SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 10-Q

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           |X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001

                                       OR

          |_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the transition period from ______ to ______

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                          Commission file number Q4823

                             ACME UNITED CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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          CONNECTICUT                                             06-0236700
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(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

1931 BLACK ROCK TURNPIKE, Fairfield, Connecticut                     06432
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(Address of principal executive offices)                           (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 332-7330

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

Registrant had 3,508,305 shares outstanding as of April 19, 2001 of its
$2.50 par value Common Stock.

                                      (1)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION Page ---- Part I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets...................... 3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income ............................... 5 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows............ 6 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements....... 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............................... 8 Part II -- OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings............................................ 10 Item 2. Changes in Securities........................................ 10 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.............................. 10 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.......... 10 Item 5. Other Information............................................ 10 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................. 10 Signatures........................................................... 11 (2)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (all amounts in thousands, except per share data) March 31 December 31 2001 2000 ------------ ----------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 49 $ 22 Accounts receivable, less allowance 6,923 5,973 Inventories: Finished goods 7,303 7,980 Work in process 564 493 Raw materials and supplies 1,276 1,549 ------- ------- 9,143 10,022 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,128 433 ------- ------- Total current assets 17,243 16,450 ------- ------- Property, plant and equipment: Land 168 180 Buildings 2,023 2,007 Machinery and equipment 6,380 6,545 ------- ------- 8,571 8,732 Less accumulated depreciation 5,601 5,610 ------- ------- 2,970 3,122 Other assets 1,382 1,374 Goodwill, less accumulated amortization 168 172 ------- ------- Total assets $21,763 $21,118 ======= ======= See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. (3)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - continued (UNAUDITED) (all amounts in thousands, except per share data) March 31 December 31 2001 2000 ------------ ----------- LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Notes payable $ 692 $ 504 Accounts payable 2,243 2,260 Other accrued liabilities 3,050 3,139 Current portion of long term debt 2,705 2,085 -------- -------- Total current liabilities 8,690 7,988 Long term debt, less current portion 4,830 4,925 Other 378 313 -------- -------- Total liabilities 13,898 13,226 -------- -------- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, par value $2.50: authorized 8,000,000 shares; issued 3,613,312 shares, including treasury stock 9,033 9,033 Treasury stock, at cost-105,007 shares (648) (648) Additional paid-in capital 2,038 2,038 Retained-earnings deficit (922) (1,152) Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Translation adjustment (1,475) (1,379) Derivative Financial Instrument losses (162) -- -------- -------- (1,637) (1,379) -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 7,865 7,892 -------- -------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 21,763 $ 21,118 ======== ======== See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. (4)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED) (all amounts in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31 ------------------ 2001 2000 --------- --------- Net sales $ 7,950 $ 8,041 Costs and expenses: Cost of goods sold 5,114 5,222 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,412 2,424 ------- ------- 7,526 7,646 Income before non operating items 424 395 Non operating items: Interest expense 203 206 Other income (21) (18) ------- ------- Income before income taxes 242 207 Income taxes 12 -- ------- ------- Net income 230 207 Other comprehensive (expense) income - Foreign currency translation (96) 12 Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivative financial instruments (104) -- Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments (58) -- ------- ------- Other comprehensive (expense) income - (258) 12 ------- ------- Comprehensive (loss) income $ (28) $ 219 ======= ======= Basic earnings per share $ 0.07 $ 0.06 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.06 $ 0.06 ------- ------- Weighted average number of common shares outstanding- denominator used for basic per share computations 3,508 3,507 Weighted average number of dilutive stock options outstanding 65 12 ------- ------- Denominator used for diluted per share computations 3,573 3,519 ======= ======= See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. (5)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (all amounts in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31 ------------------ 2001 2000 --------- --------- Operating Activities: Net income $ 230 $ 207 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: Depreciation 115 208 Amortization 33 50 Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment -- (12) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (950) (318) Inventories 879 (543) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (695) (215) Other assets (8) 3 Accounts payable (17) (99) Other accrued liabilities (89) 39 ------- ------- Total adjustments (732) (887) ------- ------- Net cash used by operating activities (502) (680) ------- ------- Investing Activities: Capital expenditures (16) (70) Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment -- 60 ------- ------- Net cash used by investing activities (16) (10) ------- ------- Financing Activities: Net borrowings on short term borrowing arrangements 662 1,272 Borrowings of long term debt -- 325 Payments of long term debt (19) (870) Debt issuance costs (2) (117) ------- ------- Net cash provided by financing activities 641 610 ------- ------- Effect of exchange rate changes (96) (8) ------- ------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 27 (88) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 22 88 ------- ------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 49 $ -- ======= ======= See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. (6)

Notes to CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements (Unaudited) Note 1 -- Basis of Presentation In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, the financial statements do not include all of the disclosures normally required by generally accepted accounting principles or those normally made in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. Please refer to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 for such disclosures. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2000 was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The Company has reclassified certain amounts in prior periods to conform to the current presentation. Note 2 -- Contingencies The Company has been involved in certain environmental and other matters. Additionally, the Company has been involved in numerous legal actions relating to the use of certain latex products, which the Company distributes, but does not manufacture. The Company is one of many defendants. The Company has been released from the majority of the lawsuits. While five lawsuits remain, they are still in preliminary stages and it has not been determined whether the Company's products were involved. Based on information available, the Company believes there will not be a material adverse impact on financial position, results of operations, or liquidity, from these matters, either individually or in aggregate. Note 3 -- Derivative Financial Instruments As of January 1, 2001, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Statement 133) which was issued in June, 1998 and its amendments Statements 137, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities--Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 and 138, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities issued in June 1999 and June 2000, respectively (collectively referred to as Statement 133). As a result of adopting Statement 133, the Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in shareholders' equity as a component of comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it qualifies as a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge. Generally, changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair values of the hedged items that relate to the hedged risk(s). Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes if applicable. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income. The adoption of Statement 133, resulted in a cumulative effect of an accounting change of $104,277 which decreased other comprehensive income. Prior to January 1, 2001, the Company also used interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts for hedging purposes. For interest rate swaps, the net amounts paid or received and net amounts accrued through the end of the accounting period were included in interest expense. Unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swap contracts were not recognized in income. For foreign currency forward contracts hedging firm commitments, the effects of movements in currency exchange rates on those instruments were recognized when the related operating revenue was recognized. Realized gains and losses were included in other assets and liabilities and recognized in income when the future transaction occurred or at the time the transaction was no longer expected to occur. (7)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 Results of Operations Net Sales Traditionally, the Company's sales are stronger in the second and third quarters, and weaker in the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year due to the seasonal nature of the business specific to the back-to-school season. Consolidated net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 were $7,950,000 compared with $8,041,000 for 2000, a 1% decrease. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, sales would have increased 1% for the quarter. Domestic sales were down 1% in the first quarter of 2001 compared with the same period in 2000. International sales for the first quarter of 2001 were 1% below 2000 levels. Strong sales growth in Canada driven by market share increases into the office super stores offset weakness in England and Germany. Gross Profit The gross profit for the first quarter of 2001 was $2,836,000 (35.7% of net sales) compared to $2,819,000 (35.1% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2000. The introduction of new products coupled with improved operating efficiencies in the USA were the main reasons for the improved gross margins. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the first quarter of 2001 were $2,412,000 (30.3% of net sales) compared with $2,423,000 (30.1% of net sales) for the same period of 2000, a decrease of $11,000. Increases in strategic advertising were more than offset by decreases in general and administrative expenses. Income Net income for the first quarter of 2001 is $230,000, or 7 cents per share (basic), 6 cents per share (diluted) compared to a net income of $207,000, or 6 cents per share (basic and diluted) for the same period of 2000. Financial Condition Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's working capital, current ratio and long term debt to equity ratio follow: March 31, 2001 December 31, 2000 ------------------ ------------------ Working capital..................... $8,552,000 $8,462,000 Current ratio....................... 1.98 to 1 2.06 to 1 Long term debt to equity ratio...... .60 .62 During the first three months of 2001, total debt increased by $525,000 compared to total debt at December 31, 2000 as a result of additional borrowings to fund advances to suppliers and higher inventory levels and higher accounts receivable due to seasonal sales volume. At March 31, 2001, advances to suppliers were about $600,000 and are included with prepaid expenses and other current assets. (8)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-Continued For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 Cash expected to be generated from operating activities, together with funds available under an existing loan agreement, is expected, under current conditions, to be sufficient to finance the Company's planned operations for the next 12 months. Over that same period, the Company does not expect to make significant investments in plant, property, and equipment. Safe Harbor for 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) the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Company; (ii) the Company's plans and results of operations will be affected by the Company's ability to manage its growth and inventory; and (iii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (9)

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1 -- Legal Proceedings None. Item 2 -- Changes in Securities None. Item 3 -- Defaults Upon Senior Securities None. Item 4-- Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders A. The Annual Meeting was held on April 23, 2001. B. The following individuals were elected Directors at the Meeting and comprise the entire Board. Votes for Votes against Votes withheld --------- ------------- -------------- George R. Dunbar 2,977,942 344,705 185,658 Richard Y. Holden, Jr. 3.027.942 294,705 185,658 Walter C. Johnsen 3,027,942 294,705 185,658 Wayne R. Moore 2,977,785 344,862 185,658 Brian Olschan 3,027,785 294,862 185,658 Gary D. Penisten 3,027,942 294,705 185,658 Stevenson E. Ward III 3,027,942 294,705 185,658 C. An amendment to the Non-Salaried Director Stock Option Plan was approved. Votes for Votes against Votes withheld --------- ------------- -------------- 627,961 334,752 2,545,592 D. An amendment to the Employee Stock Option Plan was approved. Votes for Votes against Votes withheld --------- ------------- -------------- 703,579 258,464 2,546,262 Item 5 -- Other Information None. Item 6 -- Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K None. (10)

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 thereunto duly authorized. ACME UNITED CORPORATION By /s/ WALTER C. JOHNSEN ------------------------------ Walter C. Johnsen President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: May 8, 2001 By /s/ RONALD P. DAVANZO ------------------------------ Ronald P. Davanzo Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: May 8, 2001 (11)