8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (date of earliest event reported): October 20, 2016

ACME UNITED CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

__________________

Connecticut	001-07698	06-0236700
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission file number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
55 Walls Drive, Fairfield, Connecticut		06824
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

□ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

□ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

□ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

□ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On October 20, 2016, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c)       Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated October 20, 2016..

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 hereunto duly authorized.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
By	/s/  Walter C. Johnsen
	Walter C. Johnsen
	Chairman and
	Chief Executive Officer
Dated: October 20, 2016
By	/s/  Paul G. Driscoll
	Paul G. Driscoll
	Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer
Dated: October 20, 2016

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated October 20, 2016.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

ACME UNITED CORPORATION			NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT:	Paul G. Driscoll	Acme United Corporation	55 Walls Drive	Fairfield, CT 06824
		Phone: (203) 254-6060	FAX: (203) 254-6521

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  October 20, 2016

ACME UNITED REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 7% SALES INCREASE AND 21%
INCREASE IN EARNINGS PER SHARE

Raises 2016 Guidance for Second Time, Reflecting Continued Strong Performance and Prospects

FAIRFIELD, CT. – October 20, 2016 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE MKT:ACU) today announced that net sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 were $31.9 million, compared to $29.9 million in the comparable period of 2015, an increase of 7%. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $98.2 million, compared to $86.7 million in the same period in 2015, an increase of 13%.

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 was $1.5 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the 2015 period, a 22% increase in net income and 21% in earnings per share. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $5.3 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, compared to $4.4 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, in last year’s comparable period, a 22% increase in net income and 26% in earnings per share.

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “Our Westcott school, home, and office product lines all continued to gain market share and we delivered record back-to-school sales. In addition, we gained new first aid placement at a number of large food service chains , a promising source of new business, and grew our industrial first aid kit business. The Clauss, Camillus, and Cuda product families added new products and customers, and DMT, whose sharpening tool business we acquired in February 2016 , exceeded our expectations as we expanded the business and distribution through our broad customer base.

“We expect continued sales and earnings strength for the rest of 2016, and are therefore raising our guidance for the second time for fiscal 2016. We now expect to generate revenues of $124 million and earnings per share of $1.63. Our most recent guidance called for revenues of $123 million and earnings per share of $1.55, up from  our original forecast of $120 million in revenues and earnings per share of $1.47.”

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 In the U.S. segment, net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 increased 9% compared to the same period in 2015 due to strong sales of Westcott school and office products, and first aid kits. Revenues from our acquisition of DMT contributed $1.3 million in the third quarter, and $3.6 million February 2016 to date. Net sales for the first nine months of 2016 grew 15% over the comparable period in 2015.

Net sales in Canada for the three months ended September 30, 2016 decreased 5% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currency compared to the prior-year period. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 decreased 2% in U.S. dollars but increased 3% in local currency compared to the same period in 2015.

Net sales in Europe for the three months ended September 30, 2016 decreased 12% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the comparable period in 2015. The decline in sales was primarily due to the timing of a shipment of promotional products to a mass-market customer. In 2015, the promotion occurred in the third quarter; in 2016, the promotion occurred in the second quarter. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased 4% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to last year’s period due to market share gains in the office products channel.

Gross margin was 37.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 34.5% in the same period in 2015. The higher gross margin was primarily due to a favorable product mix. Also, in the third quarter of last year, the Company incurred approximately $150,000 of one-time moving and severance costs associated with consolidating its first aid facilities. Gross margin was 36.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 36.1% for last year’s period.

The Company’s long-term debt less cash on September 30, 2016 was $33.4 million compared to $23.9 million on September 30, 2015. During the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2016, the Company paid approximately $7.0 million for the acquisition of the assets of DMT, spent $1.4 million on stock repurchases  and paid $1.3 million in dividends on its common stock.

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Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast over the Internet on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. To listen or participate in a question and answer session, dial 800-768-6570. International callers may dial 785-830-1942. 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 or by logging on towww.streetevents.com.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus®, Cuda®, PhysiciansCare®, First Aid Only®, Pac-Kit® and DMT®. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com.

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 including, 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) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (iv) the impact of competition and technological changes on the Company; (v) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; (vi) currency fluctuations; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2016
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
Amounts in $000's except per share data	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015
Net sales	$	31,913	$	29,903
Cost of goods sold		20,050		19,578
Gross profit		11,863		10,325
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		9,723		8,334
Income from operations		2,140		1,991
Net interest expense		247		149
Other expense, net		65		92
Total other expense		312		241
Income before income tax expense		1,828		1,750
Income tax expense		355		542
Net income	$	1,473	$	1,208
Shares outstanding - Basic		3,324		3,354
Shares outstanding - Diluted		3,641		3,699
Earnings per share basic	$	0.44	$	0.36
Earnings per share diluted		0.40		0.33

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2016 (cont.)
(Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
Amounts in $000's except per share data	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015
Net sales	$	98,198	$	86,694
Cost of goods sold		62,455		55,398
Gross profit		35,743		31,296
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		28,008		24,603
Income from operations		7,735		6,693
Net interest expense		642		420
Other expense		38		149
Total other expense		680		569
Income before income tax expense		7,055		6,124
Income tax expense		1,750		1,771
Net income	$	5,305	$	4,353
Shares outstanding - Basic		3,329		3,328
Shares outstanding - Diluted		3,562		3,698
Earnings per share basic	$	1.59	$	1.31
Earnings per share diluted		1.49		1.18

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2016
(Unaudited)
Amounts in $000's		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,272	$	4,621
Accounts receivable, net		25,909		23,587
Inventories		38,117		34,497
Prepaid and other current assets		1,995		2,171
Total current assets		72,293		64,877
Property and equipment, net		7,893		7,343
Goodwill		1,406		1,375
Intangible assets, net		16,768		12,023
Other assets		1,012		969
Total assets	$	99,372	$	86,586
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	6,748	$	7,206
Other current liabilities		6,597		6,759
Total current liabilities		13,345		13,965
Bank debt		39,706		28,551
Other non current liabilities		574		362
		53,625		42,878
Total stockholders' equity		45,747		43,698
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	99,372	$	86,586

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