Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of report (date of earliest event reported): July 19, 2024

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Connecticut	001-07698	06-0236700
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission file number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1 Waterview Dr, Shelton, Connecticut		06484
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 254-6060

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


	☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
	☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

    Title of each class

    Trading
Symbol(s)

    Name of each exchange on which registered

    Common Stock, $2.50 par value per share

    ACU

    NYSE American

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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. ☐

ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On July 19, 2024, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.


Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press release dated July 19, 2024.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

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


ACME UNITED CORPORATION

By	/s/ Walter C. Johnsen
	Walter C. Johnsen
	Chairman and
	Chief Executive Officer

Dated: July 19, 2024



By	/s/ Paul G. Driscoll
	Paul G. Driscoll
	Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

Dated: July 19, 2024

ACME UNITED CORPORATION NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Paul G. Driscoll Acme United Corporation 1 Waterview Drive Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 254-6060

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2024

ACME UNITED REPORTS 29% INCREASE IN NET INCOME FOR

SECOND QUARTER OF 2024

SHELTON, CT – July 19, 2024 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $55.4 million compared to $53.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of 4%. Excluding the impact of the Camillus and Cuda hunting and fishing product lines sold on November 1, 2023, net sales for the second quarter of 2024 increased 8% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $100.4 million, compared to $99.2 million in the same period in 2023, an increase of 1%. Excluding Camillus and Cuda, net sales for the six months increased 5% compared to the same period in 2023.

Net income was $4.5 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $3.4 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023, an increase of 29% in net income and 14% in diluted earnings per share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $6.1 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, compared to $4.4 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023, an increase of 37% in net income and 18% in diluted earnings per share.

On May 23, 2024, the Company acquired the assets of Elite First Aid, Inc. (“Elite First Aid”), a leading supplier of tactical, trauma and emergency response products based in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Elite First Aid had revenues in 2023 of approximately $4.2 million.

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “Sales in the second quarter of 2024 were strong. We had significant market share gains and sales growth in first aid. Revenues of Westcott cutting tools increased due to gains in the craft market and growth in

back-to-school sales. Our underlying growth was approximately 8% in the quarter after taking into account the revenues of the hunting and fishing lines which were sold last year to enhance our focus on Acme United’s primary product lines.”

Mr. Johnsen continued, “We are excited about our acquisition of Elite First Aid, which has significantly strengthened our emergency response product line and expanded our customer base. We also intend to offer the Elite First Aid products to our existing customer base in the coming quarters. I am gratified that the expansion of our product line will enhance our ability to help save lives in trauma situations.”

For the three months ended June 30, 2024, net sales in the U.S. segment increased 5% compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding Camillus and Cuda, net sales for the second quarter of 2024 increased 10% compared to the second quarter of 2023 mainly due to market share gains across multiple product lines. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net sales in the U.S. segment increased 2% compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding Camillus and Cuda, net sales for the six months increased 6% compared to the same period in 2023.

European net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 increased 4% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency compared to the second quarter of 2023. Excluding Camillus and Cuda, net sales for the second quarter of 2024 increased 9% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased 5% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the first half of 2023. Excluding Camillus and Cuda sales for the six months, net sales increased 8% compared to the same period in 2023. The sales increase for both periods was due to market share gains in the office channel.

Net sales in Canada for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased 7% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding Camillus and Cuda, net sales for the second quarter of 2024 decreased 4% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 decreased 7% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the first half of 2023. Excluding Camillus and Cuda, net sales for the six months decreased 2% compared to the same period in 2023. Sales of school and office products have been impacted by a soft economy.

Gross margin was 40.8% in the three months ended June 30, 2024 versus 37.5% in the comparable period last year. Gross margin was 39.9% for the six month period ended June 30, 2024, compared to 36.6% for the same period in 2023. The increases in the three and the six-month periods ending June 30, 2024 were primarily due to productivity improvements in the Company’s manufacturing and distribution facilities.

The Company’s bank debt less cash as of June 30, 2024 was $33.1 million compared to $47.5 million as of June 30, 2023. During the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2024, the Company paid approximately $6.1 million for the acquisition of the assets of Elite First Aid Inc., distributed $2.1 million in dividends on its common stock and generated approximately $8.5 million in free cash flow. Additionally, the Company realized net proceeds from the sale of the Camillus and Cuda product lines of approximately $13.0 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET. To listen or participate in a question and answer session, dial 877-407-0784. International callers may dial 201-689-8560. The confirmation code is 13747775. You may access the live webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.acmeunited.com. A replay may be accessed under Investor Relations, Audio Archives.

About Acme United

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include First Aid Only®, First Aid Central®, PhysiciansCare®, Pac-Kit®, Spill Magic®, Westcott®, Clauss®, DMT®, Med-Nap and Elite First Aid. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The Company may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements” including statements contained in this report and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on our beliefs

as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. When used in this document, words like “may,” “might,” “will,” “except,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from our current expectations.

Forward-looking statements in this report, including without limitation, statements related to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company’s business, operations and financial results.

These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following: (i) changes in the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, which may be made at any time at the discretion of the Company; (ii) the impact of uncertainties in global economic conditions, including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers; (iii) the continuing adverse impact of inflation, including product costs, and interest rates; (iv) potential adverse effects on the Company, its customers, and suppliers resulting from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; (v) additional disruptions in the Company’s supply chains, whether caused by pandemics, natural disasters, including trucker shortages, port closures or otherwise; (vi) labor related costs the Company has and may continue to incur, including costs of acquiring and training new employees and rising wages and benefits; (vii) currency fluctuations including, for example, the fluctuation of the dollar against the euro; (viii) the Company’s ability to effectively manage its inventory in a rapidly changing business environment; (ix) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (x) the impact of competition; (xi) the impact of technological changes including, specifically, the growth of online marketing and sales activity; (xii) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; (xiii) international trade policies and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs or changes in existing tariff rates; and (xiv) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

# # #


ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2024
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data	June 30, 2024			June 30, 2023


Net sales	$	55,425		$	55,336
Cost of goods sold		32,798			33,314
Gross profit		22,627			20,022
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		16,252			14,772
Operating income		6,375			5,250
Interest expense		578			860
Interest income		(39	)		(28	)
Interest expense, net		539			832
Other income, net		(28	)		(23	)
Total other income, net		(28	)		(23	)
Income before income tax expense		5,864			4,441
Income tax expense		1,412			998
Net income	$	4,452		$	3,443

Shares outstanding - Basic		3,679			3,555
Shares outstanding - Diluted		4,088			3,591

Earnings per share - Basic	$	1.21		$	0.97
Earnings per share - Diluted		1.09			0.96



ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2024 (cont.)
(Unaudited)


	Six Months Ended			Six Months Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data	June 30, 2024			June 30, 2023

Net sales	$	100,382		$	99,175
Cost of goods sold		60,358			62,872
Gross profit		40,024			36,303
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		31,090			28,865
Operating income		8,934			7,438
Interest expense		1,054			1,779
Interest income		(72	)		(45	)
Interest expense, net		982			1,734
Other income, net		(72	)		(46	)
Total other income, net		(72	)		(46	)
Income before income tax expense		8,024			5,750
Income tax expense		1,935			1,318
Net income	$	6,089		$	4,432

Shares outstanding - Basic		3,664			3,548
Shares outstanding - Diluted		4,143			3,548

Earnings per share - Basic	$	1.66		$	1.25
Earnings per share - Diluted		1.47			1.25


ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2024
(Unaudited)

Amounts in 000's	June 30, 2024		June 30, 2023

Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,791	$	3,401
Accounts receivable, net		40,074		39,796
Inventories		56,621		55,944
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		5,662		4,330
Total current assets		106,148		103,471

Property, plant and equipment, net		30,570		27,263
Operating lease right of use asset		5,176		2,374
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		31,647		27,969
Other assets		-		750
Total assets	$	173,541	$	161,827

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	10,319	$	10,724
Operating lease liability - short term		1,589		1,122
Mortgage payable - short term		429		411
Other accrued liabilities		15,656		13,013
Total current liabilities		27,992		25,271
Long term debt		26,419		39,979
Mortgage payable - long term		10,073		10,485
Operating lease liability - long term		3,684		1,407
Other non-current liabilities		1,415		1,033
Total liabilities		69,583		78,175
Total stockholders' equity		103,958		83,652
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	173,541	$	161,827

Document and Entity Information	Jul. 19, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 19, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	ACME UNITED CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000002098
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	001-07698
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CT
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0236700
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Waterview Dr
Entity Address, City or Town	Shelton
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06484
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	254-6060
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $2.50 par value per share
Trading Symbol	ACU
Security Exchange Name	NYSEAMER