ACME UNITED CORP - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

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 September 30, 2013

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 001-07698

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 254-6060

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  [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Sec. 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  [X]     No  [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one).

Large accelerated filer [_]    Accelerated filer [_]     Non-accelerated filer [_]    Smaller reporting company [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  [_]    No  [X]

As of November 2, 2013 the registrant had outstanding 3,196,102 shares of its $2.50 par value Common Stock.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Notes to CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements

(UNAUDITED)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Acme United Corporation (the “Company”). These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. However, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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, 2012 for such disclosures. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to September 30, 2013 and through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were included in this Form 10-Q and filed with the SEC.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update on the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, to improve the transparency of reporting. These reclassifications present the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income – but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This standard update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 — Contingencies

The Company is involved from time to time in disputes and other litigation in the ordinary course of business and may encounter other contingencies, which may include environmental and other matters. The Company presently has no matters other than the environmental remediation accrual described below.

In December 2008, the Company sold property it owned in Bridgeport, Connecticut to B&E Juices, Inc. for $2.5 million, of which $2.0 million was secured by a mortgage on the property. The property consists of approximately four acres of land and 48,000 sq. feet of warehouse space. The property was the site of the Company’s original scissor factory which opened in 1887 and was closed in 1996.

Under the terms of the sale agreement, and as required by the Connecticut Transfer Act, the Company was required to remediate any environmental contamination on the property. During 2008, the Company hired an independent environmental consulting firm to conduct environmental studies in order to identify the extent of the environmental contamination on the property and to develop a remediation plan. As a result of those studies and the estimates prepared by the independent environmental consulting firm, the Company recorded an undiscounted liability of approximately $1.8 million related to the remediation of the property. This accrual included the costs of required investigation, remedial activities, and post-remediation operating and maintenance.

The remediation work, which began in the third quarter of 2009, was completed during the third quarter of 2012. The Company, with the assistance of its independent environmental consulting firm, must continue to monitor contaminant levels on the property to ensure they comply with set governmental standards. The Company expects that the monitoring period could last a minimum of two years from the time it started in the third quarter of 2012. Currently, the Company expects to satisfy the monitoring requirements during the second half of 2014. At September 30, 2013, the Company had approximately $54,000 remaining in its accrual for post-remediation monitoring and project closing costs, of which approximately $34,000 was classified as a current liability.

The change in the accrual for environmental remediation for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 follows (in thousands):

Also, as part of the sale, the Company provided the buyer with a mortgage of $2.0 million at six percent interest per year. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company received $1,726,888 from B&E Juices, Inc. as an early repayment of the outstanding balance on the mortgage.

Note 3 — Pension

Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in thousands):

Under applicable laws and regulations, in 2013, the Company is required to contribute to its qualified plan approximately $225,000. At September 30, 2013, the Company had contributed approximately $185,000 to the plan for 2013.

Note 4 —Debt and Shareholders Equity

 
On April 25, 2013, the Company amended its revolving loan agreement with HSBC Bank N.A. dated April 5, 2012. The amendment increased the borrowing limit to $40 million from $30 million. The interest rate remains the same at LIBOR plus 1.75%. All principal amounts outstanding under the agreement are required to be repaid in a single amount on April 5, 2017, the date the agreement expires; interest is payable monthly. Funds borrowed under the agreement may be used for working capital, general operating expenses, share repurchases, acquisitions and certain other purposes. Under the amended loan agreement, the Company is required to maintain specific amounts of tangible net worth, a debt/net worth ratio, and a fixed charge coverage ratio.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $25,030,826 and $24,319,829, respectively, under the Company’s revolving loan agreement with HSBC. At September 30, 2013 the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants referenced above.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 16,825 shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and received total proceeds of $185,865.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 70,650 shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and received total proceeds of $507,857.

Note 5— Segment Information

The Company reports financial information based on the organizational structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. The Company’s reportable business segments consist of: (1) United States; (2) Canada and (3) Europe. As described below, the activities of the Company’s Asian operations are closely linked to those of the U.S. operations; accordingly, management reviews the financial results of both on a consolidated basis, and the results of the Asian operations have been aggregated with the results of the United States operations to form one reportable segment called the “United States segment” or “U.S. segment”. Each reportable segment derives its revenue from the sales of cutting devices, measuring instruments and safety products for school, office, home, hardware and industrial use.

Domestic sales orders are filled from the Company’s distribution center in North Carolina. The Company is responsible for the costs of shipping, insurance, customs clearance, duties, storage and distribution related to such products. Orders filled from the Company’s inventory are generally for less than container-sized lots.

Direct import sales are products sold by the Company’s Asian subsidiary, directly to major U.S. retailers, who take ownership of the products in Asia. These sales are completed by delivering product to the customers’ common carriers at the shipping points in Asia. Direct import sales are made in larger quantities than domestic sales, typically full containers. Direct import sales represented approximately 15% and 22% of the Company’s total net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively compared to 12% and 16% for the comparable periods in 2012.

The chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of each operating segment based on segment revenues and operating income. Segment amounts below are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations.

Financial data by segment:

(in thousands) 

Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation

The Company recognizes share-based compensation at fair value of the equity instrument on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized over the required service period. Share-based compensation expenses were $115,543 and $93,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Share-based compensation expense was $387,953 and $325,753 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 152,500 options with a weighted average fair value of $3.37 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the Company issued 210,500 options with a weighted average fair value of $3.18.

As of September 30, 2013, there was a total of $998,224 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share –based payments granted to the Company’s employees. The remaining unamortized expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3 years.

Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements

The carrying value of the Company’s bank debt and note receivable approximates fair value. Fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis.

Note 8 – Business Combination

On June 7, 2012, the Company purchased certain assets of The C-Thru Ruler Company (“C-Thru”), a leading supplier of drafting, measuring, lettering and stencil products. The Company purchased inventory and intellectual property for approximately $1.47 million using funds borrowed under its revolving credit facility with HSBC. The Company recorded approximately $0.42 million for inventory, as well as approximately $1.05 million for intangible assets, consisting primarily of customer relationships.

Assuming C-Thru was acquired on January 1, 2012, unaudited proforma combined net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 for the Company would have been approximately $20.4 million and $66.0 million, respectively.

Unaudited net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 attributable to C-Thru were not material to the Company’s financial statements for those periods.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Information

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 by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include statements of the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions, which are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). The following factors, in addition to others not listed, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward looking statements: the strength of the domestic and local economies in which the Company conducts operations, the impact of current uncertainties in global economic conditions and the related impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers, currency fluctuations, changes in client needs and consumer spending habits, the impact of competition and technological change on the Company, and the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business or properties which it might acquire. A more detailed discussion of risk factors is set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Results of Operations

On June 7, 2012, the Company purchased certain assets of The C-Thru Ruler Company, a leading supplier of drafting, measuring, lettering and stencil products. The Company purchased inventory and intellectual property related to C-Thru’s lettering and ruler business for approximately $1.47 million using funds borrowed under its revolving loan agreement with HSBC. The Company recorded approximately $0.42 million for inventory, as well as approximately $1.05 million for intangible assets, consisting of customer relationships.

On August 30, 2013, the Company purchased a manufacturing and distribution center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for $2.8 million. The Company acquired the facility in the bankruptcy liquidation of Roomstore, Inc. The property consists of approximately 340,000 square feet of office, manufacturing and warehouse space on 33 acres. The facility will be used to consolidate two distribution centers and to provide space for growth. The Company expects to invest approximately $1.0 million through the first quarter of 2014 to upgrade the building and equipment.

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 back-to-school market.

Net sales

Consolidated net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $22,135,000 compared with $20,363,000 in the same period in 2012, a 9% increase. Consolidated net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $68,198,000, compared with $64,835,000 for the same period in 2012, a 5% increase. Net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 in the U.S. segment increased 11% and 8%, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2012. Sales in the U.S. for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased primarily due to higher sales of Camillus knives and back to school products as well as increased distribution of first aid kits to the office and industrial markets. The increase in sales in the U.S. segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to additional sales resulting from the acquisition of certain assets of the C-Thru Ruler Company, increased back to school sales and higher sales of Camillus knives. Net sales in Canada for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by 18% in U.S. dollars (15% in local currency) compared with the same period in 2012. Net sales in Canada for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by 8% in U.S. dollars (6% in local currency) compared with the same period in 2012. Sales in Canada decreased primarily due to general softness in the office products industry which resulted from continuing weakness in the Canadian economy. European net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased 26% in U.S. dollars (19% in local currency) compared with the same period in 2012. European net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased 6% in U.S. dollars (7% in local currency). The increase in sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily related to higher sales to mass market retailers. The decrease in net sales in Europe for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to the loss of Schlecker, a major customer in Germany, due to its bankruptcy and liquidation in the second quarter of 2012.

Gross profit

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $7,940,000 (35.9% of net sales) compared to $7,426,000 (36.4% of net sales) for the same period in 2012. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $24,449,000 (35.8% of net sales) compared to $23,191,000 (35.8% of net sales) in the same period in 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $6,531,000 (29.5% of net sales) compared with $6,067,000 (29.8% of net sales) for the same period of 2012, an increase of $464,000. SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $19,334,000 (28.3% of net sales) compared with $18,296,000 (28.2% of net sales) in the comparable period of 2012, an increase of $1,038,000. The increases in SG&A expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, were primarily the result of higher personnel related expenses, which include salaries and recruiting, as well as increased spending on new products.

Operating income

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $1,409,000 compared with $1,359,000 in the same period of 2012, a 4% increase. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $5,115,000 compared to $4,895,000 in the same period of 2012, a 4% increase. Operating income in the U.S. segment decreased by $57,000 for the three months and increased by $462,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase in operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was principally due to higher sales. Operating income in the Canadian segment decreased by $52,000 and $160,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012. The decline in operating profit was primarily the result of lower sales. Europe had operating income of $96,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to a loss of $63,000 for to the same period in 2012. The increase in operating income for the three months was primarily due to higher sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Europe had operating income of $69,000 compared to $149,000 in the same period of 2012. The decline in operating income was primarily due to lower sales resulting from the loss of Schlecker, a major customer in Germany, due to their liquidation in the second quarter of 2012.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $99,000, compared with $83,000 for the same period of 2012, a $16,000 increase. Interest expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was $242,000 compared to $200,000 for the same period in 2012, a $42,000 increase. The increases in interest expense, net for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were primarily the result of higher average borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Other (income) expense, net

Net other income was $13,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to net other expense of $7,000 in the same period of 2012. Net other expense was $16,000 in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $93,000 in the first nine months of 2012. The changes in other (income) expense, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were primarily due to gains/losses from foreign currency transactions.

Income taxes

The effective tax rate for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 was 28%, compared to 37% and 32%, respectively, in the same periods of 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to a higher proportion of earnings in jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

Financial Condition

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the first nine months of 2013, working capital increased approximately $3.5 million compared to December 31, 2012. Inventory decreased by approximately $1.0 million at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012. Inventory turnover, calculated using a twelve month average inventory balance, was 1.9 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Accounts receivable increased by approximately $1.2 million at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 primarily as a result of the seasonal nature of the back to school business where sales are typically higher in the second and third quarters as compared to the first and fourth quarters. The average number of days sales outstanding in accounts receivable was 64 days at September 30, 2013 compared to 61 days at December 31, 2012.

The Company's working capital, current ratio and long-term debt to equity ratio follow:

During the first nine months of 2013, total debt outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility with HSBC, N.A. (“HSBC”) increased by $711,000, compared to total debt at December 31, 2012. As of September 30, 2013, $25,031,000 was outstanding and $14,969,000 was available for borrowing under the Company’s credit facility.

On April 25, 2013, the Company amended its loan agreement with HSBC dated April 5, 2012. The amendment increased the borrowing limit to $40 million from $30 million. The interest rate remains the same at LIBOR plus 1.75%. All principal amounts outstanding under the agreement are required to be repaid in a single amount on April 5, 2017, the date the agreement expires; interest is payable monthly. Funds borrowed under the agreement may be used for working capital, general operating expenses, share repurchases, acquisitions and certain other purposes. Under the amended loan agreement, the Company is required to maintain specific amounts of tangible net worth, a debt/net worth ratio, and a fixed charge coverage ratio.

As discussed in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 1 above, at September 30, 2013 the Company had approximately $54,000 remaining in its accrual for environmental remediation and monitoring relating to the sale of its Bridgeport, CT property, with approximately $34,000 classified as a current liability. Also, as noted above, during the third quarter, the Company received $1,726,888 from B&E Juice as early repayment of the outstanding balance on the mortgage on the Bridgeport property.

As stated above, on August 30, 2013, the Company purchased a manufacturing and distribution center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for $2.8 million. The Company expects to invest approximately $1.0 million over the next six months to upgrade the building and equipment.

The Company believes that cash expected to be generated from operating activities, together with funds available under its amended revolving credit facility are expected, under current conditions, to be sufficient to finance the Company’s planned operations over the next twelve months.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

There are no pending material legal proceedings to which the registrant is a party or, to the actual knowledge of the Company, contemplated by any governmental authority.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

See Risk Factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Item 2 — Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. —Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable

Item 5 — Other Information

None.

Item 6 — Exhibits

Documents filed as part of this report.

Exhibit 10.9(a) Amendment No. 1 to the 2012 Acme United Employee Stock Option Plan

Exhibit 10.10(a) Amendment No. 1 to the Revolving Loan Agreement with HSBC, dated April 5, 2012

Exhibit 10.10(b) Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Loan Agreement with HSBC, dated April 5, 2012

Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Walter C. Johnsen pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Paul G. Driscoll pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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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.