ACME UNITED CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2021

or

For the transition period from:                       to                 

Commission file number: 01-07698

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) 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  ☒     No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes  ☒     No  ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(s) of the Exchange Act ☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 USC. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes  ☒     No  ☐

Registrant had 3,559,687 shares of its $2.50 par value Common Stock outstanding as of November 5, 2021.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

INDEX

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Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1: Financial Statements

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(all amounts in thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(all amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

(all amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(all amounts in thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(all amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

For the three months ended September 30, 2020

For the three months ended September 30, 2021

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020  

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2021

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(all amounts in thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of Presentation

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 financial statements do not include all 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, 2020 for such disclosures. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 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 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to September 30, 2021 and through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The update eliminates, clarifies and modifies certain guidance related to the accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, i.e. commencing with our current fiscal year.  The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this update eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.  The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard has not had an impact on the financial statements of the Company.

2. Commitment and Contingencies

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

3. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Nature of Goods and Services

The Company recognizes revenue from the sales of a broad line of products that are grouped into two main categories: (a) cutting, sharpening and measuring; and (b) first aid and safety. The cutting, sharpening and measuring category includes scissors, knives, paper trimmers, pencil sharpeners and other sharpening tools. The first aid and safety category includes first aid kits and refills, over-the-counter medications and a variety of safety products. Revenue recognition is evaluated through the following five steps: (i) identification of the contract or contracts with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price in the contract; and (v) recognition of revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied.

When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer.  A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is generated by the sale of the Company’s products to its customers.  Sales contracts (purchase orders) generally have a single performance obligation that is satisfied at a point in time, with shipment or delivery, depending on the terms of the underlying contract. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in the contract. The amount of consideration we receive and revenue we recognize is impacted by incentives ("customer rebates"), including sales rebates, which are generally tied to sales volume levels, in-store promotional allowances, shared media and customer catalogue allowances and other cooperative advertising arrangements; freight allowance programs offered to our customers; and allowance for returns and discounts. We generally recognize customer rebate costs as a deduction to gross sales at the time that the associated revenue is recognized.

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Significant Payment Terms

Payment terms for each customer are dependent on the agreed upon contractual repayment terms. Payment terms typically are between 30 and 90 days and vary depending on the size of the customer and its risk profile to the Company. Some customers receive discounts for early payment.

Product Returns

The Company accepts product returns in the normal course of business. The Company estimates reserves for returns and the related refunds to customers based on historical experience. Reserves for returned merchandise are included as a component of “Accounts receivable” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Practical Expedient Usage and Accounting Policy Elections

For the Company’s contracts that have an original duration of one year or less, the Company uses the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-32-18 applicable to such contracts and does not consider the time value of money in relation to significant financing components.  The effect of applying this practical expedient election did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  

Per ASC 606-10-25-18B, the Company has elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control as a fulfilment activity instead of a performance obligation. Furthermore, shipping and handling activities performed before transfer of control of the product also do not constitute a separate and distinct performance obligation. The effect of applying this practical expedient election did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  

The Company has elected to exclude from the transaction price those amounts which relate to sales and other taxes that are assessed by governmental authorities and that are imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the Company from a customer.

Applying the practical expedient in ASC 340-40-25-4, Other Assets and Deferred Costs, the Company recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred. These costs are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses.” The effect of applying this practical expedient did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Disaggregation of Revenues

The following table represents external net sales disaggregated by product category, by segment (amounts in thousands):

For the three months ended September 30, 2021

For the three months ended September 30, 2020

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2020

4. Debt and Shareholders’ Equity

Long-term debt consists of borrowings under the Company’s revolving loan agreement with HSBC Bank, N.A. The agreement provides for borrowings of up to $50 million at Prime Rate less 1.25%. The credit facility has an expiration date of May 24, 2023. The Company must pay a facility fee, payable quarterly, in an amount equal to two tenths of one percent (.20%) per annum of the average daily unused portion of the revolving credit line.  The facility is intended to provide liquidity for working capital, growth, dividends, acquisitions, share repurchases and other business activities.  Under the revolving loan agreement, the Company is required to maintain specific amounts of tangible net worth, a specified debt to net worth ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio and must have annual net income greater than zero, measured as of the end of each fiscal year. As of September 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the covenants then in effect under the loan agreement.  

As of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $40,454,000 and $38,767,000, respectively, under the Company’s revolving loan agreement with HSBC.

On October 26, 2017, the Company exercised its option to purchase its First Aid Only manufacturing and distribution center in Vancouver, WA for $4.0 million. The property consists of 53,000 square feet of office, manufacturing, and warehouse space on 2.86 acres. The purchase was financed by a variable rate mortgage with HSBC Bank, N.A. at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%. Commencing on December 1, 2017, principal payments of $22,222 are due monthly, with all amounts outstanding due on maturity on October 31, 2024.

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued a total of 30,479 shares of common stock and received aggregate proceeds of approximately $368,000 upon exercise of employee stock options. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued a total of 220,774 shares of common stock and received aggregate proceeds of approximately $3,066,000 upon exercise of employee stock options. Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company, at its discretion, paid approximately $211,000 to optionees who had elected (subject to the approval of the Company) a net cash settlement of their respective options.  

Also included in long term debt at December 31, 2020 was the amount then outstanding under a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan; the loan was forgiven in the quarter ended June 30, 2021. See Note 9 – Paycheck Protection Program Loan for additional details.   

5. Segment Information

The Company reports financial information based on the organizational structure used by the Company’s chief operating decision makers 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, the Company’s chief operating decision makers review 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 and sharpening devices, measuring instruments and first aid and safety products for school, office, home, hardware, sporting and industrial use.

Domestic sales orders are filled primarily from the Company’s distribution centers in North Carolina, Washington, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Florida and California. 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 7% and 8% of the Company’s total net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 12% and 11% for the comparable period in 2020.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates the performance of each operating segment based on segment revenues and operating income. Segment revenues are defined as total revenues, including both external customer revenue and inter-segment revenue. Segment operating earnings are defined as segment revenues, less cost of goods sold and operating expenses. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in the respective reportable segment’s operations. Inter-segment amounts are eliminated to arrive at consolidated financial results.

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The following table sets forth certain financial data by segment for three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

Financial data by segment:

(in thousands)

Assets by segment:

(in thousands)

6. Stock Based Compensation

The Company recognizes share-based compensation at the fair value of the equity instrument on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized over the required service period, which is generally the vesting period of the equity instrument. Share-based compensation expense was approximately $455,000 and $1,341,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to approximately $327,000 and $929,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

As of September 30, 2021, there was a total of $4,347,695 of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested share-based payments granted to the Company’s employees. As of that date, the remaining unamortized expense was expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years.

7. Fair Value Measurements

The carrying value of the Company’s bank debt is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the nature of its payment terms and maturity.

8. Leases

The Company has operating leases for office and warehouse space and equipment under various arrangements which provide the right to use the underlying asset and require lease payments for the lease term. The Company’s lease portfolio consists of operating leases which expire at various dates through 2026.

Certain of the Company’s lease arrangements contain renewal provisions, exercisable at the Company's option. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company determines if an arrangement is an operating lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. All other leases are recorded on the balance sheet with right-of-use (“ROU”) assets representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities representing the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.

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ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term and include options to extend or terminate the lease when they are reasonably certain to be exercised. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, the present value of lease payments is determined primarily using our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term on an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.  Lease agreements with lease and non-lease components are generally accounted for as a single lease component. The Company’s operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  For the three months ended September 30, 2021, lease expense in the amount of $0.1 million was included in cost of goods sold and $0.3 million was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, lease expense in the amount of $0.2 million was included in cost of goods sold and $0.6 million was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.                             

Information related to leases (in thousands):

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of September 30, 2021:

9. Paycheck Protection Program Loan

On May 7, 2020, the Company received a two-year loan (the “PPP Loan”) from HSBC Bank USA, N.A., the lender, in the amount of $3,508,047 under the Paycheck Protection Program established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).    

Under the CARES Act, all or a portion of the PPP Loan was eligible to be forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and the lender, upon application by the Company, provided that the Company shall have used the loan proceeds for certain eligible purposes.  The PPP Loan was fully forgiven by the SBA and on June 9, 2021, payment in the amount of $3,508,047 was made by the SBA to the lender.   The Company recorded the amount forgiven as income in the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

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10. Other Accrued Liabilities

Other current accrued liabilities consisted of (in thousands):

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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 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, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, future waves of COVID-19, including through the Delta variant and any new variant strains of the underlying virus; any future pandemics; the continuing effectiveness, global availability,  and public acceptance of existing vaccines; the effectiveness, availability, and public acceptance of vaccines against variant strains of potential new viruses; the strength of economic recovery and accelerating inflation, and the heightened impact the pandemic has on many of the risks described herein, including, without limitation, risks relating to disruptions in our supply chain and labor force, any of which could materially adversely impact the Company’s ability to manufacture, source or distribute its products, both domestically and internationally.    

These risks and uncertainties further 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, whether caused by COVID-19 or otherwise, including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers; (iii) the potential disruptions in the Company’s supply chains, whether caused by COVID-19 or otherwise; (iv) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (v) the impact of competition; (vi) the impact of technological changes including, specifically, the growth of online marketing and sales activity; (vii) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; (viii) the Company’s ability to effectively manage its inventory in a rapidly changing business environment, including additional inventory acquired to respond to COVID-19 related uncertainties; (ix) rising wages and benefits; (x) labor shortages; (xi) the impact of rising inflation rates; (xii) currency fluctuations;  (xiii) 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; and (xiv) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors affecting the Company, see the Risk Factors described in Item 1A included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year December 31, 2020 and below under “Financial Condition”. 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

We discuss our critical accounting policies and estimates in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Macroeconomic Related Considerations

As noted above under “Forward-Looking Statements”, COVID-19 and the various problems directly or indirectly caused or exacerbated by COVID-19 continue to present certain significant risks and uncertainties to the Company and its operations. Commencing late in the first quarter of 2020 and continuing through the filing of this report, the COVID-19 pandemic and certain related challenges have affected the Company’s financial results and business operations.    These challenges include: difficulties in hiring employees for its manufacturing and distribution centers due to current domestic labor shortages, increased labor costs, and higher employee turnover compared to pre-pandemic levels.  

In addition, the Company has experienced and continues to experience domestic and international disruptions in its supply chain due to port delays, container shortages, and trucking shortages which have been exacerbated by COVID-19.  As a result, the Company has been acquiring and subsequently maintaining additional inventory to minimize the impact of any potential disruption to its supply chain. The Company believes that it has sufficient inventory of its products to meet anticipated demand in the near future. However, any further increase in the duration or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic or a resurgence of the pandemic and the continuation of related supply chain and labor issues, might adversely affect the Company’s ability to manufacture, source or distribute its products both domestically and internationally. The occurrence of any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition.  

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Results of Operations

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, 2021 were $47,923,000 compared with $43,316,000 in the same period in 2020, a 11% increase. Consolidated net sales for nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $136,295,000 compared with $123,133,000 in the same period in 2020, a 11% increase.

Sales in the U.S. for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased 12% and increased 8%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020. The increase in sales for the three and nine months was primarily due to strong sales of first aid and medical products.

Net sales in Canada for the three months ended September 30, 2021, increased 6% and were constant in local currency compared to the same period in 2020. Higher sales of First Aid Central products were offset by lower sales of school and office products. In 2020, back-to-school shipments were delayed from the second to the third quarter due to the COVID-19 lockdowns in the second quarter of 2020.  Net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased 33% in U.S. dollars and 23% in local currency compared to the first nine months of 2020 primarily due to higher sales of First Aid Central products.       

European net sales for the third quarter of 2021 were constant in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the third quarter of 2020 due to the timing of several large orders in 2020.  Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased 22% in U.S. dollars and 15% in local currency compared to the first nine months of 2020, mainly due to sales growth in the ecommerce channel across all product lines and market share gains in Westcott school and office products.

Gross profit

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $17,005,000 (35.5% of net sales) compared to $14,956,000 (34.5% of net sales) in the same period in 2020. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $48,745,000 (35.8% of net sales) compared to $44,539,000 (36.2% of net sales) for the same period in 2020.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $14,044,000 (29.3% of net sales) compared with $12,832,000 (29.6% of net sales) in the same period in 2020, an increase of $1,212,000. SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $39,028,000 (28.6% of net sales) compared with $36,023,000 (29.3% of net sales) for the same periods of 2020, an increase of $3,005,000. The increases in SG&A expenses for three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 were primarily due to higher personnel related costs, higher commissions and shipping costs related to higher sales and personnel and other additional costs resulting from the acquisition of Med Nap.

Operating income

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $2,961,000 compared with $2,124,000 in the same period of 2020. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $9,717,000 compared with $8,516,000 in the same period of 2020.

Operating income in the U.S. segment increased by $1,236,000 and $789,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020.

Operating income in the Canadian segment decreased by $182,000 and increased by $279,000 in U.S. dollars for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020.

Operating income in the European segment decreased by $217,000 and increased $133,000 in U.S. dollars for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to the same period in 2020.

Interest expense, net

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Interest expense, net for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $228,000 compared with $168,000 in the same period of 2020, a $60,000 increase. The increase in interest expense is due to higher average debt outstanding.  Interest expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $671,000 compared with $722,000 for the same period of 2020, a $51,000 decrease.

Other (expense) income, net

Total other (expense), net was $68,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to other income of $35,000 in the same period of 2020. Total other income, net was $3,295,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to other expense of $2,000 in the same period of 2020.  The increase in other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to $3,508,047 of income related to the forgiveness of the PPP Loan.  

Income taxes

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, included a $0.9 million tax credit for stock-based compensation. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, excluding the tax credit and the income from the PPP loan forgiveness, were 23% and 22%, respectively, compared to 21% and 22%, respectively, in the same periods in 2020.

Financial Condition

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the first nine months of 2021, working capital increased approximately $10.0 million compared to December 31, 2020. Inventory decreased approximately $2.0 million at September 30, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020. Inventory turnover, calculated using a twelve-month average inventory balance, was 2.4 at September 30, 2021 compared to 2.4 at December 31, 2020.  Receivables increased by approximately $8.9 million at September 30, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020.  The average number of days sales outstanding in accounts receivable was 60 days at each of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.  Accounts payable and other current liabilities decreased by approximately $.9 million at September 30, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020.

The Company's working capital, current ratio and long-term debt to equity ratio are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):