---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-24-023566"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ACU"
cik: "0000002098"
company_name: "ACME UNITED CORP"
filed_at: "2024-03-01T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-05T05:49:11.753541+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Acme United Q4/FY2023: adjusted EPS $2.23 vs $0.82; gross margin 37.7%; debt down $19M

## Summary
- Full year 2023 net sales $191.5M (-1% YoY); Q4 net sales $41.9M (-5% YoY, -1% ex-divestiture).
- Adjusted net income (ex-divestiture) $8.2M ($2.23/dil share) vs $3.0M ($0.82) in 2022.
- Gross margin improved to 37.7% (FY) from 32.8%; debt reduced from $55M to $19M; free cash flow $24M.
- Sold Camillus and Cuda hunting/fishing lines for $19.8M, after-tax gain $9.6M.
- CEO cites cost savings of $6.5M, market share gains in first aid; expects strong 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-24-023566
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ACU
- cik: 0000002098
- company_name: ACME UNITED CORP
- filed_at: 2024-03-01T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017024023566/0000950170-24-023566-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017024023566/acu-20240301.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-023566
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-023566.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-023566.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  ACME UNITED CORP reported the three months ended December 31, 2023 results: revenue $41.9 million, net income $11.2 million, or $2.87 per diluted share, EPS $2.87 per diluted share.
  - Period: the three months ended December 31, 2023
  - Revenue: $41.9 million
  - Net income: $11.2 million, or $2.87 per diluted share
  - EPS: $2.87 per diluted share
  - Result: reported results
  source text: 31, 2023 were $191.5 million compared to $194.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 1%. Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2023, were $41.9 million compared to $44.1 million in the same period of 2022, a decrease of 5%. Excluding the impact of the Camillus and Cuda product lines sold on November 1, 2023, sales for the fourth
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017024023566/0000950170-24-023566-index.htm
- Earnings Releases
  ACME UNITED CORP reported the year ended December 31, 2023 results: revenue $191.5 million, net income $17.8 million, or $4.86 per diluted share, EPS $4.86 per diluted share.
  - Period: the year ended December 31, 2023
  - Revenue: $191.5 million
  - Net income: $17.8 million, or $4.86 per diluted share
  - EPS: $4.86 per diluted share
  - Result: reported results
  source text: AND FULL YEAR 2023 EARNINGS SHELTON, CT – March 1, 2024 – Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $191.5 million compared to $194.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 1%. Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2023, were $41.9 million compared to $44.1
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2098/000095017024023566/0000950170-24-023566-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.