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Acme United Corporation Reports Record Annual Net Sales and Earnings and Increases Dividend

March 2, 2007 at 9:01 AM EST
FAIRFIELD, Conn., Mar 02, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Acme United Corporation (AMEX:ACU) today announced that net sales for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $56.9 million compared to $49.9 million in 2005, an increase of 14%. Net sales for 2006 in the U.S. segment increased 13% due to the sale of new products, principally our patented titanium bonded products and award winning iPoint electronic pencil sharpeners. International sales increased by 16%, and 10% in local currency compared to 2005. Net sales for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 were $12.1 million, compared to $11.1 million in the same period in 2005, an increase of 9%.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $3.9 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, compared to $2.9 million or $.78 per diluted share, in 2005. Excluding a non-recurring charge of $1.5 million recorded in the third quarter of 2005 which related to the demolition of some former manufacturing buildings, net income would have been $3.9 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, in 2005. Pro forma (non-GAAP) results are presented to provide additional information for comparisons to Acme's results from its ongoing core business in 2006 to 2005. For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006, net income was $396,000, or $.11 per diluted share, compared to $773,000, or $.21 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Net income for 2006 was reduced by losses in Europe of $1.1 million compared to $300,000 in 2005. The losses in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2006 were $550,000 compared to $100,000 in 2005. The Company has begun to improve the product and margin mix in Europe and reduce expenses. The fourth quarter of 2006 also reflects an increase in spending for new product development and market research, and the addition of sales and marketing personnel in the U.S.

Gross margins were 43.2% for 2006 compared to 44.8% in 2005. The decrease was partially due to increased sales of private brand initiatives, which typically provide commodity items at very competitive prices, particularly in Europe. There were also a number of promotional and initial set up expenses for new business in Europe that reduced margins.

The Company's bank debt less cash on December 31, 2006 was $6.4 million compared to $4.5 million on December 31, 2005. The increase in bank debt was primarily to finance the purchase of $2.9 million of additional inventory to support sales growth, an increase in accounts receivables of $1.5 million resulting mainly from higher sales, and the payment of previously accrued costs of $1.5 million for the demolition of a former manufacturing site, partially offset by earnings.

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO, said, "Acme United had a record year in revenues and earnings in 2006. We won the prestigious Good Design award for our iPoint Pencil Sharpener from the Chicago Athenaeum. Our European team rolled out a 12 country sales initiative. We continue to build our business in North America and Europe, and look forward to a very successful year in 2007."

The Board of Directors has approved a 33% increase in the quarterly dividend from $.03 to $.04 per share. The dividend is payable on April 27, 2007 to stockholders of record on the close of business on April 6, 2007.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a specialized supplier of cutting devices, measuring instruments, and safety products for school, home, office and industrial use.

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 including without limitation the following: (i) the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Company; (ii) the Company's plans and results of operations will be affected by the Company's ability to manage its growth, and (iii) 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 STATEMENT OF INCOME

                         YEAR END REPORT 2006

                                          Quarter Ended  Quarter Ended

                                          December 31,   December 31,
                                               2006           2005

Amounts in $000's except per share data    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Net sales                                $      12,089  $      11,059

Gross profit                                     4,979          4,596

Selling, general, and administrative
 expenses                                        4,110          3,058

Other expense, net                                  51            205

Pre-tax income                                     818          1,333

Income tax expense                                 422            560

Net income                                         396            773


   Shares outstanding - Basic                    3,508          3,486

   Shares outstanding - Diluted                  3,726          3,752


Earnings per share - Basic                        0.11           0.22

Earnings per share - Diluted                      0.11           0.21

                       ACME UNITED CORPORATION

              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

                         YEAR END REPORT 2006


                                             Year Ended    Year Ended

Amounts in $000's except per share data     December 31,  December 31,
                                                2006          2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Net sales                                  $     56,863  $     49,946

Gross profit                                     24,583        22,355

Selling, general, and administrative
 expenses                                        17,870        15,512

Other expense, net                                  364           577

Non-recurring charge                                  -         1,500

Pre-tax income                                    6,349         4,766

Income tax expense                                2,463         1,829

Net income                                        3,886         2,937


   Shares outstanding - Basic                     3,495         3,509

   Shares outstanding - Diluted                   3,712         3,789


Earnings per share - Basic                         1.11          0.84

Earnings per share - Diluted                       1.05          0.78


Reconciliation to reported Net Income (GAAP):

   Pre-tax income as reported (GAAP)              6,349         4,766

   Non-recurring charge                               -         1,500

   Pre-tax income as adjusted                     6,349         6,266

   Income tax expense as adjusted                 2,463         2,399

   Net income as adjusted (Non-GAAP)              3,886         3,867

   Earnings per share before non-recurring
    charge - Basic                                 1.11          1.10

   Earnings per share before non-recurring
    charge - Diluted                               1.05          1.02

                       ACME UNITED CORPORATION

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                         YEAR END REPORT 2006


Amounts in $000's
------------------------------------------

Assets                                      December 31,  December 31,
                                                2006          2005
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------

Current assets:

   Cash                                    $      3,838  $      1,076

   Accounts receivable, net                      10,852         9,392

   Inventories                                   15,677        12,530

   Prepaid and other current assets               1,120           867
                                           ---------------------------

Total current assets                             31,487        23,865


   Property and equipment, net                    2,540         2,786

   Other assets                                     994         1,543
                                           ---------------------------

Total assets                               $     35,021  $     28,194
                                           ===========================


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
------------------------------------------

Current liabilities:

   Accounts payable                               2,358         2,174

   Other current liabilities                      3,564         5,356
                                           ---------------------------

Total current liabilities                         5,922         7,530

Long-term debt                                   10,226         5,587

Other non-current liabilities                       742         1,012
                                           ---------------------------

Total liabilities                                16,890        14,129

Total stockholders' equity                       18,131        14,065
                                           ---------------------------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $     35,021  $     28,194
                                           ===========================

SOURCE: Acme United Corporation

Acme United Corporation
Paul G. Driscoll, 203-254-6060
Fax: 203-254-6521