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Acme United Corporation (ACU)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: ACU (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 0.24% | Avg. Invested days 37 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 162.98M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 8.61 | 1Y Target Price 58 |
Price to earnings Ratio 8.61 | 1Y Target Price 58 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 8690 | Beta 0.66 | 52 Weeks Range 32.47 - 49.43 | Updated Date 03/28/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 32.47 - 49.43 | Updated Date 03/28/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 1.36% | Basic EPS (TTM) 5.06 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 10.25% | Operating Margin (TTM) 6.07% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 5.42% | Return on Equity (TTM) 20.31% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 8.61 | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 177261023 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.78 |
Enterprise Value 177261023 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.78 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.91 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.67 | Shares Outstanding 3741450 | Shares Floating 3037510 |
Shares Outstanding 3741450 | Shares Floating 3037510 | ||
Percent Insiders 12.76 | Percent Institutions 79.5 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 5 | Target Price 58 | Buy - | Strong Buy 1 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 1 | ||
Hold - | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Acme United Corporation
Company Overview
History and Background
Acme United Corporation was founded in 1867. Initially a cutlery manufacturer, it has evolved through acquisitions and strategic shifts to become a leading supplier of cutting, measuring, first aid, and safety products.
Core Business Areas
- First Aid and Safety: Manufactures and distributes first aid kits and safety products for workplace, home, and personal use under brands like First Aid Only and PhysiciansCare. This includes bandages, antiseptics, burn treatments, and eye care solutions.
- Cutting Solutions: Provides cutting tools and related products for various applications, including crafting, sewing, and professional use under brands like Clauss and Westcott. These include scissors, shears, rotary cutters, and cutting mats.
- Measuring Instruments: Provides measuring instruments such as rulers, protractors and compasses, primarily under the Westcott brand
Leadership and Structure
Walter C. Johnsen serves as the Chairman and CEO. The company has a standard corporate structure with various departments including sales, marketing, finance, and operations.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- First Aid Only Kits: Comprehensive first aid kits for various settings, including home, office, and vehicles. Acme United is a key player in the workplace first aid market. Competitors include Johnson & Johnson, Medique, and Cintas.
- Westcott Scissors and Rulers: Westcott-branded scissors, rulers, and other measuring tools. Westcott is a well-known brand in schools and offices. Competitors include Fiskars, Maped, and Stanley.
- Clauss Cutting Tools: Clauss-branded shears, knives and cutting tools for industrial, commercial, and household use. Acme United is a key player in the industrial cutting tool market. Competitors include Wiss, Stanley and Klein Tools.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The first aid and safety market is driven by regulatory requirements, safety awareness, and a growing emphasis on workplace and personal safety. The cutting tools market is influenced by construction, manufacturing, and consumer spending on crafts and hobbies. The measuring instruments market is largely for education and construction.
Positioning
Acme United is positioned as a value-oriented provider of essential products across its core segments. Its competitive advantage lies in its established brands, diverse product portfolio, and distribution network.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for Acme United's categories is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Acme United is positioned to capture a greater portion of the market with innovative products and strategic acquisitions.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Established brands (Westcott, First Aid Only, Clauss)
- Diverse product portfolio
- Strong distribution network
- Experienced management team
- History of strategic acquisitions
Weaknesses
- Exposure to commodity price fluctuations (steel, plastics)
- Dependence on retail channels
- Highly competitive markets
- Limited pricing power
Opportunities
- Expansion into new geographic markets
- Introduction of innovative products
- Increased focus on e-commerce
- Further acquisitions to expand product lines
- Capitalize on increased safety awareness
Threats
- Economic downturns impacting consumer spending
- Increased competition from lower-cost manufacturers
- Changes in regulatory requirements
- Supply chain disruptions
- Fluctuations in currency exchange rates
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- JNJ
- GWW
- MSC
- SAN
- FISK
Competitive Landscape
Acme United faces competition from both large, diversified companies and smaller, niche players. Its competitive advantages include its strong brands, diverse product portfolio, and established distribution network. Disadvantages may include limited pricing power and exposure to commodity price fluctuations.
Major Acquisitions
SpillTech
- Year: 2014
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 33
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded the company's presence in the first aid and safety market with the addition of spill containment and cleanup products.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Acme United has grown through organic sales growth and strategic acquisitions.
Future Projections: Future growth projections depend on factors such as market conditions, competition, and the success of new product launches.
Recent Initiatives: Recent strategic initiatives may include acquisitions, product development, and expansion into new markets.
Summary
Acme United is a stable company with established brands and a diverse product portfolio. The company has a track record of growth through acquisitions and organic sales. Competition and commodity price fluctuations pose challenges. Future growth depends on product innovation, market expansion, and successful integration of acquired businesses.
Similar Companies
- JNJ
- SAN
- FISK
- GWW
- MSC
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Acme United Corporation Investor Relations
- SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Market Research Reports
- Company Press Releases
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and represents an opinion. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Market share estimates are approximate and may vary.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Acme United Corporation
Exchange NYSE MKT | Headquaters Shelton, CT, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1984-09-07 | Chairman of the Board & CEO Mr. Walter C. Johnsen | ||
Sector Consumer Defensive | Industry Household & Personal Products | Full time employees 633 | Website https://www.acmeunited.com |
Full time employees 633 | Website https://www.acmeunited.com |
Acme United Corporation supplies cutting, measuring, first aid, and sharpening products to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods, and industrial markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company offers scissors, shears, knives, rulers, pencil sharpeners, paper trimmers, safety cutters, lettering products, glue guns, and other craft products under the Westcott brand name; and cutting tools under the Clauss brand. It also provides sharpening knives, scissors, chisels, skis, skates, and other edges under the DMT brand. In addition, the company offers first aid kits and safety solutions under the First Aid Only brand; portable eyewash solution and over-the-counter medication, including active ingredient's aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen under the PhysiciansCare brand; bodily fluid and spill clean-up solution under the Spill Magic brand; various first aid kit, refill, and safety supplies, including CPR kits, burn kits, and automotive and emergency first aid kits under the First Aid Central; first aid kits for the promotional products industry under Safety Made brand; and alcohol prep pads, alcohol wipes, benzalkonium chloride wipes, various antiseptic wipes under the Med-Nap brand. It sells its products directly and through its independent manufacturer representatives to wholesale, contract, and retail stationery distributors; office supply superstores, mass market retailers, industrial and medical distributors, school supply distributors, drug store retailers, sporting goods stores, hardware chains, and wholesale florists, as well as through its websites. The company was formerly known as Acme Shear Company and changed its name to Acme United Corporation in 1971. Acme United Corporation was founded in 1867 and is based in Shelton, Connecticut.
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