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 18, 2019

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 18, 2019, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. 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 18, 2019.

 

 

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 18, 2019
     
     
     
By /s/  Paul G. Driscoll  
  Paul G. Driscoll  
  Vice President and  
  Chief Financial Officer  
     
Dated: April 18, 2019

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

  Exhibit Number Description
     
  99.1 Press release dated April 18, 2019.

 

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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 18, 2019  

 

 

ACME UNITED REPORTS 14% DILUTED EPS INCREASE AND 12% OPERATING
PROFIT INCREASE FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2019

 

 

FAIRFIELD, CT – April 18, 2019 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 were $31.4 million compared to $31.7 million in the first quarter of 2018, a decrease of 1%, or even in constant currency.

 

Net income was $807,000 or $0.24 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to $764,000, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the comparable period last year, an increase of 6% in net income and 14% in diluted earnings per share.

 

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen, said, “Net sales in the first quarter of 2019 were slightly below last year’s, as expected, due to initial shipments to a large distributor that was launching its first aid program in the first quarter of last year.”

 

“Our strategy to reduce expenses by $2.0 million this year in purchasing, advertising, selling, and distribution is on plan. Our business continues to be robust, including some promising new programs in the second and third quarters of 2019. We are pleased with the performance to date.”

 

“Accordingly, we are reiterating financial guidance for 2019 of approximately $140 to $143 million in sales, net income of $5.0 to $5.3 million and $1.41 to $1.50 earnings per share.”

 

For the first quarter of 2019, net sales in the U.S. segment decreased 1% compared to the same period in 2018. The year-over-year sales decrease was mainly due to a large initial order of first aid products to a major distributor to the food service industry that took place in the first quarter of 2018.

 

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European net sales for the first quarter of 2019 increased 6% in U.S. dollars and 14% in local currency compared to the first quarter of 2018, mainly due to new customers in the office products channel and continued growth of DMT sharpening products.

 

Net sales in Canada for the first quarter of 2019 decreased 9% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to a large order from a new customer in the first quarter 2018 that did not repeat in the first quarter of 2019.

 

Gross margin was 37.6% in the first quarter of 2019 versus 38.2% in the comparable period last year.

 

Operating income increased 12% for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

The Company’s bank debt less cash on March 31, 2019 was $40.9 million compared to $43.7 million on March 31, 2018. During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2019, the Company distributed $1.5 million in dividends on its common stock, repurchased $0.4 million in treasury stock and generated $5.5 million in free cash flow.

 

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. To listen or participate in a question and answer session, dial 855-710-4182. International callers may dial 334-454-0061. 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.

 

About Acme United

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

 

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Forward Looking Statements

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; (vii) increases in the cost of borrowings resulting from rising interest rates; (viii) international trade policies and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs or changes in existing tariff rates; and (ix) 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 2019

(Unaudited)

                     

 

   Quarter Ended  Quarter Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data  March 31, 2019  March 31, 2018
       
       
Net sales  $31,370   $31,709 
Cost of goods sold   19,568    19,585 
Gross profit   11,802    12,124 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   10,268    10,759 
Operating income   1,534    1,365 
Interest expense, net   502    405 
Other income, net   (3)   (13)
Income before income tax expense   1,035    973 
Income tax expense   228    209 
Net income  $807   $764 
           
Shares outstanding - basic   3,351    3,374 
Shares outstanding - diluted   3,392    3,662 
           
Earnings per share - basic  $0.24   $0.23 
Earnings per share - diluted   0.24    0.21 

 

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2019

(Unaudited)

                     

 

Amounts in $000's      
       
   March 31, 2019  March 31, 2018
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $3,798   $1,065 
Accounts receivable, less allowance   25,228    24,486 
Inventories   40,570    41,900 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,281    2,766 
Total current assets   71,877    70,217 
           
Plant, property and equipment, net   14,423    14,158 
Operating lease right of use asset   2,680    —   
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization   16,736    17,576 
Goodwill   4,696    4,696 
Other assets   203    599 
Total assets  $110,615   $107,246 
           
Liabilities and stockholders' equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $5,672   $7,483 
Operating lease liability - short term   1,030    —   
Other current liabilities   4,641    3,670 
Total current liabilities   11,343    11,153 
           
Long-term debt   41,340    41,100 
Mortgage payable, net of current portion   3,378    3,644 
Operating lease liability - long term   1,650    —   
Other non-current liabilities   36    857 
Total liabilities   57,747    56,754 
Total stockholders' equity   52,868    50,492 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $110,615   $107,246 

 

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