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): July 23, 2025

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.)
1 Waterview Dr, Shelton, Connecticut		06484
(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))

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

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $2.50 par value per share	ACU	NYSE American

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

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(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On July 23, 2025, Acme United Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. 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 July 23, 2025.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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: July 23, 2025
By	/s/ Paul G. Driscoll
	Paul G. Driscoll
	Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer
Dated: July 23, 2025

EX-99.1

Ex. 99.1

ACME UNITED CORPORATION NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Paul G. Driscoll Acme United Corporation 1 Waterview Drive Shelton, CT 06484

Phone: (203) 254-6060

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2025

ACME UNITED REPORTS RECORD NET INCOME FOR

SECOND QUARTER OF 2025

SHELTON, CT – July 23, 2025 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 were $54.0 million compared to $55.4 million in the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 3%. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $100.0 million, compared to $100.4 million in the same period in 2024.

Net income was $4.8 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $4.5 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024, an increase of 7% in net income and 6% in diluted earnings per share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $6.4 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared to $6.1 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024, an increase of 5% in net income and 7% in diluted earnings per share.

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “Acme United has just completed the most profitable quarter in our history. There was extreme uncertainty with tariffs during the period, resulting in customer indecisiveness, but we were ready. We placed extra orders with our factories in late 2024 and had plenty of inventory on hand. When the tariffs were announced, many of our customers delayed or cancelled their orders and promotions because the costs of the imported products were greater than their selling prices. We supported our customer base with our extra inventory, worked with them by providing substitute items, and managed the supply chain as well as possible. It was challenging to say the least, but we are very pleased with the Company’s performance.”

Mr. Johnsen continued, “We have been actively diversifying Acme United’s supply base for many years. Our last 10 acquisitions have been manufacturers in the U.S. and

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Ex. 99.1

Canada. Our sourcing team has an active presence in China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Egypt. We are currently shifting production within our supply base to provide the best total cost and service to our customers. We believe we are well positioned for the future despite continuing tariff uncertainty.”

Mr. Johnsen added, “We want to acknowledge the excellent work of our entire team as they navigate the difficult environment”.

For the three months ended June 30, 2025, net sales in the U.S. segment decreased 5% compared to the same period in 2024, mainly due to the cancellation of certain back-to-school customer orders as a result of exceptionally high tariffs in April and May. Additionally, there was a large initial order of new kitchen sharpeners to a major mass market retailer that took place in the second quarter of 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net sales in the U.S. segment decreased 2% compared to the same period in 2024.

European net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2025 decreased 3% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency compared to the same period of 2024, mainly due to certain customer shipments delayed until the third quarter. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2025 decreased 5% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency compared to the same period of 2024.

Net sales in Canada for the three months ended June 30, 2025 increased 28% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the same period in 2024. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2025 increased 18% in U.S. dollars and 21% in local currency compared to the first half of 2024. The increase in sales for both periods was due to strong sales of first-aid products.

Gross margin was 41.0% in the three months ended June 30, 2025 versus 40.8% in the comparable period last year. Gross margin was 40.1% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025 compared to 39.9% for the same period in 2024.

The Company’s bank debt less cash as of June 30, 2025 was $22.8 million compared to $33.1 million as of June 30, 2024. During the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2025,

2

Ex. 99.1

the Company distributed approximately $2.2 million in dividends on its common stock and generated approximately $12.0 million in free cash flow.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Acme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET. To listen or participate in a question-and-answer session, dial 877-407-0784. International callers may dial 201-689-8560. The confirmation code is 13754188. You may access the live webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.acmeunited.com. A replay may be accessed under Investor Relations, Audio Archives.

About Acme United

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include First Aid Only®, First Aid Central®, PhysiciansCare®, Pac-Kit®,Spill Magic®, Westcott®, Clauss®, DMT®, Med-Napand Elite First Aid. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com.

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

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Ex. 99.1

Forward-looking statements in this report, including without limitation, statements related to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company’s business, operations and financial results.

These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following: (i) changes in the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, which may be made at any time at the discretion of the Company; (ii) the impact of uncertainties in global economic conditions, including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers; (iii) international trade policies and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs or changes in existing tariff rates by the United States or foreign governments; (iv) the continuing adverse impact of inflation, including product costs, and interest rates; (v) potential adverse effects on the Company, its customers, and suppliers resulting from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; (vi) additional disruptions in the Company’s supply chains, whether caused by pandemics, natural disasters, including trucker shortages, strikes, port closures or otherwise; (vii) labor related costs the Company has and may continue to incur, including costs of acquiring and training new employees and rising wages and benefits; (viii) currency fluctuations; (ix) the Company’s ability to effectively manage its inventory in a rapidly changing business environment; (x) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (xi) the impact of competition; (xii) the impact of technological changes including, specifically, the growth of online marketing and sales activity; and (xiii) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; and (xiv) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

# # #

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Ex. 99.1

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data		June 30, 2025				June 30, 2024
Net sales	$		53,996		$		55,425
Cost of goods sold			31,847				32,798
Gross profit			22,149				22,627
Selling, general and administrative expenses			15,759				16,252
Operating income			6,390				6,375
Interest expense			430				578
Interest income			(29	)			(39	)
Net interest expense			401				539
Other income, net			(99	)			(28	)
Income before income tax expense			6,088				5,864
Income tax expense			1,336				1,412
Net income	$		4,752		$		4,452
Shares outstanding - basic			3,785				3,679
Shares outstanding - diluted			4,104				4,088
Earnings per share - basic	$		1.26		$		1.21
Earnings per share - diluted			1.16				1.09

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Ex. 99.1

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
		Six Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data		June 30, 2025				June 30, 2024
Net sales	$		99,954		$		100,382
Cost of goods sold			59,888				60,358
Gross profit			40,066				40,024
Selling, general and administrative expenses			31,250				31,090
Operating income			8,816				8,934
Interest expense			857				1,054
Interest income			(59	)			(72	)
Net interest expense			798				982
Other income, net			(188	)			(72	)
Income before income tax expense			8,206				8,024
Income tax expense			1,802				1,935
Net income	$		6,404		$		6,089
Shares outstanding - basic			3,772				3,664
Shares outstanding - diluted			4,070				4,134
Earnings per share - basic	$		1.70		$		1.66
Earnings per share - diluted			1.57				1.47

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Ex. 99.1

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2025
(Unaudited)
Amounts in $000's
		June 30, 2025			June 30, 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$		3,641	$		3,791
Accounts receivable, net			36,174			40,074
Inventories			57,309			56,621
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			4,217			5,662
Total current assets			101,341			106,148
Property, plant and equipment, net			32,901			30,569
Operating lease right of use asset			7,886			5,176
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization			19,111			23,459
Goodwill			9,908			8,189
Total assets	$		171,147	$		173,541
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$		10,181	$		10,319
Operating lease liability - short term			1,492			1,589
Mortgage payable - short term			445			429
Other current liabilities			11,376			15,656
Total current liabilities			23,494			27,993
Long-term debt			16,352			26,419
Mortgage payable - long term			9,662			10,073
Operating lease liability - long term			6,436			3,684
Deferred income taxes			1,465			899
Other non-current liabilities			16			516
Total liabilities			57,425			69,584
Total stockholders' equity			113,722			103,957
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$		171,147	$		173,541

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XML

Document And Entity Information	Jul. 23, 2025
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 23, 2025
Entity Registrant Name	ACME UNITED CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000002098
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	001-07698
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CT
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0236700
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Waterview Dr
Entity Address, City or Town	Shelton
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06484
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	254-6060
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $2.50 par value per share
Trading Symbol	ACU
Security Exchange Name	NYSEAMER