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Acme United Corporation (ACU)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/16/2025: ACU (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
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 -6.66% | Avg. Invested days 34 | Today’s Advisory WEAK BUY |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 155.88M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 16.09 | 1Y Target Price 50 |
Price to earnings Ratio 16.09 | 1Y Target Price 50 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1 | Beta 0.71 | 52 Weeks Range 34.09 - 45.25 | Updated Date 09/15/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 34.09 - 45.25 | Updated Date 09/15/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 1.49% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.53 |
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 16.09 | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 186403309 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.8 |
Enterprise Value 186403309 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.8 | ||
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 85.17 |
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 product diversification to become a global supplier of cutting, measuring, and safety products.
Core Business Areas
- First Aid and Safety: Provides first aid kits, refills, and safety supplies for businesses and consumers. Includes brands like First Aid Only and PhysiciansCare.
- Cutting Solutions: Offers cutting tools, including scissors, knives, and utility blades, under brands like Westcott and Clauss.
- Measuring Instruments: Supplies measuring tapes, rules, and other measuring devices. Brands include Westcott.
Leadership and Structure
Acme United is led by a management team with expertise in sales, marketing, operations, and finance. The organizational structure includes functional departments and business units focused on specific product categories.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- First Aid Kits: First Aid Only is a leading brand in first aid kits for homes, offices, and vehicles. Competitors include Johnson & Johnson and Medique. The market for first aid kits is fragmented, but First Aid Only holds a significant share, estimated around 10-15% based on revenue and market size analysis.
- Westcott Scissors: Westcott is a well-known brand of scissors for school, office, and home use. Competitors include Fiskars and Maped. Westcott holds an estimated 20-25% market share in North America, based on revenue and market data.
- Clauss Cutting Tools: Clauss primarily produces high-end cutting tools for professionals. Main competitors include Mundial and Victorinox. Their products contribute significantly to Acme United's revenue, especially the cutting tool segment.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The market for first aid, cutting, and measuring products is stable, with steady demand driven by consumer and commercial needs. Growth is moderate, with competition intense.
Positioning
Acme United has a strong brand portfolio and a diversified product offering. It competes on product quality, innovation, and distribution channels. It aims for brand value and market share and to build new and innovative products. They are well-positioned to maintain or increase market share.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for Acme United's combined product categories is estimated at several billion dollars globally. Their current revenue represents a modest percentage, suggesting significant growth potential.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand portfolio (Westcott, First Aid Only, Clauss)
- Diversified product offering
- Established distribution network
- Reputation for quality
Weaknesses
- Exposure to raw material price fluctuations
- High level of competition
- Dependence on retail channels
- Smaller Scale than industry leaders
Opportunities
- Expanding into new geographic markets
- Developing innovative products
- Acquiring complementary businesses
- Growing e-commerce sales
Threats
- Intense price competition
- Changing consumer preferences
- Economic downturns
- Supply chain disruptions
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- JNJ
- FISK
- SAN
Competitive Landscape
Acme United competes with larger companies like Johnson & Johnson and Fiskars. It differentiates itself through product quality, innovation, and customer service.
Major Acquisitions
SpillTech
- Year: 2014
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 23
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Acme United's product line to include environmental safety products.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Acme United has experienced moderate growth through organic expansion and acquisitions.
Future Projections: Analyst estimates suggest continued growth driven by new products and market expansion. Expected is an average growth of 3-5%.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include product innovation, e-commerce expansion, and strategic acquisitions to broaden product lines.
Summary
Acme United is a stable company with strong brands and a diversified product portfolio. While facing intense competition, its strategic acquisitions and focus on product innovation position it for continued growth. Monitoring raw material costs and adapting to changing consumer preferences are crucial for future success. With continued initiatives and product development, Acme United should continue to grow with its current market share.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company website
- SEC filings
- Industry reports
- Market research reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and analyst estimates. Actual results may vary. This is not 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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