Acme United Ready to Continue Growth Path in 2016

Acme United (ACU – $17.54) again set a new all-time third quarter earnings record. Especially outstanding sales from iPoint pencil sharpeners, titanium scissors, and first aid kits contributed to the success.

Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2015, reached $29.9 million, slightly down compared with sales of $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2014. Net income in the third quarter of 2015 grew by 2% to $1.21 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, versus $1.19 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the comparable quarter last year.

Note that the Company incurred $150,000 one-time moving and severance costs during the quarter, related to the move of the Pac-Kit manufacturing operations. Excluding these costs, earnings per share would have been $0.35 in the third quarter.

As for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, sales were $86.7 million, compared to $82.6 million in the comparable period of 2014, an increase of 5%. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $4.35 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared to $4.10 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the 2014 comparable period, a 6% increase in net income.

During the conference call, following the announcement of the third quarter results, Walter C. Johnsen, Acme United’s Chairman and CEO, gave a sales guidance for 2015 of $115 million, and an earnings per share guidance of $1.38. If these numbers are reached, Acme would set another sales and earnings record. By comparison, in 2014 Acme had revenues of $107.2 million and earned $1.36 per share.

As for 2016, Mr. Johnsen expects sales to reach between $120 million and $123 million.

	Three Months Ended September 30		Nine Months Ended September 30
Amounts in $000’s	2015	2014	2015	2014
Net Sales	29,903	30,008	86,694	82,555
Cost of Goods Sold	19,577	19,393	55,398	53,345
S, G & A Expenses	8,334	8,685	24,603	22,920
Income From Operations	1,992	1,930	6,693	6,289
Other Income (Expense)	(242)	(221)	(569)	(542)
Pre-Tax Income	1,750	1,710	6,124	5,868
Income Tax Expense (benefit)	542	521	1,771	1,769
Net Income	1,208	1,189	4,353	4,099
Earnings Per Share – Diluted	0.33	0.34	1.18	1.18
Shares Out. – Diluted	3,699	3,546	3,698	3,485
Most important income statement data for the quarters and nine months ending September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. Source: Company Press Release

Gross margins in the third quarter of 2015 were 34.5% compared to 35.4% in the 2014 period. Excluding the $150,000 moving and severance costs, margins would have been 35% in the third quarter of 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, gross margins were 36.1% compared to 35.4% for last year’s period. The improvement for the nine months was primarily due to a more favorable product mix.

New Opportunities and Savings in First Aid

Before the First Aid Only acquisition, Acme United already owned two first aid brands, Pac-Kit and PhysiciansCare. Thanks to the combination of the three brands, the Company increased its volumes, and as such was able to negotiate more favorable sourcing prices for bandages, tapes, pads, etc., with its suppliers.

Now the consolidation of the three brands has entered its final stages as the production of Pac-Kit has moved from Norwalk, CT to the Company’s existing facilities in Vancouver, Washington. As such, the lease on the current Pac-Kit manufacturing plant won’t be renewed. This, together with the plant’s other fixed costs that will be eliminated, such as heat and electricity, will result in annual savings of about $450,000. These savings will go straight to Acme’s bottom line.

Next to the expected cost savings, the first aid division at Acme has several growth opportunities. First, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has announced its 2015 minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits and supplies. First aid kits are classified based on the assortment and quantity of first aid supplies intended to deal with most types of injuries and sudden illnesses that may be encountered in the workplace. These may include major and minor wounds; minor burns; sprains and strains; and eye injuries. It can be expected that the contents of each kit will be supplemented as needed based on the new ANSI guidelines. In fact, Acme is already shipping the first products that comply with the new requirements.

In addition, the Canadian division has received its Health Safety license, which means it can start to manufacture and assemble its own first aid kits. Also in Europe, Acme expects to receive a similar license early 2016. Although first aid sales won’t be significantly impacted right away, these licenses should have a positive effect over the longer term.

And finally, the Company started shipping refills to a large industrial wholesaler for potential use in thousands of vending machines that are placed at facilities throughout the U.S. These are products such as eye wash or to treat burns on the work floor. This is a brand new customer, that is expected to become a meaningful part of the first aid business.

Brands Expanding

Next to the first aid brands, we also foresee growth in 2016 for Acme United’s other brands. Camillus, for example, is gaining market share with its knives, and camping & hunting gear. New business has already been booked for next year.

Cuda has again broadened its distribution for 2016. And it now also offers fresh water fishing tools. At Clauss, a number of market tests with large retail chains are ongoing with strong results so far. And as for Westcott, we should start to see the full impact of the large Office Depot/Office Max scissors account for North America that Acme picked up a couple of months ago.

U.S. and European Segments Continue Growth

Acme United reports financial information on three separate business segments: the United States (including Asia), Canada and Europe.

Note in the table below that exact revenues per segment for the third quarter 2015 will be available in the 10-Q, which will be filed mid-November 2015. However, Acme announced for each segment the percentage by which revenues increased or decreased compared with last year’s third quarter. Based on those numbers, we can give a fair estimate.

	Three Months Ended September 30
Amounts in $000’s	2015	2014
U.S.	26,207	25,833
Canada	1,639	2,190
Europe	2,057	1,985
Estimated sales per segment for the third quarter ending September 30, 2015 (Source: Smallcaps Investment Research) and actual sales per segment for the third quarter ending September 30, 2014 (Source: Company Filing)

In the U.S. segment, net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 increased 2% compared to the same period in 2014. Especially sales of Westcott and first aid products, which grew by 7% and 4% respectively, contributed to the success. Sales of Camillus knives, on the other hand, declined $0.7 million in the quarter due to a retail promotion in last year’s quarter that did not repeat this year. During the first nine months of 2015 sales grew 9%.

Sales in Canada for the three months ended September 30, 2015 decreased 9% in local currency and 24% in U.S. dollars compared to the prior-year period. The segment generated $30,000 in operating profit during the third quarter, versus $95,000 in the same period last year. Year over year, net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased 11% in local currency and 22% in U.S. dollars. These decreases were primarily due to Target closing all its stores in Canada and soft economic conditions.

Sales in Europe for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 increased 24% in local currency, but only 5% in U.S. dollars compared to the 2014 period. The operating profit in Europe for the third quarter of 2015 was $112,000 compared with $17,000 in the same period last year. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 rose 13% in local currency and decreased 7% in U.S. dollars.

Because the U.S. dollar significantly appreciated against the euro and the Canadian dollar during the past eighteen months, Acme’s Canadian and European segments are having a tough time to maintain their margins as they buy their products in U.S. dollar. Fortunately, the currencies seem to have stabilized somewhat in recent months.

Balance Sheet

Acme United’s balance sheet is robust. Its bank debt less cash on September 30, 2015 was $23.9 million compared to $24.5 million on September 30, 2014.

In addition, it has more than $50.9 million in working capital and a solid current ratio of 4.65. The price to book is 1.50

	Three Months Ended September 30
Amounts in $000’s	2015	2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents	4,621	5,814
Accounts Receivable	23,587	24,007
Inventories	34,497	31,461
Total Current Assets	64,868	63,121
Property and Equipment	7,343	6,649
Total Assets	86,576	84,943
Accounts Payable	7,206	6,574
Other Current Liabilities	6,759	8,067
Total Current Liabilities	13,965	14,641
Long Term Debt	28,913	31,151
Total Liabilities	42,878	45,792
Total Stockholder Equity	43,698	39,151
Most important balance sheet data for the periods ending September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. Source: Company Press Release

Conclusion

Acme United set a strong performance in the third quarter, with record back-to-school sales and record earnings. In addition, the Company is on course for a new annual sales and earnings record in 2015.

Moreover, there are plenty of reasons to be very optimistic about 2016. All of the Company’s brands are launching new exciting products for 2016, which will have a positive effect on revenues. In addition, significant cost savings will be realized with the closure of the Pac-Kit facility. And thanks to the recent devaluation of the Chinese RMB, Acme’s margins will likely increase. Buy recommendation.

Smallcaps.us Advice: Buy	Price Target: $59.86	Latest Company Report (pdf)
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