Acme United Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
FAIRFIELD, Conn., Mar 03, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
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 $.06per 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.
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(R), Clauss(R), Camillus(R) and PhysiciansCare (R).
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 suppliers 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.
| 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 | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
| 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 | ||
SOURCE: Acme United Corporation
Acme United Corporation
Paul G. Driscoll, 203-254-6060
Fax: 203-254-6521