Acme United (ACU) Q2 2025 Earnings Call July 23, 2025 12:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsWalter Johnsen - Chairman & CEOPaul Driscoll - VP, CFO, Secretary & TreasurerTimothy Call - President & Chief Investment OfficerConference Call ParticipantsJim Marrone - Equity AnalystGeorgy Vashchenko - AnalystOperatorDay, and welcome to the Acme United Corporation's Second Quarter twenty twenty five Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, I would like to turn the call over to Walter Johnson, Chairman and CEO. Pl ...

Core Values and Leadership - UniFirst Corporation celebrated its 24th annual Founder's Day with a focus on its founding Core Values: Customer Focus, Commitment to Quality, and Respect for Others, which are central to its people-first strategy [1][3] - The event featured a leadership panel discussion moderated by Catalina Dongo, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, with top executives discussing the importance of these Core Values in the company's success and growth [3] Recognition and Awards - The inaugural Cynthia Croatti Leadership Award was introduced to honor leaders who exemplify vision, passion, and purpose, with Cynthia Croatti being the first recipient for her significant contributions over the past 40 years [4][5] - Founder's Day also included the annual Employee of the Year (EOY) recognition, celebrating outstanding Team Partners who demonstrate commitment to the company's values, with recipients receiving plaques, gifts, and a bonus paid day off [5][6] Educational Support - UniFirst announced the recipients of its higher-education scholarships, including the Aldo Croatti Scholarship for children of Team Partners and the Ronald D. Croatti Scholarship for full-time Team Partners pursuing further education, reflecting the company's commitment to investing in its workforce [6] Company Overview - UniFirst Corporation, headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, is a leader in providing uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety services across North America, with over 270 service locations and more than 16,000 employees [8]

SHELTON, Conn., July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 pe ...

Core Insights - Cintas reported revenue of $2.67 billion for the quarter ended May 2025, reflecting an 8% increase year-over-year and a surprise of +1.57% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63 billion [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.09, up from $1.00 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +1.87% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.07 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from Uniform Rental and Facility Services was $2.03 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $2.02 billion, representing a +6.3% year-over-year change [4] - Revenue from Other services reached $636.97 million, exceeding the estimated $602.77 million, marking a +13.8% increase compared to the previous year [4] - Revenue from All Other services was $312.58 million, surpassing the average estimate of $296.5 million, with a +10.8% year-over-year change [4] - Revenue from First Aid and Safety Services was $324.4 million, above the estimated $307.63 million, reflecting a +16.8% increase year-over-year [4] Operating Income Insights - Operating income for Uniform Rental and Facility Services was $465.11 million, slightly below the estimated $472.32 million [4] - Operating income for First Aid and Safety Services was $76.68 million, exceeding the average estimate of $71.85 million [4] - Operating income for All Other services was $55.66 million, above the estimated $52.88 million [4] Stock Performance - Cintas shares have returned -2.9% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.2% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Core Points - Acme United Corporation will release its financial results for Q2 2025 on July 23, 2025, at 6:30 AM Eastern Time [1] - A conference call to discuss these results will take place on the same day at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, with dial-in options provided [1] - The company is a leading supplier of safety solutions and cutting technology across various markets, including school, home, office, and industrial sectors [3] Financial Information - The financial results announcement is scheduled for July 23, 2025, at 6:30 AM Eastern Time [1] - The conference call for discussing the results will be held at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on the same day [1] Company Overview - Acme United Corporation specializes in innovative safety solutions and cutting technology [3] - The company’s notable brands include First Aid Only®, Westcott®, and Spill Magic® among others [3] - More information about the company can be found on its website [3]

Core Insights - UniFirst Corporation has been recognized for 22 consecutive years on Selling Power's list of the "60 Best Companies to Sell For in 2025," highlighting its strong sales culture and commitment to customer service [1][4]. Company Overview - UniFirst is a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety services [1][6]. - The company serves over two million uniform wearers across North America, including more than half of the Fortune 500 companies [4]. Sales Culture - The company's sales culture is built on its Founding Core Values: Customer Focus, Commitment to Quality, and Respect for Others [3]. - UniFirst empowers its sales teams to understand customers' businesses deeply, enabling them to develop innovative strategies that address unique challenges [3][4]. Recognition and Evaluation - Selling Power evaluates companies based on their supportive and collaborative sales culture, with a focus on professionalism, trust, and empowerment [4]. - The recognition reflects UniFirst's long-term success in sales and customer engagement [4]. Recruitment and Growth - UniFirst is actively recruiting talented individuals to join its award-winning sales team, indicating ongoing growth and expansion [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenues for Q3 fiscal 2025 were $610.8 million, an increase of 1.2% from $603.3 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2024 [6][12] - Consolidated operating income decreased to $48.2 million from $48.5 million, a decline of 0.6% [12] - Net income increased to $39.7 million or $2.13 per diluted share, up from $38.1 million or $2.03 per diluted share [12] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased to $85.8 million from $84.8 million, reflecting a 1.2% increase [12] - Effective tax rate increased to 25.7% compared to 22.9% in the prior year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core Laundry operations revenues were $533.2 million, an increase of 0.9% from the previous year [13] - Core Laundry organic growth was 1.1%, adjusting for acquisitions and currency fluctuations [14] - Specialty Garments segment revenues increased to $47.8 million, a 0.5% rise from the prior year [16] - First Aid segment revenues increased to $29.8 million, a 9% increase driven by growth in van operations [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer retention improved compared to Q3 fiscal 2024, but there was softness in customer wearer levels [9] - Direct sales revenues were lower compared to the same quarter last year, impacting overall growth [10][62] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on investing in people, technology, and infrastructure to enhance growth and profitability [6][10] - The strategy includes improving operational execution, strategic pricing, procurement sourcing, and inventory management [11] - The company is implementing a new ERP system to enable better operational efficiencies [11][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a cautious mood among existing customers regarding investments and employment levels, particularly in manufacturing sectors [21] - The pricing environment remains challenging, with potential impacts from tariffs and vendor cost increases [24][25] - The company maintains its annual revenue guidance between $2.422 billion and $2.432 billion, while increasing diluted earnings per share guidance to $7.60 to $8.00 [18] Other Important Information - The company incurred approximately $5.7 million in advisory and legal costs during the quarter, with some related to prior strategic discussions [15][56] - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $211.9 million, with no long-term debt [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you unpack organic growth further? - Management noted improvements in new business and customer retention but highlighted softness in wearer levels impacting overall growth [20][21] Question: What insights can you provide on pricing dynamics? - Management indicated a fluid situation with pricing, impacted by inflation recovery and potential tariff effects [24][25] Question: How is the environment for new sales? - Management observed incremental positive momentum in new sales compared to six months ago, but not dramatically different [30] Question: What is the status of key initiatives and cost reductions? - Key initiative costs are primarily related to the ongoing ERP implementation, with costs currently being capitalized [38][41] Question: How are labor costs trending? - Labor costs are stable, with improvements in execution and efficiency noted [52][53] Question: What is the impact of strategic advisory and legal expenses? - The costs were related to prior strategic discussions and ongoing legal matters, with an accrual built for the latter [56]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenues for Q3 2025 were $610.8 million, an increase of 1.2% from $603.3 million in Q3 2024 [6][12] - Consolidated operating income decreased to $48.2 million from $48.5 million, a decline of 0.6% [12] - Net income increased to $39.7 million or $2.13 per diluted share, up from $38.1 million or $2.03 per diluted share [12] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased to $85.8 million from $84.8 million, reflecting a 1.2% growth [12] - Effective tax rate increased to 25.7% compared to 22.9% in the prior year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core Laundry operations revenues were $533.2 million, an increase of 0.9% from the previous year [13] - Core Laundry organic growth was 1.1%, adjusting for acquisitions and currency fluctuations [14] - Specialty Garments segment revenues increased to $47.8 million from $47.6 million, a growth of 0.5% [15] - First Aid segment revenues increased to $29.8 million from $27.3 million, reflecting a 9% growth [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer retention improved compared to Q3 2024, although there was some softness in customer wearer levels [8] - Direct sales revenues were lower compared to the same quarter last year, impacting overall growth [9][66] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing customer experience and operational execution through investments in people, technology, and infrastructure [5][10] - The ongoing ERP project is expected to drive long-term benefits, with current costs being capitalized rather than expensed [41][42] - The company aims to improve strategic pricing, procurement sourcing, and inventory management [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a cautious mood among existing customers regarding investments, particularly in manufacturing sectors [21] - The pricing environment remains challenging, with potential future impacts from tariffs on vendor costs [24][45] - The company maintains its annual revenue guidance between $2.422 billion and $2.432 billion, while increasing diluted earnings per share guidance to $7.6 to $8 [18] Other Important Information - The company incurred approximately $5.7 million in advisory and legal costs during the quarter, with some related to prior strategic discussions [17][58] - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $211.9 million, with no long-term debt [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you unpack organic growth further? - Management characterized the existing customer base as cautious, with some targeted reductions in employment levels impacting growth [21][22] Question: Can you provide insight into pricing dynamics? - Management noted a fluid situation regarding pricing, with companies recovering from high inflation and potential tariff impacts [24][25] Question: How is the new sales environment today? - Management indicated that new sales have shown incremental positive momentum compared to six months ago, but not dramatically different [31] Question: What is the status of key initiatives and cost reductions? - Key initiative costs are primarily related to the ongoing ERP implementation, which is progressing well [40][41] Question: What impact are tariffs expected to have on costs? - Management explained that tariffs could impact garment sourcing costs, but the situation remains fluid [45][47] Question: How are labor costs currently? - Labor costs are stable, with improvements in execution and efficiency noted [55] Question: Can you clarify the strategic advisory and legal expenses? - The costs were related to prior strategic discussions and an ongoing legal matter, with an increased reserve built for the latter [58]

Core Financial Highlights - UniFirst Corporation reported consolidated revenues of $610.8 million for Q3 2025, an increase of 1.2% compared to $603.3 million in Q3 2024 [7] - Operating income decreased slightly by 0.6% to $48.2 million, while net income increased by 4.3% to $39.7 million from $38.1 million in the prior year [7][13] - Diluted earnings per share rose to $2.13, up 4.9% from $2.03 in the previous year [7][13] Key Initiatives and Costs - The company incurred approximately $1.0 million in costs related to its Key Initiatives in Q3 2025, compared to $3.9 million in Q3 2024 [3][18] - These costs negatively impacted the operating and Adjusted EBITDA margins of Core Laundry Operations by 0.2% and 0.7%, respectively, for both fiscal years [3][18] Segment Performance - Core Laundry Operations generated revenues of $533.2 million, reflecting a 0.9% increase, while the Adjusted EBITDA margin remained unchanged at 13.5% [8][17] - Specialty Garments and First Aid segments also showed revenue growth of 0.5% and 9.1%, respectively, contributing to the overall revenue increase [17] Financial Outlook - The company maintains its annual revenue guidance between $2.422 billion and $2.432 billion, while raising its diluted earnings per share guidance to a range of $7.60 to $8.00 [5] - The updated guidance reflects an assumption that Key Initiative costs will be approximately $7.5 million for fiscal 2025, revised from previous estimates [5] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of May 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $211.9 million, up from $161.6 million at the end of the previous fiscal year [9][15] - Cash flows from operating activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2025 were $196.5 million, indicating strong operational performance [9][22]

Group 1 - Acme United Corporation declared a cash dividend of 16 cents per share, payable on July 24, 2025, to stockholders of record on July 3, 2025 [1] - This marks the fifteenth dividend increase since 2004, indicating the company's optimistic outlook for the future and commitment to returning value to shareholders [2] - Acme United is a leading supplier of safety solutions and cutting technology across various markets, with notable brands including First Aid Only®, Westcott®, and Clauss® [2] Group 2 - The company emphasizes its innovative approach in providing safety solutions and cutting technology to diverse sectors such as education, home, and industrial markets [2] - The forward-looking statements made by the company are based on current beliefs and assumptions, highlighting the potential for future growth and development [3][4] - Investors are advised that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could affect the company's business and financial results [5]