Acme United Reports 5% Increase in Earnings per Share for First Quarter of 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Acme United (NYSE American: ACU) reported Q1 2025 financial results with net sales of $46.0 million, up 2% from $45.0 million in Q1 2024. Net income reached $1.65 million ($0.41 per diluted share), showing a 1% increase in net income and 5% growth in EPS compared to $1.64 million ($0.39 per share) last year.

First aid sales increased 14%, while Westcott cutting tools declined due to non-recurring large craft items shipment from Q1 2024. U.S. segment sales grew 3%, European sales decreased 7%, and Canadian sales rose 5%. Gross margin improved to 39.0% from 38.7%. The company reduced bank debt less cash to $27.2 million from $31.5 million year-over-year, while generating $12.0 million in free cash flow.

Positive

• EPS increased 5% to $0.41 per share
• First aid sales grew 14%
• Gross margin improved to 39.0% from 38.7%
• Generated $12.0 million in free cash flow
• Reduced bank debt less cash by $4.3 million year-over-year
• Expected $2.0 million in productivity savings for the year

Negative

• Overall revenue growth to 2%
• European sales declined 7% in USD (4% in local currency)
• Westcott cutting tools sales declined
• School and office products sales decreased
• Facing uncertain and challenging tariff environment

Insights

Financial Analyst

Acme shows resilient Q1 with 5% EPS growth, margin expansion, and $4.3M debt reduction despite mixed segment performance.

Acme United's Q1 2025 results reveal a company effectively navigating challenging market conditions. The 2% revenue growth to $46.0 million might appear modest, but the underlying metrics tell a more compelling story. The 5% EPS growth to $0.41 outpacing the 1% net income growth to $1.65 million demonstrates effective capital management.

The 30 basis point gross margin expansion to 39.0% stands out as particularly impressive given the current tariff pressures. This margin improvement suggests both pricing power and cost management effectiveness, reinforcing management's claim about operational efficiency gains.

Balance sheet improvement continues with debt less cash decreasing by $4.3 million year-over-year to $27.2 million. This deleveraging, combined with $12 million in free cash flow generation over the trailing twelve months, strengthens Acme's financial flexibility.

Segment performance shows stark contrasts. The first aid division posted 14% growth, emerging as the company's growth engine. Meanwhile, the Westcott cutting tools segment declined due to a non-repeating large order from Q1 2024. This variance highlights the importance of product diversification in maintaining overall stability.

The $2.0 million targeted productivity savings should help protect margins amid tariff uncertainties. With a strengthened financial position and focus on operational efficiency, Acme appears well-positioned to capitalize on its stated goals of market share gains against less efficient competitors and pursuit of strategic acquisitions.

Industry Analyst

Acme's diversified product mix and multi-pronged tariff strategy position it for advantage against less adaptable competitors.

Acme United's Q1 performance reveals diverging trajectories within their product portfolio, with medical/first aid products emerging as the clear growth driver at 14% while school and office products face headwinds. This segment performance disparity isn't surprising given market trends where essential safety products maintain demand resilience while discretionary office supplies experience more cyclical pressure.

Geographic performance tells an important story. U.S. operations lead with 3% growth, Canadian sales increased 5% in U.S. dollars despite economic softness, while European sales declined 7% in U.S. dollars primarily due to a non-repeating promotion. The varying regional performance demonstrates both challenges and opportunities in Acme's international strategy.

The company's approach to the "uncertain and challenging" tariff environment is particularly noteworthy. Instead of a single-solution approach, management has implemented a comprehensive strategy: supplier renegotiations, logistics optimization, $2.0 million in productivity initiatives, and selective price increases. This multi-faceted response creates a potential competitive advantage against what management describes as "competitors with less diversified supply bases or less efficient cost structures."

CEO Johnsen's comments about strategic acquisitions suggest a forward-looking growth strategy beyond organic expansion. Given the strong performance in first aid (with its 14% growth), this segment could be a logical focus for acquisitive growth to further strengthen this high-performing division.

The company's ability to slightly expand gross margins to 39.0% while dealing with tariff pressures demonstrates pricing power and operational discipline – key advantages in the current market environment that should allow Acme to potentially increase market share as forecasted by management.

SHELTON, Conn., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 were $46.0 million compared to $45.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, an increase of 2%.

Net income was $1.65 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $1.64 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the comparable period last year, an increase of 1% in net income and 5% in diluted earnings per share.

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “We had a solid quarter overall, building on our strong year in 2024. Our net sales in first aid increased 14% during the first quarter of 2025. Sales of our Westcott cutting tools declined this quarter due to a large initial shipment of craft items in last year’s first quarter to a major U.S. retailer in a very successful product launch which did not repeat this quarter.”

“The current tariff environment is very uncertain and challenging. Our team is working to minimize the impact of these uncertainties to both Acme and our customers. We expect to reduce costs through supplier negotiations and lower shipping costs and benefit from more than $2.0 million in productivity savings this year from our investments in our operations. And we will be increasing prices where necessary.”

Mr. Johnsen added, “I believe the company is well positioned to increase market share from competitors with less diversified supply bases or less efficient cost structures. I also believe there will be opportunities for Acme United to make new strategic acquisitions.”

For the first quarter of 2025, net sales in the U.S. segment increased 3% compared to the same period in 2024. Sales of first aid and medical products were strong, while sales of school and office products declined mainly due to a large initial order of craft products to a major mass market retailer that took place in the first quarter of 2024 and did not repeat in the first quarter of 2025.

European net sales for the first quarter of 2025 decreased 7% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currency compared to the first quarter of 2024 due primarily to a large promotion in the first quarter of 2024 that did not repeat this year. We anticipate that the sales of these products will be more evenly spread throughout 2025.

Net sales in Canada for the first quarter of 2025 increased 5% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency compared to the same period in 2024. Sales of first aid products were strong, while sales of school and office products continued to be adversely impacted by a soft economy.

Gross margin was 39.0% in the first quarter of 2025 versus 38.7% in the comparable period last year.

The Company’s bank debt less cash on March 31, 2025 was $27.2 million compared to $31.5 million on March 31, 2024. During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Company paid approximately $6.1 million for the acquisition of the assets of Elite First Aid Inc., distributed $2.2 million in dividends on its common stock and generated approximately $12.0 million in free cash flow.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Thursday, April 17, 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 13752605. 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 uncertainties in global economic conditions, including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers; (iii) international trade policies and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs or changes in existing tariff rates by the United States or foreign governments; (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.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended					Quarter Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data		March 31, 2025					March 31, 2024
Net sales	$		45,958			$		44,956
Cost of goods sold			28,041					27,560
Gross profit			17,917					17,396
Selling, general and administrative expenses			15,491					14,838
Operating income			2,426					2,558
Interest expense			426					476
Interest income			(29	)				(33	)
Net interest expense			397					443
Other income, net			(90	)				(44	)
Income before income tax expense			2,119					2,159
Income tax expense			466					523
Net income	$		1,653			$		1,636
Shares outstanding - basic			3,754					3,650
Shares outstanding - diluted			4,065					4,213
Earnings per share - basic	$		0.44			$		0.45
Earnings per share - diluted			0.41					0.39

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
Amounts in $000's
		March 31, 2025					March 31, 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$		3,446			$		2,443
Accounts receivable, net			30,814					32,966
Inventories			57,274					56,887
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			5,311					6,107
Total current assets			96,845					98,403
Property, plant and equipment, net			32,153					28,863
Operating lease right of use asset			4,443					5,530
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization			19,690					18,396
Goodwill			9,908					8,189
Total assets	$		163,039			$		159,381
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$		7,433			$		7,907
Operating lease liability - short term			1,533					1,577
Mortgage payable - short term			441					424
Other current liabilities			10,662					11,930
Total current liabilities			20,069					21,838
Long-term debt			20,428					23,294
Mortgage payable - long term			9,769					10,179
Operating lease liability - long term			3,012					4,063
Other non-current liabilities			1,480					915
Total liabilities			54,758					60,289
Total stockholders' equity			108,281					99,092
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$		163,039			$		159,381

   

CONTACT:	Paul G. Driscoll	Acme United Corporation	1 Waterview Drive	Shelton, CT 06484
		Phone: (203) 254-6060

FAQ

What was Acme United's (ACU) earnings per share in Q1 2025?

ACU reported earnings of $0.41 per diluted share in Q1 2025, a 5% increase from $0.39 in Q1 2024.

How much did ACU's first aid sales grow in Q1 2025?

First aid sales increased 14% during the first quarter of 2025.

What is ACU's current gross margin and how has it changed?

Gross margin improved to 39.0% in Q1 2025 from 38.7% in Q1 2024.

How much free cash flow did ACU generate in the twelve months ending March 2025?

ACU generated approximately $12.0 million in free cash flow during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2025.

What was ACU's debt position as of March 31, 2025?

The company's bank debt less cash was $27.2 million, down from $31.5 million on March 31, 2024.