acu-8k_20200417.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): April 17, 2020

 

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $2.50 par value per share

 

ACU

 

NYSE American

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

 

 

 

 


 

ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On April 17, 2020, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. 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 17, 2020.

 

2


 

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 17, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/  Paul G. Driscoll

 

 

Paul G. Driscoll

 

 

Vice President and

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Dated: April 17, 2020

 

3

acu-ex991_6.htm

 

ACME UNITED CORPORATION            NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:Paul G. DriscollAcme United Corporation55 Walls Drive Fairfield, CT  06824

Phone: (203) 254-6060FAX: (203) 254-6521

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   April 17, 2020

 

 

ACME UNITED REPORTS 14% SALES INCREASE AND 50% EPS INCREASE FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2020

 

FAIRFIELD, CT – April 17, 2020 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 were $35.8 million compared to $31.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 14%.

 

Acme United’s first quarter 2020 revenues included approximately $1.0 million from the sales of First Aid Central products.  The Company acquired the assets of Canadian-based First Aid Central, Inc. on January 7, 2020.

 

Net income was $1,277,000 or $0.36 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to $807,000, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the comparable period last year, an increase of 58% in net income and 50% in diluted earnings per share.  

 

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Acme’s production and distribution facilities have remained open and we have shipped record levels of our first aid and safety supplies, including first aid kits, antiseptic wipes, medications and refills.  I am very proud of our worldwide teams who quickly executed with purpose in the current health crisis. They pulled together whether operating remotely or running our five manufacturing and warehouse locations in the U.S., two plants and warehouses in Canada, and our facility in Germany. Our colleagues in Asia worked tirelessly to meet production demands and schedules.  Each of our team members contributed to helping us successfully supply safety products to our global customers.”

 

Mr. Johnsen added, “I would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of the First Aid Central team in Laval, Canada.  They stepped up to an unforeseen crisis shortly after

 

 


the acquisition and achieved record sales during the first quarter. We applaud them and look forward to continuing this promising start.”

 

Mr. Johnsen continued, “Among our highest priorities is the protection of the health and well-being of our employees.  In order to protect our employees and ensure continuity of operations, we have implemented a number of safety measures at our production and warehousing sites including health monitoring, use of protective gear including masks and gloves, staggering shifts, social distancing and regular deep cleaning.”

 

For the first quarter of 2020, net sales in the U.S. segment increased 11% compared to the same period in 2019. The sales growth was attributable to strong sales of first aid and safety products, primarily due to market share gains in the industrial and safety channels, as well as in the home improvement and ecommerce channels.  In addition, some growth came from surge demand for first aid and safety products related to COVID-19.

 

European net sales for the first quarter of 2020 increased 16% in U.S. dollars and 19% in local currency compared to the first quarter of 2019, mainly due to new customers in the office products channel, growth in the ecommerce channel, and continued growth of DMT sharpening products.

 

Net sales in Canada, excluding First Aid Central products, for the first quarter of 2020 were constant in U.S. dollars and increased 1% in local currency compared to the same period in 2019.

 

Gross margin was 37.8% in the first quarter of 2020 versus 37.6% in the comparable period last year.  

 

The Company’s bank debt less cash on March 31, 2020 was $32.9 million compared to $41.2 million on March 31, 2019.  During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2020, the Company paid approximately $2.1 million for the acquisition of the assets of First Aid Central, distributed $1.6 million in dividends on its common stock, repurchased $0.2 million in treasury stock and generated $14.0 million in free cash flow, including a $4.3 million

 

 


reduction in inventory.  

 

Mr. Johnsen concluded, "Acme United had an excellent first quarter.  We believe that we are in a strong position to move forward with a solid balance sheet and ample liquidity including $16.1 million in availability at March 31, 2020 under our $50 million line of credit with HSBC Bank, N.A.

 

“Nevertheless, we recognize that, like many other businesses, we may face significant challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic including uncertainties around the duration and magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak.  These include, for example, revenue uncertainty with retailers whose stores are closed or whose traffic has significantly declined.  The Company’s sales of first aid and safety products and on-line revenues may not be sufficient to offset potential declines in our office product lines or may also decline from recent high levels.  Accordingly, as a result of these uncertainties, we are not providing financial guidance for 2020 at this time."

 

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Friday, April 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. To listen or participate in a question and answer session, dial 866-288-0540. International callers may dial 323-994-2131. 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®,  First Aid Central®,  PhysiciansCare®, Pac-Kit®,Spill Magic®, Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus®, Cuda®, and DMT®. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com.  

 

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 those arising as a result of the effects of the global COVID-19 outbreak and measures taken to limit its spread, including the on-going world-wide economic downturn and further actions that may be taken by governmental authorities or by businesses or individuals on their own initiative in response to the pandemic, any of which could adversely impact the Company’s ability to manufacture, source or distribute its products, both domestically and internationally, or reduce demand for its products..  These risks and uncertainties further include, 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 2020

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Amounts in 000's except per share data

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Net sales

 

$

35,775

 

 

$

31,370

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

22,244

 

 

 

19,568

 

Gross profit

 

 

13,531

 

 

 

11,802

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

11,521

 

 

 

10,268

 

Operating income

 

 

2,010

 

 

 

1,534

 

Interest expense

 

 

322

 

 

 

510

 

Interest income

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(9

)

Net interest expense

 

 

314

 

 

 

501

 

Other expense (income), net

 

 

44

 

 

 

(2

)

Income before income tax expense

 

 

1,652

 

 

 

1,035

 

Income tax expense

 

 

375

 

 

 

228

 

Net income

 

$

1,277

 

 

$

807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding - basic

 

 

3,349

 

 

 

3,351

 

Shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

3,519

 

 

 

3,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - basic

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

0.24

 

Earnings per share - diluted

 

 

0.36

 

 

 

0.24

 

 

 

 


ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2020

(Unaudited)

Amounts in $000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,272

 

 

$

3,798

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

27,413

 

 

 

25,228

 

Inventories

 

 

36,250

 

 

 

40,570

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

2,281

 

Total current assets

 

 

69,861

 

 

 

71,877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant, property and equipment, net

 

 

14,097

 

 

 

14,423

 

Operating lease right of use asset

 

 

2,711

 

 

 

2,674

 

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

 

 

15,478

 

 

 

16,736

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,886

 

 

 

4,696

 

Other assets

 

 

89

 

 

 

209

 

Total assets

 

$

108,122

 

 

$

110,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

 

5,186

 

 

$

5,672

 

Operating lease liability - short term

 

 

1,003

 

 

 

1,030

 

Mortgage payable - short term

 

 

267

 

 

 

267

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

6,955

 

 

 

4,374

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

13,411

 

 

 

11,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

33,853

 

 

 

41,340

 

Mortgage payable - long term

 

 

3,111

 

 

 

3,378

 

Operating lease liability - long term

 

 

1,765

 

 

 

1,650

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

157

 

 

 

36

 

Total liabilities

 

 

52,297

 

 

 

57,747

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

55,825

 

 

 

52,868

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

108,122

 

 

$

110,615