
Right of use assets47,055 19,662 
Other assets4,095 747 
Total assets$1,226,196 $493,294 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$93,191 $47,958 
Current portion of long-term debt16,495 134,405 
Current portion of lease obligation10,487 4,641 
Earnout derivative liability23,000 — 
Related party payables— 4,813 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities58,310 23,126 
Total current liabilities201,483 214,943 
Long-term debt, less current portion, net389,279 93,134 
Security bonus plan10,163 — 
Deferred compensation10,827 — 
Lease obligation38,652 16,132 
Deferred tax liability30,446 2,742 
Other liabilities3,518 574 
Total liabilities684,368 327,525 
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value:
Authorized - 500,000 shares, issued and outstanding — None
— — 
Common stock, $1 par value:
Authorized - 35,000,000 shares
Issued - 19,694,145 and 10,542,333 shares, respectively
Outstanding - 19,443,982 and 10,294,824 shares, respectively
19,468 10,318 
Capital in excess of par value573,649 197,057 
Retained deficit(40,394)(33,142)
Treasury stock – 250,163 and 247,509 shares, respectively
(10,144)(10,033)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income(751)1,569 
Total stockholders’ equity541,828 165,769 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,226,196 $493,294 
See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
5


Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2022202120222021
Revenue$321,336 $134,152 $475,421 $258,979 
Cost of goods sold206,781 100,411 319,982 194,991 
Gross profit114,555 33,741 155,439 63,988 
Selling, general and administrative expenses110,442 28,273 148,338 56,267 
Operating income4,113 5,468 7,101 7,721 
Interest expense(3,751)(4,262)(10,607)(8,506)
Loss on extinguishment of debt(2,814)— (3,395)— 
Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability(5,693)— (5,693)— 
Other (expense) income, net(182)(186)774 (254)
(Loss) income before income taxes(8,327)1,020 (11,820)(1,039)
Income tax (benefit) expense(3,612)559 (4,568)390 
Net (loss) income$(4,715)$461 $(7,252)$(1,429)
Basic (loss) income per share of common stock$(0.23)$0.04 $(0.47)$(0.14)
Diluted (loss) income per share of common stock$(0.23)$0.04 $(0.47)$(0.14)
Comprehensive (loss) income
Net (loss) income$(4,715)$461 $(7,252)$(1,429)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Loss on foreign currency translation(2,491)(171)(2,320)(3)
Comprehensive (loss) income$(7,206)$290 $(9,572)$(1,432)

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
6


Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

Common StockCapital in Excess of Par ValueAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total Stockholders' Equity
Outstanding Shares
$1 Par Value
Retained EarningsTreasury Stock
Balance at December 31, 202110,294,824 $10,318 $197,057 $(33,142)$(10,033)$1,569 $165,769 
Net loss— — — (2,537)— — (2,537)
Gain for foreign currency translation— — — — — 171 171 
Shares issued6,065 (6)— — — — 
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards(889)— 33 — (33)— — 
Other— — (95)— — — (95)
Balance at March 31, 202210,300,000 $10,324 $196,989 $(35,679)$(10,066)$1,740 $163,308 
Net loss— — — (4,715)— — (4,715)
Loss for foreign currency translation— — — — — (2,491)(2,491)
Stock-based compensation— — 573 — — — 573 
Shares issued25,682 24 (24)— — — — 
Deemed consideration for reverse acquisition9,120,167 9,120 342,371 — — — 351,491 
Reclassification of issuable shares from earnout derivative liability— — 26,593 — — — 26,593 
Fair value adjustment of stock-based compensation awards— — 1,910 — — — 1,910 
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards(1,867)— — — (78)— (78)
Settlement of related party liability— — 5,276 — — — 5,276 
Other— — (39)— — — (39)
Balance at June 30, 202219,443,982 $19,468 $573,649 $(40,394)$(10,144)$(751)$541,828 

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
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Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Common StockCapital in Excess of Par ValueAccumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeTotal Stockholders' Equity
Outstanding Shares
$1 Par Value
Retained EarningsTreasury Stock
Balance at December 31, 202010,233,223 $10,233 $180,609 $(28,090)$(9,015)$1,511 $155,248 
Net loss— — — (1,890)— — (1,890)
Gain for foreign currency translation— — — — — 168 168 
Shares issued6,523 (6)— — — — 
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards(303)— 13 — (13)— — 
Balance at March 31, 202110,239,443 $10,239 $180,616 $(29,980)$(9,028)$1,679 $153,526 
Net income— — — 461 — — 461 
Loss for foreign currency translation— — — — — (171)(171)
Shares issued12,383 12 (12)— — — — 
Balance at June 30, 202110,251,826 $10,251 $180,604 $(29,519)$(9,028)$1,508 $153,816 

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
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Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30,
 20222021
Operating activities
Net loss$(7,252)$(1,429)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization22,335 8,921 
Amortization of debt issue costs421 598 
Extinguishment of debt3,395 — 
Stock-based compensation4,013 — 
Deferred income taxes(420)(58)
Change in fair value of earnout liability5,693 — 
Gain on sale of rental equipment(1,821)(836)
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory1,377 578 
Bad debt expense244 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(27,639)2,047 
Inventories, net(28,983)(6,562)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(13,777)2,137 
Accounts payable(5,254)5,628 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities9,957 (2,060)
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities(1,832)(56)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities(39,543)8,912 
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(3,410)(2,561)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired(113,781)(6,501)
Purchases of rental equipment(4,878)(5,799)
Proceeds from sale of rental equipment6,783 2,772 
Net cash used in investing activities(115,286)(12,089)
Financing activities
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit166,200 18,401 
Payments on revolving lines of credit(67,687)(7,200)
Proceeds from term loans377,552 — 
Payments on term loans(307,490)(7,446)
Deferred financing costs(11,415)— 
Shares repurchased held in treasury(78)— 
Payment of financing lease principal(39)— 
Net cash provided by financing activities157,043 3,755 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents1,181 25 
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash3,395 603 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period14,671 10,399 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$18,066 $11,002 
Cash and cash equivalents$17,872 $11,002 
Restricted cash194 — 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$18,066 $11,002 

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


9


Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30,
 20222021
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Net cash paid for income taxes6,267 425 
Net cash paid for interest10,600 8,034 
Non-cash activities:
Fair value of common stock exchanged for reverse acquisition351,491 — 
Settlement of related party obligations5,276 — 
Additions of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable135 67 

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1 — Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Effective May 5, 2022, Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. ("DSG"), a Delaware corporation, changed its corporate name from “Lawson Products, Inc.” to “Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.” DSG is a global specialty distribution company providing value added distribution solutions to the maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO"), original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") and industrial technology markets. DSG has three principal operating companies: Lawson Products, Inc. ("Lawson"), TestEquity Acquisition, LLC ("TestEquity") and 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., conducting business as Gexpro Services ("Gexpro Services"). The complementary distribution operations of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services were combined for the purpose of creating a specialty distribution company. A summary of the Mergers (as defined below), including the legal entities party to the transactions and the stock consideration, is presented below.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “DSG”, the “Company”, "we", "our" or "us" refer to the holding company, Distribution Solutions Group, Inc., and all entities consolidated in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Business Combination Background

On December 29, 2021, DSG entered into an:

• Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “TestEquity Merger Agreement”) by and among (i) LKCM TE Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “TestEquity Equityholder”), (ii) TestEquity Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the TestEquity Equityholder (“TestEquity”), (iii) DSG and (iv) Tide Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSG (“Merger Sub 1”), pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of which the parties agreed, among other things, that Merger Sub 1 would merge with and into TestEquity, with TestEquity surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSG (the “TestEquity Merger”); and

• Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Gexpro Services Merger Agreement” and, together with the TestEquity Merger Agreement, the “Merger Agreements”) by and among (i) 301 HW Opus Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Gexpro Services Stockholder”), (ii) 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Gexpro Services Stockholder (“Gexpro Services”), (iii) DSG and (iv) Gulf Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSG (“Merger Sub 2”), pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of which the parties agreed, among other things, that Merger Sub 2 would merge with and into Gexpro Services, with Gexpro Services surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSG (the “Gexpro Services Merger” and, together with the TestEquity Merger, the “Mergers”).

Each outstanding share of TestEquity and Gexpro Services common stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger can be derived by converted into approximately 0.3618 shares and 0.7675 shares, respectively, of Company common stock.

Completion of the TestEquity Merger

On April 1, 2022, (the "Merger Date"), the TestEquity Merger was consummated pursuant to the TestEquity Merger Agreement.

In accordance with and under the terms of the TestEquity Merger Agreement, at the closing of the TestEquity Merger, DSG: (i) issued to the TestEquity Equityholder 3,300,000 shares of DSG common stock, (ii) on behalf of TestEquity, paid certain indebtedness of TestEquity and (iii) on behalf of TestEquity, paid certain transaction expenses of TestEquity.

The TestEquity Merger Agreement provides that an additional 700,000 shares of DSG common stock (the “TestEquity Holdback Shares”) may be issued to the TestEquity Equityholder or forfeited in accordance with two earnout provisions of the TestEquity Merger Agreement. The amount of TestEquity Holdback Shares issuable under the first earnout opportunity is based on, among other factors, the consummation of a certain additional acquisition by TestEquity during the period beginning after December 29, 2021 and ending 90 days after the Merger Date. If any TestEquity Holdback Shares remain after the calculation of the first earnout opportunity, there is a second earnout opportunity based on, among other factors, the increase in TestEquity EBITDA (as defined in the TestEquity Merger Agreement) in calendar year 2022 over calendar year 2021 subject to the
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calculations within the TestEquity Merger Agreement. As of June 30, 2022, 700,000 TestEquity Holdback Shares are expected to be issued under the first earnout opportunity due to the consummation of the certain additional acquisition as referenced in the TestEquity Merger Agreement and were remeasured and reclassified to equity at April 29, 2022 when the additional acquisition was consummated. Refer to Note 11 - Earnout Derivative Liability for information about the earnout derivative liability related to the TestEquity Holdback Shares.

Completion of the Gexpro Services Merger

On the Merger Date, the Gexpro Services Merger was consummated pursuant to the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement.

In accordance with and under the terms of the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Gexpro Services Merger, DSG: (i) issued to the Gexpro Services Stockholder 7,000,000 shares of DSG common stock, (ii) on behalf of Gexpro Services, paid certain indebtedness of Gexpro Services and (iii) on behalf of Gexpro Services, paid certain specified transaction expenses of Gexpro Services.

The Gexpro Services Merger Agreement provides that an additional 1,000,000 shares of DSG common stock (the “Gexpro Services Holdback Shares”) may be issued to the Gexpro Services Stockholder or forfeited in accordance with two earnout provisions of the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement. The amount of Gexpro Services Holdback Shares issuable under the first earnout opportunity is based on, among other factors, the consummation of one or more of three certain additional acquisitions by Gexpro Services during the period beginning after December 29, 2021 and ending 90 days after the Merger Date. If any Gexpro Services Holdback Shares remain after the calculation of the first earnout opportunity, there is a second earnout opportunity based on, among other factors, the increase in Gexpro Services EBITDA (as defined in the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement) in calendar year 2022 over calendar year 2021 subject to the calculations within the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement. As of April 1, 2022, approximately 538,000 Gexpro Services Holdback Shares were expected to be issued under the first earnout opportunity due to the consummation of the certain additional acquisitions which were completed prior to the Merger Date. The fair value of the remaining 462,000 Gexpro Services Holdback Shares available under the second earnout opportunity are included in Earnout derivative liability in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Final issuance of the Gexpro Services Holdback Shares under the second earnout opportunity is subject to certain terms and conditions as specified in the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement. Refer to Note 11 - Earnout Derivative Liability for information about the earnout derivative liability related to the Gexpro Services Holdback Shares.

TestEquity and Gexpro Services were treated as a combined entity as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes, and DSG was identified as the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, periods prior to the Merger Date reflect the results of operations and financial position of TestEquity and Gexpro Services on a consolidated basis, and the results of operations of DSG's legacy Lawson business are only included subsequent to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date.

Nature of Operations

A summary of the nature of operations for each of DSG's operating companies is presented below. Information regarding DSG's reportable segments is presented in Note 19 - Segment Information.

Lawson sells and distributes specialty products to the industrial, commercial, institutional and government MRO market and uses sales representatives to provide Vendor Managed Inventory ("VMI") services to Lawson's customers. Through The Bolt Supply House business, customers in Western Canada have access to products at 14 branch locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia, Canada. Under its Kent Automotive brand, Lawson provides collision and mechanical repair products to the automotive aftermarket. Lawson ships from several strategically located distribution centers to customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

TestEquity is a distributor of test and measurement equipment and solutions, electronic production supplies, and tool kits from its leading manufacturer partners supporting the technology, aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, education, and medical industries. TestEquity operates primarily through four brands, TestEquity, TEquipment, Jensen Tools and Techni-Tool. TestEquity also designs a full line of environmental test chambers.

Gexpro Services is a provider of supply chain solutions, specializing in developing and implementing VMI and kitting programs to high-specification manufacturing customers. Gexpro Services provides critical products and services to customers throughout the lifecycle of highly technical Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products.

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Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The Mergers were accounted for as a reverse merger under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the accounting guidance for reverse acquisitions as provided in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"). Under this guidance, TestEquity and Gexpro Services were treated as a combined entity as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes, and DSG was identified as the accounting acquiree. This determination was primarily made as TestEquity and Gexpro Services were under the common control of an entity that owns a majority of the voting rights of the combined entity, and therefore, only DSG experienced a change in control. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 reflect the results of operations and financial position of TestEquity and Gexpro Services on a consolidated basis, and the results of operations of DSG's legacy Lawson business are only included subsequent to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date.

The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, except for Gexpro Services, operate on a calendar year-end. Gexpro Services operates on a calendar year-end for annual reporting purposes. However, quarterly financial statements for Gexpro Services are prepared on financial close dates that may differ from that of the Company. The consolidated financial statement impact of the two day difference arising from the different period ends for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was not material. The Company utilizes the exchange rates in effect at Gexpro Services’ reporting date and the appropriate weighted-average rate for its fiscal reporting period.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of DSG have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all disclosures required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the TestEquity Acquisition, LLC and 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc. audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on June 15, 2022, and the Lawson Products, Inc. audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in DSG's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2021. All normal recurring adjustments have been made that are necessary to fairly state the results of operations for the interim periods. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition — The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated through the sale of a broad range of specialized products and components, with revenue recognized upon transfer of control, title and risk of loss, which is generally upon shipment. VMI service revenue represents less than 5% of total revenue and is recognized as the services are performed. The Company offers VMI services only in conjunction with product sales. The Company does not bill product sales and services separately. A portion of selling expenses is allocated to cost of sales for reporting purposes based upon the estimated time spent on such services. A portion of service revenue and cost of service is deferred, as not all services are performed in the same period as billed. The Company includes shipping costs billed to customers in revenue and the related shipping costs in cost of goods and services. The Company accrues for returns based on historical evidence of return rates. The Company has adopted the practical expedient within ASC 340 to recognize incremental costs to obtain a contract, primarily employee related costs, as expense when incurred since the amortization period of the asset that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. The Company also operates as a lessor and recognizes lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of each lease. The Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate the non-lease components that would be within the scope of ASC 606 from the associated lease component as the relevant criteria under ASC 842 are met.

Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of the Company’s cash equivalents at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 approximates fair value.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filings, substantial down-grading of credit ratings), a specific reserve for bad debts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes reserves for bad debts based on the Company’s historical experience of bad debt write-offs as a percent of accounts receivable outstanding. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected
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material adverse change in a major customer's ability to meet its financial obligations), the estimates of the recoverability of amounts due the Company could be revised.

Inventories — Inventories principally consist of finished goods stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in-first-out method for the Lawson and TestEquity segments and weighted average for the Gexpro Services segment. To reduce the cost basis of inventory to a lower of cost or net realizable value, a reserve is recorded for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on historical experience and monitoring of current inventory activity. Estimates are used to determine the necessity of recording these reserves based on periodic detailed analysis using both qualitative and quantitative factors. As part of this analysis, the Company considers several factors including the inventories length of time on hand, historical sales, product shelf life, product life cycle, product category and product obsolescence.

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is computed primarily by the straight-line method for buildings, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and vehicles. The Company estimates useful lives of 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, the shorter of the useful life of the assets or term of the underlying leases for leasehold improvements, and 2 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and vehicles. Capitalized software is amortized over estimated useful lives of 3 to 5 years using the straight-line method. The costs of repairs, maintenance and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. Amortization of financing and capital leases is included in depreciation expense. When property, plant and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the income from operations.

Rental Equipment — Rental equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expense is computed primarily by the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 7 years. Upon sale or retirement of such assets, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and gains or losses are reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. The costs of repairs, maintenance and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. When rental equipment is retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and any gain or loss is included in the income from operations.

Cash Value of Life Insurance — The Company invests funds in life insurance policies for certain current and former employees. The cash surrender value of the policies is invested in various investment instruments and is recorded as an asset on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company records these policies at their contractual value. The change in the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies, which is recorded as a component of General and administrative expenses in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income, is the change in the policies' contractual values.

Deferred Compensation — The Company’s Executive Deferral Plan (“Deferral Plan”) allows certain executives to defer payment of a portion of their earned compensation. The deferred compensation is recorded in an account balance, which is a bookkeeping entry made by the Company to measure the amount due to the participant. The account balance is equal to the participant’s deferred compensation, adjusted for increases and/or decreases in the amount that the participant has designated to one or more bookkeeping portfolios that track the performance of certain mutual funds. The Company adjusts the deferred compensation liability to equal the contractual value of the participants’ account balances. These adjustments are the changes in contractual value of the individual plans and are recorded as a component of General and administrative expenses in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Stock-Based Compensation Compensation based on the share value of the Company’s common stock is valued at its fair value at the grant date and the expense is recognized over the vesting period. Fair value is re-measured each reporting period for liability-classified awards that may be redeemable in cash. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based compensation in the period in which they occur.

Goodwill — The Company had $355.4 million of goodwill at June 30, 2022 and $106.1 million of goodwill at December 31, 2021. Goodwill represents the cost of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company reviews goodwill for potential impairment annually on October 1st, or when an event or other circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value.

The first step in the multi-step process to determine if goodwill has been impaired and to what degree is to review the relevant qualitative factors that could cause the fair value of the reporting unit to decrease below the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company considers factors such as macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant factors that would affect the individual reporting units. If the Company determines that
14


it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value of the reporting unit, then no further impairment testing is needed. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company will move to the next step in the process. The Company will estimate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the reporting unit's carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will record an impairment of goodwill equal to the amount the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of goodwill previously recognized.

Intangible Assets — The Company's intangible assets primarily consist of trade names and customer relationships. Intangible assets are amortized over a weighted average of 8 to 15 year and 9 to 20 year estimated useful lives for trade names and customer relationships, respectively. The Company amortizes trade name intangible assets on a straight-line basis and customer relationship intangible assets on a basis consistent with their estimated economic benefit.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite life intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the assets carrying amount to their expected future undiscounted net cash flows. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. No impairments occurred in the first six months of 2022 or during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets or liabilities reflect temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance is established to offset any deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not (i.e. greater than 50% likely) that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the amount of a valuation allowance to be provided on recorded deferred tax assets involves estimates regarding (1) the timing and amount of the reversal of taxable temporary differences, (2) expected future taxable income, (3) the impact of tax planning strategies and (4) the ability to carry back deferred tax assets to offset prior taxable income. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results, projections of future taxable income and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. The projections of future taxable income include a number of estimates and assumptions regarding our volume, pricing and costs. Additionally, valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be impacted by changes to tax laws. Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions as well as deferred tax asset and liability balances, including the estimation of valuation allowances and the evaluation of uncertain tax positions.

Earnings from the Company's foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. A distribution of these non-U.S. earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise would subject the Company to foreign withholding taxes and may subject the Company to U.S. federal and state taxes.

The Company recognizes the benefit of tax positions when a benefit is more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likely) to be sustained on its technical merits. Recognized tax benefits are measured at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained, based on cumulative probability, in final settlement of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of Income tax expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Leases — Leases are categorized as either operating or financing leases at commencement of the lease. For both classes of leases, a Right Of Use ("ROU") asset and corresponding lease liability are recognized at commencement of the lease. Operating leases consist of the Company headquarters, distribution and service centers, and Bolt branches. Financing leases consist of equipment such as forklifts and copiers. The value of the lease assets and liabilities are the present value of the total cash payments for each lease. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to discount the total cash payments to present value for each lease. The Company reviews each lease to determine if there is a more appropriate discount rate to apply. Upon commencement of the lease, rent expense is recognized on a straight line basis for each operating lease. Each financing lease ROU asset is amortized on a straight line basis over the lease period. TestEquity and the Lawson Partsmaster business have equipment leasing programs for customers. These leases are classified as operating leases. The leased equipment is recognized in Rental equipment, net in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the leasing revenue is recognized on a straight line basis.

Earnings per Share — Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and, if dilutive, common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution from the exercise or conversion of outstanding performance awards, stock options, market stock
15


units and restricted stock awards into common stock. The dilutive effect of these common stock equivalents is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Contingently issuable shares are considered outstanding common shares and included in basic EPS as of the date that all necessary conditions have been satisfied (i.e., when issuance of the shares is no longer contingent). For diluted EPS, the contingently issuable shares should be included in the denominator of the diluted EPS calculation as of the beginning of the interim period in which the conditions are satisfied and the earnout arrangements have been resolved.

For the reverse acquisition period prior to April 1, 2022, the Company calculates the basic EPS for each comparative period before the acquisition date presented in the consolidated financial statements by dividing the income of the accounting acquirer attributable to common shareholders in each of those periods by the accounting acquirer’s historical weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The Company calculates the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator of the EPS calculation), including the equity interests issued by the legal acquirer to effect the reverse acquisition, as; the number of common shares outstanding from the beginning of that period to the acquisition date computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares of the accounting acquirer outstanding during the period multiplied by an exchange ratio derived from the shares exchanged at the Merger Date.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 no options to purchase shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because none of the options were in the money.

Foreign Currency — The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. All balance sheet amounts are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the applicable period end. Components of income or loss are translated using the average exchange rate for each reporting period.

Gains and losses resulting from changes in the exchange rates from translation of the subsidiary accounts in local currency to U.S. dollars are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses resulting from the effect of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included as a component of net income or loss upon settlement of the transaction.

Gains and losses resulting from foreign intercompany transactions are included as a component of net income or loss each reporting period unless the transactions are of a long-term-investment nature and settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, in which case the gains and losses are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Treasury Stock — The Company repurchased 2,756 of its common stock in 2022 from employees upon the vesting of restricted stock to offset the income taxes owed by those employees. The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of stockholders’ equity. The cost of the common stock repurchased and held in treasury was $0.08 million in 2022.

Segment Information — The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company’s chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer of DSG. The CODM reviews the financial performance and the results of operations of the segments when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company.

The Company has determined it has four operating segments: (i) Lawson, (ii) Gexpro Services, (iii) TestEquity and (iv) All Other. The Company’s three reportable segments include (i) Lawson, (ii) Gexpro Services and (iii) TestEquity. The Company’s CODM reviews the operating results of these reportable segments for the purpose of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.

There are no intersegment revenues. The reporting segments follow the same accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Please see Note 19 - Segment Information for further details.

Acquisitions — The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition
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date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions for the purchase price allocation process to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.

Fair Value Measurements — The Company applies the guidance in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements to account for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, may be derived from internally developed methodologies based on management's best estimate of fair value and that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability

The carrying amount of accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other working capital balances are considered a reasonable estimate of their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of debt is also considered to be a reasonable estimate of the fair value based on the nature of the debt and that the debt bears interest at the prevailing market rate for instruments with similar characteristics. The Company’s earnout derivative liability is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and was estimated using Level 3 inputs.

Earnout Derivative Liability — The Company recorded an earnout derivative liability for the future contingent equity shares related to the TestEquity Holdback Shares and the Gexpro Services Holdback Shares provisions within the Merger Agreements. The contingently issuable shares are not indexed to the common stock of the Company and, therefore, are accounted for as liability classified instruments in accordance with ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, as the events that determine the number of contingently issuable shares required to be released or issued, as the case may be, include events that are not solely indexed to the fair value of common stock of the Company. The contingently issuable shares were initially measured at the Merger Date and are subsequently measured at each reporting date until settled, or when they meet the criteria for equity classification. Changes in the fair value of the earnout derivative liability are recorded as a component of Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

The Company reassesses the classification of these derivative liabilities for earnout arrangements each balance sheet date. If the contingencies are resolved for the issuable shares, the earnout derivative liability is reclassified from the liability to equity as of the date of the event that caused the contingencies were met. The earnout derivative liability is measured at fair value immediately prior to the reclassification to equity. If the earnout derivative liability is reclassified from a liability to equity, gains or losses recorded to account for the liability at fair value during the period that the contract was classified as a liability are not reversed.

The contingently issuable shares are included in the denominator of the basic earnings per share calculation as of the date that all necessary conditions have been satisfied (i.e., when issuance of the shares is no longer contingent). For diluted earnings per share, the contingently issuable shares are included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation as of the beginning of the interim period in which the conditions are satisfied and the earnout arrangements have been resolved. See Note 15 - Earnings Per Share for further information.

Use of Estimates — Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for service revenue, service cost, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, goodwill and intangible assets valuation, and income taxes in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which revises the requirements for how an entity should measure credit losses on financial instruments. The pronouncement is effective for smaller reporting companies in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and the new guidance will be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is still evaluating the effect the adoption of the new standard will have on its financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. The pronouncement is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the effect the adoption of the new standard will have on its financial statements.

Note 3 - Business Acquisitions

Completion of Mergers

On April 1, 2022, the Mergers were completed via all-stock merger transactions. Pursuant to the Merger Agreements, DSG issued an aggregate of 10.3 million shares of its common stock to the former owners of TestEquity and Gexpro Services. An additional 1.7 million shares of DSG common stock remain potentially issuable upon meeting the conditions of certain earnout provisions. Refer to Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation for further information regarding the Mergers.

The business combination of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services brings together three value added complementary distribution businesses. Lawson is a distributor of products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental MRO marketplace. TestEquity is a distributor of parts and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional and governmental electronics manufacturing and test and measurement market. Gexpro Services is a provider of supply chain solutions, specializing in developing and implementing VMI and kitting programs to high-specification manufacturing customers. Gexpro Services provides critical products and services to customers throughout the lifecycle of highly technical Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") products. Refer to Note 1- Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation for more information on the nature of operations for these businesses.

The Mergers were accounted for as a reverse merger under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, whereby TestEquity and Gexpro Services were identified as the accounting acquirers and were treated as a combined entity for financial reporting purposes, and DSG was identified as the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price was allocated to DSG's tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated acquisition-date fair values. These estimates were determined through established and generally accepted valuation techniques.

Allocation of Consideration Exchanged

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the estimated consideration exchanged was calculated as follows:
(in thousands, except share data)April 1, 2022
Number of DSG common shares exchanged9,120,167
DSG closing price per common stock on March 31, 2022$38.54 
Fair value of shares exchanged$351,491 
Other consideration(1)
1,910 
Total consideration exchanged$353,401 
(1)Fair value adjustment of stock-based compensation awards.

Due to the publicly traded nature of shares of DSG common stock, the equity issuance of shares of DSG common stock based on this value was considered to be a more reliable measurement of the fair market value of the transaction compared to the equity interests of the accounting acquirer.

The allocation of consideration exchanged to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed was based on estimated fair values as of the Merger Date. The fair values were determined based upon a preliminary valuation and the estimates and assumptions used in such valuation are pending completion and subject to change. Certain estimated
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values for the acquisition, including the valuation of intangibles and income taxes (including deferred taxes and associated valuation allowances), are not yet finalized, and the preliminary purchase price allocations are subject to change as the Company completes its analysis of the fair value at the date of acquisition. Goodwill generated from the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company will continue to obtain information necessary to finalize the fair values, which may differ materially from these preliminary estimates. The final valuation will be completed within the one-year measurement period ending March 31, 2023, and any measurement period adjustments will be applied in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined.

The preliminary allocation of consideration exchanged to the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Merger Date is summarized as follows:
(in thousands)Total
Current assets$148,308 
Property, plant and equipment57,053 
Right of use assets17,571 
Other intangible assets119,060 
Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax asset(26,237)
Other assets18,373 
Current liabilities(71,097)
Long-term obligations(25,722)
Lease and financing obligations(29,474)
Derivative earnout liability(43,900)
Goodwill189,466 
Total consideration exchanged$353,401 

The preliminary allocation of consideration exchanged to other intangible assets acquired is as follows:
(in thousands)Fair Value
Estimated Life
(in years)
Customer relationships$76,050 19
Trade names43,010 8
Total other intangible assets$119,060 

The Company incurred transaction costs related to the Mergers of $5.8 million and $7.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively and $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.

Pro Forma Information

The following table presents estimated unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information for DSG as if the Mergers and other acquisitions disclosed below occurred on January 1, 2021 for the 2022 acquisitions and January 1, 2020 for the 2021 acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma information reflects adjustments including amortization on acquired intangible assets, interest expense, and the related tax effects. This information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future results or the results that would have occurred had the Mergers been completed on the date indicated.
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)2022202120222021
Revenue$471,280 $299,854 $647,030 $454,895 
Net income6,056 8,081 4,560 14,431 

Other Acquisitions
TestEquity and Gexpro Services acquired other businesses during the first six months of 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021. The consideration exchanged for the acquired businesses included various combinations of cash, sellers notes, and forms of share based payments. The acquisitions were accounted for under ASC 805, the acquisition method of accounting. For each acquisition, the allocation of consideration exchanged to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was based on
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estimated acquisition-date fair values. Certain estimated values for the acquisitions, including the valuation of intangibles, contingent consideration, and income taxes (including deferred taxes and associated valuation allowances), are not yet finalized, and the preliminary purchase price allocations are subject to change as the Company completes its analysis of the fair value at the date of acquisition. The final valuations will be completed within the one-year measurement periods following the respective acquisition dates, and any adjustments will be recorded in the period in which the adjustments are determined.

During the first six months of 2022, TestEquity acquired Interworld Highway, LLC and National Test Equipment, and Gexpro Services acquired Resolux ApS ("Resolux") and Frontier Technologies Brewton, LLC and Frontier Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. ("Frontier"). The purchase consideration for each business acquired and the preliminary allocation of the consideration exchanged to the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is summarized below:
(in thousands)Interworld Highway LLCResoluxFrontierNational Test Equipment
Acquisition dateApril 29, 2022January 3, 2022March 31, 2022June 1, 2022Total
Current assets$15,018 $8,551 $3,299 $2,186 $29,054 
Property, plant and equipment313 459 1,065 642 2,479 
Right of use assets— 1,125 9,218 — 10,343 
Other intangible assets:
Customer relationships6,369 11,400 10,000 1,830 29,599 
Trade names4,600 6,100 3,300 — 14,000 
Other assets10 1,745 — — 1,755 
Accounts payable(8,856)(3,058)(1,359)(2,268)(15,541)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities— (939)(1,067)(1,169)(3,175)
Lease obligation— (1,125)(9,218)— (10,343)
Goodwill37,236 6,498 10,439 5,971 60,144 
Total purchase consideration exchanged, net of cash acquired$54,690 $30,756 $25,677 $7,192 $118,315 

The consideration for the Frontier acquisition includes a potential earn-out payment up to $3.0 million based upon the achievement of certain milestones and relative thresholds during the earn out measurement period which ends on December 31, 2024. The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement was classified within Level 3 and was determined using a probability-based scenario analysis approach. As of March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, the fair value of the earn-out was $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, with amounts recorded in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, TestEquity acquired MCS Test Group Limited ("MCS"), and Gexpro Services acquired Omni Fasteners Inc. ("Omni"), National Engineered Fasteners ("NEF") and State Industrial Supply ("SIS"). The accounting for the Omni and MCS acquisitions was complete as of June 30, 2022. Certain estimated values for the NEF and SIS acquisitions are preliminary, including goodwill, contingent consideration, and income taxes (including deferred taxes and associated valuation allowances). These values are subject to change as the Company completes its analysis of the fair value at the date of acquisition. The final valuations will be completed within the one-year measurement periods following the respective acquisition dates, and any adjustments will be recorded in the period in which the adjustments are determined.

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The purchase consideration for each business acquired during 2021 and the preliminary allocation of the consideration exchanged to the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is summarized below:
(in thousands)Omni
NEF(1)
SISMCS
Acquisition dateJune 8, 2021November 1, 2021December 31, 2021July 31, 2021Total
Current assets$2,259 $17,882 $3,541 $6,521 $30,203 
Property, plant and equipment600 589 125 — 1,314 
Right of use assets— 1,774 799 — 2,573 
Other intangible assets:
Customer relationships2,530 5,007 4,800 2,621 14,958 
Trade names200 2,503 1,500 41 4,244 
Other intangible assets— 380 — 389 
Other assets— 1,236 10 — 1,246 
Accounts payable(50)(3,506)(1,464)(2,523)(7,543)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities— (3,332)— (685)(4,017)
Lease obligation— (1,774)(799)(2,573)
Goodwill953 — 3,010 7,245 11,208 
Gain on bargain purchase— (1,363)— — (1,363)
Total purchase consideration exchanged, net of cash acquired$6,501 $19,016 $11,902 $13,220 $50,639 
(1)The consideration exchanged in the NEF acquisition included a shared-based payment valued at $2.8 million with the remainder of the payment in cash.    

A gain on bargain purchase related to the acquisition of NEF was recognized within Other income (expense), net in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income in the fourth quarter of 2021. The gain of $1.4 million was calculated as the excess of net assets recognized over the consideration transferred. The bargain purchase was primarily attributable to owners that were highly motivated to sell.

The Company incurred transaction costs related to the other acquisitions of $0.3 million and $1.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively and $0.8 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.

Other Acquisitions Pro Forma Information - The pro forma information for other acquisitions was included in the estimated unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information for DSG, which is presented above under Pro Forma Information.

Actual Results of Business Acquisitions

The following table presents actual results attributable to our business combinations that were included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the second quarter and first six months of 2022 and 2021. The results of DSG's legacy Lawson business are included only subsequent to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date, and the results for other acquisitions are only included subsequent to their respective acquisition dates provided above.
(in thousands)Three Months Ended June 30, 2022Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
LawsonOther AcquisitionsTotalLawsonOther AcquisitionsTotal
Revenue$123,670 $52,739 $176,409 $— $468 $468 
Net Income$3,084 $5,316 $8,400 $— $(335)$(335)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2022Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
LawsonOther AcquisitionsTotalLawsonOther AcquisitionsTotal
Revenue$123,670 $75,522 $199,192 $— $468 $468 
Net Income$3,084 $8,285 $11,369 $— $(335)$(335)

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Note 4 - Revenue Recognition

Under the definition of a contract as defined by ASC 606, the Company considers contracts to be created at the time an order to purchase product and services is agreed upon regardless of whether or not there is a written contract. Revenue from customers is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract are satisfied; this generally occurs with the delivery of products or services. Revenue from customers is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the delivery of goods or services. Contracts may last from one month to one year or more and may have renewal terms that extend indefinitely at the option of either party. Price is typically based on market conditions, competition, changes in the industry and product availability. Volumes fluctuate primarily as a result of customer demand and product availability. Consistent with the way the Company manages its businesses, the Company refers to sales under service agreements, which includes both goods (such as parts, equipment and equipment upgrades) and related services (such as monitoring, maintenance and repairs) as sales of “services,” which is an important part of the Company’s operations. The Company has no significant financing components in its contracts with customers. The Company records revenue net of certain taxes, such as sales taxes, that are assessed by governmental authorities on the Company’s customers.

The Company also operates as a lessor and recognizes lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of each lease. The Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate the non-lease components that would be within the scope of ASC 606 from the associated lease component as the relevant criteria under ASC 842 are met.

The Company does not incur significant costs to obtain contracts. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expenses. Sales of products and services to customers are invoiced and settled on a monthly basis. ASC 606 requires an entity to present a contract liability in instances where the customer is entitled to a volume rebate based on purchases made during the period. The Company is not usually subject to obligations for warranties, rebates, returns or refunds except in the case of rebates for select customers if pre-determined purchase thresholds are met as discussed for the TestEquity segment below. The Company does not typically receive payment in advance of satisfying its obligations under the terms of its sales contracts with customers; therefore, liabilities related to such payment are not significant to the Company. Accounts receivable represents the Company’s unconditional right to receive consideration from its customers.

Lawson Segment

The Lawson segment has two distinct performance obligations offered to its customers: a product performance obligation and a service performance obligation, and accordingly, two separate revenue streams. Although Lawson has identified that it offers its customers both a product and a service obligation, the customer only receives one invoice per transaction with no price allocation between these obligations. Lawson does not price its offerings based on any allocation between these obligations.

Lawson generates revenue primarily from the sale of MRO products to its customers. Revenue related to product sales is recognized at the time that control of the product has been transferred to the customer; either at the time the product is shipped or the time the product has been received by the customer. Lawson does not commit to long-term contracts to sell customers a certain minimum quantity of products.

Lawson offers a VMI service proposition to its customers. A portion of these services, primarily related to stocking of product and maintenance of the MRO inventory, is provided over a short period of time after control of the purchased product has been transferred to the customer. Since certain obligations pursuant to the VMI service agreement have not been provided at the time the control of the product transfers to the customer, that portion of expected consideration is deferred until the time that those services have been provided and the related performance obligations have been satisfied.

Gexpro Services Segment

Gexpro Services’ contracts with customers generally represent a single performance obligation to sell its products. Revenue from sales of Gexpro Services’ products are recognized upon transfer of control to the customer, which is typically when the product has been shipped from its distribution facilities. The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which Gexpro Services expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. Revenue is recorded based on the transaction price, which includes fixed consideration and an estimate of variable consideration such as, early payment/volume discounts and rebates. The amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price is constrained and is included only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

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Gexpro Services’ products are marketed and sold primarily to original equipment manufacturers globally. Sales of products are subject to economic conditions and may fluctuate based on changes in the industry, trade policies and financial markets. Payment terms on invoiced amounts range from 10 to 120 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of the right to invoice, the Company has determined that a significant financing component does not exist.

TestEquity Segment

TestEquity’s contracts with customers generally represent a single performance obligation to sell its products. Revenues from contracts with customers reflect the transaction prices for contracts reduced by variable consideration. TestEquity provides a rebate to select customers if pre-determined purchase thresholds are met. The rebate consideration is not in exchange for a distinct good or service. Variable consideration is estimated using the expected-value method considering all reasonably available information, including TestEquity’s historical experience and current expectations, and is reflected in the transaction price when sales are recorded. Sales returns are generally accepted by TestEquity, however, sales returns are not material to the Company’s operations. TestEquity provides an assurance type warranty which is not sold separately and does not represent a separate performance obligation. Contractual rebate obligations were $0.1 million at June 30, 2022, and are expected to be paid or expire in their entirety during fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

TestEquity generates revenue from contracts with customers through the sale of new and used electronic test and measurement products. Typically, TestEquity has a purchase order or master service agreement with the customer that specifies the goods and/or services to be provided. TestEquity generally invoices customers as goods are shipped. Fees are typically due and payable 30 days after date of shipment. Generally, customers gain control of the goods upon providing the product to the carrier, or when services are completed. For the majority of transactions, TestEquity recognizes revenue at the time of shipment, when control passes to the customer. For consigned inventory, revenue is recognized when inventory is removed from TestEquity’s stock location and control passes to the customer.

The Company has elected not to disclose the disaggregated components of revenue and cost of sales in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income and in the related notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Disaggregated revenue by geographic area (based on the location to which the product is shipped to):
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)2022202120222021
United States$261,071 $120,020 $386,327 $233,420 
Canada36,372 4,145 46,169 7,789 
Europe9,889 2,517 17,971 3,517 
Pacific Rim5,585 3,367 10,624 6,435 
Latin America6,949 2,621 11,794 4,821 
Other1,470 1,482 2,536 2,997 
Total revenue$321,336 $134,152 $475,421 $258,979 

Rental Revenues

TestEquity rents new and used electronic test and measurement equipment, to customers in many industries. These leases are classified as operating leases. Rental equipment is included in Rental equipment, net in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and rental revenues is included in Revenue in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. Rental revenues are recognized in the month they are due on the accrual basis of accounting. The unearned portion of rental payments received is accrued as deferred revenue. The TestEquity rental program generated $3.2 million and $2.6 million of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively and $6.8 million and $5.4 million of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unearned rental revenue related to customer prepayments on equipment leases of $0.4 million at June 30, 2022 and $0.5 million at December 31, 2021, which is included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, is expected to be earned in its entirety during the next twelve months.

Lawson leases parts washer machines to customers through its Torrents leasing program. These leases are classified as operating leases. The leased machines are included in Rental equipment, net in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the leasing revenue is recognized on a straight line basis. The Torrents machine leasing program generated $1.1
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million of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and $1.1 million of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The unearned rent revenue of $0.7 million at June 30, 2022 is included as a component of Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, is expected to be earned in its entirety during the next twelve months.

Note 5 — Inventories

Inventories, net, consisting of purchased goods and manufactured electronic equipment offered for resale, were as follows:
(in thousands)June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Inventories, gross$259,900 $140,544 
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory(9,204)(7,827)
Inventories, net$250,696 $132,717 

Changes in the reserve for obsolete and excess inventory were as follows:
(in thousands)Amount
Balance at December 31, 2021$(7,827)
Additions charged to expense(1,694)
Write-offs317 
Balance at June 30, 2022$(9,204)

Note 6 - Property, Plant and Equipment

Components of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
(in thousands)June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Land$9,980 $1,700 
Buildings and improvements27,254 2,930 
Machinery and equipment20,920 4,389 
Capitalized software7,529 3,407 
Furniture and fixtures7,336 2,700 
Vehicles1,465 798 
Construction in progress5,531 12 
Total80,015 15,936 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(15,057)(6,857)
Property, plant and equipment, net$64,958 $9,079 

Depreciation expense for property, plant, and equipment was $2.5 million and $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively and $3.1 million and $0.5 million for the first six months of 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization expense for capitalized software was $0.9 million and $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively and $1.1 million and $0.4 million for the first six months of 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Note 7 - Rental Equipment

Rental equipment, net consisted of the following:
(in thousands)June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Rental equipment$47,863 $46,500 
Accumulated depreciation(21,755)(21,773)
Rental equipment, net$26,108 $24,727 

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Depreciation expense included in cost of sales for rental equipment was $1.5 million and $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively and $2.9 million and $3.0 million for the first six months of 2022 and 2021, respectively. Refer to Note 4 - Revenue Recognition for a discussion on the Company's activities as lessor.

Note 8 - Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment were as follows:
(in thousands)LawsonTestEquityGexpro ServicesAll OtherTotal
Balance at December 31, 2021$— $70,112 $36,033 $— $106,145 
Acquisitions172,333 43,207 16,912 17,133 249,585 
Impact of foreign exchange rates— — — (290)(290)
Balance at June 30, 2022$172,333 $113,319 $52,945 $16,843 $355,440 

Note 9 - Intangible Assets

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for definite-lived intangible assets were as follows:
June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
(in thousands)Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying ValueGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying Value
Trade names$93,355 $(12,389)$80,966 $36,304 $(8,353)$27,951 
Customer relationships197,362 (40,524)156,838 92,947 (29,269)63,678 
Other (1)
8,753 (3,631)5,122 8,159 (3,180)4,979 
Total$299,470 $(56,544)$242,926 $137,410 $(40,802)$96,608 
(1)    Other primarily consists of non-compete agreements.

Amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets was $9.7 million and $15.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively and $2.5 million and $5.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets was recorded in General and administrative expenses. The remaining weighted-average useful lives of intangible assets as of June 30, 2022 was 7.0 years for trade names and 14.3 years for customer relationships.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remaining year 2022 and each of the next five years are as follows:
(in thousands)Amortization
Remaining 2022$17,074 
202332,994 
202433,335 
202530,549 
202628,134 
202724,044 
Thereafter76,796 
Total$242,926 

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Note 10 - Leases

Activities as Lessee

The Company leases property used for warehousing, distribution centers, office space, branch locations, equipment and vehicles. The expenses generated by leasing activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
Lease TypeClassification2022202120222021
Operating Lease Expense (1)
Operating expenses$3,896 $1,475 $5,524 $2,868 
Financing Lease AmortizationOperating expenses163 56 232 103 
Financing Lease InterestInterest expense23 13 34 26 
Financing Lease Expense186 69 266 129 
Net Lease Cost$4,082 $1,544 $5,790 $2,997 
(1)     Includes short term lease expense, which is immaterial

The value of net assets and liabilities generated by leasing activity of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
Lease TypeJune 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Total ROU operating lease assets (1)
$45,667 $19,662 
Total ROU financing lease assets (2)
1,388 — 
Total lease assets$47,055 $19,662 
Total current operating lease obligation
$10,030 $4,641 
Total current financing lease obligation
457 — 
Total current lease obligations$10,487 $4,641 
Total long term operating lease obligation
$37,886 $16,132 
Total long term financing lease obligation
766 — 
Total long term lease obligation$38,652 $16,132 
(1)Operating lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $6.4 million as of June 30, 2022 and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2021
(2)Financing lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of June 30, 2022 and $0.0 million as of December 31, 2021

The value of lease liabilities generated by leasing activities as of June 30, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Maturity Date of Lease LiabilitiesOperating LeasesFinancing LeasesTotal
Year one$8,743 $527 $9,270 
Year two10,646 811 11,457 
Year three8,603 488 9,091 
Year four6,088 312 6,400 
Year five5,071 240 5,311 
Subsequent years14,602 102 14,704 
Total lease payments53,753 2,480 56,233 
Less: Interest(6,485)(609)(7,094)
Present value of lease liabilities$47,268 $1,871 $49,139 


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The weighted average lease terms and interest rates of leases held as of June 30, 2022 were as follows:
Lease TypeWeighted Average Term in YearsWeighted Average Interest Rate
Operating Leases6.27.0%
Financing Leases3.96.4%

The cash outflows of leasing activity for the six months ended June 30, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Cash Flow SourceClassificationAmount
Operating cash flows from operating leasesOperating activities$5,182 
Operating cash flows from financing leasesOperating activities
Financing cash flows from financing leasesFinancing activities39 

Refer to Note 4 - Revenue Recognition for a discussion on the Company's activities as lessor.

Note 11 - Earnout Derivative Liability

On the Merger Date, the Company recorded an earnout derivative liability for the two earnout provisions within the Merger Agreements. The Company estimated the fair value of the earnout derivative liability based on an aggregate of 1,162,000 additional shares expected to be issued under the two earnout provisions of the Merger Agreements. The aggregate of 1,162,000 shares is comprised of 700,000 shares of DSG common stock that are contingently issuable (or forfeitable) to the TestEquity Equityholder and 462,000 shares of DSG common stock that are contingently issuable (or forfeitable) to the Gexpro Services Stockholder. The additional 538,000 shares of the remaining potential shares of the earnout were not recorded as an earnout derivative liability as the acquisition contingency for these shares was met at the Merger Date.

The Company's earnout derivative liability is classified as a Level 3 instrument and is measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of the earnout derivative liability was measured using the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model using a distribution of potential outcomes on a monthly basis for the year ended December 31, 2022. Inputs to that model include the expected time to liquidity, the risk-free interest rate over the term, expected volatility based on representative peer companies and the estimated fair value of the underlying class of common stock. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the earnout derivative liability are the fair value of the underlying stock at the valuation date and the estimated term of the earnout arrangement periods. Generally, increases (decreases) in the fair value of the underlying stock and estimated term would result in a directionally similar impact to the fair value measurement.

The estimated aggregate fair value of the earnout derivative liability recorded on the Merger Date was $43.9 million, with an offsetting entry to additional paid-in capital. As of April 29, 2022, 700,000 of the 1,162,000 shares were reclassified to equity, as the acquisition contingencies had been met. Immediately prior to reclassification, these shares were remeasured to fair value, resulting in a loss of $5.7 million being recorded as a component of Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.” The earnout opportunity for the remaining 462,000 shares for Gexpro Services expires on December 31, 2022. See Fair Value Measurements in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information.

The change in the fair value of the earnout derivative liability was as follows:
(in thousands)Amount
Balance at December 31, 2021$— 
Initial recognition on Merger Date43,900 
Change in fair value5,693 
Reclassifications to equity at fair value(26,593)
Balance at June 30, 2022$23,000 

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Note 12 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
(in thousand)June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Accrued stock-based compensation$10,995 $— 
Accrued compensation16,257 5,997 
Accrued and withheld taxes, other than income taxes6,063 880 
Accrued income taxes2,062 4,170 
Accrued customer rebates3,205 2,657 
Accrued severance649 — 
Accrued interest1,130 1,515 
Deferred revenue1,140 485 
Accrued health benefits1,285 59 
Other15,524 7,363 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities$58,310 $23,126 

Note 13 - Debt

The Company's outstanding long-term debt was comprised of the following:
(in thousands)June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Senior secured revolving credit facility$113,079 $— 
Senior secured term loan246,875 — 
Senior secured delayed draw term loan50,000 — 
Other revolving line of credit1,495 — 
Previous revolving credit facilities— 38,707 
Previous term loans— 190,337 
Total debt411,449 229,044 
Less current portion of long-term debt(16,495)(134,405)
Less deferred financing costs(5,675)(1,505)
Total long-term debt$389,279 $93,134 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement - April 1, 2022

On April 1, 2022 (the "Closing Date"), DSG and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) by and among DSG, certain subsidiaries of DSG as borrowers or guarantors, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company's previous credit agreement was amended and restated in its entirety.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for (i) a $200 million senior secured revolving credit facility, with a $25 million letter of credit sub-facility and a $10 million swingline loan sub-facility, (ii) a $250 million senior secured initial term loan facility and (iii) a $50 million senior secured delayed draw term loan facility. In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement permits the Company to increase the commitments under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from time to time by up to $200 million in the aggregate, subject to, among other things, the receipt of additional commitments from existing and/or new lenders and pro forma compliance with the financial covenants in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The revolving credit facility is available to be drawn in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars and any other additional currencies that may be agreed.

On the Closing Date, the Company borrowed $250 million of initial term loan facility loans and approximately $86 million of revolving credit facility loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. These borrowings were used to 1) repay all obligations and refinance the Company's previous credit agreement, 2) repay certain existing indebtedness of TestEquity and Gexpro Services and their respective subsidiaries, 3) pay fees and expenses in connection with the Mergers, and 4) finance the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Company.
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A $2.8 million loss on the extinguishment of debt for remaining unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the previous indebtedness was recorded in the second quarter of 2022 in connection with the payoff. The extinguishment is recorded in Loss on extinguishment of debt in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires that the proceeds of any revolving credit facility loans be used for working capital and general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, permitted acquisitions), and requires that the proceeds of any delayed draw term loan facility be used solely to finance the payment of consideration for (i) the potential acquisition by TestEquity of a certain business that had been previously identified to DSG as a potential acquisition candidate by TestEquity prior to the date of the TestEquity Merger Agreement and (ii) other acquisitions permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and for any fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith. On April 29, 2022, the Company borrowed the $50 million available under the delayed draw term loan facility to finance the acquisition of Interworld Highway, LLC made by TestEquity.

As of June 30, 2022, there were $247 million of term loan facility loans outstanding, $50 million of delayed draw term loans outstanding and approximately $113 million of revolving credit facility loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Net of outstanding letters of credit, there was $85.9 million of borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2022. The weighted average interest rate from the Closing Date through June 30, 2022 was 3.61%.

The loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a rate equal to (i) the Alternate Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate (each as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an additional margin ranging from 0.0% to 1.75% per annum, depending on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries as of the most recent determination date under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or (ii) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the CDOR Rate (each as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an additional margin ranging from 1.0% to 2.75% per annum, depending on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries as of the most recent determination date under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement further provides that the additional margin for the period from the Closing Date until the Company’s delivery of its financial statements and compliance certificate for the first full quarter ending after the Closing Date shall be 1.5% per annum for Alternate Base Rate or Canadian Prime Rate loans and 2.5% per annum for all other loans.

Certain closing fees, arrangement fees, administration fees, commitment fees and letter of credit fees are payable to the lenders and the agents under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including a commitment fee on the daily unused amount of the revolving credit facility that will accrue at a rate ranging from 0.15% to 0.35% per annum, depending on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries as of the most recent determination date under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement further provides that such commitment fee for the period from the Closing Date until Lawson’s delivery of its financial statements and compliance certificate for the first full quarter ending after the Closing Date shall accrue at a rate of 0.3% per annum.

In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides that the delayed draw term loan facility shall accrue a ticking fee at a rate ranging from 0.15% to 0.35% per annum, depending on the total net leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries as of the most recent determination date under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and that such ticking fee shall be payable during the period from the Closing Date to the date on which the lenders’ delayed draw term loan facility commitments terminate. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement further provides that the ticking fee for the period from the Closing Date until the Company’s delivery of its financial statements and compliance certificate for the first full quarter after the Closing Date shall accrue at a rate of 0.3% per annum. The fees outlined above are reported as interest expense and vary depending on the total net leverage ratio as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Fees from the Closing Date through June 30, 2022 were $0.1 million.

In connection with the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, deferred financing costs of $4.0 million were incurred. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the debt instrument and reported as interest expense. As of June 30, 2022, deferred financing costs net of accumulated amortization were $9.2 million of which $5.7 million are included in Long-term debt, less current portion, net (related to the senior secured term loan and senior secured delayed draw term loan) and $3.5 million are included in Other assets (related to the senior secured revolving credit facility) in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Each of the loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement mature on April 1, 2027, at which time all outstanding loans, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, must be repaid and the revolving credit facility commitments will terminate. The Company is required to repay principal on the term loans each quarter in the following amounts (subject to potential adjustment): (i) $3,125,000, in the case of the initial term loan facility, and (ii) an amount equal to 1.25% of the funded delayed draw term loan facility, in the case of the delayed draw term loan facility. The Company is also required to prepay the term loans with the net cash proceeds from any disposition of certain assets (subject to reinvestment rights) or from the incurrence of any unpermitted debt. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow the revolving loans until April 1, 2027, prepay any of the term loans, and terminate any of the commitments, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions and the reimbursement of certain lender costs in the case of prepayments of certain types of loans.

Subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the obligations of the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and the obligations of each of the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and certain of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries.

Subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority security interest in and lien on substantially all assets of the Company, each other borrower and each guarantor.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains various affirmative covenants, including financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain compliance with a consolidated minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum total net leverage ratio, each determined in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 30, 2022.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains various events of default (subject to exceptions, thresholds and grace periods as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). Under certain circumstances, a default interest rate will apply on all obligations at a rate equal to 2.0% per annum above the applicable interest rate.

Previous Credit Agreements

Gexpro Services - January 3, 2022 Gexpro Services Credit Agreement

On January 3, 2022, prior to the Gexpro Services Merger, Gexpro Services entered into a credit agreement ("2022 Gexpro Services Credit Agreement") with a financial institution under which Gexpro Services obtained an initial $137 million term loan ("2022 Gexpro Services Term Loan"), a $25 million revolving line of credit ("2022 Gexpro Services Revolver") and a delayed $83 million term loan ("2022 Gexpro Services Delayed Term Loan"), together the "2022 Gexpro Services Facilities". The proceeds of the 2022 Gexpro Services Term Loan and 2022 Gexpro Services Delayed Term Loan were used to fund the Resolux acquisition, repay all borrowings under the 2020 Gexpro Services Credit Agreement (as defined below) and seller’s promissory note from SIS acquisition (refer to Note 3 - Business Acquisitions for further details of these acquisitions). In connection with the 2022 Gexpro Services Credit Agreement, deferred financing costs of $7.4 million were incurred.

Gexpro Services - February 24, 2020 Gexpro Services Term Loan Credit Agreement

On February 24, 2020, Gexpro Services entered into a credit agreement ("2020 Gexpro Services Term Loan Credit Agreement") with a financial institution under which Gexpro Services obtained a $60 million term loan ("2020 Gexpro Services Term Loan"). Also on February 24, 2020, Gexpro Services entered into a credit agreement ("2020 Gexpro Services Revolver Credit Agreement" and together with the 2020 Gexpro Services Term Loan Credit Agreement, "2020 Gexpro Services Credit Agreements") with a financial institution under which Gexpro Services obtained a $15 million revolving line of credit ("2020 Gexpro Services Revolver"). Availability of the 2020 Gexpro Services Revolver was reduced by issued and outstanding letters of credit, which were limited to $38.5 million. There were $0.7 million outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2021 and $37.7 million outstanding on the 2020 Gexpro Services Revolver. A loss on debt extinguishment of $0.6 million was recorded on January 3, 2022 in connection with the January 3, 2022 Gexpro Services Credit Agreements.

TestEquity - 2017 TestEquity Credit Agreement

On April 28, 2017, TestEquity entered into a credit agreement ("2017 TestEquity Credit Agreement") with a financial institution under which TestEquity obtained a $101 million term loan ("2017 TestEquity Term Loan") and a $15.0 million
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revolving line of credit ("2017 TestEquity Revolver"). Availability of the 2017 TestEquity Revolver was reduced by issued and outstanding letters of credit, which were limited to $2.0 million. There were $0.0 million outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2021 and $1.0 million outstanding on the revolving line of credit. A loss on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million was recorded on April 1, 2022 in connection with the April 1, 2022 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement executed in connection with the consummation of the Mergers.

Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $4.0 million and $4.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. A portion of stock-based compensation related to the change in the market value of the Company's common stock. A stock-based compensation liability of $11.0 million as of June 30, 2022 and $0.0 million as of December 31, 2021 was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Equity Compensation Plans

The Company's Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (“Equity Plan”) provides for the grant of nonqualified and incentive stock options, stock awards and stock units to officers and employees of the Company. The Equity Plan also provides for the grant of option rights and restricted stock to non-employee directors. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had approximately 164,000 shares of common stock still available under the Equity Plan. Non-employee directors are limited to grants of no more than 20,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year and other than non-employee directors are limited to grants of no more than 125,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year. The Equity Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or its designee, which as administrator of the plan, has the authority to select plan participants, grant awards, and determine the terms and conditions of the awards.

The Company also has a Stock Performance Rights Plan (“SPR Plan”) that provides for the issuance of Stock Performance Rights (“SPRs”) that allow non-employee directors, officers and key employees to receive cash awards, subject to certain restrictions, equal to the appreciation of the Company's common stock. The SPR Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Stock Performance Rights

SPRs entitle the recipient to receive a cash payment equal to the excess of the market value of the Company's common stock over the SPR exercise price when the SPRs are surrendered. Expense, equal to the fair market value of the SPR at the date of grant and remeasured each reporting period, is recorded ratably over the vesting period. Compensation expense is included in Selling, general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. The outstanding SPRs were granted with approximately a seven year life and vest over one to three years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. The SPRs are liability classified and included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards ("RSAs") generally vest over a one to three years period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. Upon vesting, the vested restricted stock awards are exchanged for an equal number of the Company’s common stock. The participants have no voting or dividend rights with the restricted stock awards. The restricted stock awards are valued at the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant and the expense is recorded ratably over the vesting period.

Market Stock Units

Market Stock Units ("MSUs") are exchangeable for between 0% to 150% of the Company's common shares at the end of the vesting period based on the trailing 60 day average closing price of the Company's common stock. The value of the MSUs is determined using a geometric brownian motion model that, based on certain variables, generates a large number of random trials simulating the price of the common stock over the measurement period.

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Stock Options

In April 2022, the Company issued 242,000 stock options to key employees that vest through the fifth anniversary from the grant date. The fair value was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model with a grant date fair value of $2.2 million. Each stock option can be exchanged for one share of the Company’s common stock at the stated exercise price. Upon vesting, stock options are recognized as a component of equity. Unrecognized compensation related to stock options as of June 30, 2022 was $2.1 million.

Performance Awards

Performance Awards ("PAs") are exchangeable for between 0% to 150% of the Company's common shares, or the equivalent amount in cash, based upon the achievement of certain financial performance metrics at the end of the vesting period. The PAs are liability classified and included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Except for the stock options above, no additional stock-based awards were issued during the six months ended June 30, 2022.


Note 15 - Earnings Per Share

As a result of the Mergers discussed in Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation, all historical per share data and number of shares and numbers of equity awards were retroactively adjusted. The following table provides the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)2022202120222021
Basic income per share:
Net (loss) income$(4,715)$461 $(7,252)$(1,429)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,343,028 10,251,827 15,347,943 10,246,383 
Basic (loss) income per share of common stock$(0.23)$0.04 $(0.47)$(0.14)
Diluted income per share:
Net (loss) income$(4,715)$461 $(7,252)$(1,429)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,343,028 10,251,827 15,347,943 10,246,383 
Effect of dilutive securities— 306 — — 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding20,343,028 10,558,275 15,347,943 10,246,383 
Diluted (loss) income per share of common stock$(0.23)$0.04 $(0.47)$(0.14)
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted income per share464,068 — 359,358 304,178 

Note 16 - Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax benefit of $3.6 million, a 43.4% effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Income tax expense of $0.6 million, a 54.8% effective tax rate was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was higher than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to state taxes, foreign operations, as well as transaction costs and other permanent items.

The Company recorded income tax benefit of $4.6 million, a 38.6% effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Income tax expense of $0.4 million, a 37.5% effective tax rate, was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The change in the year over year effective tax rate was primarily due to the changes in the valuation allowance in the six months ended June 30, 2021, merger costs incurred in the six months ended June 30, 2022, and the creation of a consolidated group for federal income tax purposes as a result of the completion of the Mergers referenced in Note 3 - Business Acquisitions. Relative to the U.S. statutory rate, the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was impacted by state taxes, foreign operations, and the expiration of uncertain tax positions, as well as liabilities and transaction expenses related to the Mergers, and discrete tax items related to changes in the uncertain tax positions and prior period true-ups as a result of the completed Mergers.
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The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax, as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. As of June 30, 2022, the Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for the years 2018 through 2020 and income tax examinations from various other jurisdictions for the years 2015 through 2021.

Earnings from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. A distribution of these non-U.S. earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise may subject the Company to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. federal and state taxes.

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies

Shareholder lawsuits

Between January 25, 2022 and March 7, 2022, seven lawsuits were filed in federal district courts against DSG, the members of the DSG board of directors and, in some cases, the TestEquity Equityholder, TestEquity, Merger Sub 1, the Gexpro Services Stockholder, Gexpro Services and Merger Sub 2 in connection with the Mergers. Between February 24, 2022 and April 28, 2022, all of these lawsuits were voluntarily dismissed by the respective plaintiffs. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits have made a demand to DSG for payment of attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with these lawsuits.

In addition, on each of February 2, 2022, February 14, 2022 and February 15, 2022, purported DSG stockholders made demands pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law to inspect certain books and records of DSG (collectively, the “Books and Records Demands”). One stated purpose of the Books and Records Demands is to investigate questions of director disinterestedness and independence and the alleged possibility of wrongdoing, mismanagement and/or material non-disclosure related to the Special Committee’s and the DSG board of directors’ approval of the Mergers. In addition, on March 16, 2022, one of the purported DSG stockholders who previously made a Books and Records Demand filed a lawsuit entitled Robert Garfield v. Lawson Products, Inc., Case No. 2022-0252, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against DSG (the “Garfield Action”). On March 22, 2022, another of the purported DSG stockholders who previously made a Books and Records Demand filed a lawsuit entitled Jeffrey Edelman v. Lawson Products, Inc., Case No. 2022-0270, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against DSG (the “Edelman Action”). The Garfield Action and the Edelman Action are collectively referred to as the “Books and Records Actions.” The Books and Records Actions seek to compel inspection of certain books and records of DSG to investigate questions of director disinterestedness and independence and the alleged possibility of wrongdoing, mismanagement and/or material non-disclosure related to the Special Committee’s and the DSG board of directors’ approval of the Mergers. Pursuant to a stipulation approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery on March 24, 2022, the Books and Records Actions were held in abeyance until May 23, 2022. Following the parties’ inability to reach a resolution of the Books and Records Actions, the Delaware Court of Chancery scheduled briefing followed by a trial on July 14, 2022 to adjudicate the Books and Records Actions. At the conclusion of the trial, the Court ruled orally that the stockholders’ demands would be granted only in one respect (production of documents sufficient to show the identities of any guarantors of debt of the acquired companies) and the Court denied the remainder of the stockholders’ requests. The Court’s ruling was memorialized in an order issued on July 20, 2022. DSG and the members of its board of directors disagree with and intend to vigorously defend against the Books and Records Actions and any other claim, if asserted, arising from the Books and Records Demands.

Due to the inherent uncertainties of these matters, DSG is not able to predict either the outcome of these matters on its business, financial condition and results of operations, or a range of reasonably possible losses, if any, at this time. Accordingly, no amounts have been recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these matters.

Environmental matter

In 2012, it was determined a Company owned site in Decatur, Alabama, contained hazardous substances in the soil and groundwater as a result of historical operations prior to the Company's ownership. The Company retained an environmental consulting firm to further investigate the contamination, prepare a remediation plan, and enroll the site in the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM”) voluntary cleanup program.

A remediation plan was approved by ADEM in 2018. The plan consists of chemical injections throughout the affected area, as well as subsequent monitoring of the area. The injection process was completed in the first quarter of 2019 and the environmental consulting firm is monitoring the affected area. At June 30, 2022 the Company had less than $0.1 million accrued for potential monitoring costs. The costs for future monitoring are not significant and have been fully accrued. The Company does not expect to capitalize any amounts related to the remediation plan.

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Note 18 - Related Party Transactions

Management Services Agreements

Prior to the Mergers, a subsidiary of TestEquity was party to a management agreement with Luther King Capital Management Corporation (“LKCM”) for certain advisory and consulting services (the “TestEquity Management Agreement”), and a subsidiary of Gexpro Services was party to a management agreement with LKCM for certain advisory and consulting services (the “Gexpro Services Management Agreement”). In connection with the closing of the Mergers on April 1, 2022, (i) all of the TestEquity subsidiary’s rights, liabilities and obligations under the TestEquity Management Agreement were novated to, transferred to and assumed by the TestEquity Equityholder, and LKCM released the TestEquity subsidiary from all obligations and claims under the TestEquity Management Agreement, and (ii) all of the Gexpro Services subsidiary’s rights, liabilities and obligations under the Gexpro Services Management Agreement were novated to, transferred to and assumed by the Gexpro Services Stockholder, and LKCM released the Gexpro Services subsidiary from all obligations and claims under the Gexpro Services Management Agreement (collectively, the “Novations”). During the first six months of 2022, expense of $0.5 million was recorded within Selling, general and administrative expenses within the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income, reflecting expenses accrued under these management agreements from January 1, 2022 through the April 1, 2022 Merger Date. As of December 31, 2021, $4.8 million was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in connection with these management agreements. During the first three months of 2022, expense of $0.5 million was recorded under these management agreements. As of April 1, 2022, the prior obligation of $5.3 million was effectively settled and considered to be a deemed equity contribution by LKCM recorded to additional paid in capital. As a result of the Novations, no additional expense under these management agreements has been incurred subsequent to the Mergers.

TestEquity and Gexpro Services Mergers

Immediately prior to the Mergers, entities affiliated with Luther King Capital Management Corporation (“LKCM”) and J. Bryan King (the Chairman of the DSG board of directors), including private investment partnerships for which LKCM serves as investment manager, owned a majority of the ownership interests in the TestEquity Equityholder (which in turn owned all of the outstanding equity interests of TestEquity as of immediately prior to the completion of the TestEquity Merger). As of the Merger Date, Mr. King was a director of the TestEquity Equityholder. In addition, as of the Merger Date, Mark F. Moon (a member of the DSG board of directors) was a director of, and held a direct or indirect equity interest in, the TestEquity Equityholder.

Immediately prior to the Mergers, entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King, including private investment partnerships for which LKCM serves as investment manager, owned a majority of the ownership interests in the Gexpro Services Stockholder (which in turn owned all of the then outstanding stock of Gexpro Services).

Immediately prior to the Mergers, entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King owned approximately 48% of the shares of DSG common then stock outstanding.

As a result of and after the consummation of the Mergers, entities affiliated with LKCM and J. Bryan King (the Chairman of the DSG board of directors) owned in the aggregate approximately 14,640,000 shares of DSG common stock as of the Merger Date, which shares represented approximately 75% of the shares of DSG common stock then outstanding after giving effect to the issuance of shares as of the Merger Date in connection with the consummation of the Mergers. Such aggregate share amount does not include any of the up to 700,000 additional shares of DSG common stock or any of the up to 1,000,000 additional shares of DSG common stock potentially issuable to the TestEquity Equityholder and the Gexpro Services Stockholder, respectively, in accordance with the earnout provisions of the TestEquity Merger Agreement and the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement, respectively, summarized in Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation.

Note 19 – Segment Information

As a result of the Mergers described in Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation, the Company evaluated its operational, reporting and management structures and identified three reportable segments based on the nature of the products and services and type of customer for those products and services. A description of our reportable segments is as follows:

Lawson is a distributor of specialty products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional and government maintenance, repair and operations market.
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TestEquity is a distributor of test and measurement equipment and solutions, electronic production supplies, and tool kits from its leading manufacturer partners supporting the technology, aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, education, and medical industries.
Gexpro Services is a global supply chain solutions provider, specializing in developing and implementing vendor managed inventory and kitting programs to high-specification manufacturing customers.

In addition to these three reportable segments, the Company also identified an “All Other” category which includes unallocated DSG holding company costs that are not directly attributable to the ongoing operating activities of our reportable segments and the inconsequential results of the Bolt Supply House ("Bolt") non-reportable segment. Revenues within the All Other category represent the results of Bolt. Bolt generates revenue primarily from the sale of MRO products to its walk-up customers and service to its customers through their 14 branch locations. Bolt Supply does not provide VMI services for its customers or provide services in addition to product sales to customers. Revenue is recognized at the time that control of the product has been transferred to the customer which is either upon delivery or shipment depending on the terms of the contract.

Financial information for the Company's reportable segments is presented below. Asset information by operating segment is not presented below since the chief operating decision maker does not review this information by segment.
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)2022202120222021
Revenue
Lawson (1)
$107,334 $— $107,334 $— 
TestEquity97,874 67,856 170,276 133,631 
Gexpro Services99,792 66,296 181,475 125,348 
All Other16,336 — 16,336 — 
Total revenue$321,336 $134,152 $475,421 $258,979 
Operating Income
Lawson (1)
$(2,562)$— $(2,562)$— 
TestEquity471 (133)(1,362)
Gexpro Services5,390 5,465 8,982 9,083 
All Other814 — 814 — 
Total operating income$4,113 $5,468 $7,101 $7,721 
(1)Includes the operating results of Lawson only subsequent to the Merger Date of April 1, 2022 and not Lawson operating results prior to the Mergers.

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

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the TestEquity Acquisition, LLC and 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc. (conducting business as Gexpro Services) audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Form 8-K/A as filed on June 15, 2022, and the Lawson Products, Inc. audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in DSG's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2021.

References to “DSG”, the “Company”, "we", "our" or "us" refer to Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. and all entities consolidated in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Overview

Organization and Business Combination

Effective May 5, 2022, Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. ("DSG"), a Delaware corporation formerly known as Lawson Products, Inc., changed its corporate name from “Lawson Products, Inc.” to “Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.” Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. is a specialty distribution company structure providing value added distribution solutions to the maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO"), original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") and industrial technology markets. DSG has three principal operating companies: Lawson Products, Inc. ("Lawson"), TestEquity Acquisition, LLC ("TestEquity") and 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., conducting business as Gexpro Services ("Gexpro Services").

The complementary distribution operations of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services were combined in the Mergers for the purpose of creating a specialty distribution company enabling each of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services to maintain their respective high-touch, value-added service delivery models and customer relationships in their specialty distribution businesses under the leadership of their separate business unit management. The DSG leadership team provides oversight to the separate leadership teams of each of the operating companies. This structure enables the combined company to leverage best practices, back-office resources and technologies across the three operating companies to help drive cost synergies and efficiencies. The combined company has the ability to utilize its combined financial resources to accelerate a strategy of expansion through both business acquisitions and organic growth.

Refer to the section entitled "Organization" in Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation in Part 1. Financial Statements, which section is incorporated herein by reference, for description of the TestEquity Merger and Gexpro Services Merger consummated on April 1, 2022.

Our Three Principal Operating Companies

Lawson

Lawson is a distributor of products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") marketplace. Lawson distributes MRO products to its customers through a network of sales representatives throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Background and Operations

Lawson delivers quality products to customers and offers them extensive product knowledge, product application expertise and Vendor Managed Inventory ("VMI") services. Lawson competes for business primarily by offering a value-added service approach in which highly trained sales representatives manage the product inventory for customers. The VMI model makes it less likely that customers will run out of a product while optimizing their inventory levels. Lawson ships products to its customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Vision/Strategy - Lawson's vision is to be its customers' first choice for maintenance, repair and operational solutions that improve their operating performance. Lawson plans to achieve its vision by working closely with customers to maintain and enhance their operations by providing them with quality products, superior service and innovative solutions.

Sales Drivers - The North American MRO market is highly fragmented. Lawson competes for business with several national distributors as well as a large number of regional and local distributors. The MRO business is impacted by the overall
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strength of the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. DSG believes that the Purchasing Managers Index ("PMI") published by the Institute for Supply Management is an indicative measure of the relative strength of the economic environment of the industry in which Lawson operates. The PMI is a composite index of economic activity in the United States manufacturing sector. DSG believes that a measure of that index above 50 generally indicates expansion of the manufacturing sector while a measure below 50 generally represents contraction. The average monthly PMI was 54.8 in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 60.8 in the second quarter of 2021. Lawson's sales are also influenced by the number of sales representatives and their productivity. Lawson plans to continue concentrating its efforts on increasing the productivity and size of its sales team. Additionally, Lawson drives revenue through the expansion of products sold to existing customers as well as attracting new customers and additional ship-to locations. Lawson also uses an inside sales team and an e-commerce site to generate sales.

TestEquity

TestEquity is a leading distributor of test and measurement equipment and solutions, electronic production supplies and tool kits from its leading manufacturing partners. TestEquity operates primarily through four brands, TestEquity, TEquipment, Jensen Tools and Techni-Tool, focusing primarily in North America with a network of sales representatives throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Background and Operations - Based out of Moorpark, California, TestEquity is a large, comprehensive provider of electronic test solutions in the United States supporting the aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, education, and medical industries. TestEquity designs, rents and sells a full line of high-quality environmental test chambers. In addition to a large array of test and measurement products, TestEquity also offers calibration, refurbishment and rental solutions and a wide array of refurbished products. TestEquity continues to benefit from ubiquitous electronification of all types of products across most industries including IOT, EV, and 5G.

TEquipment, is one of the top distributors for both test and measurement and electronic production supplies in the US. Going to market with an eCommerce focused strategy, TEquipment offers a range of 200,000 products and 500 manufacturer brands, most of which overlap with the rest of the TestEquity group.

Techni-Tool is one of the industry’s largest solder, soldering equipment and electronic production distributors. Techni-Tool offers a wide range of products to support electronic production as well as compliance testing. In addition to the approximately 80,000 of products offered, Techni-Tool also provides vendor managed inventory solutions and dedicated technical support.

Jensen Tools, as a top distributor for the electronics MRO customer base, has access to approximately 400 suppliers and over 70,000 products. Jensen Tools offers private label Jensen branded hand tools that have been developed over years of customer usage and manufactured to a specified and demanding tolerance level and is viewed as a leader in the industry. Jensen Tools employs a dedicated team of engineering, operational and sales professionals who focus on designing and building quality tool kits for its customers.

Vision/Strategy - TestEquity intends to grow sales organically, pursue acquisitions and continue to expand and improve its service offerings to its customers. In particular, TestEquity strives to improve its digital experience, with a consistent approach for all of its brands. TestEquity intends to seek to increase its market share through continued expansion of product lines and greater penetration of the eCommerce market, enabled through investment in key digital talent and leverage of the existing TestEquity and TEquipment platforms. TestEquity expects to benefit from its improved integrated organization and processes, driving improved gross margin and financial operating leverage.

Sales Drivers - Across both the test and measurement and electronic production supplies businesses the North American market is highly fragmented with competitors ranging from large global distributors to national and regional distributors. TestEquity believes that the PMI is an indicative measure of the relative strength of the economic environment of the industry in which TestEquity operates. The PMI index is a composite index of economic activity in the United States manufacturing sector. TestEquity believes that a measure of that index above 50 generally indicates expansion of the manufacturing sector while a measure below 50 generally represents contraction. The average monthly PMI was 54.8 in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 60.8 in the second quarter of 2021.

TestEquity management focuses on the internal metric of Sales per Day (“SPD”) and Day Adjust Growth (“DAG”). The SPD calculates and compares TestEquity’s total sales divided by the number of selling days, adjusted for weekends and holidays. A selling day generally represents a business day in which TestEquity ships products to its customers. The DAG represents the percentage increase or decrease in the SPD for a defined period of time.
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Specifically in respect of its Electronics Production Supplies business, the current semi-conductor chip shortage, due in significant part to the COVID-19 pandemic, is negatively impacting TestEquity’s business as such chips are key elements to the electronic production process. TestEquity anticipates that recovery of this important part of its customers’ supply chain may not occur until 2023.

Gexpro Services

Gexpro Services is a world-class global supply chain solutions provider, specializing in the development of mission critical production line management, aftermarket and field installation programs. Gexpro Services provides comprehensive supply chain management solutions, including a full technology suite offering of vendor managed inventory, kitting, global logistics management, manufacturing localization and import expertise, value engineering and quality assurance. Gexpro Services' end-to-end project management is designed to support manufacturing OEMs with their engineered material specifications, fulfillment, and quality requirements to improve their total cost of ownership. Gexpro Services has manufacturing and supply chain operations in over 32 Service Center sites across nine countries including key geographies in North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Gexpro Services serves customers in six vertical markets, including renewables, industrial power, consumer and industrial, technology, transportation, and aerospace and defense.

Background and Operations - Gexpro Services was formed in November 2019 and, in February 2020, acquired the “Gexpro Services” business from French distributor Rexel S.A. via a carve-out acquisition. Gexpro Services has now fully separated its “Gexpro Services” operations from Rexel and operates as a stand-alone organization with its own leadership team, operating activities, financial systems and team members.

As a top distributor and service provider to the OEM market, Gexpro Services has approximately 3,100 suppliers offering approximately 60,000 products. These products are inventoried and sourced through 32 locations in North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Vision/Strategy - Gexpro Services intends to grow organically through market share expansion primarily through new production introduction, increased sales of products and services to existing customers and expansion of its customer base. Gexpro Services believes that its services benefit its customers by helping them reduce their direct and indirect procurement costs and total cost of ownership for high volume, low value Class C parts, and that its services can help drive substantial cost savings for its customers. Additionally, Gexpro Services intends to grow its business through strategic, accretive acquisitions, and through continued improvement in service and product offerings to its customers.

Sales Drivers - Gexpro Services believes that the PMI Index is an indicative measure of the relative strength of the economic environment of the industry in which Gexpro Services operates. The PMI index is a composite index of economic activity in the United States manufacturing sector. Gexpro Services believes that a measure of that index above 50 generally indicates expansion of the manufacturing sector while a measure below 50 generally represents contraction. The average monthly PMI was 54.8 in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 60.8 in the second quarter of 2021

Key Factors Affecting our Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Supply Chain Disruptions

Along with the broader economy, we continue to be affected by rising supplier costs caused by inflation and increased transportation and labor costs. This results in challenges in acquiring and receiving inventory in a timely fashion and fulfilling customer orders, which has offset some of the sales gains we recorded in 2022 compared to 2021. The supply chain disruptions have also led to higher product costs which have contributed to lower gross margins as a percentage of sales compared to the prior year. We have instituted various price increases during 2021 and 2022 in response to rising supplier costs, as well as increased transportation and labor costs.

Impact of COVID-19 on Human Capital

The Company believes that its response to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated its ability to focus on the safety of its team members while continuing to service its customers. Lawson, TestEquity, and Gexpro Services were deemed essential businesses early in the pandemic, which allowed them to continue to operate their facilities. While there were some limitations on the ability to physically visit customer locations, the Company continued to service various customers via phone and electronic communication channels and other technological means, while instituting procedures to help maintain
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compliance with applicable social distancing guidelines in respect of in-person operations. The Company currently has the majority of its corporate workforce working through a combination of in the office and remote settings and continues to monitor local, state and federal COVID-19 requirements so that its business operations and sales representative activities operate in accordance with these rules.

Impact of COVID-19 on Financial Performance

Various events related to COVID-19 may impact revenue, product sourcing, sales functions, and customers' ability to pay timely. While the overall business environment has been recovering, the pandemic negatively impacted the Company’s financial performance in 2021. Specifically in respect of TestEquity, the current semi-conductor chip shortage, due in significant part to the COVID-19 pandemic, is negatively impacting TestEquity’s business as such chips are key elements to the electronic production process. TestEquity anticipates that recovery of this important part of its customers’ supply chain may not occur until 2023.

Cyber Security Incident

In February 2022, DSG became aware that its computer network was the subject of a cyber incident potentially involving unlawful access. DSG engaged a cybersecurity forensics firm to assist in the investigation of the incident and to assist in securing its computer network.

Because of the nature of the information that may have been compromised, DSG was required to notify the parties whose information was potentially compromised of the incident as well as various governmental agencies and has taken other actions, such as offering credit monitoring services. DSG has not incurred material costs and, at this time, is unable to estimate the total cost of any remediation that may be required.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

We have disclosed our significant accounting policies in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The following provides information on the accounts requiring more significant estimates.

Inventory Reserves — Inventories principally consist of finished goods stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in-first-out method for the Lawson and TestEquity segments and weighted average for the Gexpro Services segment. Most of our products are not exposed to the risk of obsolescence due to technology changes. However, some of our products do have a limited shelf life, and from time to time we add and remove items from our catalogs, brochures or website for marketing and other purposes.

To reduce the cost basis of inventory to a lower of cost or net realizable value, a reserve is recorded for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on historical experience and monitoring of current inventory activity. Estimates are used to determine the necessity of recording these reserves based on periodic detailed analysis using both qualitative and quantitative factors. As part of this analysis, the Company considers several factors including the inventories length of time on hand, historical sales, product shelf life, product life cycle, product category and product obsolescence. In general, depending on the product category, we reserve inventory with low turnover at higher rates than inventory with higher turnover.

At June 30, 2022, our inventory reserve was $9.2 million, equal to approximately 3.5% of our gross inventory. A hypothetical change of one percent to our reserve as a percent of total inventory would have affected our cost of goods sold by $2.5 million.

Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets or liabilities reflect temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions as well as deferred tax asset and liability balances, including the estimation of valuation allowances and the evaluation of uncertain tax positions.

Goodwill Impairment – Goodwill represents the cost of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company reviews goodwill for potential impairment annually on October 1st, or when an event or other circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value.
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The first step in the multi-step process to determine if goodwill has been impaired and to what degree is to review the relevant qualitative factors that could cause the fair value of the reporting unit to decrease below the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company considers factors such as macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant factors that would affect the individual reporting units. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value of the reporting unit, then no further impairment testing is needed. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company will move to the next step in the process. The Company will estimate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the reporting unit's carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will record an impairment of goodwill equal to the amount the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of goodwill previously recognized.

Business Combinations - We allocate the purchase price paid for assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with our acquisitions based on their estimated fair values at the time of acquisition. This allocation involves a number of assumptions, estimates, and judgments in determining the fair value, as of the acquisition date, of the following:
intangible assets, including the valuation methodology, estimations of future cash flows, discount rates, recurring revenues attributed to customer relationships, and our assumed market segment share, as well as the estimated useful life of intangible assets;
deferred tax assets and liabilities, uncertain tax positions, and tax-related valuation allowances;
inventory; property, plant and equipment; pre-existing liabilities or legal claims; and
goodwill as measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.
Our assumptions and estimates are based upon comparable market data and information obtained from our management and the management of the acquired companies. We allocate goodwill to the reporting units of the business that are expected to benefit from the business combination.

Valuation of Earnout Derivative Liability - The Company's earnout derivative liability is classified as a Level 3 instrument and is measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of the earnout derivative liability is measured using the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model using a distribution of potential outcomes on a monthly basis for the year ended December 31, 2022. Inputs to that model include the expected time to liquidity, the risk-free interest rate over the term, expected volatility based on representative peer companies and the estimated fair value of the underlying class of common stock. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the earnout derivative liability are the fair value of the underlying stock at the valuation date and the estimated term of the earnout arrangement periods. Generally, increases (decreases) in the fair value of the underlying stock and estimated term would result in a directionally similar impact to the fair value measurement.

Revenue Recognition - For reporting purposes, the Lawson segment has two separate performance obligations including products and vendor managed inventory services. The allocation of product and service revenue as well as the estimation of service costs requires judgments and assumptions including the standalone selling prices, the period of time that it takes for the service obligation to be fulfilled and the amount of time spent on vendor managed inventory services during the sales process. Changes in various assumptions could increase or decrease the allocation of service revenue and related costs; however, would not materially impact total reported revenues or reported operating income.

Factors Affecting Comparability to Prior Periods

Our results of operations are not directly comparable to prior results for the periods presented due to the Mergers that were completed on April 1, 2022. The Mergers were accounted for as a reverse merger under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the accounting guidance for reverse acquisitions as provided in Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"). Under this guidance, TestEquity and Gexpro Services were treated as a combined entity as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes, and DSG was identified as the accounting acquiree. This determination was primarily made as TestEquity and Gexpro Services were under the common control of an entity that owns a majority of the voting rights of the combined entity, and therefore, only DSG experienced a change in control. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 reflect the results of operations and financial position of TestEquity and Gexpro Services on a consolidated basis, and the results of operations of DSG's legacy Lawson business are included only subsequent, and not prior, to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company's management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain infrequently occurring, seasonal or non-operational items that impact the overall comparability. These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of the Company's operating performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as operating income plus depreciation and amortization, costs related to the execution of the Mergers, stock-based compensation, severance costs, amortization of fair value step-up resulting from the Mergers, acquisition related costs, and other non-recurring items. The following table provides our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
2022(7)
2021
2022(7)
2021
Operating income$4,113 $5,468 $7,101 $7,721 
Depreciation and amortization14,746 4,466 22,335 8,921 
Stock-based compensation(1)
4,013 — 4,013 — 
Severance costs(2)
953 17 1,409 20 
Merger transaction costs(3)
5,790 367 7,232 527 
Inventory step-up(4)
1,622 — 1,622 — 
Acquisition related costs(5)
334 806 1,337 1,035 
Other non-recurring(6)
82 20 106 130 
Adjusted EBITDA$31,653 $11,144 $45,155 $18,354 
(1)    Expense primarily for stock-based compensation, of which a portion varies with the Company’s stock price.
(2)    Includes severance expense from actions taken in 2022 and 2021.
(3)    Merger transaction costs related to the negotiation, review and execution of the Merger Agreements relating to the Mergers.
(4)    Inventory fair value step-up adjustment for Lawson resulting from the reverse merger acquisition accounting.
(5)    Expense for acquisition related costs, unrelated to the Mergers.
(6)    Other non-recurring costs consists of acquisition integration costs and other non-recurring items.
(7)    Includes the operating results of Lawson subsequent, but not prior, to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date in accordance with GAAP accounting guidance for reverse acquisitions.

Management uses operating income and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of its reportable segments. See Note 19 - Segment Information of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information for additional information about our reportable segments. The following table provides Adjusted EBITDA by reportable segment:
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Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)2022202120222021
Adjusted EBITDA
Lawson(1)
$9,405 $— $9,405 $— 
TestEquity8,647 3,680 14,138 5,938 
Gexpro Services11,915 7,464 19,926 12,416 
All Other1,686 — 1,686 — 
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA$31,653 $11,144 $45,155 $18,354 
(1)Includes the operating results of Lawson subsequent, but not prior, to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date in accordance with GAAP accounting guidance for reverse acquisitions.

Supplemental Information - Lawson Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income and Non- GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

For management to discuss Lawson's operating results on a comparable basis, Lawson's historical, pre-merger components of operating income have been provided separately in the table below. In addition, Lawson's GAAP results of operations were adjusted to include the results prior to the Merger Date in order to reflect the total operating activities attributable to Lawson for each period presented. Management believes this historical information provides the most meaningful basis of comparison for Lawson's operations, is more useful in identifying current business trends, and is important for the user of our financial statements in understanding Lawson's business. Refer to Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation and Note 3 - Business Acquisitions within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the Mergers.

These amounts are not considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP, have not been prepared as pro forma results under applicable regulations, may not reflect the actual results we would have achieved had the Mergers occurred at the beginning of 2021, and should not be viewed as a substitute for the results of operations presented in accordance with GAAP. Lawson's historical operating results prior to the Mergers were obtained from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in DSG's Form 10-Q filed for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

Lawson Non-GAAP Adjusted Results - Calculation of Supplemental Information (Unaudited)
(in thousands)Three Months Ended June 30, 2022Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
Lawson Operating Income
GAAP Results(1)
Pre-Merger Results(2)
Adjusted
Results(3)
GAAP Results(1)
Pre-Merger Results(4)
Adjusted
Results(3)
Revenue$107,334 $— $107,334 $— $94,861 $94,861 
Cost of goods sold50,552 — 50,552 — 44,960 44,960 
Gross profit56,782 — 56,782 — 49,901 49,901 
Selling, general and administrative expenses59,344 — 59,344 — 47,458 47,458 
Operating (loss) income$(2,562)$— $(2,562)$— $2,443 $2,443 
Lawson Adjusted EBITDA(5)
$9,405 $— $9,405 $— $7,779 $7,779 
(1)Operating income prepared in accordance with GAAP, which includes Lawson’s results of operations from the April 1, 2022 Merger Date through June 30, 2022.
(2)All of Lawson’s results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2022 occurred after the April 1, 2022 Merger Date.
(3)Lawson's results of operations adjusted for comparability on a period-over-period basis. These non-GAAP results represent Lawson’s total operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, regardless of the Merger Date (reflects both pre- and post-Merger results).
(4)Lawson's results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021, which occurred prior to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date and were not included in GAAP operating results under reverse merger acquisition accounting. See Note 1- Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation and Note 3 - Business Acquisitions within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
(5)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section above for a reconciliation of GAAP Results as Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

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(in thousands)Six Months Ended June 30, 2022Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Lawson Operating Income
GAAP Results(1)
Pre-Merger Results(2)
Adjusted
Results(3)
GAAP Results(1)
Pre-Merger Results(4)
Adjusted
Results(3)
Revenue$107,334 $104,902 $212,236 $— $188,191 $188,191 
Cost of goods sold50,552 49,371 99,923 — 87,882 87,882 
Gross profit56,782 55,531 112,313 — 100,309 100,309 
Selling, general and administrative expenses59,344 44,435 103,779 — 93,610 93,610 
Operating (loss) income$(2,562)$11,096 $8,534 $— $6,699 $6,699 
Lawson Adjusted EBITDA(5)
$9,405 $8,042 $17,447 $— $16,267 $16,267 
(1)Operating income prepared in accordance with GAAP, which includes Lawson’s results of operations from the April 1, 2022 Merger Date through the six months ended June 30, 2022.
(2)Lawson's results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which occurred prior to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date and were excluded from GAAP operating results under reverse merger acquisition accounting.
(3)Lawson's results of operations adjusted for comparability on a period-over-period basis. These non-GAAP results represent Lawson’s total operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, regardless of the Merger Date (reflects both pre- and post-Merger results).
(4)Lawson's results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021, which occurred prior to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date and were excluded from GAAP operating results under reverse merger acquisition accounting. See Note 1- Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation and Note 3 - Business Acquisitions within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
(5)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section above for a reconciliation of GAAP Results as Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Composition of Results of Operations

The following results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 include the accounts of the TestEquity and Gexpro Services combined entity, as the accounting acquirer. The results of Lawson have been included only subsequent, and not prior to, to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

Consolidated Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30,
20222021
(Dollars in thousands)Amount% of Net SalesAmount% of Net Sales
Revenue
Lawson$107,334 33.4%$— —%
TestEquity97,874 30.5%67,856 50.6%
Gexpro99,792 31.1%66,296 49.4%
All Other16,336 5.1%— —%
Total Revenue321,336 100.0%134,152 100.0%
Cost of goods sold
Lawson50,552 15.7%— —%
TestEquity75,064 23.4%53,452 39.8%
Gexpro70,615 22.0%46,959 35.0%
All Other10,550 3.3%— —%
Total Cost of goods sold206,781 64.4%100,411 74.8%
Gross profit114,555 35.6%33,741 25.2%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Lawson59,344 18.5%— —%
TestEquity22,339 7.0%14,401 10.7%
Gexpro23,787 7.4%13,872 10.3%
All Other4,972 1.5%— —%
Total Selling, general and administrative expenses110,442 34.3%28,273 21.1%
Operating income4,113 1.3%5,468 4.1%
Interest expense(3,751)(1.2)%(4,262)(3.2)%
Loss on extinguishment of debt(2,814)(0.9)%— —%
Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability(5,693)(1.8)%— —%
Other expense, net(182)—%(186)(0.1)%
(Loss) income before income taxes(8,327)(2.6)%1,020 0.8%
Income tax (benefit) expense(3,612)(1.1)%559 0.4%
Net (loss) income$(4,715)(1.5)%$461 0.3%

Overview of Consolidated Results of Operations

Our consolidated results of operations include the financial impact of the Mergers that were completed on April 1, 2022. The increase in gross profit for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to the inclusion of Lawson operations subsequent to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date and the exclusion of Lawson operations prior to the Merger Date as a result of the accounting treatment of the Mergers. Excluding Lawson and All Other gross profit of $62.6 million for the second quarter of 2022, gross profit for the second quarter of 2022 improved $18.2 million over the prior year due to 2021 and 2022 acquisitions and growth in the organic businesses. Expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were impacted by merger related transaction and integration costs as well as the inclusion of Lawson operating results subsequent, and not prior to, the Merger Date.

Refer to Results by Reportable Segment below for a complete discussion of our results of operations.

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Results by Reportable Segment

Lawson Segment
Three Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Revenue$107,334 $— $107,334 — %
Cost of goods sold50,552 — 50,552 — %
Gross profit56,782 — $56,782 — %
Selling, general and administrative expenses59,344 — 59,344 — %
Operating loss$(2,562)$— $(2,562)— %
Gross profit margin52.9 %— %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$9,405 $— $9,405 — %
(1)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

The $107.3 million increase in revenue for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 was due to the inclusion of Lawson revenue beginning on the Merger Date.

Supplemental Information

For management to discuss Lawson's operating results on a comparable basis, Lawson's GAAP results of operations were adjusted to include its results prior to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date in order to reflect the total operating activities attributable to Lawson for each period presented. These non-GAAP Adjusted Results presented in the table below are referred to within this results of operations discussion as "Adjusted".
Three Months Ended June 30,Change from Adjusted 2021
(Dollars in thousands)2022
Adjusted 2021(1)
Amount%
Revenue$107,334 $94,861 $12,473 13.1 %
Cost of goods sold50,552 44,960 5,592 12.4 %
Gross profit56,782 49,901 6,881 13.8 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses59,344 47,458 11,886 25.0 %
Operating (loss) income$(2,562)$2,443 $(5,005)(204.9)%
Gross profit margin52.9 %52.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
$9,405 $7,779 $1,626 20.9 %
(1)For comparability purposes, Lawson's GAAP results of operations were adjusted to include the historical results prior to the Merger Date. Refer to the section Factors Affecting Comparability to Prior Periods and the non-GAAP measures section Supplemental Information - Lawson Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income and Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA for more information related to the calculation of adjusted amounts.
(2)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Revenue and Gross Profit

Revenue increased 13.1% to $107.3 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to adjusted revenue of $94.9 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase in revenue over the comparable prior year quarter was primarily driven by the realization of price increases enacted throughout 2021 and 2022 to offset rising supplier costs and strengthening sales to our strategic and Kent Automotive customers. Sales per rep per day improved approximately 20% over a year ago quarter on fewer sales reps.

Reported gross profit increased $6.9 million to $56.8 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to adjusted gross profit of $49.9 million in the prior year quarter primarily as a result of increased sales and the related price increases put in place. Lawson gross profit as a percent of sales was 52.9% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 52.6% as adjusted in the prior year quarter. The gross margin percentage for the second quarter of 2022 was impacted by increased supplier costs from
45


inflation, supply chain disruptions, a sales shift toward lower margin customers, and the amortization of the fair value step-up of $1.6 million related to the Mergers. Price increases enacted throughout 2021 and 2022 have generally offset the negative impacts of these higher costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling expenses consist of compensation and support for our sales representatives as well as expenses to operate our distribution network and overhead expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $59.3 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the adjusted amount of $47.5 million in the prior year quarter. Higher expenses in the second quarter versus a year ago quarter were primarily driven by compensation expense to support increased sales, higher severance, additional stock-based compensation expense, increased merger related costs and higher amortization expense related to the reverse merger accounting. Additionally, the company incurred higher consulting expenses as it reviewed opportunities to increase sales rep productivity.

Adjusted EBITDA

During the three months ended June 30, 2022, Lawson generated Adjusted EBITDA of $9.4 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 20.9%, from the same period a year ago on an adjusted basis for pre-merger activity driven primarily by increased revenues and expanded margins.

TestEquity Segment
Three Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Revenue$97,874 $67,856 $30,018 44.2%
Cost of goods sold75,064 53,452 21,612 40.4%
Gross profit22,810 14,404 8,406 58.4%
Selling, general and administrative expenses22,339 14,401 7,938 55.1%
Operating income$471 $$468 15600.0%
Gross profit margin23.3 %21.2 %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$8,647 $3,680 4,967 135.0 %
(1)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Revenue and Gross Profit

Revenue increased $30.0 million to $97.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $67.9 million in the comparable period a year ago. The growth was primarily driven by the recovery of the test and measurement market as business conditions improved after the easing of certain COVID-related restrictions, market gain share from supplier expansion in 2021, the inclusion of $21.2 million of aggregate revenue from the 2022 acquisition of TEquipment and National Test Equipment for two and one-month post-acquisition periods, respectively, and the 2021 acquisition of MCS. Excluding acquisitions, revenue grew approximately 10.6% driven by test and measurement revenue growth of approximately 5.7% on higher rental revenues from additional rental units placed with customers as well as a 17.4% growth in revenue in the electronic production supplies business.

As a percent of sales, gross profit increased 210 basis points (bps) to 23.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 21.2% in the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by a sales mix toward higher margin electronic production supplies business partially offset by the test and measurement acquisitions.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.9 million driven primarily by the acquisitions during the current quarter, costs to support the organic growth of the existing base business, and costs related to the TestEquity Merger.

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Adjusted EBITDA

During the three months ended June 30, 2022, TestEquity generated Adjusted EBITDA of $8.6 million, an increase of $5.0 million from the same period a year ago with approximately $2.0 million driven by the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions and increases in revenues and margins on the base business.

Gexpro Services Segment
Three Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Revenue$99,792 $66,296 $33,496 50.5%
Cost of goods sold70,615 46,959 23,656 50.4%
Gross profit29,177 19,337 9,840 50.9%
Selling, general and administrative expenses23,787 13,872 9,915 71.5%
Operating income$5,390 $5,465 $(75)(1.4)%
Gross profit margin29.2 %29.2 %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
11,915 7,464 4,451 59.6 %
(1)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Revenue and Gross Profit

Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $99.8 million. This compares to revenue of $66.3 million for the same period a year ago or an increase of 50.5%. During the three months ended June 30, 2022 revenue increased primarily due to acquisitions completed in both 2021 and 2022. Of the $33.5 million increase over the second quarter a year ago, $29.5 million was driven by the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions. An expansion of products and services to existing customers, as well as the addition of new customers, drove organic growth of approximately 6.0%.

Gross profit was $29.2 million or 29.2% of revenue for the three-month period ending June 30, 2022 compared to $19.3 million or 29.2% for the same period a year ago. The improvement in gross margin dollars was driven by the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions as well as improving global supply chain issues that were more prevalent during 2021. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was flat with price actions, strategic sourcing improvements, new supplier development, and a continued movement toward longer-term agreements with suppliers being offset by lower gross margin profiles of acquired companies.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense consists of sales and marketing expenses primarily relating to compensation, costs associated with supporting Gexpro Services’ service facilities, overhead expenses within finance, legal, human resources and information technology, and other costs required to operate our business and service customers.

Selling, general, and administrative expense for the three-month period ending June 30, 2022 was $23.8 million or 23.8% of revenue compared to $13.9 million or 20.9% of revenue for the same period last year. The $9.9 million increase was driven primarily by the inclusion of the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions, costs to support the organic revenue increase and costs related to the Gexpro Services Merger.

Adjusted EBITDA

During the three months ended June 30, 2022, Gexpro Services generated Adjusted EBITDA of $11.9 million, an increase of $4.5 million from the same period a year ago with approximately $3.7 million driven by the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions and organic growth in revenue and margins on the existing base business.

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Consolidated Non-operating Income and Expense
Three Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Interest expense$(3,751)$(4,262)$511 (12.0)%
Loss on extinguishment of debt$(2,814)$— $(2,814)—%
Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability$(5,693)$— $(5,693)—%
Other expense, net$(182)$(186)$(2.2)%
Income tax (benefit) expense$(3,612)$559 $(4,171)(746.2)%

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $4.3 million of interest expense in the prior year quarter. The decrease was due to a lower interest rate as a result of the debt refinancing related to the Mergers, partly offset by interest on higher outstanding borrowings related to the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

The $2.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2022 was due to the write-off of previously capitalized financing costs as a result of the debt refinancing related to the Mergers.

Change in Fair Value of Earnout Derivative Liability

The $5.7 million loss in the second quarter of 2022 related to the change in fair value of the earnout derivative liability associated with the earnout provisions of the Merger Agreements. Refer to Note 11 - Earnout Derivative Liability within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the earnout liability.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net was consistent in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the prior year quarter.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

Income tax benefit was $3.6 million, a 43.4% effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to income tax expense of $0.6 million and an effective tax rate of 54.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was higher than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to state taxes, foreign operations, as well as transaction expenses related to the Mergers and other permanent items.

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Consolidated Results of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30,
20222021
(Dollars in thousands)Amount% of Net SalesAmount% of Net Sales
Revenue
Lawson(1)
$107,334 22.6 %$— — %
TestEquity170,276 35.8 %133,631 51.6 %
Gexpro181,475 38.2 %125,348 48.4 %
All Other16,336 3.4 %— — %
Total Revenue475,421 100.0 %258,979 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold
Lawson(1)
50,552 10.6 %— — %
TestEquity130,543 27.5 %105,472 40.7 %
Gexpro128,337 27.0 %89,519 34.6 %
All Other10,550 2.2 %— — %
Total Cost of goods sold319,982 67.3 %194,991 75.3 %
Gross profit155,439 32.7 %63,988 24.7 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Lawson(1)
59,344 12.5 %— — %
TestEquity39,866 8.4 %29,521 11.4 %
Gexpro44,156 9.3 %26,746 10.3 %
All Other4,972 1.0 %— — %
Total Selling, general and administrative expenses148,338 31.2 %56,267 21.7 %
Operating income7,101 1.5 %7,721 3.0 %
Interest expense(10,607)(2.2)%(8,506)(3.3)%
Loss on extinguishment of debt(3,395)(0.7)%— — %
Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability(5,693)(1.2)%— — %
Other income (expense), net774 0.2 %(254)(0.1)%
Loss before income taxes(11,820)(2.5)%(1,039)(0.4)%
Income tax (benefit) expense(4,568)(1.0)%390 0.2 %
Net loss$(7,252)(1.5)%$(1,429)(0.6)%
(1)Includes the operating results of Lawson only subsequent to the Merger Date of April 1, 2022 and not Lawson operating results prior to the Mergers.

Overview of Consolidated Results of Operations

Our consolidated results of operations include the financial impact of the Mergers that were completed on April 1, 2022. The increase in gross profit for the first six months of 2022 compared to the first six months of 2021 was primarily due to the inclusion of Lawson operations only subsequent, and not prior, to the Merger Date. Excluding Lawson and All Other gross profit of $62.6 million, gross profit for the first six months of 2022 improved $28.8 million over the prior year. Expenses for the first six months of 2022 were impacted by the inclusion of Lawson, the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions, and merger related costs.

Refer to Results by Reportable Segment below for a complete discussion of our results of operations.

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Results by Reportable Segment

Lawson Segment
Six Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Revenue$107,334 $— $107,334 —%
Cost of goods sold50,552 — 50,552 —%
Gross profit56,782 — 56,782 —%
Selling, general and administrative expenses59,344 — 59,344 —%
Operating loss$(2,562)$— $(2,562)—%
Gross profit margin52.9 %— %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$9,405 $— $9,405 — %
(1)Includes the operating results of Lawson only subsequent to the Merger Date of April 1, 2022 and not Lawson operating results prior to the Mergers.
(2)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

The $107.3 million increase in revenue for the first six months of 2022 compared to the first six months of 2021 was due to the inclusion of Lawson revenue beginning on the Merger Date and not including any Lawson revenue prior to the Merger Date.

Supplemental Information

For management to discuss Lawson's operating results on a comparable basis, Lawson's GAAP results of operations were adjusted to include its results prior to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date in order to reflect the total operating activities attributable to Lawson for each period presented. These non-GAAP Adjusted Results presented in the table below are referred to within this results of operations discussion as "Adjusted".
Six Months Ended June 30,Adjusted Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Adjusted 2022(1)
Adjusted 2021(1)
Amount%
Revenue$212,236 $188,191 $24,045 12.8%
Cost of goods sold99,923 87,882 12,041 13.7%
Gross profit112,313 100,309 12,004 12.0%
Selling, general and administrative expenses103,779 93,610 10,169 10.9%
Operating income$8,534 $6,699 $1,835 27.4%
Gross profit margin52.9 %53.3 %
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
$17,447 $16,267 $1,180 7.3%
(1)For comparability purposes, Lawson's GAAP results of operations were adjusted to include the historical results prior to the Merger Date. Refer to the section Factors Affecting Comparability to Prior Periods and the non-GAAP measures section Supplemental Information - Lawson Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income and Non- GAAP EBITDA for more information related to the calculation of adjusted amounts.
(2)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Revenue and Gross Profit

Adjusted revenue increased 12.8% to $212.2 million for the first six months of 2022 compared to adjusted revenue of $188.2 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in adjusted revenue compared to the prior year was primarily driven by the realization of price increases enacted throughout 2021 and 2022 to offset rising supplier costs and strengthening sales to our strategic and Kent Automotive customers. The six months ended June 30, 2022 included 128 selling days, or 1 additional selling day over the same period a year ago.

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Adjusted gross profit increased $12.0 million to $112.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $100.3 million in the prior year primarily as a result of increased sales and the related price increases put in place. Lawson adjusted gross profit as a percent of sales was 52.9% for the first six months of 2022 compared to 53.3% in the prior year. The adjusted gross margin percentage for 2022 was impacted by price increases enacted throughout 2021 and 2022 partially offset by increased supplier costs, freight costs and a shift toward lower margin strategic customers and the amortization of the fair value step up of $1.6 million related to the Mergers.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling expenses consist of compensation and support for our sales representatives as well as expenses to operate our distribution network and overhead expenses. Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $103.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the adjusted amount of $93.6 million in same period a year ago. Higher expense on a year-to-date basis versus a year ago were primarily driven by costs related to the Mergers, compensation expense to support increased sales, higher severance, additional stock-based compensation expense and higher amortization expense related to the reverse merger accounting.

Adjusted EBITDA

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, Lawson generated Adjusted EBITDA of $17.4 million, an increase of $1.2 million from the same period a year ago driven by increased revenues and margins.

TestEquity Segment
Six Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Revenue$170,276 $133,631 $36,645 27.4%
Cost of goods sold130,543 105,472 25,071 23.8%
Gross profit39,733 28,159 11,574 41.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses39,866 29,521 10,345 35.0%
Operating loss$(133)$(1,362)$1,229 (90.2)%
Gross profit margin23.3 %21.1 %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
14,138 5,938 8,200 138.1 %
(1)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Revenue and Gross Profit

Revenue increased to $170.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $133.6 million during the same period in 2021. This increase was driven by the TEquipment and National Test Equipment acquisitions during the second quarter of 2022 and the acquisition of MCS in 2021, which generated aggregate revenue of $25.1 million for the post-acquisition periods, as well as organic growth of 8.6% in the existing base business.

Gross profit increased $11.6 million to $39.7 million in the first six months of 2022 compared to $28.2 million in the same period of 2021 primarily due to acquisitions and increased levels in the base business. As a percent of revenue, gross profit improved to 23.3% in 2022 as compared to 21.1% in 2021 driven by an expansion of margins within the existing base business (excluding acquisitions) and a shift in sales mix toward higher margin electronic production supplies.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.3 million to $39.9 million in 2022 from $29.5 million in 2021. Approximately $6.0 million of costs were added due to the acquisitions made in 2021 and 2022 and increased compensation and distribution costs to support the organic revenue growth in the base business.

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Adjusted EBITDA

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, TestEquity generated Adjusted EBITDA of $14.1 million, an increase of $8.2 million from the same period a year ago driven by increased revenues and margins on the existing base business (excluding acquisitions).

Gexpro Services Segment
Six Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Revenue$181,475 $125,348 $56,127 44.8%
Cost of goods sold128,337 89,519 38,818 43.4%
Gross profit53,138 35,829 17,309 48.3%
Selling, general and administrative expenses44,156 26,746 17,410 65.1%
Operating income$8,982 $9,083 $(101)(1.1)%
Gross profit margin29.3 %28.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
19,926 12,416 7,510 60.5 %
(1)Refer to the Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA section in Overview for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income.

Revenue and Gross Profit

Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $181.5 million. This compares to revenue of $125.3 million for the same period a year ago, or a 44.8% increase with four additional selling days in the six months ended June 30, 2022. A selling day generally represents a business day in which Gexpro Services ships products to its customers. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, revenue increased due to revenue generated from the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions of $49.9 million and organic growth in the base business of 5% through an expansion of products and services to existing customers as well as the addition of new customers.

Gross profit was $53.1 million or 29.3% of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to gross profit of $35.8 million for the same period a year ago. The gross profit increase was driven by the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions and improvement in global supply chain over 2021 activities as well as customer price increases put in place.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense consists of sales and marketing expenses primarily relating to compensation, costs associated with supporting Gexpro Services’ service facilities, overhead expenses within finance, legal, human resources and information technology, and other costs required to operate the business and service customers.

Selling, general, and administrative expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $44.2 million compared to $26.7 million for the same period a year ago. The increase of $17.4 million over a year ago was primarily driven by the inclusion of the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions of $8.7 million. The remainder of the increase was driven primarily by an increase in merger related costs of $2.5 million and additional compensation and product fulfillment costs to support the organic growth of the existing base business.

Adjusted EBITDA

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, Gexpro Services generated Adjusted EBITDA of $19.9 million, an increase of $7.5 million from the same period a year ago with approximately $6.9 million driven by the acquisitions closed during 2021 and 2022 and increases in revenues and margins on the base business.

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Consolidated Non-operating Income and Expense
Six Months Ended June 30,Change
(Dollars in thousands)20222021Amount%
Interest expense$(10,607)$(8,506)$(2,101)24.7%
Loss on extinguishment of debt$(3,395)$— $(3,395)—%
Change in fair value of earnout derivative liability$(5,693)$— $(5,693)—%
Other income (expense), net$774 $(254)$1,028 (404.7)%
Income tax (benefit) expense$(4,568)$390 $(4,958)(1,271.3)%

Interest Expense

Interest expenses increased $2.1 million in the first six months of 2022 primarily due to additional borrowings related to the 2021 and 2022 acquisitions partly offset by a lower interest rate as a result of the debt refinancing related to the Mergers.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

The $3.4 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the first six months of 2022 was primarily due to the write-off of previously capitalized financing costs as a result of the debt refinancing related to the Mergers.

Change in Fair Value of Earnout Derivative Liability

The $5.7 million loss in the first six months of 2022 related to the change in fair value of the earnout derivative liability associated with the earnout provisions of the Merger Agreements. Refer to Note 11 - Earnout Derivative Liability within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the earnout liability.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other expense, net increased $1.0 million in the first six months of 2022 compared to the prior year primarily due to the inclusion of Lawson operations subsequent to the April 1, 2022 Merger Date.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

Income tax benefit was $4.6 million, a 38.6% effective tax rate for the first six months of 2022 compared to income tax expense of $0.4 million and a 37.5% effective tax rate for the first six months of 2021. The change in the year over year effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in the valuation allowance in the first six months of 2021, merger costs incurred in the first six months of 2022, and the creation of a consolidated group for federal income tax purposes as a result of the completion of the Mergers referenced in Note 3 - Business Acquisitions within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Relative to the U.S. statutory rate, the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2022 was impacted by state taxes, foreign operations, and the expiration of uncertain tax positions, as well as liabilities and transaction expenses related to the Mergers, and discrete tax items related to changes in the uncertain tax positions and prior period true-ups as a result of the completed Mergers.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $17.9 million on June 30, 2022 compared to $14.7 million on December 31, 2021.

The Company believes its current balances of cash and cash equivalents, availability under its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet its liquidity needs for the next twelve months. As of June 30, 2022, liquidity for the Company was $103.8 million comprised of $17.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $85.9 million of borrowing availability remaining, net of outstanding letters of credit, under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

Our primary short-term liquidity and capital resource needs are to finance operating expenses, working capital, capital expenditures, possible business acquisitions, strategic initiatives and general corporate purposes. Our current debt obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement mature in 2027. Principal payments for the next twelve months are $15.0 million. Refer to Note 13 - Debt within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information for additional information related to our debt obligations. Access to debt capital markets has historically provided the Company with sources of liquidity, beyond normal operating cash flows. We do not anticipate having difficulty in obtaining financing from those markets in the future with our history of favorable results in debt capital markets and strong relationships with global financial institutions, however, we cannot provide assurance that events beyond our control will not have a material adverse impact on our liquidity.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows:
(in thousands)June 30, 2022June 30, 2021Change
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities$(39,543)$8,912 $(48,455)
Net cash used in investing activities$(115,286)$(12,089)$(103,197)
Net cash provided by financing activities$157,043 $3,755 $153,288 

Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities

Cash used by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $39.5 million, excluding non-cash items, this was primarily due to increased accounts receivables driven by higher sales and increased inventories due to increased supplier costs driven by inflation and global supply chain disruptions.

Cash provided by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $8.9 million, primarily due to decreased accounts receivable and inventories partially offset by increased accounts payable and prepaid expenses.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $115.3 million, primarily as a result of the 2022 other acquisitions by TestEquity and Gexpro as described in Note 3 - Business Acquisitions within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information.

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021was $12.1 million, primarily due to business acquisitions and purchases of rental equipment.

Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $157.0 million for the first six months of 2022, primarily due to proceeds under the April 1, 2022 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement partially offset by repayment of previous indebtedness. On April 29, 2022, the Company borrowed the $50 million available under the delayed draw term loan facility to finance the acquisition of Interworld Highway, LLC made by TestEquity. Deferred financing costs of $11.4 million were incurred during the first six months of 2022 in connection with the April 1, 2022 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and January 3, 2022 Gexpro Services Credit Agreement.

Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $3.8 million, primarily due to increased borrowings on the Company's revolving lines of credit partially offset by payments on the Company's term loans.

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Material Cash Requirements

The Company anticipates that outstanding stock performance rights with a value of $5.4 million at June 30, 2022 will be paid out within the next twelve months prior to expiration.

As of June 30, 2022, we had contractual commitments to purchase approximately $195.9 million of product from our suppliers and contractors.

Credit Facility

On April 1, 2022, in connection with the closing of the Mergers, DSG entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which includes a $200 million senior secured revolving credit facility, a $250 million senior secured initial term loan facility and a $50 million senior secured delayed draw term loan facility. Refer to Note 13 - Debt within Part I. Item 1. Financial Information for a description of the agreement.

On June 30, 2022, we had $411.4 million in outstanding borrowings and $85.9 million of borrowing availability remaining, net of outstanding letters of credit, under the revolving credit facility.

As of June 30, 2022, we were in compliance with all financial covenants under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

While we were in compliance with our financial covenants as of June 30, 2022, failure to meet the covenant requirements of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in future quarters could lead to higher financing costs, increased restrictions, or reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 3 of Part I has been omitted from this report.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information relating to DSG, including DSG's consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in our SEC reports (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) includes, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Mergers that were completed on April 1, 2022, had a material impact on the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the combined company from the Merger Date through June 30, 2022. We have implemented new processes and internal controls as a result of the Mergers to assist us in the preparation and disclosure of financial information. Given the significance of the Mergers and the complexity of systems and business processes, we intend to exclude the TestEquity and Gexpro Services operating companies from our assessment and report on internal control over financial reporting for the year ending December 31, 2022. Other than as discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act, during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEMS 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Part II are not applicable and have been omitted from this report.

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements, included in Part I. Item 1. Financial Information, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a description of certain of our pending legal proceedings. In addition, the Company is involved in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management that the resolution of any currently pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our operating results depend upon many factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below. The material risks and uncertainties known to us and described below may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and may give rise to or amplify many of the risks discussed below.

Business Risks

A significant portion of our inventory may become obsolete.

Our business strategy requires us to carry a significant amount of inventory to meet rapid processing of customer orders. If our inventory forecasting and production planning processes result in inventory levels exceeding the levels demanded by customers or should our customers decrease their orders with us, our operating results could be adversely affected due to costs of carrying the inventory and additional inventory write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory.
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Work stoppages and other disruptions at transportation centers or shipping ports, along with other supply chain disruptions, may adversely affect our ability to obtain inventory and make deliveries to our customers.

Our ability to rapidly process customer orders is an integral component of our overall business strategy. Interruptions at our company-operated facilities or disruptions at a major transportation center or shipping port, due to events such as severe weather, labor interruptions, natural disasters, acts of terrorism or other events, could affect our ability to maintain core products in inventory, deliver products to our customers on a timely basis or adversely affect demand for our products, which may in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, other supply chain disruptions have impacted our ability to maintain certain core products in inventory and deliver products to customers on a timely basis, and may continue to impact our ability to do so. Such supply chain disruptions may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

TestEquity relies on a single supplier for a significant amount of its product inventory, and any disruptions in such supplier’s business, operations or financial condition, or TestEquity’s relationship with such supplier, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

TestEquity relies on a single supplier for a significant amount of its product inventory, including electronic test and measurement equipment. Any disruptions in that particular supplier’s business, operations or financial condition, or TestEquity’s relationship with this significant supplier, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in our customers, product mix and pricing strategy could cause our gross margin percentage to decline in the future.

From time to time, our businesses have experienced overall changes in the product mix demand of customers. When customers or product mix changes, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our gross profit margins. Changes in our customers, product mix, volume of orders or prices charged, along with additional freight costs or lower productivity levels, could cause our gross profit margin percentage to decline. Our gross margin percentage may also come under pressure in the future if we increase the percentage of national accounts in our customer base, as sales to these customers are generally at lower margins.

Disruptions of our information and communication systems could adversely affect the Company.

We depend on our information and communication systems to process orders, purchase and manage inventory, maintain cost-effective operations, sell and ship products, manage accounts receivable collections and serve our customers. Disruptions in the operation of information and communication systems can occur due to a variety of factors including power outages, hardware failure, programming faults and human error. Disruptions in the operation of our information and communication systems, whether over a short or an extended period of time or affecting one or multiple distribution centers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Cyber attacks or other information security incidents could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, subject us to additional legal costs and damage our reputation in the marketplace.

We are increasingly dependent on digital technology to process and record financial and operating data and communicate with our employees and business partners. During the normal course of business we receive, retain and transmit certain confidential information that our customers provide to purchase products or services or to otherwise communicate with us, as well as certain information about our employees.

Our technologies, systems and networks (and those of our business partners) have been and may in the future be the target of cyber attacks and/or information security incidents that may have resulted in, or may in the future result in, the unauthorized release, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary, personal and other information, or other disruption of our business operations. For example, in February 2022, DSG became aware that its computer network was the subject of a cyber incident potentially involving unlawful access. Because of the nature of the information that may have been compromised, we were required to notify the parties whose information was potentially compromised of the incident as well as various governmental agencies and have taken other actions, such as offering credit monitoring services.

Such attacks or incidents could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, subject us to additional legal costs and damage our reputation in the marketplace. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to
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expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and fix any information security vulnerabilities.

The inability to successfully recruit, integrate and retain productive sales representatives could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We have committed to a plan to increase the size of our sales force. A successful expansion in our sales force requires us to identify under-served territories that offer the greatest potential growth opportunity, locate and recruit talented sales representatives, provide them with the proper training, and successfully integrate them into our organization. This expansion will require significant investment in capital and resources. The failure to identify the optimal sales territories, recruit and retain quality sales representatives and provide them with sufficient support could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

It is also critical to retain the experienced and productive sales representatives that have historically contributed to the successes of our businesses. Failure to retain a sufficient number of talented, experienced and productive sales representatives could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to retain talented employees, managers and executives could negatively impact our business and operating results.

Our success depends on, among other things, our ability to attract, develop and retain talented employees, including executives and other key managers. The loss of certain key executives and managers or the failure to attract and develop talented employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The inability of management to successfully implement changes in operating processes could lead to disruptions in our operations.

We strive to improve operational efficiencies throughout our organization and to identify and initiate changes intended to improve our internal operations. The implementation of changes to our current operations involve a risk that the changes may not work as intended, may disrupt related processes, may not be properly applied or may not result in accomplishing the intended efficiencies. Failure to successfully manage the implementation of these changes could lead to disruptions in our operations.

The inability to successfully integrate additional acquisitions into our organization could adversely affect our operations and operating results.

One of our growth strategies is to actively pursue additional acquisition opportunities which complement our business model. However, there are risks associated with pursuing acquisitions, which include the incurrence of significant transaction costs without the guarantee that such transactions will be completed. Further, we may fail to successfully identify the right opportunities and/or to successfully integrate the acquired businesses, operations, technologies, systems and/or personnel with those of DSG, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. See also the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors – TestEquity Merger and Gexpro Services Merger Risks” for a discussion of various additional risk factors relating to our completed business combination with TestEquity and Gexpro Services.

We operate in highly competitive markets.

The marketplaces in which we operate are highly competitive. Our competitors include large and small companies with similar or greater market presence, name recognition, and financial, marketing, and other resources. We believe the competition will continue to challenge our business with their product selection, financial resources and services.

Changes that affect governmental and other tax-supported entities could negatively impact our sales and earnings.

A portion of our sales are derived from the United States military and other governmental and tax-supported entities. These entities are largely dependent upon government budgets and require adherence to certain laws and regulations. A decrease in the levels of defense and other governmental spending or the introduction of more stringent governmental regulations and oversight, could lead to reduced sales or an increase in compliance costs which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Debt Financing Risks
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We have a significant amount of indebtedness, and our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We incurred a significant amount of indebtedness in connection with the Mergers, and our significant indebtedness includes a significant amount of indebtedness under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In addition, we may be able to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness, subject to the terms and restrictions of our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Our indebtedness could have significant consequences on our future operations, including:

events of default if we fail to comply with the financial and other covenants contained in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and/or other agreements governing our debt instruments, which could result in all of the debt becoming immediately due and payable or require us to negotiate an amendment to financial or other covenants that could cause us to incur additional fees and expenses;
reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our business, the industries in which we operate, and the overall economy;
limiting our ability to buy back common stock or pay dividends;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to any of our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged; and
increasing our vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic and industry conditions.

Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under our debt instruments will depend on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure that we will generate cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our indebtedness obligations and to fund other liquidity needs.

Failure to adequately fund our operating and working capital needs through cash generated from operations and cash available through our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement could negatively impact our ability to invest in our business and maintain our capital structure.

Our business requires investment in working capital and fixed assets. We expect to fund these investments from cash generated from operations and funds available from our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or from our credit agreement could cause us to have insufficient funds to operate our business. Adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be available on favorable terms.

Failure to meet the covenant requirements of our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement could lead to higher financing costs and increased restrictions and reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds.

Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains financial and other restrictive covenants. These covenants could adversely affect us by limiting our financial and operating flexibility as well as our ability to plan for and react to market conditions and to meet our capital needs. Failure to meet these covenant requirements could lead to higher financing costs and increased restrictions, reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds, or accelerate the payment of our indebtedness. In addition, prior to the closing of the TestEquity Merger, TestEquity was in default of certain debt covenants of its term loan and revolving line of credit agreements. In connection therewith, on September 6, 2019, February 28, 2020, March 27, 2020, October 9, 2020 and June 30, 2021, TestEquity entered into forbearance agreements with its lender. Such term loan and revolving line of credit agreements were terminated in connection with the closing of the TestEquity Merger.

If we require more liquidity than is available to us under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we may need to raise additional funds through debt or equity offerings which may not be available when needed or may not be available on terms favorable to us. Should funding be insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to develop or enhance our products or services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Prolonged periods of inflation could require government efforts to combat inflation which could lead to higher financing costs.
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Inflation has risen on a global basis and the United States has recently experienced historically high levels of inflation. If the inflation rate continues to increase, government efforts may be required to combat inflation such as raising the interest rate benchmark which could lead to higher financing costs and have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Common Stock Risks

The market price of our common stock may decline.

The price of our common stock could decrease if our financial performance is inadequate or does not meet investors' expectations, if there is deterioration in the overall market for equities, if large amounts of shares are sold in the market, if there is index trading, or if investors have concerns that our business, financial condition, results of operations and capital requirements are negatively impacted by an economic downturn or any other adverse development.

Entities affiliated with Luther King Capital Management Corporation and J. Bryan King beneficially own a significant majority of the outstanding shares of DSG common stock and therefore have significant influence over our company, and this influence could delay or deter a change in control or other business combination or otherwise cause us to take actions with which you may disagree.

Based on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC by LKCM, J. Bryan King and various other persons and entities (as amended through June 17, 2022), entities affiliated with Luther King Capital Management Corporation ("LKCM") beneficially owned in the aggregate approximately 14.6 million shares of DSG common stock as of June 15, 2022, representing approximately 75% of the outstanding shares of DSG common stock as of June 30, 2022. J. Bryan King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is a Principal of LKCM. As a result, LKCM has significant influence over the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors and the approval of other significant matters, and LKCM’s interests may not align with the interests of other stockholders. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or other business combination that might be beneficial to our stockholders.

In addition, as a result of this concentrated ownership interest, DSG believes that it qualifies as a “controlled company,” as that term is defined by Rule 5615(c) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and, accordingly, DSG believes that, if it so desired, it would be generally exempt from the requirements of Rule 5615(c) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules that would otherwise require DSG to have:

a majority of the DSG board of directors comprised of independent directors;
a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and
director nominees selected, or recommended for the DSG board of directors’ selection, either by (1) independent directors constituting a majority of the DSG board of directors’ independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate or (2) a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

A violation of federal, state or local environmental protection regulations could lead to significant penalties and fines or other remediation costs.

Our product offerings include a wide variety of industrial chemicals and other products which are subject to a multitude of federal, state and local regulations. These environmental protection laws change frequently and affect the composition, handling, transportation, storage and disposal of these products. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to severe penalties and fines for each violation.

Additionally, a facility we own in Decatur, Alabama, was found to contain hazardous substances in the soil and groundwater as a result of historical operations prior to our ownership. We retained an environmental consulting firm to further investigate the contamination, including measurement and monitoring of the site. The Company concluded that further remediation was required, and accordingly, has made an accrual for the estimated cost of this environmental matter. A remediation plan was approved by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the remediation of the affected area is ongoing. Additional procedures may be required that could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Our results of operations could be affected by changes in taxation.

Our results of operations could be affected by changes in tax rates, audits by taxing authorities or changes in laws, regulations and their interpretation. Changes in applicable tax laws and regulations could affect our ability to realize our deferred tax assets, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

COVID-19 and Other Infectious Disease Risks

The coronavirus strain ("COVID-19") created a worldwide pandemic which has continued to affect our business and could have further undetermined material adverse effects on our revenues, operating results and financial condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lost revenue to our company, limitations on our ability to source high demand product, limitations on our sales force to perform certain functions due to state or federal stay-at-home orders, a slow-down of customer demand for our products and limitations on the ability of some customers to pay us on a timely basis. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance includes affecting our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame. The extent of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on us will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on travel, transports and person to person contact, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at the present time. On a broader scale, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially affect our sales, workforce, supply chains, results of operations, and financial condition.

If the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, some or all of our facilities (including distribution facilities and/or branch locations) could be required to temporarily close, which would negatively impact our operations. Other disruptions to our supply chain such as reduced capacity or temporary shutdowns of freight carriers could also negatively impact Company performance.

Our sales results may be negatively impacted in the future by any social distancing guidelines and government mandated shelter in place orders that would prevent our sales representatives from visiting customers in person, or that would otherwise reduce customer visits to our branch locations. The reduction of operations and temporary shut down by many of our customers in response to COVID-19 has also negatively impacted our sales and ability to collect on existing credit balances, and we may continue to be impacted by those and additional reductions and shut downs until the pandemic ends.

Further, vendors who are negatively impacted by COVID-19 may temporarily shut down operations or have difficulty obtaining inventory, which could negatively impact our ability to fulfill customer orders. As a result, the Company may be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various federal, state and local restrictions enacted to combat the pandemic.

Certain items on our balance sheet require judgments on their valuation, including intangible assets and goodwill. These valuations are based on assumptions that take future financial performance into account. COVID-19 may have a negative impact to our future financial performance that would require us to revise assumptions about future financial performance and impair the value of these assets. It is reasonably possible that estimates made based on future operating results and cash flows of the Company may be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impairment losses related to goodwill.

In addition, the increased number of employees working remotely as a result of COVID-19 can exacerbate the risks mentioned in regards to internal controls and cybersecurity.

TestEquity Merger and Gexpro Services Merger Risks

Completion of the Mergers resulted in the issuance of a significant number of shares of DSG common stock, and may result in the issuance of a significant number of additional shares of DSG common stock, which could have a negative effect on the price of DSG common stock.

We issued an aggregate of 10.3 million shares of DSG common stock on April 1, 2022 in connection with the closing of the Mergers. In addition, we could be obligated to issue up to an aggregate of 1.7 million additional shares of DSG common stock in accordance with the earnout provisions of the Merger Agreements. As of June 30, 2022, approximately 1,238,000 additional shares of DSG common stock are expected to be issued to entities affiliated with LKCM in accordance with and subject to certain terms and conditions of the first earnout provision of the Merger Agreements. The remaining 462,000 additional shares of DSG common stock would be available to be issued to entities affiliated with LKCM or forfeited in in
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accordance with and subject to certain terms and conditions of the second earnout provision of the Merger Agreements. The issuance of such a significant number of shares of DSG common stock could have a negative effect on the market price of DSG common stock. Such downward pressure could also encourage short sales by certain investors, which could place further downward pressure on the market price of DSG common stock.

In addition, in accordance with the Merger Agreements, DSG granted to certain entities affiliated with LKCM certain registration rights with respect to the shares of DSG common stock that DSG has issued, and would be required to issue, in connection with the Mergers. Any sales of those shares, or the anticipation of the possibility of such sales, could create downward pressure on the market price of DSG common stock.

There may be difficulties in integrating certain operations of TestEquity’s and Gexpro Services’ respective businesses with our legacy operations, and the failure to successfully combine those operations within our expected timetable could adversely affect our future results and the market price of our common stock.

The Mergers involve the combination of businesses that previously operated as independent businesses. We have been devoting, and will continue to need to devote, significant management attention and resources to combining certain business operations of TestEquity and Gexpro Services with our legacy business operations and attending to other post-closing matters. This may decrease the time our management team will have to manage our businesses, service existing customers, attract new customers and develop new products, services and strategies. One potential consequence of such distractions could be the failure of management to realize other opportunities that could be beneficial to us.

If our management is not able to effectively manage the process following the closing of the Mergers, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the process, our businesses could suffer.

Furthermore, it is possible that the Mergers could result in the loss of key employees. If we are not able to fully realize the anticipated savings and synergies in a timely manner, or the cost to achieve these synergies is greater than expected, we may not fully realize the anticipated benefits (or any benefits) of the Mergers, or it may take longer than expected to realize any benefits. The failure to fully or timely realize the anticipated benefits could have a negative effect on the market price of DSG common stock.

We are subject to business uncertainties as a result of the Mergers that could materially and adversely affect our businesses.

Uncertainty about the effect of the Mergers on employees, customers, suppliers and others having business relationships with our company may have a material and adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel for a period of time after the closing of the Mergers. These uncertainties could also cause our customers and suppliers and others that deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships with us. Employee retention and recruitment may be challenging for the combined company as employees and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that after the Mergers we will be able to attract or retain key management personnel or other key employees to the same extent that legacy Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services had been previously able to attract or retain their own employees. The departure of existing key employees or the failure of potential key employees to accept employment with the combined company, despite our retention and recruiting efforts, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We have incurred and may continue to incur significant transaction costs in connection with the Mergers.

We have incurred and may continue to incur significant, non-recurring costs in connection with consummating the Mergers. Non-recurring transaction costs include, but are not limited to, fees paid to legal, accounting and financial advisors, filing fees and other costs. Additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the combination process.

DSG’s estimates and judgments related to the acquisition accounting models used to record the purchase price allocation in connection with the Mergers may be inaccurate.

DSG’s management has made and expects to continue to make significant accounting judgments and estimates for the application of acquisition accounting under GAAP and the underlying valuation models in connection with the Mergers. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted in future periods if our accounting judgments and estimates related to these models prove to be inaccurate.

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We may be required to recognize impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets.

As a result of the closing of the Mergers on April 1, 2022, we have an amount of goodwill and other intangible assets on our balance sheet that is significantly greater than the amount of goodwill and other intangible assets on our December 31, 2021 consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with GAAP, our management periodically assesses our goodwill and other intangible assets to determine if they are impaired. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, an inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes, planned changes in use of the assets, divestitures and market capitalization declines may impair goodwill and other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in the periods recognized, which could result in an adverse effect on the market price of DSG common stock.

TestEquity’s and Gexpro Services’ international operations subject us to additional legal and regulatory regimes.

TestEquity has business operations and/or sales in a number of foreign countries, including Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, and Gexpro Services has business operations and/or sales in a number of foreign countries, including Hungary and China. As a result of the completion of the Mergers, we are subject to a wider array of foreign legal and regulatory regimes (including tax regimes) than those to which we were subject prior to the completion of the Mergers. Compliance with diverse legal and regulatory requirements, including in connection with the movement or repatriation of cash, may be costly, time-consuming and require significant resources. Violations could result in significant fines or monetary damages, sanctions, prohibitions or restrictions on doing business and damage to our reputation. In addition, operating in foreign countries requires us to manage the potential conflicts between locally accepted business practices in any given jurisdiction and our obligations to comply with laws and regulations with respect to such jurisdictions, including anti-corruption laws or regulations applicable to DSG, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and the UK Bribery Act 2010 (the “UKBA”). The U.S., U.K. and other foreign agencies and authorities have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against companies for violations of export controls, the FCPA, the UKBA, and other laws, rules, sanctions, embargoes and regulations, including those established by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). Any violation of these legal requirements, even if prohibited by our policies, procedures and controls, could subject us to criminal or civil enforcement actions, penalties for non-compliance or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business and reputation.

Litigation relating to the Mergers could result in the payment of damages following the closing of the Mergers.

DSG and members of the DSG board of directors are and may in the future be parties, among others, to litigation related to the Merger Agreements and the Mergers. Among other remedies, the stockholders in the pending litigation seek, and other stockholders could seek, damages. The outcome of any legal proceedings are difficult to predict and any such lawsuits could result in substantial costs to us. The existence of litigation relating to the Mergers may also be costly and distracting to management. Further, the defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements, included in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements, for a description of certain of our pending legal proceedings relating to the Mergers, which are incorporated herein by reference.

As a result of the Mergers, DSG’s ability to use its net operating losses and certain other tax attributes generated prior to the Mergers may be subject to limitations.

As a result of the Mergers, DSG’s ability to use its net operating losses and certain other tax attributes generated prior to the Mergers may be subject to limitations.

TestEquity and Gexpro Services were private companies before the Mergers and may not have had in place the financial organization, reporting and internal controls necessary for a public company.

TestEquity and Gexpro Services were private companies before the Mergers and may not have had in place the financial organization, reporting and controls which are required for a U.S. public company. The cost of implementing this type of financial organization, reporting and controls in respect of TestEquity and Gexpro Services and integrating their financial reporting processes with our financial reporting processes may be significant. If there are limitations in TestEquity’s or Gexpro Services’ financial organization, reporting and controls, or if we are unable to effectively integrate their financial reporting processes with our financial reporting processes, we could have, among other things, material weaknesses in our internal controls, violate our indebtedness covenants, miss an SEC reporting deadline or otherwise not comply with an applicable law or regulation.

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General Risks

Our results of operations may be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy or in certain sectors of the economy.

Any decline or uncertainty in the strength of the economy may lead to a decrease in customer spending and may cause certain customers to cancel or delay placing orders. Some of our customers may file for bankruptcy protection, preventing us from collecting on accounts receivable and may result in our stocking excess inventory. Contractions in the credit markets may also cause some of our customers to experience difficulties in obtaining financing, leading to lower sales, delays in the collection of receivables and result in an increase in bad debt expense.

Adverse economic conditions could also affect our key suppliers and contractors. This could lead to us incurring additional expenses or result in delays in shipping products to our customers. Economic uncertainty can make it difficult to accurately predict future order activity and affect our ability to effectively manage inventory levels. There are no assurances that we would be able to establish alternative financing or obtain financing with terms similar to our existing financing arrangements, including our credit agreement.

Changes in energy costs, tariffs and the cost of raw materials used in our products, and other inflationary pressures, could impact our cost of goods and distribution and occupancy expenses, which may result in lower operating margins.

Increases in the cost of raw materials used in our products (e.g., steel, brass, copper), increases in tariffs and increases in energy costs, as well as other inflationary pressures, will raise the production costs of our vendors. Those vendors have typically looked to pass the higher costs along to us through price increases. If we are unable to fully pass such increased prices and costs through to our customers or to modify our activities, the impact would have an adverse effect on our operating profit margins and financial condition. On the other hand, a decrease in oil prices may result in weaker demand from oil and gas customers in the future, resulting in lower net sales. Changes in trade policies could affect our sourcing of product and ability to secure sufficient product and/or impact the cost or price of our products, with potentially negative impacts on our reported gross profits and results of operations.

Supply chain constraints, inflationary pressure, and labor shortages could impact our cost of goods and other costs and expenses, which may result in lower gross margins and/or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our businesses have been and may continue to be impacted by supply chain constraints, resulting in inflationary pressure on material costs, longer lead times, port congestion, and increased freight costs. This results in challenges in acquiring and receiving inventory in a timely fashion and fulfilling customer orders. In addition, we have been and may continue to be impacted by labor shortages. This results in challenges in fulfilling customer orders and can have a negative impact on our operating results as we may be required to utilize higher-cost temporary labor. We have also experienced and continue to experience inflationary pressure in other areas that adversely impact our cost of goods sold and other costs and expenses. While we have instituted various price increases during 2022 in response to rising supplier costs, as well as increased transportation and labor costs, there can be no assurance that future cost increases can be partially or fully passed on to customers, or that the timing of such sales price increases will match our supplier cost increases. As a result, we are unable to predict the impact of these constraints on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is exposed to the risk of foreign currency changes.

A number of our subsidiaries are located and operate in foreign countries and use those foreign currencies as their functional currency. Operating results denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars when consolidated into our financial statements. Therefore, we are exposed to market risk relating to the change in the value of such foreign currencies (including the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso, the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Danish krone, the Brazil real, the Chinese renminbi, and the Turkish lira) relative to the U.S. dollar that could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

In addition, the revolving credit facility under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is available to be drawn in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars and any other additional currencies that may be agreed between us and our lenders. Any borrowings in Canadian dollars or any other foreign currency would expose us to market risk relating to the change in the value of such foreign currency in relation to the U.S. dollar.

64


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit #  
65


101
The following financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104The cover page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL
Certain schedules and/or similar attachments omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or similar attachment to the SEC upon request.
* Indicates management employment contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.
** Filed herewith.
*** Furnished herewith.
66


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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
 (Registrant)
Dated:August 9, 2022 /s/ J. Bryan King
 J. Bryan King
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Dated:August 9, 2022 /s/ Ronald J. Knutson
 Ronald J. Knutson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
Dated:August 9, 2022/s/ David S. Lambert
David S. Lambert
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)

67

Exhibit 3.1 AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is Lawson Products, Inc. 2. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed on April 16, 1982. 3. The original name of the Corporation was Delaware Lawson Products, Inc. 4. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. 5. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends and restates the Certificate of Incorporation to read in its entirety as follows: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Lawson Products, Inc. SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, County of New Castle. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. FOURTH: (a) The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 35,500,000 of which 35,000,000 shares are designated as Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock”) and 500,000 shares are designated as Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per share (hereinafter referred to as “Preferred Stock”). (b) The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, subject to such limitations as may be prescribed by statute. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board of Directors may establish, designate and fix by resolution or resolutions the following with respect to each series of Preferred Stock: establish and specify a designation of such series; fix the dividend rights of


 
2 holders of shares of each such series; fix the terms on which shares of each such series may be redeemed if the shares of such series are to be redeemable; fix the rights of the holders of shares of each such series upon dissolution or any distribution of assets; fix the terms or amount of the sinking fund, if any, to be provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of each such series; fix the terms upon which the shares of each such series may be converted into or exchanged for shares of any other class or classes or of any one or more series of Preferred Stock if the shares of such series are to be convertible or exchangeable; fix the voting rights, if any, of the shares of each such series; and any other relative rights, preferences, or limitations of shares of the series consistent with this Article and applicable law. FIFTH: To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to the directors and officers of the Corporation. The rights provided by this Article Fifth shall not limit or exclude any rights, indemnities or limitations of liability to which any director or officer of the Corporation may be entitled, whether as a matter of law, under the By-Laws of the Corporation, by agreement, vote of the stockholders, approval of the directors of the Corporation or otherwise. Any amendment or repeal of this Article Fifth shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment or repeal. Each person who is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation may be similarly indemnified and receive an advance of expenses at the discretion of the Board of Directors. SIXTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation. By-Laws shall not be altered, amended or repealed by the stockholders of this Corporation except by the vote of holders of not less than 75% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation. SEVENTH: The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the By-Laws of the Corporation. Election of directors need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws of the Corporation shall so provide. EIGHTH: The number of directors shall not be less than five nor more than nine, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, and such exact number shall be six until otherwise determined by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board. As used in this Article “whole Board” means the total number of directors which at the time are to constitute the Board of Directors, either as designated in this Article or as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance herewith, as the case may be. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Until the election of directors at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall be classified with respect to the time for which they severally hold office into


 
3 three classes of directors, Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors in Class II elected at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2020 have a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021, directors in Class III have a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021, and directors in Class I have a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2022, with directors of each class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified, provided that the term of each director shall be subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. At each annual meeting of stockholders commencing with the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at that annual meeting of stockholders shall be elected for a one-year term, with directors of each class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified, provided that the term of each director shall be subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. From and after the election of directors at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall cease to be classified. If the office of any director or directors becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, or a new directorship is created, a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, shall choose a successor or successors, or a director to fill the newly created directorship. Directors elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of the class to which they shall have been elected expires. Until the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, any director elected to fill a newly created directorship that results from an increase in the number of directors shall be elected for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. NINTH: In all elections of directors of the Corporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of votes which, except for this Article providing for cumulative voting, he would be entitled to cast for the election of directors with respect to his shares multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and he may cast all of such votes for a single director or may distribute them among the number to be voted for, or any two or more of them as he may see fit. On all other matters submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders, each share of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted, and each share of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to such number of votes (if any) as specified by the terms thereof. TENTH: Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, (a) any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed at any time, provided that until the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, any director may only be removed for cause; and (b) the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 75% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) outstanding at the time a determination is made shall be required to remove a director from office. ELEVENTH: Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Any stockholder desiring to nominate an individual for election as a director shall so indicate by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the


 
4 Corporation not less than 14 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Each such stockholder notice hereunder shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee, and (iii) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee; and in addition, evidence of the nominee’s willingness to serve shall also be provided. TWELFTH: No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied. THIRTEENTH: (a) Subject to the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock and except as required by law, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by: (i) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption); (ii) the Chairman of the Board; (iii) the Chief Executive Officer; and in the case of special meetings called pursuant to clauses (a)(i) – (a)(iii) of this Article Thirteenth shall be held at such place, if any, and on such date, and at such time as they shall fix; (iv) subject to the provisions of this Article Thirteenth and the other applicable provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, a special meeting of the stockholders shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon the written request (a “Stockholder Requested Special Meeting”) of one or more stockholders of record of the Corporation that together have continuously held, for their own account or on behalf of others, beneficial ownership of at least a twenty-five percent (25%) “net long position” of the outstanding Common Stock (the “Requisite Percent”) for at least thirty (30) days as of the Delivery Date (as defined below). (b) For purposes of determining the Requisite Percent, “net long position” shall be determined with respect to each requesting holder in accordance with the definition thereof set forth in Rule 14e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); provided, that (x) for purposes of such


 
5 definition, (1) “the date that a tender offer is first publicly announced or otherwise made known by the bidder to the holders of the security to be acquired” shall be the date of the relevant Special Meeting Request (as defined below), (2) the “highest tender offer price or stated amount of the consideration offered for the subject security” shall refer to the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or such other securities exchange designated by the Board of Directors if the Common Stock is not listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market) on such date (or, if such date is not a trading day, the next succeeding trading day), (3) the “person whose securities are the subject of the offer” shall refer to the Corporation, and (4) a “subject security” shall refer to the outstanding Common Stock; and (y) the “net long position” of such holder shall be reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the Board of Directors determines that such holder does not, or will not, have the right to vote or direct the vote at the special meeting or as to which the Board of Directors determines that such holder has entered into any derivative or other agreement, arrangement or understanding that hedges or transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such shares. (c) Whether the requesting holders have complied with the requirements of this Article Thirteenth and related provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Corporation and its stockholders. (d) In order for a Stockholder Requested Special Meeting to be called, one or more requests for a special meeting (each, a “Special Meeting Request,” and collectively, the “Special Meeting Requests”) must be signed by the Requisite Percent of stockholders submitting such request and by each of the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is being made and must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. The Special Meeting Request(s) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation by overnight express courier or registered mail, return receipt requested. Each Special Meeting Request shall (i) set forth a statement of the specific purpose(s) of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, (ii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder signing the Special Meeting Request, (iii) set forth (1) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf such request is made, and (2) the class, if applicable, and the number of shares of Common Stock that are owned of record and beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by each such stockholder and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf such request is made, (iv) include documentary evidence that the stockholders requesting the special meeting own the Requisite Percent as of the Delivery Date; provided, that if the stockholders are not the beneficial owners of the shares constituting all or part of the Requisite Percent, then to be valid, the Special Meeting Request must also include documentary evidence (or, if not simultaneously provided with the Special Meeting Request, such documentary evidence must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation within ten (10)


 
6 days after the Delivery Date) that the beneficial owners on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is made beneficially own such shares as of the Delivery Date, (v) include an agreement by each of the stockholders requesting the special meeting and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is being made to notify the Corporation promptly in the event of any decrease in the “net long position” held by such stockholder or beneficial owner following the delivery of such Special Meeting Request and prior to the special meeting and an acknowledgement that any such decrease shall be deemed to be a revocation of such Special Meeting Request by such stockholder or beneficial owner to the extent of such reduction, and (vi) contain all of the information required by the By-Laws to be disclosed pursuant to the By-Laws as if the stockholders requesting the special meeting and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is being made were proposing business to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders, provided that (1) all references to “Proposing Person” in the By-Laws shall, for purposes of this clause (d) of this Article Thirteenth, mean (x) the stockholders of record making the Special Meeting Request and (y) any beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is being made and (2) all references to “Associated Person” in the By-Laws shall, for purposes of this clause (d) of this Article Thirteenth, mean any affiliate or associate (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act for purposes hereof) of a Proposing Person. The stockholders of record and beneficial owners making the Special Meeting Request shall update the information required by clause (d)(vi) of this Article Thirteenth at such times and in the manner contemplated by the By- Laws as if the stockholders requesting the special meeting and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is being made were proposing business to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders. Each stockholder making a Special Meeting Request and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is being made is required to update the notice delivered pursuant to this Article Thirteenth in accordance with the applicable provisions of the By-Laws. Any requesting stockholder may revoke his, her or its Special Meeting Request at any time prior to the special meeting by written revocation delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation. If at any time after sixty (60) days following the earliest dated Special Meeting Request, the unrevoked (whether by specific written revocation by the stockholder or pursuant to clause (d)(v) of this Article Thirteenth) valid Special Meeting Requests represent in the aggregate less than the Requisite Percent, then the requesting stockholder(s) or beneficial owner(s) shall be deemed to have withdrawn such request (in connection with which the Board of Directors may cancel the meeting). In determining whether a special meeting of stockholders has been requested by stockholders holding in the aggregate at least the Requisite Percent, multiple Special Meeting Requests delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation will be considered together only if each Special Meeting Request identifies substantially the same purpose or purposes of the special meeting and substantially the same matters proposed to be acted on at the special meeting (in each case as determined


 
7 in good faith by the Board of Directors), and such Special Meeting Requests have been delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated Special Meeting Request. (e) Except as provided in the next sentence, a special meeting requested by stockholders shall be held at such date, time and place within or without the State of Delaware as may be fixed by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any such special meeting shall be not more than ninety (90) days after the date on which valid Special Meeting Request(s) constituting the Requisite Percent are delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation (such date of delivery being the “Delivery Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Secretary of the Corporation shall not be required to call a special meeting of stockholders if (i) the Board of Directors calls an annual meeting of stockholders, or a special meeting of stockholders at which a Similar Item (as defined below) is to be presented pursuant to the notice of such meeting, in either case to be held not later than sixty (60) days after the Delivery Date; (ii) the Delivery Date is during the period commencing one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting and ending on the earlier of (1) the date of the next annual meeting and (2) thirty (30) days after the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting; or (iii) the Special Meeting Request(s) (1) contain an identical or substantially similar item (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, a “Similar Item”) to an item that was presented at any meeting of stockholders held not more than one hundred and twenty (120) days before the Delivery Date (and for purposes of this clause (iii), the election of directors shall be deemed a Similar Item with respect to all items of business involving the election or removal of directors); (2) relate to an item of business that is not a proper subject for action by the stockholders under applicable law and this Article Thirteenth; (3) were made in a manner that involved a violation of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act or other applicable law; or (4) do not comply with the provisions of this Article Thirteenth. (f) Business transacted at any Stockholder Requested Special Meeting shall be limited to the purpose(s) stated in the Special Meeting Request for such special meeting; provided, that the Board of Directors shall have the authority in its discretion to submit additional matters to the stockholders and to cause other business to be transacted pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. If none of the stockholders who submitted a Special Meeting Request appears (in person or by proxy) at or sends a duly authorized representative to the Stockholder Requested Special Meeting to present the matters to be presented for consideration that were specified in the Special Meeting Request, the Corporation need not present such matters for a vote at such meeting. FOURTEENTH: (a) Except as set forth below, and in addition to such vote as may be required by the terms of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the affirmative vote of the


 
8 holders of not less than 75% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be required to authorize (i) any merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Corporation or of any subsidiary with or into any other corporation, person or other entity; (ii) any sale, lease, hypothecation, exchange or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Corporation or of any subsidiary to or with any other corporation, person or other entity; or (iii) any issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any subsidiary of any of its securities to any other corporation, person or other entity in exchange for assets or securities or a combination thereof having an aggregate fair market value of five percent or more of the consolidated assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal year of the Corporation next preceding the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice thereof and to vote thereon; if in any such case, as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice thereof and to vote thereon, the other corporation, person or other entity which is a party to such transaction beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation (any such other corporation, person or other entity being referred to in this Article as a “10% Owner”). Any such transaction must also be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation which is not beneficially owned by the 10% Owner who is a party to the transaction. (b) For purposes of this Article, any corporation, person or other entity shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation (i) which it owns directly, whether or not of record; or (ii) which it has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise, whether or not presently exercisable; or (iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly (including shares deemed to be owned through application of clause (ii) above) by an “affiliate” or “associate” as those terms are defined herein; or (iv) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly by any other corporation, person or other entity (including any shares which such other corporation, person or other entity has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise, whether or not presently exercisable)


 
9 with which it or its “affiliates” or “associates” has any agreement or arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of capital stock of the Corporation. For the purposes of this Article, the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall include shares deemed owned through the application of clauses (b)(ii), (iii) and (iv) above, but shall not include any other shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants, options or otherwise. (c) The provisions of this Article shall not apply to (i) any transaction described in the preceding paragraphs if the Board of Directors of the Corporation has approved a memorandum of understanding with respect to the transaction prior to the time such other corporation, person or other entity becomes a 10% Owner, or (ii) any transaction described in the preceding paragraphs if at any time prior to its consummation the transaction has been approved by a resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the directors of the Corporation who are not representatives or affiliates or associates of the 10% Owner. (d) For purposes of this Article: (i) The term “affiliate” includes any person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such corporation, person or other entity. (ii) The term “associate” includes (1) any person of which the person specified is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of equity securities, (2) any trust or other estate in which the specified person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which the person specified serves as trustee or in a similar capacity, or (3) any relative or spouse of the person specified or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as the person specified or who is a director or officer of the person specified or any corporation which controls or is controlled by the person specified. (iii) The term “subsidiary” means a corporation of which a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock is owned by the Corporation directly, and/or indirectly through one or more other subsidiaries. (e) The Board of Directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purpose of this Article on the basis of information known to the Board whether any corporation, person or other entity is a 10% Owner, affiliate or associate. Any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of this Article. FIFTEENTH: In evaluating a “Combination Proposal,” it shall be proper for the Board of Directors to consider: (i) the best interests of the stockholders; for this purpose the Board shall consider, among other factors, not only the consideration being offered in


 
10 the Combination Proposal, in relation to the then current market price, but also in relation to the then current value of the Corporation in a freely negotiated transaction and in relation to the Board of Directors’ then estimate of the future value of the Corporation as an independent entity; and (ii) such other factors as the Board of Directors determines to be relevant, including, among other factors, the social, legal and economic effects of the Combination Proposal upon employees, suppliers, customers and other constituents of the Corporation, and the communities in which the Corporation operates. “Combination Proposal” means any proposal of any person (a) for a tender offer or exchange offer for any equity security of the Corporation, (b) to merge or consolidate the Corporation with another corporation, or (c) to purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Corporation. SIXTEENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the By- Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, by the terms of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, by this Certificate of Incorporation or by the By-Laws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 75% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal all Articles of this Certificate of Incorporation except Articles FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH and SEVENTH. SEVENTEENTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is amended after approval of this Article by the stockholders to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of directors shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Article shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.


 
11 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer of the Corporation has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation on the 18th day of May, 2020. LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. By /s/ Neil E. Jenkins Name: Neil E. Jenkins Title: Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel


 
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. Lawson Products, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify that: 1. The name of this corporation is Lawson Products, Inc. 2. This corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 18, 2020. 3. Article FIRST of this corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read in full as follows: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. 4. This amendment was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of this corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL without the necessity of a meeting or vote of stockholders pursuant to Section 242(b)(1) of the DGCL. 5. All other provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect. 6. This Certificate of Amendment shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on May 5, 2022. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by the undersigned, a duly authorized officer of this corporation, on behalf of this corporation as of May 4, 2022. LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. By: /s/ Richard D. Pufpaf Name: Richard D. Pufpaf Title: Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer


 
Exhibit 10.22 1 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 4, 2022, by and between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation (the “Company”) and Cesar A. Lanuza (the “Executive”). 1. At Will Employment. With an employment start date of April 4, 2022 (the “Start Date”), the Company hereby agrees to employ Executive on an “at will” basis, and Executive’s employment by the Company may be terminated at any time at the option of the Company or Executive, as the case may be, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. 2. Position and Duties. Executive will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or in such other capacity mutually agreed to between Executive and the Company by written amendment of this Agreement. Executive’s duties and authorities will consist of all duties and authority customarily performed and held by persons holding equivalent positions in companies similar in nature and size to the Company or Lawson Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”) as such duties and authority are reasonably defined, modified and delegated from time to time by the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Board”). Executive will report to the Chairman of the Board and the entire Board. Executive hereby acknowledges that he has a fiduciary responsibility and duty of loyalty to the Company and Parent hereunder. For so long as Executive remains employed, Executive shall, on a full-time basis, devote his best efforts and his entire business time, energy, attention, knowledge and skill solely and exclusively to advance the interests, products and goodwill of the Company and Parent. Executive shall diligently, competently and faithfully perform the duties assigned to him by the Company and Parent from time to time. The duties and services to be performed by Executive hereunder shall be substantially rendered at the Company’s headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, except for travel on the Company’s business incident to the performance of Executive’s duties. Executive will not, without the written consent of the Board, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld: (i) render service to others for compensation, or (ii) serve on any board or governing body of another entity. If an outside activity subsequently creates a conflict with the Company’s business or prospective business, Executive agrees to cease engaging in such activity at such time. Executive will observe and adhere to all applicable written Company policies and procedures adopted from time to time, such as they now exist or hereafter are supplemented, amended, modified or restated. 3. Compensation. (a) Base Salary. Executive will receive a base salary of $600,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”), as modified pursuant to the next sentence, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices (including, but not limited to, practices regarding timing and withholding) as may be in effect from time to time. The Base Salary will be subject to periodic review by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), and may be increased by the Committee at any time.


 
2 (b) Incentive Plans and Bonuses. Executive will be eligible for additional performance based compensation, at an annual target payout level of no less than 100% of Base Salary, based upon Executive’s ability to meet or exceed the targeted expectations applicable to his position, as the Committee in its sole discretion determines and in accordance with and subject to the terms of any applicable performance based compensation plan or program. For partial years of service (including, for the avoidance of doubt, 2022), any bonus that Executive may receive will be pro-rated based on the number of days Executive was employed during the year. Notwithstanding the forgoing, Executive must remain continuously employed through the bonus payment date to be eligible to receive an annual bonus for a given fiscal year. (c) Initial Equity Award. On or as soon as practicable after the Start Date, Parent will grant Executive the following stock options (“Options”) pursuant to the Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective May 14, 2019, the “Equity Compensation Plan”): (A) 100,000 Options with an exercise price of $55.000 per share; (B) 25,000 Options with an exercise price of $80.00 per share; (C) 50,000 Options with an exercise price of $110.00 per share; and (D) 50,000 Options with and exercise price of $140.00 per share. The Options will vest in 20% annual installments on the first, second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Start Date, respectively, subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the applicable Option award agreement and the Equity Compensation Plan. The Options will expire on the 10 year anniversary of the grant date. (d) Benefit Plans. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s other health and welfare benefit plans and programs that are generally available to Company employees from time to time (“Benefit Plans”), subject to the terms and conditions of such plans. The Company and Parent reserve the right to amend, modify or terminate any Benefit Plans at any time and for any reason. 4. Termination of Employment. (a) Termination for Cause. Without limitation of the “at will” basis of Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment for “Cause,” where “Cause” means any of the following: (i) violation by Executive of any agreement between Executive and the Company or any law relating to non-competition, trade secrets, inventions, non-solicitation, non-disparagement or confidentiality; (ii) material breach or default of any of Executive’s duties or other obligations or covenants under this Agreement (except where such breach or default is due to Executive becoming disabled, as described in Section 4(d) and which shall be governed by Section 4(d)), that has not been cured within thirty (30) days of written notice thereof to Executive; (iii) Executive’s gross negligence, dishonesty or willful misconduct;


 
3 (iv) any act or omission by Executive which has a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, reputation, goodwill or customer relations; (v) conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a crime by Executive (other than a non-drug or alcohol related traffic offense); (vi) any act or omission by Executive which, at the time it occurs, is in material violation of any Company policy, such as they now exist or hereafter are supplemented, amended, modified or restated; or (vii) an act of fraud or embezzlement or the misappropriation of property by Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, Executive’s employment shall be deemed not to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution of the Board finding that the termination is for Cause, duly adopted by the Board at a meeting called and held in accordance with the Company’s bylaws (with Executive to receive notice of the meeting at the same time as the members of the Board), at which Executive, together with Executive’s counsel (if retained), shall have the right to participate or to present a written response to the Board’s intention to terminate Executive for Cause. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement for Cause (as defined above) at any time, and Executive’s termination for Cause will be effective immediately upon the Company mailing or transmitting written notice of such termination to Executive. (b) Termination for Good Reason. Without limitation of the “at will” basis of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive may terminate Executive’s employment for “Good Reason,” where “Good Reason” means any of the following: (i) a material decrease in Executive’s Base Salary; (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a material change (with such change not to be less than 50 miles) in the geographic location at which Executive must perform Executive’s services; or (iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement. Executive is entitled to terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason only if: (v) one or more of the conditions constituting Good Reason occurs without Executive’s written consent;


 
4 (vi) Executive provides written notice to the Company of the existence of a condition constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial occurrence of such condition; (vii) The Company fails to remedy such condition constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days of being provided notice of such condition by Executive; and (viii) Executive voluntarily terminates Executive’s employment within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the remedy period specified in clause (v) above. (c) Termination Due to Death. Executive’s employment under this Agreement will terminate upon the death of Executive. (d) Termination Due to Disability. Without limitation of the “at will” basis of Executive’s employment by the Company, if Executive becomes disabled as determined by the Company in accordance with the then-current procedures utilized by the Company, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment. Executive agrees that if Executive becomes disabled, Executive will be unable to perform the essential functions of Executive’s position and that there would be no reasonable accommodation which would not constitute an undue hardship to the Company. Executive’s termination due to disability will be effective immediately upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination from the Company. Such written notice shall be deemed received, if mailed first class through the U. S. Postal System, three (3) business days after mailing such written notice to Executive. (e) Termination Without Cause by the Company. In furtherance of the “at will” basis of Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause upon written notice to Executive. Executive’s termination without Cause will be effective on the date of termination specified by the Company in such written notice. Such written notice shall be deemed received, if mailed first class through the U. S. Postal System, three (3) business days after mailing such written notice to Executive. (f) Voluntary Termination by Executive. In furtherance of the “at will” basis of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment upon oral or written notice to the Company. Executive’s voluntary termination shall be effective as of the time of such oral or, if mailed first class through the U. S. Postal System, three (3) business days after mailing such written notice to Executive. (g) Simultaneous Termination of Director/Officer Positions. Upon the effective date of termination of Executive’s employment, for any reason whatsoever, Executive will be deemed to have resigned from any position Executive may hold as a fiduciary, director and/or officer of Parent, the Company and any Affiliate of Parent or the Company. Parent and the Company are hereby irrevocably authorized to appoint a nominee to act on Executive’s behalf to execute all documents and do all tasks necessary to effectuate this Section 4(g). 5. Payments Due Upon Termination.


 
5 (a) Payments Due Upon Termination for Cause by the Company, or Voluntary Termination by Executive. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment for “Cause” pursuant to Section 4(a) above, or Executive terminates his employment voluntarily pursuant to Section 4(f) above, the Company shall have no obligation to Executive, except: (i) the Company shall pay Executive no later than the next regularly scheduled payroll day any accrued and unpaid Base Salary and any accrued and unused vacation pay through the effective date of Executive’s termination; (ii) the Company shall pay Executive any additional payments, awards, or benefits, if any, which Executive is eligible to receive pursuant to the terms of any applicable Benefit Plans; and (iii) Executive shall be entitled to all post-employment benefits required under applicable law. The payments set forth in Sections 5(a)(i)-(iii) are collectively referred to herein as “Accrued Compensation.” (b) Payments Due Upon Termination Without Cause by the Company or for Good Reason by Executive. Except as provided in Section 5(c) below, if the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Section 4(e) above (other than a termination due to Disability pursuant to Section 4(d)) or if Executive terminates Executive’s employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(b) above (provided that Executive satisfies the timing requirements set forth in Section 4(b) above), the Company shall have no obligation to Executive, except: (i) the Company shall pay Executive any Accrued Compensation; (ii) the Company shall pay Executive, subject to Section 5(e) below, an aggregate amount equal to 200% of his then current Base Salary, payable in monthly installments, commencing one (1) month after the effective date of Executive’s termination, for a period of twenty- four (24) months (the “Severance Period”); and (iii) Executive shall continue to be covered under the Company’s group health plan pursuant to Section 3(e)(i) above, including any spousal and dependent coverage, at active employee rates, for twenty-four (24) months after the effective date of Executive’s termination, and, thereafter, Executive shall be eligible to exercise his rights to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) continuation coverage with respect to such group health plan for Executive, and, where applicable, Executive’s spouse and eligible dependents, at Executive’s expense. During the Severance Period under this Section 5(b), Executive shall, upon request of the Company, make himself reasonably available on a limited basis from time to time to consult


 
6 with the Company regarding the business affairs of the Company, not more than twenty-four (24) hours in any calendar quarter, and at times that do not interfere with Executive’s employment time commitments with any successor employer. (c) Payments Due Upon Termination Due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment is terminated due to death pursuant to Section 4(c) above or if the Company terminates Executive’s employment due to disability pursuant to Section 4(d) above, the Company shall have no obligation to Executive except that the Company shall pay Executive any Accrued Compensation. (d) Six (6) Month Delay. If, at the time Executive becomes entitled to payments and benefits under Section 5 of this Agreement (“Severance Payment”), Executive is a Specified Executive (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time), then, notwithstanding any other provision in Section 5 to the contrary, the following provision shall apply. No Severance Payment considered by the Company in good faith to be deferred compensation under Code Section 409A that is payable upon Executive’s separation from service (as defined and determined under Code Section 409A), and not subject to an exception or exemption thereunder, shall be paid to Executive until the date that is six (6) months after Executive’s effective date of termination. Any such Severance Payment that would otherwise have been paid to Executive during this six-month period shall instead be aggregated and paid to Executive on or as soon as administratively feasible after the date that is six (6) months after Executive’s effective date of termination, but not later than sixty (60) days after such date. Any Severance Payment to which Executive is entitled to be paid after the date that is six (6) months after Executive’s effective date of termination shall be paid to Executive in accordance with the terms of Section 5. (e) Release. Executive shall not be entitled to receive any of the payments or benefits set forth in Section 5 (excepting any Accrued Compensation), and said payments and benefits shall be forfeited without further action by the Company, unless Executive (or if applicable, Executive’s beneficiaries and/or estate) executes a general release substantially in the form of Exhibit A (the “General Release”) and, on or prior to the 60th day following the date of termination (or such shorter period as set forth therein), such General Release becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with the terms thereof. With respect to any of the payments or benefits pursuant to this Section 5 considered by the Company in good faith to be deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, any amounts that would otherwise be payable during the 60-day period in the absence of the preceding General Release requirement shall be payable and effective on the 60th day after Executive’s termination of employment. 6. Certain Definitions. (a) The term “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person or entity, any other person or entity which, directly or indirectly, controls, is under common control with, or is controlled by, such specified person or entity, through one or more intermediaries or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “under common control with” and “controlled by”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.


 
7 (b) The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (c) The term “Code Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and all regulations issued thereunder and applicable guidance thereto. (d) The term “Competitive Products, Systems and Services” shall mean products, systems or services in existence or under development during Executive’s employment with the Company which are the same as or substantially similar to or functional equivalents of those of the Lawson Entities including, without limitation, those which are or may be provided to the Lawson Entities’ customers on behalf of the Lawson Entities by employees, agents, or sales representatives of the Lawson Entities. (e) The term “Confidential Information” shall mean all information, including, but not limited to, trade secrets disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of or through Executive’s employment by the Company, concerning the products, services, systems, customers and agents of the Lawson Entities, and specifically including without limitation: computer programs and software, unpatented inventions, discoveries or improvements; marketing, organizational and product research and development; marketing techniques; promotional programs; compensation and incentive programs; customer loyalty programs; inventory systems; business plans; sales forecasts; personnel information of other employees, including but not limited to the identity of employees and agents of the Lawson Entities, their responsibilities, competence, abilities, and compensation; pricing and financial information; customer lists and information on customers or their employees, or their needs and preferences for the Lawson Entities’ Products, Systems and Services; information concerning planned or pending acquisitions or divestitures; and information concerning purchases of major equipment or property, and which: (i) has not been made generally available to the public; and (ii) is useful or of value to the current or anticipated business or research or development activities of the Lawson Entities, or of any customer or supplier of the Lawson Entities. Confidential Information shall not include information which: (x) is in or hereafter enters the public domain through no fault of Executive; (y) is obtained by Executive from a third party having the legal right to use and to disclose the same without restriction; or (z) was in the possession of Executive prior to receipt from the Lawson Entities (as evidenced by Executive’s written records predating the first date of employment with the Company). Confidential Information also does not include Executive’s general skills and experience as defined under the governing law of this Agreement.


 
8 (f) The term “Lawson Entities” shall mean Parent, any Subsidiary of Parent and any other entity in which any one or more of them has an ownership interest at any time during Executive’s employment with the Company and during the Restriction Period whether such entity is in the United States or elsewhere. (g) The term “Lawson Entities’ Products, Systems and Services” means: (i) the acquisition for and the distribution and sale of fasteners, parts, hardware, pneumatics, hydraulic and other flexible hose fittings, tools, safety items and electrical and shop supplies, automotive and vehicular products, chemical specialties, maintenance chemicals and other chemical products, welding products and related items, all as more particularly described in the Lawson Entities’ sales kits and manuals; (ii) the sale and distribution and the providing of systems and services related to the items described in Section 6(c)(i); (iii) the manufacture, sale and distribution of production and specialized parts and supplies described in Section 6(c)(i); (iv) the provision of just-in-time inventories of component parts described in Section 6(c)(i) to original equipment manufacturers and of maintenance and repair parts described in Section 6(c)(i) to a wide variety of users; and (v) the provision of in-plant inventory systems and of electronic vendor- managed, inventory systems to various customers, related to the items described in Section 6(c)(i). (h) The term “Restriction Period” means the period of time in which Executive is employed by the Company and a period of eighteen (18) months after the effective date of Executive’s termination. (i) The term “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person or entity, any corporation, association or other entity of which more than 50% of the combined voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by such person or entity and one or more other Subsidiaries of such person or entity. (j) The term “Unauthorized Person or Entity” shall mean any individual or entity who or which has not signed an appropriate secrecy or confidentiality agreement with the Lawson Entities, or is not a current or target customer with whom Confidential Information is shared in the mutual interest of that person or entity and the Lawson Entities. 7. Protection of Company Assets. (a) Non-Competition. Executive expressly agrees that, during the Restriction Period, provided that there shall not have occurred and be continuing any material non-compliance


 
9 by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement, he shall not, in the United States, Canada and Mexico, directly or indirectly, as an owner, officer, director, employee, agent, advisor, financier, or in any other form or capacity, on behalf of himself or any other person, firm or other business entity, engage in or be concerned with any Competitive Products, Systems and Services, or any other duties or pursuits for monetary gain which interfere with or restrict Executive’s activities on behalf of the Lawson Entities or constitute competition with the business of the Lawson Entities as conducted or proposed to be conducted during the term of this Agreement or, with respect to applicable periods following Executive’s termination, as conducted or proposed to be conducted as of the date of Executive’s termination. The foregoing notwithstanding, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prevent Executive from investing his money in the capital stock or other securities of any entity (including publicly traded securities and private equity investments); provided that Executive does not own more than a one percent (1%) interest therein and has no role in such entity other than as a passive investor. (b) Confidentiality. Executive hereby acknowledges that, during the course of Executive’s employment, Executive has and will learn or develop Confidential Information in trust and confidence. Executive agrees to use the Confidential Information solely for the purpose of performing his duties hereunder and not for his own private use or commercial purposes. Executive acknowledges that unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Information, other than in discharge of Executive’s duties, will cause the Lawson Entities irreparable harm. Except to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 10(p), Executive shall maintain Confidential Information in strict confidence at all times and shall not divulge Confidential Information to any Unauthorized Person or Entity, or use in any manner, or knowingly allow another to use, any Confidential Information, without the Company’s prior written consent, during the term of employment or thereafter, for as long as such Confidential Information remains confidential. Executive further acknowledges that the Lawson Entities operate and compete internationally and that the Lawson Entities will be harmed by the unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Information regardless of where such disclosure or use occurs, and that therefore this confidentiality agreement is not limited to any single state or other jurisdiction. (c) Non-Solicitation. During the Restriction Period, provided that there shall not have occurred and be continuing any material non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of any person, firm or other entity, solicit, induce or encourage any person to leave her/his employment, agency or office with the Lawson Entities. During the Restriction Period, provided that there shall not have occurred and be continuing any material non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of any person, firm or other entity, hire or retain or participate in hiring or retaining any person who then is an employee of or agent for the Lawson Entities or any person who has been an employee of or agent for the Lawson Entities at any time in the ninety (90) days prior to termination of Executive’s employment, unless the Company is informed and gives its approval in writing prior to the hiring or retention. Given Executive’s office and his participation in the development, sales, marketing, servicing and provision of the Lawson Entities’ Products, Systems and Services, Executive acknowledges that Executive has and will learn or develop Confidential Information relating to the development, sales, marketing, servicing or provision of the Lawson Entities’ Products,


 
10 Systems and Services, and the Lawson Entities’ customers and prospective customers. Executive further acknowledges that the Lawson Entities’ relationships with its customers have substantial value to the Lawson Entities. Therefore, during the Restriction Period, provided that there shall not have occurred and be continuing any material non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of any person, firm or other entity, solicit or sell, attempt to sell, or supervise, participate in, or assist the sale or solicitation of Competitive Products and Systems to any person, firm or other entity to which the Lawson Entities sold any of the Lawson Entities’ Products, Systems and Services during the last two (2) years of Executive’s employment with the Company prior to the effective date of termination. However, this Section 7(c) shall not prohibit the solicitation of any actual or potential customer of the Lawson Entities which does not fall within the preceding description. This Section 7(c) is independent of the obligations of confidentiality under this Agreement and the non-compete provisions of this Agreement. (d) Return of Property. All notes, lists, reports, sketches, plans, data contained in computer hardware or software, memoranda or other documents concerning or related to the Lawson Entities’ business which are or were created, developed, generated or held by Executive during employment, whether containing or relating to Confidential Information or not, are the property of the Lawson Entities and shall be promptly delivered to the Company upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason whatsoever. During the course of employment, Executive shall not remove any of the above property, including but not limited to, Confidential Information, or reproductions or copies thereof, or any apparatus containing any such property or Confidential Information, from the Company’s premises without prior written authorization from the Company, other than in the normal execution of Executive’s duties. (e) Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights. Executive agrees to assign to the Company any and all intellectual property rights including patents, trademarks, copyrights and business plans or systems developed, authored or conceived by Executive, whether alone or jointly, while employed by and relating to the business of the Lawson Entities. Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company to perfect ownership rights thereof in the Company. This agreement does not apply to an invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the Lawson Entities was used and which was developed entirely on Executive’s own time, unless: (i) the invention relates to the business of the Lawson Entities or to actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Lawson Entities; or (ii) the invention results from any work performed by Executive for the Lawson Entities. (f) Unfair Trade Practices. During the term of this Agreement and at all times thereafter, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in or assist others in engaging in any unfair trade practices with respect to the Lawson Entities. (g) Non-Disparagement. During Executive’s employment and following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, subject to Section 10(p), Executive shall not knowingly make any disparaging or defamatory statements, whether written or oral, regarding the Company, the Lawson Entities, or any of their officers, directors, or employees.


 
11 (h) Remedies. Executive acknowledges that failure to comply with the terms of this Section 7 will cause irreparable loss and damage to the Company. Therefore, Executive agrees that, in addition and cumulative to any other remedies at law or equity available to the Company for Executive’s breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Company is entitled to specific performance or injunctive relief against Executive to prevent such damage or breach, and a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction may be granted to the Company for this purpose immediately at its request upon commencement of any suit, without prior notice and without posting any bond. The existence of any claim or cause of action Executive may have against the Company will not constitute a defense thereto. In addition, the Company will be relieved of any obligation to provide to Executive any and all termination payments and benefits (excepting Accrued Compensation) which would otherwise accrue, be continued, or become due and payable under this Agreement following such breach or threatened breach, except that such payments and benefits shall accrue during the period of alleged threatened breach or alleged breach and shall be due and payable to Executive immediately upon either (a) a determination by the Company or arbitrator or court, or (b) agreement of the parties, that Executive was not in breach. Each party agrees that all remedies expressly provided for in this Agreement are cumulative of any and all other remedies now existing at law or in equity. In addition to the remedies provided in this Agreement, the parties will be entitled to avail themselves of all such other remedies as may now or hereafter exist at law or in equity for compensation, and for the specific enforcement of the covenants contained in this Agreement. Resort to any remedy provided for in this Section 7 or provided for by law will not prevent the concurrent or subsequent employment of any other appropriate remedy or remedies, or preclude a recovery of monetary damages and compensation. Each party agrees that no party hereto shall be required to post a bond or other security to seek an injunction. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any of the remedies outlined in this Section 7(h) are unavailable as a matter of law, the remainder of the remedies outlined in this Section 7(h) shall remain available to the Company. (i) Enforceability. If any of the provisions of this Section 7 are deemed by a court or arbitrator having jurisdiction to exceed the time, geographic area or activity limitations the law permits, the limitations will be reduced to the maximum permissible limitation, and Executive and the Company authorize a court or arbitrator having jurisdiction to reform the provisions to the maximum time, geographic area and activity limitations the law permits; provided, however, that such reductions apply only with respect to the operation of such provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. (j) Sufficiency of Consideration. Executive acknowledges that the consideration that Executive will receive pursuant to this Agreement serves as sufficient consideration for Executive’s promises to abide by the restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 7. (k) Notices. The Company hereby advises Executive to consult with an attorney before entering into this Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that Employee was given at least fourteen (14) calendar days to consider this Agreement. 8. Governing Law and Disputes.


 
12 (a) This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law principles. (b) The Company and Executive agree to attempt to resolve any employment related dispute between them quickly and fairly, and in good faith. Should such a dispute remain unresolved, the Company and Executive irrevocably and unconditionally agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Illinois and of the United States located in Chicago, Illinois over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The Company and Executive irrevocably and unconditionally agree to personal jurisdiction and venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in the courts of the State of Illinois or of the United States located in Chicago, Illinois. 9. Cooperation After Termination of Employment. Following the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company, regardless of the reason for termination, Executive will reasonably cooperate with the Company and Parent in the prosecution or defense of any claims, controversies, suits, arbitrations or proceedings involving events occurring prior to the termination of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that in light of his position as President of the Company, he is in the possession of Confidential Information that may be privileged under the attorney-client and/or work product privileges. Executive agrees to maintain the confidences and privileges of the Company and Parent and acknowledges that any such confidences and privileges belong solely to the Company and Parent and can only be waived by the Company or Parent, as applicable, not Executive. In the event Executive is subpoenaed to testify or otherwise requested to provide information in any matter, including without limitation, any court action, administrative proceeding or government audit or investigation, relating to the Company or Parent, Executive agrees that: (a) he will promptly notify the Company and Parent of any subpoena, summons or other request to testify or to provide information of any kind no later than three (3) days after receipt of such subpoena, summons or request and, in any event, prior to the date set for him to provide such testimony or information; (b) he will cooperate with the Company and Parent with respect to such subpoena, summons or request for information; (c) he will not voluntarily provide any testimony or information without permission of the Company unless otherwise required by law or in accordance with Section 10(p); and (d) he will permit the Company to be represented by an attorney of the Company’s choosing at any such testimony or with respect to any such information to be provided, and will follow the instructions of the attorney designated by the Company with respect to whether testimony or information is privileged by the attorney-client and/or work product privileges of the Company or Parent, unless otherwise required by law. The parties agree that the Company shall be responsible for all reasonable expenses of Executive incurred in connection with the fulfillment of Executive’s obligations under this Section 9, including the reimbursement of reasonable attorney’s fees of one separate legal counsel for Executive if the need for separate legal counsel is reasonably necessary under the totality of the circumstances. The parties agree and acknowledge that nothing in this Section 9 is meant to preclude Executive from fully and truthfully cooperating with any government investigation or in accordance with Section 10(p). 10. Miscellaneous. (a) Superseding Effect. This Agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, commitments, agreements, and writings, including without


 
13 limitation that certain offer letter, executed as of March 4, 2022, between the Company and Executive, and expresses the entire agreement between the parties with respect to Executive’s employment by the Company; provided, however, that the terms of any Benefit Plans will remain applicable to the particular Benefit Plan, except as expressly modified herein. All such other negotiations, commitments, agreements and writings will have no further force or effect, and the parties to any such other negotiation, commitment, agreement or writing will have no further rights or obligations thereunder. The parties agree and acknowledge that the definitions of terms applicable to this Agreement may be different than the definitions of those same terms in Benefit Plans and may result in seemingly contradictory results. The parties agree and acknowledge that such seemingly contradictory results are intended, and that this Agreement shall be governed solely by the terms and definitions set forth herein and that the Benefit Plans shall be governed solely by the terms and definitions set forth in the Benefit Plans, except as expressly modified herein. (b) Amendment and Modification. Except as provided in Section 10(c), neither Executive nor the Company may modify, amend or waive the terms of this Agreement other than by a written instrument signed by Executive and the Company. Either party’s waiver of the other party’s compliance with any specific provision of this Agreement is not a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement or of any subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof. (c) Section 409A. It is also the intention of this Agreement that all income tax liability on payments made pursuant to this Agreement or any Benefit Plans be deferred until Executive actually receives such payment to the extent Code Section 409A applies to such payments, and this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with this intent. Therefore, if any provision of this Agreement or any Benefit Plans is found not to be in compliance with any applicable requirements of Code Section 409A, that provision will be deemed amended and will be construed and administered, insofar as possible, so that this Agreement and any Benefit Plans, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Company, do not trigger taxes and other penalties under Code Section 409A; provided, however, that Executive will not be required to forfeit any payment otherwise due without his written consent. In the event that, despite the parties’ intentions, any amount hereunder becomes taxable prior to the date that it would otherwise be paid, the Company shall pay to Executive (which payment may be made in whole or in part by way of direct remittance to appropriate tax authorities) the portion of such amount needed to pay applicable income and excise taxes and any interest or other penalties on such amounts. Any remaining portion of such amount shall be paid to Executive at the time otherwise specified in this Agreement, subject to Section 5(d). Solely for purposes of determining the time and form of payments due under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with his termination of employment with the Company and that are subject to Code Section 409A, Executive shall not be deemed to have incurred a termination of employment unless and until he shall incur a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. It is intended that each payment or installment of a payment and each benefit provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Code Section 409A. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A to the extent


 
14 that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Code Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. Nothing in this Section 10(c) increases the Company’s obligations to Executive under this Agreement or any Benefit Plans. Executive remains solely liable for any taxes, including but not limited to any penalties or interest due to Code Section 409A or otherwise, on the payments made hereunder or under any Benefit Plans. The preceding provisions shall not be construed as a guarantee by the Company of any particular tax effect for payments made pursuant to this Agreement or any Benefit Plans. (d) Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Benefit Plan, in the event it shall be determined that any monetary amounts or benefits due or payable by the Company to Executive (whether paid or payable, or due or distributed) are or will become subject to any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (collectively “Excise Taxes”), then the amounts or benefits otherwise due or payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any Benefit Plans shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of such amounts or benefits shall be subject to the Excise Taxes, but only if (i) the net amount of such amounts and benefits, as so reduced (and after the imposition of the total amount of taxes under federal, state and local law on such amounts and benefits), is greater than (ii) the excess of (A) the net amount of such amounts and benefits, without reduction (but after imposition of the total amount of taxes under federal, state and local law) over (B) the amount of Excise Taxes to which Executive would be subject on such unreduced amounts and benefits. If it is determined that Excise Taxes will or might be imposed on Executive in the absence of such reduction, the Company and Executive shall make good faith efforts to seek to identify and pursue reasonable action to avoid or reduce the amount of Excise Taxes; provided, however, that this sentence shall not be construed to require Executive to accept any further reduction in the amount or benefits that would be payable to him in the absence of this sentence. All determinations required to be made under this Section 10(d), including whether reduction is required, the amount of such reduction and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made in good faith by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company in accordance with applicable law (the “Accounting Firm”). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. (e) Withholding. The Company will reduce its compensatory payments to Executive hereunder for withholding and FICA and Medicare taxes and any other withholdings and contributions required by law.


 
15 (f) Severability. If the final determination of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction declares, after the expiration of the time within which judicial review (if permitted) of such determination may be perfected, that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions will be unimpaired, and the invalid or unenforceable term or provision will be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision. Any prohibition or finding of unenforceability as to any provision of this Agreement in any one jurisdiction will not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. (g) Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to seek employment or otherwise mitigate Executive’s damages in order to be entitled to the benefits and payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement. (h) Expenses. Each of the Company and Executive will bear its own expenses in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the resolution of any disputes hereunder. (i) Binding Agreement; Assignment. The Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, upon the successors of the Company and upon any entity into which the Company merges or consolidates. The Company shall assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement and all of its rights, duties, obligations or interests under it or to any successor to all or substantially all of its assets. Upon such assignment or transfer, any such successor will be deemed to be substituted for the Company for all purposes. Executive may not assign or delegate the obligations of Executive under this Agreement. (j) Interpretation. This Agreement will be interpreted without reference to any rule or precept of law that states that any ambiguity in a document be construed against the drafter. (k) Executive Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has read and understands this Agreement and is entering into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily. (l) Continuing Obligations. Notwithstanding the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all post- employment rights and obligations of the parties, including but not limited to those set forth in Sections 5, 7, 8, and 9, and any provisions necessary to interpret or enforce those rights and obligations under any provision of this Agreement, will survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect for the applicable periods. (m) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. (n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


 
16 (o) Notice. Any notice by any party to the other party must be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the address specified below, or to any change of address indicated by either party upon receipt of written notice of same: Cesar A. Lanuza At the address on file with the Company Lawson Products, Inc. 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60631 Attention: General Counsel Notice will be deemed received on the third business day following the day on which it was mailed, postage prepaid. (p) Permitted Reports and Disclosures. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including without limitation Sections 7(b), 7(g), and 10), Executive understands that: (i) Executive may report possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation, including alleged criminal conduct or alleged unlawful employment practices, to any governmental agency or entity or to law enforcement, and may make other disclosures that are protected under federal, state and local law or regulation; (ii) Executive may participate in a proceeding with any federal, state or local government agency enforcing discrimination laws; (iii) Executive may make truthful statements and disclosures required by law, regulation, or legal process; and (iv) he may request and receive confidential legal advice. Executive also understands that nothing in this Agreement requires Executive to obtain prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures to any governmental agency or entity or to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures. Moreover, Executive understands that he may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (a) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either director or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Without prior authorization of the Company, however, the Company does not authorize Executive to disclose to any third party (including any government official or any attorney Executive may retain) any communication and/or document that is covered by the Company’s attorney-client privilege. (q) This Agreement is contingent upon (i) successful verification, at the Company’s sole discretion, of Executive passing the Company’s standard criminal, education, drug and/or employment background checks of Executive (based on the Company’s existing policies and procedures), and (ii) verification of Executive’s right to work in the United States, as demonstrated by Executive’s completion of a Form I-9 upon hire and submission of acceptable documentation verifying identity and work authorization within three (3) days of the Start Date. In the event of a failure of any of the contingencies set forth in this paragraph the Company reserves the right to rescind this Agreement by action of the Board, upon which time it shall be null and void, provided that, Executive shall be paid any accrued and unpaid Base Salary.


 
17 (r) Executive represents that Executive is able to accept this job and carry out the work that it would involve without breaching any legal restrictions on Executive’s activities, such as non-competition, non-solicitation or other work-related restrictions imposed by a current or former employer. Executive also represent that Executive will inform the Company about any such potential restrictions and provide the Company with as much information about them as possible, including any agreements between Executive and his current or former employer describing such restrictions on Executive’s activities. Executive further represents that he will not remove or take any documents or proprietary data or materials of any kind, electronic or otherwise, from Executive’s current or former employer to the Company without written authorization from such current or former employer, nor will Executive use or disclose any such confidential information during the course and scope of Executive’s employment with the Company. [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


 
18 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. EXECUTIVE: /s/ Cesar A. Lanuza Cesar A. Lanuza LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. By: /s/ Richard D. Pufpaf Name: Richard D. Pufpaf Title: Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer


 
Ex. A-1 EXHIBIT A CONFIDENTIAL GENERAL RELEASE In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in Section 5 of the Employment Agreement dated as of April 4, 2022 (hereinafter the “Agreement”) made and entered into by and between Cesar A. Lanuza (hereinafter the “Executive”) and Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation (hereinafter the “Employer”), Executive hereby executes this Confidential General Release (hereinafter the “Release”): 1. Executive hereby affirms the applicability of post-employment obligations of the Agreement, including without limitation, the covenants and obligations contained in Section 7 of the Agreement. 2. Executive hereby releases Employer, its past and present parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, assigns, related companies, entities or divisions, its or their past and present employee benefit plans, trustees, fiduciaries and administrators and any and all of its and their respective past and present officers, directors, partners, insurers, agents, representatives, attorneys and employees (all collectively included in the term the “Employer” for purposes of this release), from any and all claims, demands or causes of action which Executive, or Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, agents, attorneys, representatives or assigns (all collectively included in the term “Executive” for purposes of this release), have, had or may have against Employer, based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring prior to and including the date of Executive’s execution of this Release to the fullest extent permitted by law, regardless of whether such claims are now known or are later discovered, including but not limited to any claims relating to Executive’s employment or termination of employment by Employer, any rights of continued employment, reinstatement or reemployment by Employer, and any costs or attorneys’ fees incurred by Executive (collectively, the “Released Claims”); provided, however, Executive is not waiving, releasing or giving up any rights Executive may have to workers’ compensation benefits, to vested benefits under any pension or savings plan, to payment of earned and accrued but unused vacation pay, to continued benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, to unemployment insurance, to any vested Equity Awards, to any vested awards or benefits under or any Benefit Plan, to indemnification (x) provided by Lawson Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation, pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law or its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the Indemnification Agreement dated as of April 1, 2022 between Lawson Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Executive, or (y) provided by Employer pursuant to the Illinois Business Corporation Act or its articles of incorporation or bylaws, in each case as they exist on the date of Executive’s termination of employment, or to enforce the terms of the Agreement, or any other right which cannot be waived as a matter of law. In the event any claim or suit is filed on Executive’s behalf with respect to a Released Claim, Executive waives any and all rights to receive monetary damages or injunctive relief in favor of Executive from or against the Company. 3. Executive agrees and acknowledges: that this Release is intended to be a general release that extinguishes all Released Claims by Executive against Employer; that Executive is waiving any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the


 
Ex. A-2 Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, the Illinois Equal Pay Act, the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act, the Illinois Family Military Leave Law, the Illinois Whistleblower Act, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, and all other federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and common law, including but not limited to any and all claims alleging personal injury, emotional distress or other torts, to the fullest extent permitted by law; that Executive is waiving all Released Claims against Employer, known or unknown, arising or occurring prior to and including the date of Executive’s execution of this Release; that the consideration that Executive will receive in exchange for Executive’s waiver of the Released Claims exceeds anything of value to which Executive is already entitled; that Executive has entered into this Release knowingly and voluntarily with full understanding of its terms and after having had the opportunity to seek and receive advice from counsel of Executive’s choosing; and that Executive has had a reasonable period of time within which to consider this Release. Executive represents that Executive has not assigned any claim against Employer to any person or entity. Executive acknowledges that Executive has no right to any future employment with Employer, that Executive has received all compensation, benefits, remuneration, accruals, contributions, reimbursements, bonuses, vacation pay, and other payments, leave and time off due; and that Executive has not suffered any injury that resulted, in whole or in part, from Executive’s work at Employer that would entitle Executive to payments or benefits under any state worker’s compensation law and the termination of Executive’s employment by Employer is not related to any such injury. 4. Executive represents and warrants that Executive has not engaged in any unlawful or fraudulent conduct in connection with Executive’s employment or duties with Employer; that Executive is not aware of Employer’s violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation and/or binding legal guidance; and that Executive is not aware of Employer’s material non-compliance with any applicable accounting or professional responsibility rule, practice and/or principle. 5. Executive agrees to keep the terms of this Release confidential and not to disclose the terms of this Release to anyone except to Executive’s spouse, attorneys, tax consultants or as otherwise required by law, and agrees to take all steps necessary to assure confidentiality by those recipients of this information. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed as requiring non-disclosure with respect to factual information relating to any allegations of sexual harassment or sexual abuse. 6. Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits: (a) Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with or make reports regarding alleged criminal conduct or unlawful employment practices to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, law enforcement, or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”); (b) Executive’s right to disclose information about or testify regarding alleged criminal conduct or unlawful acts in the workplace, including but not limited to discrimination, harassment, retaliation or any other unlawful or potentially unlawful conduct; or (c) Executive’s ability to file or disclose any facts necessary to


 
Ex. A-3 receive unemployment insurance, Medicaid, or other public benefits to which Executive is entitled; (d) Executive’s ability to testify in an administrative, legislative or judicial proceeding concerning alleged criminal conduct or alleged unlawful employment practices when Executive has been required or requested to attend the proceeding pursuant to a court order, subpoena, or written request from a Government Agency or the legislature; (e) Executive’s ability to assist or communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to Employer; (f) Executive’s right to request or receive confidential legal advice; or (g) Executive’s right to make truthful statements or disclosures regarding unlawful employment practices; provided, however, that Executive may not disclose Employer information that is protected by the attorney-client privilege, except as expressly authorized by law. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies. 7. This Agreement does not constitute and will not be construed as an admission by Employer that it has violated any law, interfered with any rights, breached any obligation or otherwise engaged in any improper or illegal conduct with respect to Executive, and Employer expressly denies that it has engaged in any such conduct. 8. Executive hereby agrees and acknowledges that Executive has carefully read this Release, fully understands what this Release means, and is signing this Release knowingly and voluntarily, that no other promises or agreements have been made to Executive other than those set forth in the Agreement or this Release, and that Executive has not relied on any statement by anyone associated with Employer that is not contained in the Agreement or this Release in deciding to sign this Release. 9. This Release will be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois and all disputes arising under this Release must be submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction in Chicago, Illinois. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement. 10. Executive may accept this Release by delivering an executed copy of the Release to: Lawson Products, Inc. 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60631 Attention: General Counsel on or before _______________________ [insert a date at least twenty one (21) calendar days after Executive’s receipt of this Agreement]. 11. Executive may revoke this Release within seven (7) days after it is executed by Executive by delivering a written notice of revocation to:


 
Ex. A-4 Lawson Products, Inc. 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60631 Attention: General Counsel no later than the close of business on the seventh (7th) calendar day after this Release was signed by Executive. This Release will not become effective or enforceable until the eighth (8th) calendar day after Executive signs it. If Executive revokes this Release, Employer shall have no obligation to provide the payments and other benefits set forth Section 5 of the Agreement. EXECUTIVE: Name: Date:


 

Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, J.. Bryan King, certify that:


1.    I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal three months (the registrant’s fourth fiscal three months in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 9, 2022

 
/s/ J/ Bryan King
J. Bryan King
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)



Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Ronald J. Knutson, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal three months (the registrant’s fourth fiscal three months in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: August 9, 2022


/s/ Ronald J. Knutson
Ronald J. Knutson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)



Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that based on their knowledge: (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the periods covered in the Report.


August 9, 2022

/s/ J. Bryan King
J. Bryan King
Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)


/s/ Ronald J. Knutson
Ronald J. Knutson
Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)