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Acme United Corporation (ACU)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/28/2025: ACU (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
1 Year Target Price $50
1 Year Target Price $50
1 | Strong Buy |
0 | Buy |
0 | Hold |
0 | Sell |
0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -0.81% | Avg. Invested days 37 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 162.95M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 16.82 | 1Y Target Price 50 |
Price to earnings Ratio 16.82 | 1Y Target Price 50 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1 | Beta 0.69 | 52 Weeks Range 34.09 - 44.90 | Updated Date 08/28/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 34.09 - 44.90 | Updated Date 08/28/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 1.49% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.55 |
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 5.33% | Operating Margin (TTM) 11.83% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 5.09% | Return on Equity (TTM) 9.5% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 16.82 | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 186365317 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.84 |
Enterprise Value 186365317 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.84 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.96 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.09 | Shares Outstanding 3799250 | Shares Floating 2955894 |
Shares Outstanding 3799250 | Shares Floating 2955894 | ||
Percent Insiders 12.22 | Percent Institutions 85.2 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Acme United Corporation
Company Overview
History and Background
Acme United Corporation was founded in 1867 as the American Shearer Manufacturing Company. It evolved from manufacturing shears to a diversified supplier of cutting, measuring, and safety products.
Core Business Areas
- First Aid and Safety: This segment focuses on first aid kits, refills, and safety products, catering to workplaces, schools, and homes.
- Cutting Solutions: This segment includes scissors, shears, knives, and cutting tools for various applications like crafting, sewing, and professional use.
- Measuring Instruments: This segment offers rulers, tape measures, and other measuring devices.
Leadership and Structure
Walter C. Johnsen serves as the Chairman and CEO. The organizational structure includes functional departments such as sales, marketing, operations, and finance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- First Aid Kits: Acme United offers a wide range of first aid kits under brands like First Aid Only and PhysiciansCare. Market share data is not publicly specified in reliable sources. Competitors include Johnson & Johnson, 3M, and Medique.
- Westcott Scissors: Westcott scissors are a leading brand in cutting tools. No reliable market share data available. Competitors include Fiskars, Gingher, and Maped.
- Camillus Knives: Camillus knives are part of cutting tools. No market share data available. Competitors include Gerber, Kershaw, and Buck Knives.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The market encompasses first aid supplies, cutting tools, and measuring instruments. Factors driving growth include safety regulations, construction activity, and DIY trends.
Positioning
Acme United is positioned as a value-driven provider of essential supplies. Its competitive advantage lies in its brand recognition, established distribution network, and diversified product portfolio.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market is estimated to be several billion dollars globally across its various segments. Acme United is positioned to capture a portion of this market through its diverse product line and established brand recognition. The size and scope is hard to assess due to the diversity of products.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand recognition (Westcott, First Aid Only)
- Diversified product portfolio
- Established distribution network
- Consistent profitability
Weaknesses
- Reliance on retail channels
- Limited pricing power
- Sensitivity to raw material costs
- High debt.
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets (e.g., emerging economies)
- Product innovation (e.g., smart first aid kits)
- E-commerce growth
- Strategic acquisitions
Threats
- Increased competition
- Fluctuations in raw material prices
- Changes in regulations
- Economic downturns
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- JNJ
- MMM
- FISK
Competitive Landscape
Acme United faces competition from larger, more diversified companies like Johnson & Johnson and 3M. However, it maintains a competitive edge through its focused product lines and established brand reputation in specific segments.
Major Acquisitions
First Aid Central
- Year: 2019
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 22.5
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Acme United's first aid kit and refill business.
SpillTech
- Year: 2023
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 31
- Strategic Rationale: Further expands First Aid and Safety Division
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth trends are not available at time of compilation. The user should populate this data using publicly available financial statements such as their 10K and 10Q filings.
Future Projections: Future projections are not available at time of compilation. The user should populate this data using publicly available financial statements such as analyst estimates.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include acquisitions to expand the product portfolio and market reach. Also includes cost saving measures.
Summary
Acme United is a diversified supplier with strong brands in first aid and cutting tools. Their established distribution network and acquisitions have supported consistent profitability. The company faces challenges from larger competitors and raw material price fluctuations. Future growth hinges on successful product innovation and strategic market expansion.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Acme United Corporation Investor Relations
- Publicly available financial statements
- Industry reports
- Competitor analysis
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and estimates. Market share data is approximate. The information provided should not be considered financial advice.
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 ingredients 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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