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): April 22, 2016

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.)

 

 

55 Walls Drive, 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))

 

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ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On April 22, 2016, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. 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 April 22, 2016.

 

 

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: April 22, 2016
     
     
     
By /s/  Paul G. Driscoll  
  Paul G. Driscoll  
  Vice President and  
  Chief Financial Officer  
     
Dated: April 22, 2016

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EXHIBIT INDEX

  Exhibit Number Description
     
  99.1 Press release dated April 22, 2016.

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

ACME UNITED CORPORATION NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Paul G. Driscoll Acme United Corporation 55 Walls Drive Fairfield, CT 06824
    Phone: (203) 254-6060 FAX: (203) 254-6521  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2016  

 

 

ACME UNITED CORPORATION REPORTS RECORD FIRST QUARTER SALES AND 33% INCREASE IN EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

FAIRFIELD, CONN. – April 22, 2016 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE MKT:ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 were $25.3 million, compared to $22.8 million in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 11% (12% in constant currency).

 

Net income was $565,000 or $.16 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared to $436,000 or $.12 per diluted share for the comparable period last year, an increase of 30% in net income and 33% in earnings per share.

 

On February 1, 2016, the Company acquired the assets of Diamond Machining Technology (“DMT”) for $7.0 million in cash. DMT is a leader in diamond sharpening tools for knives, scissors, chisels, and other cutting tools, and had sales of $5.4 million in 2015. Acme United’s first quarter 2016 revenues included approximately $1.0 million from the sales of DMT products.

 

Net sales for the first quarter of 2016 in the U.S. segment increased 12% compared to the same period in 2015 due to strong sales of Westcott school and office products, increased distribution of first aid products and the sale of DMT products.

 

Net sales in Canada in the first quarter of 2016 increased 22% in local currency, and 12% in U.S. dollars compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to the introduction of the Cuda line of fishing tools and an improvement in the office products market in Canada.

 

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European net sales in the first quarter of 2016 decreased 4% in local currency and 6% in U.S. dollars compared to the first quarter of 2015 mainly due to the timing of shipments into the office products channel.

 

Gross margins were 36.3% in the first quarter of 2016 versus 36.9% in the comparable period last year. The lower gross margin was primarily due to product mix.

 

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO said, “We are pleased to report another quarter of record performance. We delivered strong results in our Westcott family of cutting tools and our first aid business. Our Canadian business executed well, and rebounded from last year with sales to new retail customers and market share gains in the office channel. We are integrating the new DMT acquisition ahead of plan and have added new distribution in the U.S. and Europe. We believe we have a solid book of new business for the remainder of the year.”

 

Mr. Johnsen re-affirmed the guidance previously provided for 2016 of approximately $120.0 million in revenues, $5.6 million in net income, and $1.47 earnings per share.

 

The Company’s bank debt less cash on March 31, 2016 was $34 million compared to $26 million on March 31, 2015. During the twelve month period ended March 31, 2016, the Company paid approximately $7 million for the acquisition of the assets of DMT, spent $1.5 million on stock re-purchases and paid $1.3 million in dividends on its common stock. During the twelve month period, the Company also generated $2.2 million in cash flow from operations.

 

Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly and year-end results, which will be broadcast over the Internet on Friday, April 22, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. To listen or participate in a question and answer session, dial 888-287-5563. International callers may dial 719-457-2085. 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 or by logging on to www.streetevents.com.

 

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus®, Cuda®, PhysiciansCare®, First Aid Only®, Pac-Kit® and DMT®. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com.

 

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
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2016
(unaudited)
       
    Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended 
Amounts in 000's except per share data   March 31, 2016    March 31, 2015 
           
           
Net sales  $25,288   $22,837 
Cost of goods sold   16,103    14,402 
Gross profit   9,185    8,435 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   8,230    7,609 
Income from operations   955    826 
Interest expense, net   184    130 
Other (income) expense, net   (38)   75 
Pre-tax income   809    621 
Income tax expense   244    185 
Net income  $565   $436 
           
Shares outstanding - Basic   3,336    3,300 
Shares outstanding - Diluted   3,572    3,702 
           
Earnings per share - basic  $0.17   $0.13 
Earnings per share - diluted   0.16    0.12 

 

 

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2016
(Unaudited)
       
Amounts in $000's          
           
    March 31, 2016    March 31, 2015 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash  $1,474   $1,797 
Accounts receivable, net   19,118    16,722 
Inventories   37,551    35,925 
Prepaid and other current assets   2,733    2,476 
Total current assets   60,876    56,920 
           
Property and equipment, net   7,745    7,158 
Intangible assets, less amortization   17,224    12,374 
Goodwill   1,406    1,375 
Other assets   1,039    973 
Total assets  $88,290   $78,800 
           
Liabilities and stockholders' equity          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $6,279   $5,905 
Other current liabilities   2,854    5,553 
Total current liabilities   9,133    11,458 
           
Long-term debt   35,696    27,561 
Other non-current liabilities   316    315 
Total liabilities   45,145    39,334 
Total stockholders' equity   43,145    39,466 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $88,290   $78,800 

 

 

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