FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2009-- Acme United Corporation (NYSE AMEX:ACU) today announced that net sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $15.3 million compared to $19.2 million in the comparable period of 2008, a decrease of 20% (19% local currency). Net income was $728,000, or $.22 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to $1,351,000 or $.37 per diluted share for the comparable period last year, a decrease of 46% in net income and 41% in diluted earnings per share.

Third quarter 2009 earnings included pre-tax income of $458,000 due to completion below estimated costs of a major portion of the remediation of the Bridgeport property which was sold in December 2008. The Company’s contingency reserve for the remaining environmental and monitoring costs is approximately $950,000. Without the achieved cost reduction, net income would have been $433,000 for the third quarter.

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $45.7 million, compared to $56.1 million in the same period in 2008, a decrease of 19% (16% in local currency). Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $2,111,000, or $.63 per diluted share compared to $3,833,000, or $1.05 per diluted share in the comparable period last year, a 45% decrease in net income and 40% in diluted earnings per share. The lower net income is primarily the result of reduced sales, partially offset by savings from our cost savings plan.

Net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 in the U.S. segment decreased 26% compared to the same period in 2008. Contributing to the decline was an unexpected order in the third quarter 2008 of approximately $1.2 million to a major retailer for product for the back to school market which did not reoccur this year. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 in the U.S. segment decreased 22% compared to the same period in 2008. Net sales in Canada for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased by 7% and 14%, respectively, in U.S. dollars but declined 2% for both periods respectively, in local currency compared to the same periods in 2008. European net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased 10% and 1%, respectively, in U.S. dollars compared to the same periods in 2008 and increased 16% and 12% respectively, in local currency. Revenues in Europe grew primarily due to higher sales of office and manicure products.

Gross margins were 36% in the third quarter of 2009 versus 41% in the comparable period last year. For the first nine months of 2009, gross margins were 37% compared to 41% in the same period in 2008. The gross margin decline for the three and nine month periods was primarily due to fixed costs spread over lower sales, the weaker Canadian dollar which raised the cost of products in our Canadian segment and product mix.

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO said, “We have been aggressively seeking new sales opportunities, continuing to reduce expenses, and improving our balance sheet. We are seeing commitments from our customers for new products and programs for the coming year, and are encouraged.”

Mr. Johnsen added that during the past 12 months, the Company repurchased about 7% of its outstanding stock, increased its dividend and reduced net debt by approximately 60%. He noted that the Company is very well positioned for future growth opportunities.

The Company’s bank debt less cash on September 30, 2009 was $2.8 million compared to $7.5 million on September 30, 2008. During the 12 month period ended September 30, 2009, Acme purchased 266,791 shares of its common stock for approximately $2.3 million and paid $700,000 in dividends. On October 7, 2009 the company’s Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program of up to 200,000 common shares. The Company may also repurchase 49,335 shares under its repurchase program previously announced on December 19, 2008.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office, hardware and industrial markets.

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 impact of current uncertainties in global economic conditions and the ongoing financial crisis affecting the domestic and foreign banking system and financial markets, including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers (iii) currency fluctuations (iv) the Company’s plans and results of operations will be affected by the Company’s ability to manage its growth, and (v) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: Acme United Corporation

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