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): February 26, 2014

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 February 26, 2014, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the Year ended December 31, 2013. 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 February 26, 2014.

 

 

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: February 26, 2014
     
     
     
By /s/  Paul G. Driscoll  
  Paul G. Driscoll  
  Vice President and  
  Chief Financial Officer  
     
Dated: February 26, 2014

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

  Exhibit Number Description
     
  99.1 Press release dated February 26, 2014.

 

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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 February 26, 2014  

 

ACME UNITED CORPORATION REPORTS 9% SALES INCREASE AND 22% INCREASE IN NET INCOME FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER

 

FAIRFIELD, CONN. – February 26, 2014 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE MKT:ACU) today announced that net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013 were $21.4 million, compared to $19.5 million in the comparable period of 2012, an increase of 9%.

 

Net income was $524,000, or $.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to $431,000 or $.14 per diluted share, for the comparable period of 2012, an increase of 22% in net income and 7% in diluted earnings per share.

 

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $89.6 million, compared to $84.4 million in 2012, an increase of 6%.

 

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $4,003,000, or $1.22 per diluted share, compared to $3,549,000, or $1.13 per diluted share for the comparable period of 2012, a 13% increase in net income and 8% increase in diluted earnings per share.

 

Net sales in the U.S. segment for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2013 increased 11% and 9%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012. The increases for both periods were primarily due to higher sales of Camillus knives and back to school products as well as increased distribution of first aid kits. Net sales in Canada for the three months ended December 31, 2013 decreased 7% in U.S dollars but remained constant in local currency compared to the same period in 2012. Net sales in Canada for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased 8% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to 2012. The sales decline in Canada was primarily due to general softness in the office products industry. European net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2013 increased 8% in U.S. dollars (2% in local currency), compared to the same period last year. European net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased 2% in U.S. dollars (5% in local currency), compared to last year. The decreased sales in Europe were primarily due to the bankruptcy and liquidation of a large customer in Germany in the second quarter of 2012.

 

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Gross margins were 34.5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 versus 33.6% in the comparable period last year. Gross margins were 35.5% for the year ended December 31, 2013 versus 35.3% for the comparable period in 2012.

 

Operating profit was $763,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 compared to $465,000 for the same period in 2012, a 64% increase. Operating profit was $5,879,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $5,361,000 last year, an increase of 10%.

 

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO said, “We performed well throughout the year, and I am pleased with the financial results. We achieved record sales, strengthened our product offerings across all our brands, and acquired a superb facility in North Carolina to consolidate many of our operations. Mr. Johnsen added that the company has continued to build its balance sheet, and is positioned to finance continued growth.”

 

The Company’s bank debt less cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2013 was $11.3 million compared to $14.6 million on December 31, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2013, Acme purchased a new distribution facility in North Carolina for $2.8 million, added $.9 million in refurbishments to the facility, and paid $.7 million in dividends on its common stock. On August 21, 2013 the Company received $1.7 million from early repayment of a mortgage receivable. During the year the Company also generated $5.5 million in free cash flow while reducing inventory by $2.1 million.

 

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office, hardware and industrial markets. Its leading brands include Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus®, PhysiciansCare ® and Pac Kit®.

 

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) 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) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (iv) the impact of competition and technological changes on the company; (v) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; (vi) currency fluctuations; and (vii) 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 2013
(Unaudited)
       
    Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended 
Amounts in $000's except per share data   December 31, 2013    December 31, 2012 
           
           
Net sales  $21,379   $19,534 
Cost of goods sold   14,004    12,979 
Gross profit   7,375    6,555 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   6,612    6,090 
Income from operations   763    465 
Interest expense   (122)   (125)
Interest income   13    61 
Net interest expense   (109)   (64)
Other expense, net   (19)   (5)
Total other  expense, net   (128)   (69)
Pre-tax income   635    396 
Income tax  expense (benefit)   111    (35)
Net income  $524   $431 
           
Shares outstanding - Basic   3,189    3,118 
Shares outstanding - Diluted   3,395    3,175 
           
Earnings per share basic  $0.16   $0.14 
Earnings per share diluted   0.15    0.14 

 

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEAR END REPORT 2013 (cont.)
(Unaudited)
       
       
    Year Ended    Year Ended 
Amounts in $000's except per share data   December 31, 2013    December 31, 2012 
           
           
Net sales  $89,577   $84,370 
Cost of goods sold   57,753    54,623 
Gross profit   31,824    29,747 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   25,945    24,386 
Income from operations   5,879    5,361 
Interest expense   (502)   (444)
Interest income   152    179 
Net interest expense   (350)   (265)
Other expense, net   (35)   (99)
Total other expense,  net   (385)   (364)
Pre-tax income   5,494    4,997 
Income tax expense   1,491    1,448 
Net income  $4,003   $3,549 
           
Shares outstanding - Basic   3,168    3,116 
Shares outstanding - Diluted   3,283    3,133 
           
Earnings per share basic  $1.26   $1.14 
Earnings per share diluted   1.22    1.13 

 

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
YEAR END REPORT 2013
(Unaudited)
       
Amounts in $000's except per share data   December 31, 2013    December 31, 2012 
       
Assets:      
Current assets:         
Cash   $ 11,644     $ 9,750  
Accounts receivable, net   15,629    16,442 
Inventories   28,219    30,292 
Prepaid and other current assets   1,494    1,925 
Total current assets   56,986    58,409 
           
Property and equipment, net   5,936    2,353 
Long term receivable   —      1,702 
Other assets   5,157    5,364 
Total assets  $68,079   $67,828 
           
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $4,789   $6,480 
Other current liabilities   5,087    5,250 
Total current liabilities   9,876    11,730 
Non-current liabilities          
Long term debt   22,912    24,320 
Other non current liabilities   286    912 
Total liabilities   33,074    36,962 
Total stockholders' equity   35,005    30,866 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $68,079   $67,828 

 

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