Acme United Reports 2% Increase In Net Sales For The Third Quarter Of 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Acme United (NYSE American: ACU) reported net sales of $49.1 million for Q3 2025, up 2% from $48.2 million a year earlier, and $149.0 million for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2025. Q3 net income was $1.9 million or $0.46 diluted EPS, down from $2.2 million or $0.54 EPS in Q3 2024 (net income -14%, EPS -15%), driven primarily by a higher effective tax rate (22% vs. 8% in Q3 2024).

Regional highlights: Europe Q3 sales +13% in USD (+6% local), Canada Q3 sales +5% in USD (+7% local). Gross margin was 39.1% in Q3 and 39.8% for the nine months. Bank debt less cash improved to $23.1 million from $26.7 million a year earlier. The company generated approximately $11.1 million in free cash flow and purchased a $6.0 million facility in Tennessee in July 2025 to expand Spill Magic operations.

Positive

• Europe Q3 net sales +13% in U.S. dollars
• Canada nine-month net sales +14% in U.S. dollars
• Generated approximately $11.1 million in free cash flow
• Bank debt less cash improved to $23.1 million from $26.7 million
• Purchased $6.0 million Tennessee facility to expand Spill Magic

Negative

• Q3 net income declined 14% to $1.9 million
• Q3 diluted EPS declined 15% to $0.46
• Effective tax rate increased to 22% in Q3 2025 from 8% in Q3 2024

Insights

Equity analyst

Acme United shows small revenue growth, stable margins, and cash generation, offset by lower quarterly net income driven by tax timing.

Acme United reported net sales of $49.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, up 2% year-over-year, and $149.0 million for the nine months. Quarterly net income was $1.9 million or $0.46 per diluted share, down 14% from the prior-year quarter; EPS fell from $0.54 to $0.46. The company cited a much lower prior-quarter tax benefit (effective tax rate 8% then versus 22% now) as the primary driver of the net income decline.

Gross margin expanded to 39.1% for the quarter and 39.8% for the nine-month period, up from 38.5% and 39.0%, respectively. Operating income increased 3%. The balance sheet strengthened modestly: bank debt less cash improved to $23.1 million from $26.7 million. The company generated approximately $11.1 million in free cash flow over twelve months and paid about $2.3 million in dividends. It also purchased a new $6 million facility in July 2025 to expand the Spill Magic business.

Performance shows mixed signals: top-line growth concentrated in first-aid and ecommerce channels (U.S. first-aid revenues +9%; Europe sales up 13% in U.S. dollars) while some school/office sales suffered from tariff-driven order cancellations. Key near-term items to watch include follow-through in promotional activity and retail orders, margin trends versus the prior tax-affected quarter, and whether free cash flow sustains post the $6 million facility purchase; expect updates on these items in upcoming quarterly reports and the company conference call on October 21, 2025.

SHELTON, Conn., Oct. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 were $49.1 million compared to $48.2 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 2%.   Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 were $149.0 million compared to $148.5 million in the same period in 2024.

Net income was $1.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to $2.2 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024, a decrease of 14% in net income and 15% in diluted earnings per share. Net income declined due to significantly lower tax expense in the third quarter of 2024, when the Company recorded a large excess tax benefit resulting from the exercise of stock options. The effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2024 was 8% compared to 22% in the same quarter of this year.

Net income for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was $8.3 million, or $2.03 per diluted share.

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “We have continued to effectively manage through tariff-related uncertainties. Our first aid revenues increased 9% due to strong online and refill sales. Revenues from our Westcott cutting tools continued to be reduced, however, by the impact of the tariff environment on our customers, which has resulted in our customers’ cancellation of nearly all retail promotions. We are now experiencing increased promotional activity as buyers are again focused on growing sales.

Mr. Johnsen continued, “We are pleased that Acme United’s business continued to be profitable, with operating income increasing 3%. In addition, we continue to reduce debt and, as a result of our strong balance sheet, the Company is well-positioned for growth, both internally and through acquisitions, particularly in the first aid space.”

For the three months ended September 30, 2025, net sales in the U.S. segment increased 1% compared to the same period in 2024. Sales of first aid and medical products were strong. However, sales of school and office products were lower mainly due to the cancellation of customer orders as a result of tariff uncertainty. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, net sales in the U.S. segment decreased 1% compared to the same period in 2024.  

European net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2025 increased 13% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency compared to the same period of 2024, mainly due to higher sales of school and office products into the ecommerce channel.   Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 increased 1% in U.S. dollars and decreased 2% in local currency compared to the same period of 2024.

Net sales in Canada for the three months ended September 30, 2025 increased 5% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency compared to the same period in 2024.   Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 increased 14% in U.S. dollars and 16% in local currency compared to the first nine months of 2024. The increases in sales for both periods were due to strong sales of first-aid products.

Gross margin was 39.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2025 versus 38.5% in the same period last year. Gross margin was 39.8% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025 compared to 39.0% for the same period in 2024.

The Company’s bank debt less cash as of September 30, 2025 was $23.1 million compared to $26.7 million as of September 30, 2024. During the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2025, the Company distributed approximately $2.3 million in dividends on its common stock and generated approximately $11.1 million in free cash flow, before the purchase for cash of a new $6 million facility in Tennessee in July 2025 to expand the Company’s Spill Magic business.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET. To listen or participate in a question-and-answer session, dial 877-407-0784. International callers may dial 201-689-8560. The confirmation code is 13756138.   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®, DMT®, Med-Nap and Elite First Aid. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com.  

Forward Looking Statements

The Company may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements” including statements contained in this report and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. When used in this document, words like “may,” “might,” “will,” “except,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from our current expectations.

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 that may impact the Company’s business, operations and financial results.

These risks and uncertainties  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 volatility in global economic conditions,  including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers; (iii) international trade policies of the United States or foreign governments and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs, changes in existing tariff rates or the threat of any such action;^*1(iv) the continuing adverse impact of inflation, including product costs, and interest rates; (v) potential adverse effects on the Company, its customers, and suppliers resulting from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; (vi) additional disruptions in the Company’s supply chains, whether caused by pandemics, natural disasters, including trucker shortages, strikes, port closures or otherwise; (vii) labor related costs the Company has and may continue to incur, including costs of acquiring and training new employees and rising wages and benefits; (viii) currency fluctuations; (ix) the Company’s ability to effectively manage its inventory in a rapidly changing business environment; (x) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (xi) the impact of competition; (xii) the impact of technological changes including, specifically, the growth of online marketing and sales activity; and (xiii) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; and (xiv) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:

Paul G. Driscoll

Acme United Corporation

1 Waterview Drive

Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 254-6060

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data		September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Net sales	$	49,063			$	48,166
Cost of goods sold		29,868				29,602
Gross profit		19,195				18,564
Selling, general and administrative expenses		16,188				15,638
Operating income		3,007				2,926
Interest expense		451				568
Interest income		(29	)			(33	)
Net interest expense		422				535
Other expense (income), net		146				(17	)
Income before income tax expense		2,439				2,408
Income tax expense		536				182
Net income	$	1,903			$	2,226
Shares outstanding - basic		3,802				3,726
Shares outstanding - diluted		4,168				4,104
Earnings per share - basic	$	0.50			$	0.60
Earnings per share - diluted		0.46				0.54
ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
		Nine Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data		September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Net sales	$	149,018			$	148,547
Cost of goods sold		89,756				89,960
Gross profit		59,262				58,587
Selling, general and administrative expenses		47,438				46,728
Operating income		11,824				11,859
Interest expense		1,310				1,622
Interest income		(88	)			(105	)
Net interest expense		1,222				1,517
Other income, net		(44	)			(90	)
Income before income tax expense		10,646				10,432
Income tax expense		2,338				2,117
Net income	$	8,308			$	8,315
Shares outstanding - basic		3,781				3,686
Shares outstanding - diluted		4,091				4,087
Earnings per share - basic	$	2.20			$	2.26
Earnings per share - diluted		2.03				2.03
ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
Amounts in $000's
		September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,146			$	5,702
Accounts receivable, net		30,034				31,349
Inventories		60,163				55,990
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,363				5,733
Total current assets		98,706				98,774
Property, plant and equipment, net		38,691				30,892
Operating lease right of use asset		7,261				4,808
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		18,476				22,810
Goodwill		9,908				8,189
Total assets	$	173,042			$	165,473
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,488			$	7,008
Operating lease liability - short term		1,427				1,550
Mortgage payable - short term		450				433
Other current liabilities		13,722				13,403
Total current liabilities		22,087				22,394
Long-term debt		18,255				22,018
Mortgage payable - long term		9,556				9,970
Operating lease liability - long term		5,900				3,357
Deferred income taxes		1,465				899
Other non-current liabilities		15				518
Total liabilities		57,278				59,156
Total stockholders' equity		115,764				106,317
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	173,042			$	165,473

FAQ

What were Acme United (ACU) Q3 2025 net sales and net income?

Q3 2025 net sales were $49.1 million and net income was $1.9 million ($0.46 diluted EPS).

Why did Acme United (ACU) Q3 2025 net income fall versus Q3 2024?

Net income fell mainly because the prior-year quarter had a large excess tax benefit; the effective tax rate rose to 22% in Q3 2025 from 8% in Q3 2024.

How did Acme United (ACU) perform by region in Q3 2025?

Europe Q3 sales rose 13% in U.S. dollars (6% local); Canada Q3 sales rose 5% in U.S. dollars (7% local); U.S. segment sales rose 1%.

What is Acme United's (ACU) balance sheet and cash-flow position as of Sept 30, 2025?

Bank debt less cash improved to $23.1 million and the company generated about $11.1 million in free cash flow over the trailing 12 months.

Did Acme United (ACU) make any acquisitions or capital investments in 2025?

Yes. In July 2025 the company purchased a $6.0 million facility in Tennessee to expand the Spill Magic business.

Will Acme United (ACU) discuss results live and how can investors listen?

Acme United will hold a conference call on Oct 21, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET with a live webcast available via the company's Investor Relations website.