Acme United Corporation

Acme United Corporation
Public
Traded as NYSE MKT: ACU
Industry Consumer products
Founded Naugatuck, Connecticut (1867)
Headquarters Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Key people
 Walter C. Johnsen (Chairman and CEO)
Brian S. Olschan (President and COO)
Paul G. Driscoll (Vice President and CFO)
Products scissors, cutters, knives, rulers, first aid kits
Revenue US$109.8 million (2015)
US$4.79 million (2015)
Total assets Increase US$ 81.421 million (2015)[1]
Number of employees
 342 (2015)
Subsidiaries Westcott, Clauss, Camillus, PhysiciansCare, Pac-Kit, First Aid Only, Cuda, DMT
Website AcmeUnited.com

Acme United Corporation is a supplier of cutting, measuring and safety products for the school, home, office, hardware and industrial markets. The company was organized as a partnership in 1867 and incorporated in 1873 under the laws of the State of Connecticut. It is publicly traded on the NYSE Mkt with symbol ACU.

Acme United’s operations are in the United States, Canada, Europe (located in Germany) and Asia (located in Hong Kong and China). The operations in the United States, Canada and Europe are primarily involved in product development, manufacturing, marketing, sales, administrative and distribution activities. The operations in Asia consist of sourcing, quality control and sales activities. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $109.8 million compared to $107.2 million in 2014, an increase of 2.4%. This was the 7th consecutive year of record performance for Acme United. Sales in the US (including Asia) were $96.6 million, in Canada $6.8 million and in Europe $6.3 million.[2]

The company’s customers include Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax, United Stationers, SP Richards, W.B. Mason, Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Grainger, McMaster-Carr, Meijer, Fred Meyer, WH Smith, and many other major chains.

History

Before 1960s

Acme United has roots dating back to 1867 when German immigrant Leo Renz bought an old grist mill in Naugatuck, Connecticut.[3] He opened Renz Shear Shop and started the manufacture of scissors and cast iron shears. In 1873, Leo Renz, along with Robert and Mitchell Renz, and John Peck, officially incorporated their business as The Renz Shear Company.[4]

In the 1880s the Company moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut where it was incorporated as The Acme Shear Company. A few years later, the company was sold to the brothers David C. Wheeler and Dwight Wheeler, who were responsible for its initial growth. Henry Wheeler,[5] the grandson of David C. Wheeler, became president of Acme Shear in 1941 and again expanded the company in a number of directions. Aided by World War II, Acme Shear became the world's largest maker of shears and scissors by 1946.

1960s and 1970s

After the second World War, Acme Shear established a subsidiary in the United Kingdom to sell directly to the European market. It also introduced a line of disposable medical scissors and surgical instruments in 1965. This business became so successful that a new manufacturing plant in Fremont, North Carolina had to be opened to meet demand. To mark its 100th anniversary, Acme Shear did an initial public offering (IPO) and as such became a publicly traded company in 1967.

In the 1970s, Acme acquired Westcott Rule Company, a major ruler manufacturer, which was founded in 1872 in Seneca Falls, New York. To better reflect the expanded product line, the company name was changed to Acme United Corporation.[6] The 1970s were also highlighted by further expansion in the medical field, with several new acquisitions and products.

Acme United acquired the Canadian business Acme Ruler & Advertising Co out of Toronto, Ontario. This company was established in the 1890s and made rulers, blackboard triangles, protractors, etc. In 1980, the Canadian business’s name was changed to Acme Ruler Company and in 1993 to its present name Acme United Limited. From this business unit, Acme United runs its entire Canadian operation.[7]

1980s

Despite continued growth during the 1960s and 1970s, Acme United faced rough times during the 1980s because it became too dependent on one medical tools customer, American Hospital Supply. When this company started manufacturing products itself,[8] Acme lost over $20 million in annual sales. In a struggle to survive, it took over several companies[9][10] in the US and abroad, however with varying success.[11]

1990s

During the early 1990s Acme United continued to suffer losses, which was reflected in the company’s share price. The stock, which had been trading around $25 in the 1980s, now sold for only $3, leading to strong shareholder pressure to implement significant management changes.[12]

Walter C. Johnsen joined the company early 1995 as a Board member and became CEO later that same year.[13] He had previously been Vice Chairman and a principal of Marshall Products, Inc.,[14] a medical supply distributor that he and a partner acquired in a leveraged buyout. Marshall had been purchased by Omron Corporation,[15] to become the North American arm of its medical business.

In the following years, Johnsen recruited a new management team,[16] sold the medical business to Medical Action Industries[17] and closed seven manufacturing plants. Brian Olschan joined as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and later became Chief Operating Officer.[18]

By focusing on higher margin products such as student scissors, rulers and staplers, Acme United returned to profitability in 2000 when it reported a net income of $1.1 million.[19] Additionally, it penetrated the office market by selling products to mass merchants such as Wal-Mart and Target.

2000s

With financial results again improving, Acme United acquired Clauss Cutlery[20] from Alco Industries in June 2004. Clauss, founded in 1877 in Fremont, Ohio, manufactured scissors and cutting tools for the floral and industrial markets. By 2004, Acme United’s sales had risen to $43.4 million with earnings reaching $3.2 million.

In 2007, the company bought the brand names and intellectual property of Camillus Cutlery Company, one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States, for $200,000 in a bankruptcy auction.[21]

In February 2011, Acme United acquired Pac-Kit Safety Equipment Company, a manufacturer of first aid kits for the industrial, safety, transportation and marine markets. The company purchased the accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, brands, historical records, and photographs for $3.4 million. Pac-Kit’s revenues in 2010 were approximately $5.4 million.[22]

And Acme United continued on its acquisition path. In June 2012, it acquired certain assets of The C-Thru Ruler Company, a well-known supplier of drafting, measuring, lettering and stencil products. Acme United purchased the inventory, tooling, brands, and other intellectual property for approximately $1.47 million. In 2011, C-Thru’s revenues were about $2.5 million with gross profits reaching roughly $1 million.[23] After Acme United acquired C-Thru Ruler Company in 2012, its products were integrated into the Westcott products family. So, the identity of C-Thru in many cases has become Westcott.

Late August 2013, Acme United purchased a 340,000 square feet manufacturing and distribution center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for $2.8 million. Before that, the Company had two distribution centers, which, combined, were only half the size of the new one. The lease for one warehouse was terminated, and the second warehouse, in Fremont, NC, was sold by Acme on April 7, 2014 for $850,000.[24]

Because, Acme United’s first aid business showed strong growth in the industrial safety market and office channel, it acquired First Aid Only Inc., a supplier of first aid kits, refills, and safety products for $13.8 million in June 2014. In 2013, First Aid Only reached revenues of $17.4 million and operating income of $1.1 million.[25]

Also in 2014, Acme United launched an entire line of fishing knives and tools under the new brand Cuda. About 30 tools, specifically designed for inshore and offshore fishing, were introduced at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the largest sportfishing trade show in the world.[26] At ICAST 2015, twenty additional tools for freshwater fishing were shown to the public for the first time. The market for freshwater tools is more than double the size of the salt water market.[27]

In 2014 Acme United achieved record net sales and earnings. For the first time in the Company’s history, annual sales reached more than $100 million.[28]

In 2015, the Pac-Kit production was moved from Norwalk, CT to the First Aid Only facility in Vancouver, Washington. The company expects this to result in significant cost savings as the lease on the current Pac-Kit manufacturing plant won’t have to be renewed and fixed costs, such as electricity and heat will be eliminated.[29]

On February 1, 2016 Acme United acquired Diamond Machining Technology (DMT), a Marlborough, MA based manufacturer of sharpening tools for knives, scissors, chisels and other cutting tools. Acme United paid $7.0 million in cash. DMT had revenues in 2015 of $5.4 million and EBITDA of approximately $1.0 million.[30]

Corporate structure

Today, Acme United has seven main brands: Westcott, Clauss, PhysiciansCare, Pac-Kit, Camillus, First Aid Only, Cuda, and DMT.

Westcott

Westcott is a major brand for scissors and rulers in North America, and one of the strongest worldwide. Their scissors range from kids and student products to sewing, office, and craft items. Their rulers come in wood, plastic, stainless steel, acrylic and aluminum with plentiful designs, innovations and fashionable colors. Each year, Acme sells between 60 and 80 million scissors, and 15 to 18 million Westcott rulers.[31]

That is also a part of the business which continues to grow. In 2015, for example, Office Depot consolidated its entire scissors business in North America, and Westcott won that contract.[32]

Following the success in scissors and rulers, Westcott extended its product line with other office tools such as paper trimmers, pencil sharpeners, math kits, etc. The Westcott iPoint family of electric pencil sharpeners is Acme United’s best-selling product with sales reaching $11 million in 2013.

Clauss

Clauss primarily manufactures cutting instruments for professionals in the hardware & industrial, lawn & garden, food processing, sewing and housewares markets. These products include True Professional sewing shears, utility knives, chef shears, hobby knives and craft implements.

In April 2013, Acme formed a partnership with The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company to market and sell two lines of lawn and gardening tools branded ‘Scotts’ and ‘Miracle-Gro’. The tools also carry the ‘powered by Clauss technology’ label. The Miracle-Gro line includes pruners, snips, floral knives, spring assisted scissors, while the Scotts AirShoc line are professional lawn & garden tools like loppers, hedge shears, branch saws and grass and garden shears.[33]

Also in 2013, Clauss launched a family of titanium bonded non-stick putty knives.

PhysiciansCare

PhysiciansCare offers a broad assortment of first aid kits, emergency and disaster kits, preparedness products and kit refills. PhysiciansCare also carries a branded line of over-the-counter medicines, including the ingredients aspirin, acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.

Pac-Kit

Pac-Kit sells first aid kits, industrial stations and refills, emergency medical travel and recreational kits to the industrial, safety, transportation and marine markets.[22] The brands has roots dating back to the 1800s as part of the Burroughs Wellcome Company. It was one of the first companies that began packaging medications and dressings into cases for use in the field. Many explorers of that time carried the cases with them on their expeditions.[34] Captain Robert Scott used it on his expedition to the South Pole, Admiral Byrd carried them on the first flight to the South Pole, Admiral Peary brought Pac-Kit first aid kits on both his North and South Pole flights and Nobel Prize winner Fridtjof Nansen had a Pac-Kit on his polar expeditions.[22]

Camillus

Camillus, with roots dating back to 1876, is one of the best known brands in the knife industry.[35] It produced millions of knives until it filed for bankruptcy in 2007 due to fierce overseas competition.[36]

In May 2009, Acme United re-launched Camillus at the 2009 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas with an entire series of new knives.[37] The new Camillus knives have well designed, durable handles and the blades have a titanium carbonitride coating,[38] making them 10 times harder than stainless steel. The knives are sold at leading retailers and specialty knife shops.

Late 2011, the company signed an agreement with Les Stroud, known from the TV series Survivorman, to build and sell Camillus survival knives and tools, co-designed and promoted by the famous outdoor adventurer.[39] Due to the success of the Les Stroud knives, other knives and tools were added to the Les Stroud family in both 2012 and 2013. Due to the success of the Les Stroud knives, other knives and tools continue to be added to the Les Stroud family.

In 2013, Camillus re-launched its knives in Europe and soon attracted distributors for Scandinavian and German speaking countries. In the meanwhile, Camillus is being distributed in twelve European countries.

In 2015, Camillus cooperated with Jared Ogden and Grady Powell to design the DAGR[40] and SKOL,[41] two combat knives. Ogden and Powell are well-known, as they participate in the popular TV show Ultimate Survival Alaska on National Geographic Channel.[42]

First Aid Only

First Aid Only was founded in 1988 and pioneered consultative selling and support of first aid items to large corporate customers.[43]

It operates out of a modern 54,000 square-foot facility in Vancouver, Washington where well over 100 people are employed.[44] All of First Aid Only’s first aid kits continue to be produced in the United States.[45]

First Aid Only is especially known for its SmartCompliance kits. Most businesses are federally mandated to have first aid solutions that are compliant with OSHA as well as ANSI standards. These SmartCompliance first aid supply cabinets ensure that a business is covered. First Aid Only has a distributor network of more than 1,000 people and supplies first aid goods to well-known businesses such as McDonalds, Grainger and Staples.[46]

Cuda

Cuda is Acme United’s fishing gear brand. It was launched in July 2014 in Orlando, Florida at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the largest sportfishing trade show in the world. They are manufactured with the company's Titanium Bonded technology, and they’re equipped with Aluminum Alloy and Tungsten Carbide.[47] When Cuda was launched in 2014, it had twenty-four different tools. Now, it has about seventy.

The tools, which include snips, wire cutters, scale/skin grippers, knives and scissors, were developed and tested in cooperation with a number of well-known fishermen in the fresh and saltwater environments. For example, Bob Izumi from the Real Fishing Show, Mariko Izumi from Hooking Up, and four captains, who can be seen on National Geographic Channel’s hit series Wicked Tuna, use Cuda tools on episodes of their respective television shows.[48]

DMT

Diamond Machining Technology was established in 1976, as a manufacturer of large diamond grinding and polishing wheels for industrial applications.[49]

Due to increased overseas competition, DMT looked for ways to diversify its business. After lots of testing and development work, a prototype sharpener was developed, which the engineers at DMT then refined to an unbreakable, clean-cutting diamond honing tool.[49]

The first polka dot diamond bench stones were soon thereafter shipped to customers such as Brookstone for use in the woodworking area and Bloomingdale's for use in the kitchen. The new sharpener quickly found its way to other sectors as well, such as the automotive, marine, and aviation industries.

Today, DMT products are sold in dozens of countries all over the world. In addition, the company holds more than 10 patents and has introduced over 125 different products, including 10 in the past five years. It sells many tens of thousands of items each year to DIYers, gardening and outdoor enthusiasts, woodworkers, hunters, fishermen, and military and law enforcement personnel.[50]

Competition

Acme United competes with many companies in each market and geographic area. For example, the major competitors in the cutting category are 3M and Fiskars Corporation. The major competitors in the measuring category are Maped and Staedtler. The major competitor in the pencil sharpener category is Bostitch. The major competitor in the safety category is Johnson & Johnson.

Key directors

Walter Johnsen - Chairman and CEO

Mr. Johnsen has served as director since 1995 and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since November 30, 1995. Before joining the Company he was Vice Chairman and a principal of Marshall Products, Inc., a medical supply distributor.

Brian Olschan - President and COO

Mr. Olschan served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from September 10, 1996 until February 22, 1999. On January 23, 1999, he was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1984 to 1996, he was employed by General Cable Corporation in various executive positions.

Paul Driscoll - Vice President and CFO

Mr. Driscoll has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer since October 2002. Mr. Driscoll joined Acme as Director International Finance in 2001. From 1997 to 2001 he was employed by Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery including two years in Japan as Director of Finance and Operations. Prior to Gallo he served in several increasingly responsible positions in Sterling Winthrop Inc. in New York City and Sanofi S.A. in France.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Report Form 10-K". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. March 28, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Acme United Corporation". sec.gov. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Renz - Rentz DNA Project: Patriarchs". worldfamilies.net. Retrieved on October 15, 2012.
  4. ↑ "The Renz - Rentz DNA Project". worldfamilies.net. Retrieved on October 18, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Death of Henry C. Wheeler". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2009.
  6. ↑ "10-K. Acme United Corporation. 2007". secinfo.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Business Profile for Acme United Limited". businessprofiles.com. Retrieved on November 2, 2013.
  8. ↑ "American Hospital starts manufacturing medical instruments". nytimes.com. October 11, 1983. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Retrieved on March 27, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Acme United acquires Emil Schlemper G.m.b.H.". nytimes.com. November 4, 1988. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Retrieved on March 26, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Acme United acquires the Jason division of the Scott Fetzer Co.". nytimes.com. October 25, 1984. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Retrieved on March 24, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Acme United sells Altenbach business". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Acme United - Historic stock chart.". marketwatch.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Walter Johnsen is appointed president and CEO". nytimes.com. November 25, 1995. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Retrieved on March 24, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Career Walter Johnsen". forbes.com. Retrieved on March 24, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Omron Corp. acquires Marshall Products Inc.". nytimes.com. January 23, 1990. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Retrieved on March 26, 2009.
  16. ↑ "New management team". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Medical Action Acquires Medical Products Division of Acme United Corp.". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Acme United promotes Olschan to COO". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Acme United reports fiscal year 2000 results". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 25, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Acme United acquires Clauss Cutlery". allbusiness.com. Retrieved on March 23, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Acquires Camillus Cutlery Assets". businesswire.com. September 18, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  22. 1 2 3 "Acme United Corporation Acquires Pac-Kit Safety Equipment Company". businesswire.com. Retrieved on April 23, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Acquires Assets of the C-Thru Ruler Company". businesswire.com. Retrieved on October 15, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Sells Fremont Facility". businesswire.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Acquires Assets of First Aid Only, Inc". reuters.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Days After Brand Launch, Cuda Fishing Tools Receive Recognition at ICAST 2014". newspronto.com. Retrieved on December 9, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Sportfishing in America" (PDF). asafishing.org. Retrieved on December 7, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Reports 15% Sales Increase and 31% Increase in Net Income for the Fourth Quarter". businesswire.com. Retrieved on December 9, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Acme United Corporation's Q3 2015 Earnings Call Transcript". seekingalpha.com. Retrieved on December 14, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Acquires Assets of Diamond Machining Technology". reuters.com. Retrieved on March 28, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Interview with Walter Johnsen". seekingalpha.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Acme United's Q2 2015 Earnings Call Transcript". seekingalpha.com. Retrieved on December 14, 2015.
  33. ↑ "ScottsMiracle-Gro and Acme United Launch Innovative Lawn and Garden Tools". reuters.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Pac-Kit Safety Equipment – About us". pac-kit.com. Retrieved on April 23, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Major U.S. Cutlery Wholesalers & Importers". cascity.com. Retrieved on June 3, 2009.
  36. ↑ "Camillus Cutlery to close its doors". capitalnews9.com. Retrieved on June 3, 2009.
  37. ↑ "Camillus Knives". heritage-firearms.com. Retrieved on March 24, 2010.
  38. ↑ "10-K 2010". edgar-online.com. Retrieved on March 24, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Acme United Corporation Announces Agreement with Les Stroud". phx.corporate-ir.net. Retrieved on March 12, 2012.
  40. ↑ "Camillus Grady Powell Designed DAGR". knifecenter.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Camillus Jared Ogden Designed SKOL". knifecenter.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Meet the Military Team on Ultimate Survival Alaska". undertheradar.military.com. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  43. ↑ "8K - Acme United Corporation". secinfo.com. Retrieved on November 10, 2014.
  44. ↑ "LinkedIn - First Aid Only". linkedin.com. Retrieved on November 10, 2014.
  45. ↑ "First Aid Only retains local focus". columbian.com. Retrieved on November 10, 2014.
  46. ↑ "LinkedIn - First Aid Only". linkedin.com. Retrieved on November 10, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Cuda Tools". nomadtackle.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Wicked Tuna". nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved on December 9, 2015.
  49. 1 2 "DMT History". dmtsharp.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2016.
  50. ↑ "DMT Celebrates 40 Years Of Made In USA Innovation". dmtsharp.com. Retrieved on March 27, 2016.

External links

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