acme_8k102909.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): October 29, 2009
 
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.)
 
 
60 Round Hill Road, 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:
 
o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
   
 

 

 
ITEM 2.02.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
 
On October 29, 2009, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  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 October 29, 2009.
 
 

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:   October 29, 2009
 


By         /s/  Paul G. Driscoll
______________________________
 
Paul G. Driscoll
Vice President and
 Chief Financial Officer
 
Dated:   October 29, 2009
 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   Exhibit Number  Description
     
   99.1   Press release dated October 29, 2009.
 
       
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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acme_8k102909ex991.htm
Exhibit 99.1

 
ACME UNITED CORPORATION                   NEWS RELEASE

 CONTACT:  Paul G. Driscoll  Acme United Corporation  60 Round Hill Road  Fairfield, CT  06824
     Phone: (203) 254-6060  FAX: (203) 254-6521  
 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   October 29, 2009


ACME UNITED CORPORATION REPORTS THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS

FAIRFIELD, CONN. – October 29, 2009 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE AMEX:ACU) today announced that net sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $15.3 million compared to $19.2 million in the comparable period of 2008, a decrease of 20% (19% local currency).  Net income was $728,000, or $.22 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to $1,351,000 or $.37 per diluted share for the comparable period last year, a decrease of 46% in net income and 41% in diluted earnings per share.

Third quarter 2009 earnings included pre-tax income of $458,000 due to completion below estimated costs of a major portion of the remediation of the Bridgeport property which was sold in December 2008. The Company’s contingency reserve for the remaining environmental and monitoring costs is approximately $950,000. Without the achieved cost reduction, net income would have been $433,000 for the third quarter.

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $45.7 million, compared to $56.1million in the same period in 2008, a decrease of 19% (16% in local currency).  Net income for thenine months ended September 30, 2009 was $2,111,000, or $.63 per diluted share compared to $3,833,000, or $1.05 per diluted share in the comparable period last year, a 45% decrease in net income and 40% in diluted earnings per share.  The lower net income is primarily the result of reduced sales, partially offset by savings from our cost savings plan.
 
Net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 in the U.S. segment decreased 26% compared to the same period in 2008. Contributing to the decline was an unexpected order in the third quarter 2008 of approximately $1.2 million to a major retailer for product for the back to school market which did not reoccur this year. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 in the U.S. segment decreased 22% compared to the same period in 2008. Net sales in Canada for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased by 7% and 14%, respectively, in U.S. dollars but declined 2% for both periods respectively, in local currency compared to the same periods in 2008.  European net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased 10% and 1%, respectively, in U.S. dollars compared to the same periods in 2008 and increased 16% and 12% respectively, in local currency. Revenues in Europe grew primarily due to higher sales of office and manicure products.

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Gross margins were 36% in the third quarter of 2009 versus 41% in the comparableperiod last year. For the first nine months of 2009, gross margins were 37% compared to 41% inthe same period in 2008.  The gross margin decline for the three and nine month periods wasprimarily due to fixed costs spread over lower sales, the weaker Canadian dollar which raised the cost of products in our Canadian segment and product mix.

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO said, “We have been aggressively seeking new sales opportunities, continuing to reduce expenses, and improving our balance sheet.  We are seeing commitments from our customers for new products and programs for the coming year, and are encouraged.”
 
Mr. Johnsen added that during the past 12 months, the Company repurchased about 7% of its outstanding stock, increased its dividend and reduced net debt by approximately 60%. He noted that the Company is very well positioned for future growth opportunities.
 
The Company’s bank debt less cash on September 30, 2009 was $2.8 million compared to $7.5 million on September 30, 2008.  During the 12 month period ended September 30, 2009, Acme purchased 266,791 shares of its common stock for approximately $2.3 million and paid $700,000 in dividends. On October 7, 2009 the company’s Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program of up to 200,000 common shares.  The Company may also repurchase 49,335 shares under its repurchase program previously announced on December 19, 2008.
 
 
ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office, hardware and industrial markets.

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) currency fluctuations (iv) the Company’s plans and results of operations will be affected by the Company’s ability to manage its growth, and (v) 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
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2009
(Unaudited)
                   
                     
           
Quarter Ended
   
Quarter Ended
 
Amounts in $000's except per share data
 
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
                     
                     
Net sales
     
$
15,269
 
$
19,158
 
Cost of goods sold
     
9,771
   
11,288
 
Gross profit
       
                          5,498
   
                          7,870
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
                          4,864
   
                          5,651
 
Income from operations
     
                             634
   
                          2,219
 
Interest expense
     
                               38
   
                             135
 
Interest income
     
                               31
   
                               15
 
     Net interest expense
     
                                  7
   
                             120
 
Other income (expense)
     
                             461
   
                           (138)
 
Total other income (expense)
   
                             454
   
                           (258)
 
Pre-tax income     1,088     1,961  
Income tax expense
     
                             360
   
                             610
 
Net income
     
$
728
 
$
1,351
 
                     
 
Shares outstanding - Basic
   
3,290
   
3,515
 
 
Shares outstanding - Diluted
   
3,353
   
3,650
 
                     
Earnings per share basic
   
$
0.22
 
$
0.38
 
Earnings per share diluted     0.22    
0.37
 
 
 
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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2009 (cont.)
(Unaudited)
                     
                     
           
Nine Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
Amounts in $000's except per share data
 
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
                     
Net sales
     
$
45,727
 
$
56,135
 
Cost of goods sold
     
28,827
   
33,361
 
Gross profit
       
                       16,900
   
                       22,774
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
                       14,166
   
                       16,690
 
Income from operations
     
                          2,734
   
                          6,084
 
Interest expense
     
                             124
   
                             389
 
Interest income
     
                               97
   
                               83
 
     Net interest expense
     
                               27
   
                             306
 
Other income
     
                             480
   
                               23
 
Total other income (expense)
   
                             453
   
                           (283)
 
Pre-tax income
     
                          3,187
   
                          5,801
 
Income tax expense
     
                          1,076
   
                          1,968
 
Net income
     
$
2,111
 
$
3,833
 
                     
 
Shares outstanding - Basic
   
3,318
   
3,517
 
 
Shares outstanding - Diluted
   
3,362
   
3,654
 
                     
Earnings per share basic
   
$
0.64
 
$
1.09
 
Earnings per share diluted
   
0.63
   
1.05
 
 
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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2009
(Unaudited)
                     
                     
Amounts in $000's
     
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
                 
Assets:
                 
Current assets:
               
 
Cash
     
$
6,599
 
$
5,485
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
11,846
   
16,045
 
 
Inventories
       
17,850
   
20,240
 
 
Prepaid and other current assets
 
1,207
   
951
 
Total current assets
     
37,502
   
42,721
 
 
Property and equipment, net
 
2,159
   
2,402
 
 
Long term receivable
     
1,905
   
                                   -
 
 
Other assets
     
2,505
   
1,976
 
Total assets
     
$
44,071
 
$
47,099
 
                     
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:        
Current liabilities
               
 
Accounts payable
   
$
3,305
 
$
3,734
 
 
Other current liabilities
   
4,680
   
4,427
 
 
Bank debt due June 30, 2010
 
9,324
   
                                   -
 
Total current liabilities
     
17,308
   
8,161
 
Bank debt due June 30, 2010
 
                                   -
   
12,994
 
Other non current liabilities
 
1,990
   
542
 
           
19,299
   
21,697
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
24,772
   
25,402
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
44,071
 
$
47,099
 
                     
 
 
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