acme_8k030311.htm
 
 
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): March 3, 2011
 
 
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.)
 
 
60 Round Hill Road, Fairfield, Connecticut
 
 
06824
(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))
 

 

 
 
ITEM 2.02.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
 
On March 3, 2011, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report.
 
 
ITEM 9.01.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
 
(c)           Exhibits
 
Exhibit Number Description
   
99.1 Press release dated March 3, 2011.
 
 
 

 
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:   March 3, 2011
 
     
     
     
By /s/  Paul G. Driscoll  
 
Paul G. Driscoll
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
     
Dated:   March 3, 2011
 
 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 
  Exhibit Number Description
     
  99.1
Press release dated March 3, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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acme_8k030311ex991.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
ACME UNITED CORPORATION               NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:  Paul G. Driscoll  Acme United Corporation  60 Round Hill Road  Fairfield, CT  06824
     Phone: (203) 254-6060  FAX: (203) 254-6521  

 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   March 3, 2011   


ACME UNITED CORPORATION REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS

FAIRFIELD, CONN. – March 3, 2011 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE AMEX:ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, were $13.4 million compared to $13.4 million in the same period in 2009.  Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $63.1 million, compared to $59.1 million in the same period in 2009, an increase of 7%.
 
Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 was $180,000, or $.06 per diluted share, compared to $731,000, or $.22 per diluted share, for the comparable period last year. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company donated land to the City of Bridgeport, CT and medical products to Americares for Haitian relief, and as a result recorded tax benefits of $464,000.  Without the tax benefits, net income would have been $267,000.

Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $2,980,000 compared to $3,027,000 in the comparable period last year.  Profit from the higher sales was offset by higher airfreight expense and higher personnel related costs.  The higher airfreight expense was due to labor shortages and production constraints in the Asian factories during the back to school season.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $2,573,000, or $.81 per diluted share, compared to $2,842,000, or $.85 per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010, in the U.S. segment increased 5% compared to 2009 mainly due to market share gains with our new non-stick products and the iPoint pencil sharpeners. Net sales in Canada for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased 10% in U.S. dollars compared to 2009, and stayed constant in local currency.  European net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased 14% in U.S. dollars and 22% in local currency compared to 2009. Sales in Europe increased due to growth in the mass and office markets.

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Gross margins were 38% for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Gross margins were 37% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The full year effective tax rate in 2010 was 12%, compared to 18% in 2009. The lower effective tax rates in both years compared to historical rates was primarily the result of tax credits associated with donating the Bridgeport property.

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO said, “The results for 2010 were solidly profitable in a difficult environment for office products. We continued to invest in product development and new coatings, and were awarded a new utility patent extending the range our high performance titanium nitride coatings.”

Mr. Johnsen added that the Company launched its award-wining line of pruners, shears, and garden products at year end, and that he has been encouraged by the customer response.  The introduction of these products marks Acme United’s entry into the large, global gardening market where innovation is highly regarded.

The Company’s bank debt less cash and equivalents on December 31, 2010 was $6.9 million compared to $2.7 million on December 31, 2009.  During fiscal year 2010, the Company repurchased 150,000 shares representing 5% of its common stock for approximately $1.5 million and paid $700,000 in dividends on its common stock.  The company increased inventory by $4.9 million in preparation for seasonal sales in 201l.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is an innovative supplier of cutting devices, measuring instruments and safety products for school, home, office, industrial and hardware use. Its leading brands include Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus® and PhysiciansCare ®.

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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 supplier s and customers (iii) the Company’s plans and results of operations will be affected by the Company’s ability to manage its growth, and (iv) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
YEAR END REPORT 2010
 
(Unaudited)  
             
             
   
Quarter Ended
   
Quarter Ended
 
Amounts in $000's except per share data
 
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
             
             
Net sales
  $ 13,360     $ 13,422  
Cost of goods sold
    8,315       8,248  
Gross profit
    5,044       5,174  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    4,968       4,881  
Income from operations
    77       293  
Interest expense
    (84 )     (32 )
Interest income
    48       33  
Net interest expense
    (36 )     2  
Other  income (expense)
    108       (29 )
Total other  income (expense) net
    72       (27 )
Pre-tax income
    148       266  
Income tax benefit
    (32 )     (464 )
Net income
  $ 180     $ 731  
                 
Shares outstanding - Basic
    3,065       3,208  
Shares outstanding - Diluted
    3,121       3,305  
                 
Earnings per share basic
  $ 0.06     $ 0.23  
Earnings per share diluted
    0.06       0.22  
 
 
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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
YEAR END REPORT 2010 (cont.)
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
             
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
Amounts in $000's except per share data
 
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
                 
                 
Net sales
  $ 63,149     $ 59,149  
Cost of goods sold
    39,784       37,075  
Gross profit
    23,365       22,073  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    20,385       19,047  
Income from operations
    2,980       3,027  
Interest expense
    (301 )     (155 )
Interest income
    160       129  
Net interest expense
    (142 )     (26 )
Other  income
    72       452  
Total other (expense) income  net
    (69 )     426  
Pre-tax income
    2,911       3,453  
Income tax expense
    338       611  
Net income
  $ 2,573     $ 2,842  
                 
Shares outstanding - Basic
    3,129       3,289  
Shares outstanding - Diluted
    3,194       3,353  
                 
Earnings per share basic
  $ 0.82     $ 0.86  
Earnings per share diluted
    0.81       0.85  
 
 
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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
YEAR END REPORT 2010
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
             
Amounts in $000's
 
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
                 
Assets:
               
Current assets:
               
Cash
  $ 6,601     $ 6,519  
Accounts receivable, net
    12,331       10,703  
Inventories
    22,293       17,400  
Prepaid and other current assets
    1,402       1,133  
Total current assets
    42,627       35,755  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    2,216       2,088  
Long term receivable
    1,839       1,892  
Other assets
    2,899       2,574  
Total assets
  $ 49,581     $ 42,309  
                 
                 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 5,679     $ 3,546  
Other current liabilities
    3,539       3,257  
Total current liabilities
    9,218       6,803  
Non-current liabilities
               
Long term debt
    13,522       9,154  
Other non current liabilities
    1,489       1,811  
Total liabilities
    24,229       17,768  
Total stockholders' equity
    25,352       24,541  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 49,581     $ 42,309  
 
 
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