5

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the names and ages of, and the positions and offices with the company held by, each of the executive officers of the company as of March 27, 2003:

Set forth below is a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each executive officer of the company.

Daniel W. Duval was appointed Chairman in June 2002. He served as interim Chief Executive Officer from September 2002 to February 2003. Prior thereto, he served as a Director since 1987. In addition to the company, he also serves as Director of The Manitowoc Company, Inc., Miller-Valentine Group, and Gosiger, Inc. He also served as Vice Chairman of Robbins & Myers, Inc. from January 1999 to December 1999 and President and Chief Executive Officer and Director for more than five years prior thereto.

William E. Mitchell was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the company in February 2003. Prior thereto, he served as Executive Vice President of Solectron Coroporation and President of Solectron Global Services, Inc. since March 1999 and previously served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sequel, Inc. since 1995.

Robert E. Klatell has been Executive Vice President of the company since July 1995.

Betty Jane Scheihing has been a Senior Vice President of the company since May 1996.

Peter S. Brown has been a Senior Vice President of the company and General Counsel since September 2001. Prior to joining the company, he served as the managing partner of the London office of the law firm of Pillsbury Winthrop LLP (formerly, Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam, & Roberts) for more than five years.

Michael J. Long has been President and Chief Operating Officer of NACP since July 1999. In addition, he has been a Vice President of the company for more than five years.

Jan M. Salsgiver has been President of the Americas Components group since July 1999. Prior thereto, she served as President of the Arrow Supplier Services Group since its inception in January 1998. In addition, she has been a Vice President of the company for more than five years.

Paul J. Reilly has been Chief Financial Officer since October 2001 and has served as a Vice President of the company more than five years.

Mark F. Settle has been a Vice President of the company and Chief Information Officer since November 2001. Prior to joining the company, he served as Executive Vice President, Systems and Processing at Visa International since April 1999 and previously served as Chief Information Officer at Occidental Petroleum Corporation since February 1997.

6

Table of Contents

The company owns and leases sales offices, distribution centers, and administrative facilities worldwide. The company's executive office is located in Melville, New York and occupies a 163,000 square foot facility under a long-term lease. The company owns 20 locations throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific region. The company occupies over 260 additional locations under leases due to expire on various dates through 2053. The company believes its facilities are well maintained and suitable for company operations.

The company and/or its subsidiaries are parties to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. It is not anticipated that any such matters will have a material adverse impact, individually and in the aggregate, on the company's financial position, liquidity, or results of operation.

None.

7

Table of Contents

The company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (trading symbol: "ARW"). The high and low sales prices during each quarter of 2002 and 2001 were as follows:

On February 28, 2003, there were approximately 3,000 shareholders of record of the company's common stock.

The company did not pay cash dividends on its common stock during 2002 or 2001. While the board of directors considers the payment of dividends on the common stock from time to time, the declaration of future dividends will be dependent upon the company's earnings, financial condition, and other relevant factors, including debt covenants.

8

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth certain selected consolidated financial data and should be read in conjunction with the company's consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report:

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (a)

(In thousands except per share data)

For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced the company's performance during the past three years, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other information appearing elsewhere in this annual report. In May 2002, the company sold substantially all of the assets of Gates/Arrow, a business unit within the company's North American Computer Products group ("NACP") that sold commodity computer products such as printers, monitors, other peripherals, and software in North America. The disposition of the Gates/Arrow operations represents a disposal of a "component of an entity" as defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 144. Accordingly, the company's consolidated financial statements and related notes have been presented to reflect Gates/Arrow as a discontinued operation for all periods.

Consolidated sales for 2002 decreased 22.1 percent from $9.5 billion in 2001 to $7.4 billion. Sales of electronic components declined 25.6 percent, principally as a result of significantly lower demand from telecommunications and networking customers and the large contract manufacturers that serve them reflecting continued low levels of business activity in those industries. Since the beginning of the economic downturn in the industry early in 2001, the company's operating groups that service these customers have experienced the greatest absolute decline in sales levels. Sales declined by 54.1 percent to such customers in 2002, compared with the year-earlier period. In addition, contributing to the decline is lower demand in the company's core OEM businesses due to the weakened general economic conditions worldwide. Historically, in the electronics distribution industry, Europe has trailed the business cycles experienced in North America by six to nine months; however, the decline in activity levels in Europe are less than in North America due to the fact that in Europe sales to telecommunication and networking customers, and the contract manufacturers that serve them, is a lower percentage of total business activity than it is in North America. Sales declined in Asia/Pacific principally due to the termination of a single large customer engagement during the middle of 2001, and a 60 percent decrease in the sales of microprocessors (a product segment not considered a part of the company's core business).

Computer products sales declined 11.4 percent for 2002, compared with the year-earlier period. Beginning in mid-2001, the company's computer products businesses implemented a new strategy which focused less on sales volume and placed more emphasis on profitability. While sales of computer products declined compared with 2001, operating income increased by 33.2 percent, excluding goodwill amortization. Sales of North American mid-range computer products were relatively flat compared with 2001, while operating income increased by 38 percent, excluding goodwill amortization in 2001. Sales of low margin microprocessors in 2002 decreased by 27.9 percent compared with the year-earlier period. The OEM market continues to be impacted by reduced activity levels at large complex telecommunications and networking companies. As a result, OEM sales were down 23 percent compared with the year-earlier period. Lastly, translation of the financial statements of the company's international operations into U.S. dollars resulted in increased revenues of $118 million because of a weakening U.S. dollar in 2002 when compared with 2001.

In 2001, consolidated sales decreased by 21.4 percent from $12.1 billion in 2000 to $9.5 billion. This decline was principally due to a 27.1 percent decrease in sales of electronic components as a result of severely depressed demand at telecommunications and networking customers and the contract manufacturers that serve them, and lower demand in the company's core OEM business due to weakened general economic conditions. In addition, the company terminated a single customer engagement in the Asia/Pacific region during 2001 which resulted in a sales decline of approximately $193 million versus 2000. Sales of computer products increased by 3.5 percent in 2001 when compared with 2000. In the fourth quarter of 2000, Hewlett Packard modified its agreements with its distributors transforming the previously existing relationship from

10

Table of Contents

Consolidated sales of $12.1 billion in 2000 were 44.9 percent higher than 1999 sales of $8.3 billion. This sales increase was driven by a 60.5 percent growth in the sales of electronic components and more than $850 million of sales from acquired companies and positive market conditions for computer products offset, in part, by foreign exchange rate differences and fewer sales of low margin microprocessors. Sales of computer products were flat in 2000 when compared with 1999. Translation of the financial statements of the company's international operations into U.S. dollars resulted in reduced revenues of $466 million when compared with 1999. Excluding the impact of acquisitions and foreign exchange rate differences, sales increased by 40.2 percent over the prior year.

In May 2002, the company sold substantially all of the assets of Gates/Arrow. Total cash proceeds are estimated to be $44.7 million, subject to price adjustments, of which $41.1 million has been collected as of December 31, 2002. The assets sold consisted primarily of accounts receivable, inventories, and property and equipment. The buyer also assumed certain liabilities.

The company recorded a net loss of $6.1 million (net of related taxes of $4.1 million) on the disposal of Gates/Arrow. The loss consists of the following (in millions):

Personnel costs relate to the termination of 88 individuals employed by the Gates/Arrow business and 57 NACP warehouse personnel due to reduced activity levels as a result of the sale. Facilities costs are principally related to vacated warehouse space no longer required as a result of the sale. The write-down of assets adjusted the carrying value of the assets sold to the value agreed upon under the terms of the contract of sale.

During 2002, the company repurchased senior notes due in the fourth quarter of 2003 with a principal amount of $398.2 million. The premium paid and the related deferred financing costs written-off upon the repurchase of this debt, aggregating $12.9 million, net of related taxes, is recognized as an extraordinary loss in the company's consolidated statement of operations. As a result of this transaction, net interest expense will be reduced by approximately $31.1 million from the date of the repurchase through the 2003 maturity dates should interest rates remain the same.

In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." This Statement, among other things, eliminates the amortization of goodwill and requires annual tests for determining impairment of goodwill. On January 1, 2002, the company adopted Statement No. 142, and accordingly, discontinued the amortization of goodwill. If 2001 were restated

11

Table of Contents

As required under the accounting provisions of Statement No. 142, the company completed the two steps required to identify and measure goodwill impairment for each reporting unit as of January 1, 2002. The first step involved identifying all reporting units with carrying values (including goodwill) in excess of fair value determined by reference to comparable businesses using a weighted average EBIT multiple. The reporting units identified from the first step were then measured for impairment by comparing the units' fair value to their carrying value. Those reporting units having a carrying value substantially exceeding their fair value were identified as being fully impaired, and the company fully wrote down the related goodwill. For reporting units with potential impairment, the company determined the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the unit and wrote down the goodwill to its implied fair value accordingly. The majority of the reporting units' assets and liabilities were inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, which are carried at fair value. No other impairment indicators have arisen since January 1, 2002.

In determining a reporting unit, the company looked to its current reporting structure at the date of adoption and allocated goodwill to the reporting units. In most cases, the goodwill was identifiable to specific acquisitions, so the allocation was direct. The following were determined to be the reporting units of the company: (i) North American Components, (ii) North American Computer Products, (iii) individual countries for Europe Components, (iv) Europe Computer Products, (v) South America, and (vi) individual countries for Asia.

As a result of the evaluation process discussed above, the company recorded an impairment charge of $603.7 million, which was recorded as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle at January 1, 2002. The company does not have any other intangible assets subject to valuation under Statement No. 142.

During 2002, the company's chief executive officer resigned. As a result, the company recorded a severance charge totaling $5.4 million ($3.2 million net of related taxes) principally based on the terms of his employment agreement. Included therein are provisions principally related to salary continuation, retirement benefits, and the vesting of restricted stock and options.

In mid-2001, the company took a number of significant steps, including a reduction in its worldwide workforce, salary freezes and furloughs, cutbacks in discretionary spending, deferral of non-strategic projects, consolidation of facilities, and other major cost containment and cost reduction actions, to mitigate, in part, the impact of significantly reduced revenues. As a result of these actions, the company recorded restructuring costs and other special charges of $227.6 million or $145.1 million net of related taxes. The special charges include costs associated with headcount reductions, the consolidation or closing of facilities, valuation adjustments to inventory and Internet investments, the termination of certain customer engagements, and various other miscellaneous items. Of the total charge of $227.6 million, $174.6 million reduced operating income (including $97.5 million in cost of products sold) and $53 million was recorded as a loss on investments. There were no material revisions to these actions and their related costs. A summary of the special charges included in operating income is as follows (in millions):

The company recorded a charge of $15.2 million related to personnel costs. The total number of positions eliminated was nearly 1,200, out of the then existing worldwide total of 14,150, or approximately 9 percent. The actual number of employees terminated approximated original estimates. The reduction in headcount was principally due to reduced activity levels across all functions throughout the company. There was no single group of employees or business segment that was impacted by this restructuring. Instead, it impacted both exempt and non-exempt employees across a broad range of functions including sales and marketing, warehouse employees, employees working in value-added centers, finance personnel in credit/collections and accounts payable, human resources and IT. The company's approach was to reduce its headcount in the areas with reduced activities. Of the total positions eliminated, approximately 1,000 were completed by December 31, 2001 and the remaining positions were eliminated by March 31, 2002. The company also consolidated or closed 15 facilities and accordingly recorded a charge of $10 million related to vacated leases, including write-offs of related leasehold improvements.

The company also terminated certain customer programs principally related to services not traditionally provided by the company because they were not profitable. The $38.8 million provision included charges for inventory these customers no longer required, pricing disputes, and non-cancelable purchase commitments.

The company recorded an inventory provision of $97.5 million which was included in cost of products sold. The provision related to a substantial number of parts. In addition to North America, provisions were recorded in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. The inventory charge was principally related to product purchased for single or limited customer engagements and in certain instances from non-traditional, non-franchised sources for which no contractual protections such as return rights, scrap allowance, or price protection exist. The inventory provision was principally for electronic components. The parts were written down to estimated realizable value; in many cases to estimated scrap value or zero. At December 31, 2002, approximately 60 percent of the inventory for which a provision was made had been scrapped and approximately 30 percent of this inventory was sold at its reduced carrying value with minimal impact on gross margins. The remaining inventory provision of approximately $7 million at December 31, 2002 relates to inventory which will primarily be disposed of or scrapped by the end of 2003.

Also included in the charge was $13.1 million for IT systems and other miscellaneous items related to logistics support and service commitments no longer being used, hardware and software not utilized by the company, professional fees related to contractual obligations of certain customer terminations, and the write-off of an investment in an IT-related service provider.

As a result of the significant decline in the Internet sector during 2001, the company assessed the value of its investments early in the third quarter of 2001. In order to assess the value of its investments, the company selected a pool of comparable publicly traded companies and obtained the stock price of each company at the date of the company's original investment and in the third quarter of 2001. The percentage change in the average stock price was applied to the related investment to determine the change in the value of the investment, modified to the extent that the entity had cash to repay the investors. The company determined that certain of these investments had experienced an other than temporary decline in their realizable values. Accordingly, in the third quarter of 2001, the company recorded a charge of $53 million to write various Internet investments down to their realizable values. At December 31, 2002, the remaining book value of these investments was $2.3 million.

In connection with the restructuring costs and other special charges discussed above, operating expenses declined, in part, as a result of the reduction in workforce, cutbacks in discretionary spending, deferral of non-strategic projects, and consolidation of facilities initiated in mid-2001 as a result of the significant reduction in sales and related activities. The full financial

13

Table of Contents

In 2001, the company recorded an integration charge of $9.4 million ($5.7 million net of related taxes) related to the acquisition of Wyle Electronics and Wyle Systems (collectively, "Wyle"). In connection with the integration of Wyle, approximately 240 positions, largely performing duplicate functions, were eliminated. A summary of the integration charge is as follows (in millions):

Of the expected $8.2 million to be spent in cash, approximately $7.2 million was spent as of December 31, 2002. The remaining amount to be spent in cash will be paid from the company's cash flow from operations. Non-cash usage amounted to $1.2 million.

At December 31, 2002, the remaining restructuring costs and other special charges and various integration charges recorded in connection with the acquisition of Wyle, as well as previous acquisitions, totaling $50.7 million, of which $35.8 million is expected to be spent in cash, will be utilized as follows:

The company recorded gross profit of $1.3 billion for 2002, compared with gross profit of $1.5 billion in the year-earlier period. Included in gross profit for 2001 are restructuring costs and other special charges of $97.5 million; excluding these charges gross profit would have been $1.6 billion. The decline in gross profit, exclusive of the aforementioned restructuring costs and other special charges, is principally due to the 22.1 percent decline in sales in 2002. The gross profit margins for 2002 improved by approximately 40 basis points when compared with the year-earlier period, excluding restructuring costs and other special charges. The increase in gross profit percentage is principally due to a change in the mix of sales, which in

14

Table of Contents

The company recorded operating income of $167.5 million in 2002 as compared with $152.7 million in 2001. Included in operating income for 2002 is the severance charge of $5.4 million associated with the resignation of the company's chief executive officer. Excluding this charge, operating income for 2002 would have been $172.9 million. Included in operating income for 2001 are $174.6 million of restructuring costs and other special charges described above, the integration charge of $9.4 million associated with the acquisition of Wyle, and goodwill amortization of $48 million. Excluding these charges and goodwill amortization, operating income for 2001 would have been $384.6 million. The decrease in operating income of $211.7 million for 2002 compared with the year-earlier period, exclusive of the aforementioned special charges and goodwill amortization, is principally a result of the 22.1 percent decline in sales offset, in part, by a 9.1 percent reduction in expenses.

The company recorded gross profit of $1.5 billion for 2001, compared with gross profit of $2 billion in the year-earlier period. Included in gross profit for 2001 are the aforementioned restructuring costs and other special charges of $97.5 million; excluding these charges gross profit would have been $1.6 billion. The decline in gross profit, exclusive of the aforementioned restructuring costs and other special charges, is principally due to the decline in sales of 21.4 percent in 2001. Exclusive of the aforementioned special charges, gross profit margins for 2001 improved by approximately 20 basis points when compared with the year-earlier period. The increase in gross profit percentage is principally due to a change in the mix of sales, which is more heavily concentrated on the businesses serving core OEM customers that typically have higher margins, and fewer sales to large accounts that typically have a lower gross profit percentage. It also reflects the computer products businesses' increasing focus on higher margin business.

The company's operating income decreased to $152.7 million in 2001 compared with $773.2 million in 2000. Excluding the aforementioned special charges, operating income for 2001 would have been $336.7 million. The decrease in operating income was due to the sudden and dramatic reduction in sales that began in the latter part of the first quarter of 2001, and accelerated thereafter.

The company recorded gross profit of $2 billion for 2000, compared with gross profit of $1.2 billion in the year-earlier period. The increase in gross profit is principally due to the increase in sales of 44.9 percent in 2000. The gross profit margins for 2000 improved by approximately 150 basis points when compared with the year-earlier period. The increase in gross profit percentage is driven by margin improvements in core component businesses in North America and Europe.

Operating income increased to $773.2 million in 2000 compared with $326.2 million in 1999. Included in 1999 is an integration charge of $24.6 million associated with the acquisition and integration of Richey Electronics, Inc. ("Richey") and the electronics distribution group of Bell Industries, Inc. ("EDG"). Excluding this charge, operating income for 1999 would have been $350.7 million. The increase in operating income, exclusive of the integration charge, was a result of increased sales in the electronic components businesses around the world and increased gross profit margins, as well as the full year impact of cost savings resulting from the integration of Richey and EDG offset, in part, by lower sales of computer products and increased spending in the company's Internet business. The increase in operating income was offset, in part, by an increase in operating expenses, excluding the integration charge discussed above, of 36.3 percent in 2000, compared with the year-earlier period due to the increase in sales. Despite this increase, operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 9.2 percent, the lowest in the company's history.

15

Table of Contents

Interest expense of $152.6 million in 2002 decreased from $210.6 million in the year-earlier period as a result of significantly lower debt balances. During the past twelve months, free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, has totaled $616.1 million, thereby permitting the company to reduce debt by $385.8 million and increase cash by $137.2 million. The positive free cash flow reflects the decline in sales coupled with improved working capital utilization.

In 2001, interest expense increased to $210.6 million compared with $169.9 million in 2000. The increase in interest expense was the result of the full year impact of interest on $1.2 billion of additional borrowings incurred in 2000 to fund acquisitions offset, in part, by the generation of $1.7 billion in cash flow from operations in 2001. The increase in cash flow from operations is due to the company's decreased working capital and capital expenditure requirements. The cash generated from operations in 2001 was utilized to reduce debt by $1.1 billion and to increase cash on hand by $501.3 million.

Interest expense of $169.9 million in 2000 increased by $63 million from 1999 as a result of increases in borrowings to fund the company's acquisitions, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and investments in Internet joint ventures.

The company recorded an income tax provision from continuing operations at an effective tax rate of 35.1 percent in 2002, compared with a benefit for taxes at an effective tax rate of 31.4 percent in the year-earlier period. Excluding the impact of the aforementioned charges and goodwill amortization, the effective tax rate for 2002 and 2001 would have been 36.3 percent and 33.2 percent, respectively. The company's effective tax rate is principally impacted by, among other factors, the statutory tax rates in the countries in which it operates and the related level of income generated by these operations.

In 2001, the company recorded an income tax benefit at an effective tax rate of 31.4 percent, compared with a provision for taxes at an effective tax rate of 40.7 percent in 2000. Excluding the impact of the aforementioned special charges, the effective tax rate would have been 40.8 percent for 2001.

The company recorded a provision for taxes at an effective tax rate of 40.7 percent in 2000 compared with 44.8 percent in the year-earlier period. Excluding the integration charge, the effective tax rate would have been 43.6 percent in 1999. The lower rate for 2000 was due to the company's significantly increased operating income, which lowered the negative effect of non-deductible goodwill amortization on the company's effective tax rate.

The company recorded a net loss of $610.5 million for 2002, compared with $73.8 million in the year-earlier period. Included in the results for 2002 are the net loss associated with discontinued operations, an extraordinary charge associated with the prepayment of debt, a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle as mandated by FASB Statement No. 142, and the severance charge mentioned above. The net loss associated with the discontinued operations, the extraordinary charge, and the change in accounting principle are discussed in greater detail above. Included in the results for 2001 are restructuring costs and other special charges and an integration charge, also previously discussed.

The company recorded income from continuing operations of $12.1 million ($.12 per share on a basic and diluted basis) in 2002, compared with losses from continuing operations of $75.6 million in the year-earlier period. Excluding the aforementioned severance charge, income from continuing operations would have been $15.3 million ($.15 per share on a basic and diluted basis) in 2002. Included in net loss from continuing operations for 2001 are restructuring costs and other special charges of $227.6 million ($145.1 million net of

16

Table of Contents

The company recorded a net loss of $73.8 million in 2001 compared with net income of $357.9 million in 2000. Excluding the aforementioned special charges, and income from discontinued operations, net income from continuing operations for 2001 and 2000 would have been $75.2 million and $351.9, respectively. The decrease in net income from continuing operations, excluding special charges, was due to lower gross profit, as a result of lower sales, and higher levels of interest expense.

Net income in 2000 was $357.9 million, an increase from $124.2 million in 1999. Included in the results for 1999 was an integration charge of $24.6 million associated with the acquisition and integration of Richey and EDG. Excluding this charge, net income from continuing operations for 2000 and 1999 would have been $351.9 million and $131.9 million, respectively. The increase in net income excluding the integration charge, was a result of increased sales, improved gross profit margins, and continued expense control offset, in part, by higher levels of interest expense.

The company maintains a significant investment in accounts receivable and inventories. As a percentage of total assets, accounts receivable and inventories were approximately 55.3 percent and 51.6 percent in 2002 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2002, cash and short-term investments increased to $694.1 million from $556.9 million at December 31, 2001 and total debt decreased to $2.1 billion at December 31, 2002 from $2.5 billion compared with the year-earlier period.

One of the characteristics of the company's business is that in periods of revenue growth, investments in accounts receivable and inventories grow, and the company's need for financing may increase. In the periods in which revenue declines, investments in accounts receivable and inventories generally also decrease, and cash is generated. At December 31, 2002, working capital, defined as accounts receivable and inventories net of payables, decreased by $458.7 million, or 21.6 percent, compared with December 31, 2001, due to decreased sales and improved asset utilization.

The net amount of cash provided by operating activities in 2002 was $667.9 million, principally reflecting lower working capital requirements. This generation of cash resulted in a reduction in net debt (defined as total debt less cash) from $1.9 billion to $1.4 billion. The net amount of cash used for investing activities was $79.8 million, including $111.9 million for consideration paid for acquired businesses and $51.7 million for various capital expenditures offset, in part, by the cash proceeds of $41.1 million from the sale of Gates/Arrow and the partial repayment of a note receivable of $41.7 million resulting from a previous transaction. The net amount of cash used for financing activities was $484.3 million, primarily reflecting the early retirement of bonds due in the fourth quarter of 2003 and the repayment of short-term and long-term debt.

During 2002, the company repurchased senior notes with a principal amount of $398.2 million, due in the fourth quarter of 2003. The premium paid and the related deferred financing costs written-off upon the repurchase of this debt, aggregated $12.9 million, net of related taxes, and is recognized as an extraordinary loss in the company's consolidated statement of operations. As a result of this transaction, net interest expense will be reduced by approximately $31.1 million from the date of the repurchase through the 2003 maturity date should interest rates remain the same.

17

Table of Contents

In August 2002, the company entered into a series of interest rate swaps (the "swaps") with third parties with an aggregate notional amount of $250 million in order to hedge the change in fair value of the company's 8.7% senior notes, due in 2005, as a result of fluctuations in interest rates. These contracts are classified as fair value hedges and mature in October 2005. The swaps modify the company's interest rate exposure by effectively converting the fixed 8.7% senior notes to a floating rate based on the six-month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus a spread (effective rate of 6.76% at December 31, 2002) through their maturities. The company accounts for these fair value hedges in accordance with FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." The hedges were assessed as effective as the market value adjustments for the hedged notes and the swaps directly offset each other. The fair value of the swaps at December 31, 2002 was $9.5 million and is included in "Other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the fair value adjustment of $9.5 million is included in "Long-term debt."

A summary of contractual obligations as of December 31, 2002 is as follows (in thousands):

Under the terms of various joint venture agreements, the company would be required to pay its pro-rata share, based upon its ownership interests, of the debt of the joint ventures in the event that the joint ventures were unable to meet their obligations. The joint ventures had no debt outstanding at December 31, 2002.

In connection with certain acquisitions, the company may be required to make future payments. During 2002, the company made such payments aggregating $108.5 million in connection with three acquisitions, of which $95.7 million has been capitalized as cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired, and $12.8 million has been recorded as a reduction in capital in excess of par value.

In a limited number of instances the company is contractually required to purchase the shareholder interest held by others in its majority (but less than 100 percent), owned subsidiaries. Such payments, which are dependent upon the occurrence of certain events and the passage of time, are to be based upon a multiple of earnings (as defined in the relevant agreements) over a contractually determined period and, in certain instances, capital structure. In most instances the amount to be paid will not be less than the book value of the shares. Based upon the performance of these businesses through December 31, 2002, such payments would be approximately $13 million ($116 million at December 31, 2001), which would principally be capitalized as cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired offset by the carrying value of the related minority interest. These amounts will change as the performance of these subsidiaries change.

In February 2003, the company purchased substantially all of the assets of the Industrial Electronics Division ("IED") of Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc. for approximately $235 million, subject to adjustment based upon an audit of the assets and liabilities being acquired. IED will be integrated with the North American Components group. Through the combined businesses, the company expects cost savings and additional revenue that is estimated to improve earnings by $.20 per share annually after the first full year following completion of the integration.

During the first quarter of 2003, the company took steps to more effectively organize its North American structure, systems, and processes. The net result of these steps will be to reduce the company's cost structure by at least $40

18

Table of Contents

During the first quarter of 2003, the company repurchased an additional $69.3 million of its 8.2% senior notes, due in October 2003. The premium paid and the deferred financing costs written-off upon the repurchase of this debt, aggregated approximately $2.5 million and will be expensed in the consolidated statement of operations in the first quarter of 2003. As a result of this transaction net interest expense will be reduced by approximately $2.8 million from the date of the repurchase through the original maturity date, if interest rates remain the same.

In February 2003, the company amended its three-year revolving credit facility to make certain changes to the terms of the facility, including amendments to covenants and a reduction in the size of the facility from $650 million to $450 million of available credit. The three-year revolving credit facility, as amended, bears interest at the applicable eurocurrency rate plus a margin which is based on facility utilization and other factors. The company pays the banks a facility fee of .20% per annum. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the company had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.

In February 2003, the company renewed its asset securitization program (the "program") and made certain changes to the terms of the program, including amendments to covenants, elimination of a rating trigger that could have made the program unavailable for additional borrowings in the event that the company's senior unsecured credit rating fell below investment grade, and reduction in the size of the program from $750 million to $550 million. Under the program, the company can sell, on a revolving basis, an individual interest in a pool of certain North American trade accounts receivable and retains a subordinated interest and servicing rights to those receivables. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, there were no receivables sold to and held by third parties under the program, and, as such, the company had no obligations outstanding under this program. The company has not utilized this facility since June 2001.

During the first quarter of 2001, the company completed the sale of $1.5 billion principal amount at maturity of zero coupon convertible senior debentures (the "convertible debentures") due February 21, 2021. The convertible debentures were priced with a yield to maturity, including the accretion of discount, of 4% per annum and may be converted into the company's common stock at a conversion ratio of 11.972 common shares per $1,000 of principal amount at maturity. The company, at its option, may redeem all or part of the convertible debentures (at the issue price plus accrued original issue discount through the date of redemption) any time on or after February 21, 2006. Holders of the convertible debentures may require the company to repurchase the convertible debentures (at the issue price plus accrued original issue discount through the date of repurchase) on February 21, 2006, 2011, or 2016. The net proceeds resulting from this transaction of $671.8 million were used to repay a $400 million short-term credit facility with the remaining amount principally utilized to repay amounts outstanding under the company's then existing global multi-currency credit facility.

At December 31, 2001, working capital decreased by $1.8 billion, or 45.6 percent, compared with December 31, 2000, due to decreased sales and improved asset utilization.

The net amount of cash provided by operating activities in 2001 was $1.7 billion, principally reflecting lower working capital requirements. The net amount of cash used for investing activities was $107.1 million, including $64.3 million for various capital expenditures, $27.3 million for the acquisition of the remaining 10 percent of interest in Scientific and Business Minicomputers, Inc ("SBM") and $15.5 million for various investments. The net amount of cash used for financing activities was $1.1 billion, primarily reflecting the repayment of short-term and long-term debt.

19

Table of Contents

In 2000, working capital increased by 75.6 percent, or $1.7 billion, compared with 1999. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, working capital increased by 31.2 percent, or $692 million, due to increased sales and higher working capital requirements.

The net amount of cash used for operating activities in 2000 was $336.4 million, principally resulting from increased accounts receivable and inventories offset, in part, by increased payables and earnings for the year. The net amount of cash used for investing activities was $1.4 billion, including $1.2 billion primarily for the acquisitions of Wyle, the open computing alliance subsidiary of Merisel, Inc., Jakob Hatteland Electronic AS, and Tekelec Europe, and $80.2 million for various capital expenditures. The net amount of cash provided by financing activities was $1.7 billion, primarily reflecting the issuance of senior debentures, borrowings under the company's commercial paper program, and various short-term borrowings.

The company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The company evaluates its estimates, including those related to uncollectible receivables, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, restructuring and integration costs, and contingencies and litigation, on an ongoing basis. The company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The company believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

This report includes forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or facts to differ materially from such statements for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: industry conditions, changes in product supply, pricing and customer demand, competition, other vagaries in the electronic components and computer products markets, and changes in relationships with key suppliers. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they

22

Table of Contents

The company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

The company, as a large international organization, faces exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material impact on the company's financial results in the future. The company's primary exposure relates to transactions in which the currency collected from customers is different from the currency utilized to purchase the product sold in Europe, the Asia/Pacific region, and Latin and South America. At the present time, the company hedges only those currency exposures for which natural hedges do not exist. Natural hedges exist when purchases and sales within a specific country are both denominated in the same currency and therefore no exposure exists to hedge with a foreign exchange contract. In Asia, for example, sales and purchases are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, resulting in a "natural hedge." Natural hedges exist in most countries in which the company operates, although the percentage of natural offsets vs. offsets which need to be hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts ("forward contracts") will vary from country to country. The company does not enter into forward contracts for trading purposes. The risk of loss on a forward contract is the risk of nonperformance by the counterparties, which the company minimizes by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions. The fair value of the contracts is estimated using market quotes. The notional amount of the contracts at December 31, 2002 and 2001 was $264,795,000 and $151,507,000, respectively. The carrying amounts, which are nominal, approximated fair value at December 31, 2002 and 2001. The translation of the financial statements of the non-North American operations is impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Had the various average foreign currency exchange rates remained the same during 2002 as compared with 2001, 2002 sales and operating income would have been $118 million and $6 million lower, respectively, than the reported results for 2002. Sales and operating income would have fluctuated by approximately $25 million and $1 million, respectively, if average foreign exchange rates had changed by one percentage point in 2002. This amount was determined by considering the impact of a hypothetical foreign exchange rate on the sales and operating income of the company's international operations.

The company's interest expense, in part, is sensitive to the general level of interest rates in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific region. The company historically has managed its exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate and variable rate debt in its total debt portfolio. In addition, the company has used interest rate swaps that convert certain fixed rate debt to variable rate debt, effectively hedging the change in fair value of the fixed rate debt resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. At December 31, 2002, as a result of significant generation of operating cash flow, the company had paid down nearly all of its variable rate debt. This reduction in variable rate debt was offset by the aforementioned swaps. As a result, approximately 87 percent of the company's debt was subject to fixed rates, and 13 percent of its debt was subject to variable rates. Interest expense, net of interest income, would have fluctuated by approximately $6 million if average interest rates had changed by one percentage point in 2002. This amount was determined by considering the impact of a hypothetical interest rate on the company's average variable rate on investments and outstanding borrowings. This analysis does not consider the effect of the level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Further, in the event of a change of such magnitude, the company could likely take actions to further mitigate any potential negative exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in the company's financial structure.

23

Table of Contents

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Arrow Electronics, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Arrow Electronics, Inc. as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and the schedule are the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Arrow Electronics, Inc. at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, New York
February 13, 2003

24

Table of Contents

The consolidated financial statements of Arrow Electronics, Inc. have been prepared by the company, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, reflect our best use of judgment and estimates where appropriate. The company also prepared the other information in the annual report and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the consolidated financial statements.

The company's system of internal controls is designed to provide reasonable assurance that company assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use or disposition and that transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization and are properly recorded. In establishing the basis for reasonable assurance, management balances the costs of the internal controls with the benefits they provide. The system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and compliance is tested through an extensive program of site visits and audits by the company's operating controls (internal audit) staff.

The audit committee of the board of directors, consisting entirely of independent directors, meets regularly with the company's management, operating controls (internal audit) staff, and independent auditors and reviews audit plans and results, as well as management's actions taken in discharging its responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. Members of management, the operating controls (internal audit) staff, and the independent auditors have direct and confidential access to the audit committee at all times.

The company's independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, were engaged to audit the consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. These standards include a study and evaluation of internal controls for the purpose of establishing a basis for reliance thereon relative to the scope of their audit of the consolidated financial statements.

/s/ William E. Mitchell              
William E. Mitchell
President and Chief Executive Officer



/s/ Paul J. Reilly                        
Paul J. Reilly
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

25

Table of Contents

See accompanying notes.

26

Table of Contents