NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark one)

 

For the transition period from                                  to                                     .

 

Commission file number  001-11038

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(763) 225-6600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES o NO x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check one):

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES o NO x

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock, excluding shares beneficially owned by affiliates, computed by reference to the closing sales price at which the common stock was last sold as of February 29, 2008 (the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter) as reported by the American Stock Exchange on that date was $19,889,711.

 

As of November 24, 2008, 3,755,591 shares of common stock of the registrant were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference information (to the extent specific sections are referred to herein) from the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 29, 2009.

 

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):  YES  o  NO  x

 

 

Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I		1
Item 1.	BUSINESS	1
	Overview	1
	Corporate Joint Ventures and Holding Companies	2
	Products	4
	Emerging Businesses	6
	Manufacturing	7
	Sales and Marketing	7
	Competition	8
	Customers	8
	Research and Development	8
	Intellectual Property Rights	9
	Backlog	10
	Availability of Raw Materials	10
	Employees	10
	Available Information	10
	Forward-Looking Statements	10
Item 1A.	RISK FACTORS	11
Item 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	21
Item 2.	PROPERTIES	21
Item 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	22
Item 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS	23
Item 4A.	EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT	23
Item 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	26
	Market Information	26
	Dividends	26
	Number of Record Holders	26
	Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities	27
	Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	27
Item 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	27
Item 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	27
	General Overview	27
	Financial Overview	29

 

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	Results of Operations	30
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	35
	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements	37
	Inflation and Seasonality	37
	Market Risk	37
	Related Party Transactions	38
	Critical Accounting Policies	38
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements	40
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	40
Item 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	41
Item 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	63
Item 9A(T).    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		63
	Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures	63
	Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting	63
	Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting	64
Item 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	64
PART III		64
Item 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	65
	Directors	65
	Executive Officers	65
	Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance	65
	Changes to Nomination Procedures	65
	Code of Ethics	65
Item 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	66
Item 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	66
	Stock Ownership	66
	Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans	66
Item 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	67
Item 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	67
Item 15.	EXHIBITS	68
SIGNATURES		69

 

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PART I

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections.  For more information, see “Item 1.  Business – Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

As used in this report, references to “NTIC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us,” unless the context otherwise requires, refer to Northern Technologies International Corporation, its wholly owned subsidiaries– NTI Facilities, Inc. and Northern Technologies Holding Company, LLC, and its majority-owned subsidiary – React-NTI, LLC, all of which are consolidated on NTIC’s financial statements.

 

All trademarks, trade names or service marks referred to in this report are the property of their respective owners.

 

Item 1.          BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary environmentally beneficial products and technical services either directly or via a network of joint ventures and independent distributors in over 50 countries.  NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention. In addition, NTIC has recently launched a new product line of compounds and finished products based on a portfolio of proprietary bio-plastic technologies.  NTIC also is in the advanced stages of commercially launching waste plastic to fuel conversion technology and is in various stages of development with respect to several other emerging businesses.

 

NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST^® and EXCOR^® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets, for over 25 years. NTIC also offers worldwide on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues.  In North America, NTIC markets its technical services and ZERUST^® products principally to industrial users by a direct sales force and a network of independent distributors.  NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements.  In fiscal 2008, over 94.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from the sales of ZERUST^® and EXCOR^® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services.

 

In addition to ZERUST^® products and services, NTIC develops and has recently launched a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable (compostable) polymer resin compounds and finished products under the Natur-Tec™ brand.  These products are intended to reduce NTIC’s customers’ carbon footprint and provide environmentally sound disposal options.   NTIC’s consolidated net sales in North America for fiscal 2008 included $383,904 in sales of NTIC’s Natur-Tec™ products.  In recent years, a combination of market drivers, such as higher petroleum prices, a desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental awareness at the consumer level and regulations banning the use of traditional, petroleum-based plastics, have led to interest in sustainable, renewable resource-based and compostable alternatives to traditional plastics.  Natur-Tec™ bio-based and biodegradable plastics are manufactured using NTIC’s patented and/or proprietary technologies and are intended to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. The Natur-Tec™ bioplastics portfolio includes flexible film, foam, rigid injection molded materials and engineered plastics. Natur-Tec™ biodegradable and compostable finished products include shopping and grocery bags, lawn and leaf bags, can liners, pet waste collection bags, cutlery, packaging foam and coated paper products and are engineered to be fully biodegradable in a composting

 

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environment.  Unlike competing plastic products claiming to be “degradable” or “oxo-degradable” that only break down into smaller plastic fragments, Natur-Tec™ products are designed to completely biodegrade within 180 days in accordance with the ASTM D6400 standard for compostable plastics and are certified 100 percent biodegradable and compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute.

 

NTIC is engaged in scientific research and development programs in the areas of materials science and corrosion protection.  NTIC’s research and development investments are intended to build on NTIC’s current environmentally responsible corrosion technologies and provide for a portfolio of new environmental technology offerings.  Specifically, NTIC’s research and development efforts focus on developing additional biodegradable and compostable plastics products, process technology and equipment to convert plastic waste into crude oil and the application of new and existing corrosion inhibiting technology to the oil and gas industry.  NTIC intends to distribute and sell products incorporating these new technologies through its North American operations, its existing joint ventures and new joint ventures.

 

Corporate Joint Ventures and Holding Companies

 

NTIC participates, either directly or indirectly through holding companies, in 29 corporate joint venture arrangements in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Each of these joint ventures manufactures and markets finished products in the geographic territory that it is assigned.  NTIC’s joint venture partners are knowledgeable in the applicable environmental, labor, tax and other requisite regulations and laws of the respective foreign countries in which they operate, as well as the local customs and business practices.  While most of NTIC’s joint ventures currently sell rust and corrosion inhibiting products and custom packaging systems, NTIC also has joint ventures that manufacture and market or intend to manufacture and market bio-based additives with both industrial and personal care applications, machinery that converts plastic waste into crude oil and electronic sensing instruments.  NTIC categorizes its joint ventures into two principal areas: industrial chemical and non-industrial chemical.

 

NTIC’s industrial chemical corporate joint ventures currently primarily focus on the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of ZERUST^® industrial corrosion inhibiting packaging products.  Both NTIC and NTIC’s corporate joint venture in Germany, Excor Korrosionsschutz – Technologien und Produkte GmbH (“Excor”), through Excor’s wholly owned subsidiary Excor Korrosionsforschung GmbH, manufacture and supply the industrial chemical corporate joint ventures with the essential additives (“Masterbatch”) required to make ZERUST^® industrial corrosion inhibiting packaging products functional.

 

React-NTI LLC is an industrial chemical corporate joint venture of NTIC that focuses on the development, manufacturing and marketing of proprietary lines of bio-based additives with both industrial and personal care applications.  Based on cotton, soy, corn and other renewable resources, React-NTI products outperform many synthetically derived competing alternatives.  React-NTI’s target markets currently include sintered metal and sintered metal parts manufactures, ink manufacturers, and personal care and cosmetics manufacturers.

 

NTIC has a 50% ownership interest in NTI ASEAN, LLC for its corporate joint venture investments in the ASEAN region.  Taiyo Petroleum Gas Co. Ltd., NTIC’s existing joint venture partner in Japan, owns the remaining 50% ownership interest in NTI ASEAN, LLC.

 

NTIC has a 50% ownership interest in Northern Instruments Corporation LLC for its corporate joint venture investments in Mütec GmbH in Germany.  Taiyo Petroleum Gas Co. Ltd., NTIC’s existing joint venture partner in Japan, owns the remaining 50% ownership interest in Northern Instruments

 

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Corporation LLC.  Northern Instruments Corporation LLC then owns 80% of Mütec GmbH.  Mütec GmbH manufactures proprietary electronic sensing instruments, which it sells through distribution as well as certain corporate joint ventures.  Mütec GmbH is NTIC’s only non-industrial chemical joint venture.

 

NTIC sold its 50% ownership interest in its industrial chemical joint venture in Austria in fiscal 2008 for $364,000.  NTIC’s industrial chemical joint venture in Germany purchased NTIC’s 50% Austrian joint venture interest and has consolidated the joint venture into its existing business.  NTIC’s German joint venture will service the territory and customers of the former Austrian venture in addition to its own territory and customers.

 

The following table sets forth a list of NTIC’s corporate joint ventures as of November 25, 2008, indicating which joint ventures are industrial chemical or non-industrial chemical, the country in which the joint venture is organized, NTIC’s ownership percentage in each joint venture and the date of NTIC’s original investment in each joint venture:

 

Joint Venture Name		Country		NTIC Percent (%) Ownership		Calendar Year of Original Investment
INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES
TAIYONIC LTD.		Japan		50	%	1987
ACOBAL SAS		France		50	%	1990
ZERUST-NIC (TAIWAN) CORP.		Taiwan*		25	%	1990
EXCOR GmbH		Germany		50	%	1991
ZERUST SINGAPORE PTE. LTD		Singapore*		50	%	1991
ZERUST AB		Sweden		50	%	1991
ZERUST PREVENÇÃO DE CORROSÃO LTDA.		Brazil		50	%	1993
MOSTNIC		Russia		50	%	1994
KOREA ZERUST CO., LTD.		South Korea		25	%	1994
ZERUST OY		Finland		50	%	1995
ZERUST (U.K.) LTD.		United Kingdom		50	%	1997
EXCOR-ZERUST S.R.O.		Czech Republic		50	%	1997
EXCOR SP. Z.O.O.		Poland		50	%	1998
SPECIALTY – NTIA CO. LTD.		Thailand*		25	%	1998
TIANJIN ZERUST CO.		China*		25	%	2000
HARITA-NTI		India		50	%	2000
CHONG WAH-NTIA SDN. BHD.		Malaysia*		25	%	2000
NTIA ZERUST PHILIPPINES, INC.		Philippines*		50	%	2001
FIBRO NTI JOINT STOCK CO.		Turkey		50	%	2002
ZERUST CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC		United States		50	%	2002
REACT-NTI, LLC***		United States		75	%	2003
POLYMER ENERGY LLC****		United States		62.5	%	2003
ZERUST – DNEPR		Ukraine		50	%	2006
SINGLE POINT ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT CO. LTD.		Thailand		50	%	2006
NTI-DILMUN MIDDLE EAST FZCO.		UAE		50	%	2006
PT. CHEMINDO – NTIA		Indonesia*		25	%	2007
NON-INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES
MUTEC GMBH		Germany**		40	%	2002

 

*		Indirect ownership interest through NTI ASEAN, LLC
**		Indirect ownership through Northern Instruments Corporation LLC
***		React-NTI LLC is fully consolidated on NTIC’s consolidated financial statements (See note 1 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements).

 

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**** Polymer Energy LLC has immaterial activity in fiscal 2008 and is not fully consolidated on NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

 

NTIC’s international rust and corrosion inhibiting product business has expanded significantly during the past several fiscal years.  NTIC has entered into five new corporate joint venture arrangements during the past three fiscal years.  Total net sales of all of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 25.7% to $101,279,532 during fiscal 2008 as compared to $80,551,700 during fiscal 2007 and increased 26.0% during fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006.  The profits of NTIC’s corporate joint ventures are shared, however, by the respective corporate joint venture owners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages.  In addition, NTIC’s receipt of funds as a result of sales by its joint ventures is dependent upon NTIC’s receipt of dividend distributions from the joint ventures and NTIC’s receipt of fees for technical and other support services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures based on the revenues of the joint ventures.  NTIC typically owns only 50% or less of its joint venture entities and thus does not control the decisions of these entities regarding whether to pay dividends and how much in dividends in any given year.  NTIC’s equity in income from its corporate joint ventures and holding companies increased 18.4% to $3,792,197 in fiscal 2008 compared to $3,201,621 in fiscal 2007.  NTIC recognized fee income for such technical and support services of $5,956,403 in fiscal 2008 compared to $4,976,194 in fiscal 2007.  NTIC incurs direct expenses related to its corporate joint ventures and holding companies.  Such expenses include consulting, travel, technical and marketing services to existing joint ventures, legal fees incurred in the establishment of new joint ventures, registration and promotion and legal defense of worldwide trademarks, and legal fees incurred in connection with the filing of patent applications.  NTIC incurred $5,406,766 in direct joint venture expenses in fiscal 2008 as compared to $4,876,928 in fiscal 2007.  The majority of this increase, however, was due to the establishment of a $400,000 expense reserve related to the settlement of a trademark infringement case in Finland (See note 18 entitled “Commitments and Contingencies” to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for further information).  NTIC’s income from its corporate joint ventures and holding companies was $4,514,601 in fiscal 2008 as compared to $3,300,887 in fiscal 2007.

 

While NTIC is not aware of any specific potential risk beyond its initial investment in and any undistributed earnings of each of the corporate joint ventures listed above, there can be no assurance that NTIC will not be subject to lawsuits based on product liability claims or other claims arising out of the activities of each joint venture.  To mitigate the ramifications of such an occurrence, NTIC maintains liability insurance specifically applicable to its ownership positions in the joint venture arrangements in excess of any insurance the joint ventures may maintain.

 

Products

 

NTIC currently derives revenues from the following product lines:

 

Corrosion Prevention.  Over 94.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales for fiscal 2008 were derived from developing, manufacturing and marketing ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services.  Corrosion not only damages the appearance of metal products and components but also negatively impacts their mechanical performance.  This applies to the rusting of ferrous metals (iron and steel) and the deterioration by oxidation of nonferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, etc.).

 

NTIC’s ZERUST® packaging products contain proprietary nontoxic chemical systems (primarily using food additives) that passivate metal surfaces and thereby inhibit rust and corrosion.  The corrosion-inhibiting protection is maintained as long as the metal products to be protected remain enclosed within the ZERUST® packaging.  Electron scanning further shows that once the contents are removed from the ZERUST® package, the ZERUST® protection dissipates from the contents’ surfaces within two hours, leaving a clean, dry and corrosion-free metal component.  This mechanism of corrosion protection

 

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enables NTIC’s customers to easily package metal objects for rust-free shipment or long-term storage.  Furthermore, by eliminating costly greasing and degreasing processes and/or significantly reducing the use of oils to inhibit corrosion, NTIC’s ZERUST^® technology provides its customers significant savings in labor, material and capital expenditures for equipment to apply, remove and dispose of oil and grease, as well as the attendant environmental problems, as compared to traditional methods of corrosion prevention.

 

NTIC developed the first means of combining corrosion inhibiting chemical systems with polyethylene and polypropylene resins.  Combining ZERUST^® chemical systems with polyethylene and polypropylene resins permitted NTIC to introduce to industry a line of packaging products in the form of low and high density polyethylene bags and shroud film, stretch, shrink, skin and bubble cushioning film, woven scrim, foam sheeting, profile and corrugated board, thermoformed dunnage trays and bins, injection and blow molded products and flat netting, thereby giving packaging engineers an opportunity to ship and store ferrous, nonferrous and mixed multi-metal products in a clean, dry and corrosion-free condition, with an attendant overall savings in total packaging cost.  Products also include a line of several diffusers, such as ZERUST^® Vapor Capsules, ZERUST ICT™ Plastabs^® and Cor-Tabs^®, which protect metal surfaces within the distance of a certain specified “radius of protection.”  This industrial product line has since been expanded to also include items such as ZERUST^® gun cases and car covers targeted at retail consumers. NTIC has also developed proprietary corrosion inhibitors for use in the mitigation of corrosion in capital assets used in the petrochemical and related industries.

 

NTIC has also developed additives in liquid form to imbue corrugated cardboard, solid fiber and chipboard packaging materials with corrosion protection properties.  Additionally, NTIC provides a line of metal surface treatment liquids, which are oil, water and bio-solvent based, marketed under the AXXA™ brand name.

 

As an on-going effort to help NTIC’s customers improve and control their processes in terms of corrosion management, NTIC has started marketing and offering unique corrosion management and consulting services to target customers. This corrosion management system (known as Z-CIS™) utilizes NTIC’s global experience in successful corrosion management control. Services and consulting are billed according to work done on the customer’s behalf to improve the customer’s internal and external corrosion control systems.

 

Bio-Plastics.  In fiscal 2008, NTIC began to manufacture and sell a range of bio-based and biodegradable (compostable) polymer resin compounds and products under the Natur-Tec™ brand. NTIC’s consolidated net sales in North America for fiscal 2008 included $383,904 in sales of NTIC’s Natur-Tec™ products.  In recent years, a combination of market drivers such as higher petroleum prices, a desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental awareness at the consumer level, and favorable regulations banning the use of traditional, petroleum-based plastics, have led to interest in sustainable, renewable resource based and compostable alternatives to traditional plastics.  The term “bio-plastics” encompasses a broad category of plastics that are either bio-based (i.e. derived from renewable resources such as corn or cellulosic/plant material or blends thereof) or are plastics that are engineered to be fully biodegradable/compostable.

 

Natur-Tec™ polymer resins are produced using NTIC’s proprietary and patent pending ReX Process. In this process, biodegradable polymers, natural polymers made from renewable resources, and organic and inorganic materials are reactively blended in the presence of proprietary compatibilizers and polymer modifiers to produce bio-based/biodegradable polymer resin formulations that exhibit unique and stable morphology.  Natur-Tec™ polymer resins are engineered for high performance, ease of processing and reduced cost, and can be processed by converters using conventional manufacturing processes and equipment.  Natur-Tec™ resins are available in several grades tailored for a variety of applications such

 

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as blown-film extrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding and more.  Natur-Tec™ biodegradable and compostable polymer resins and all products made thereof meet requirements of international standards for compostable plastics such as ASTM D6400 (U.S.) and EN 13432 (Europe), and are certified as 100% compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute in the U.S.  The finished products include totally biodegradable compost and trash bags, agricultural film and other single-use disposable products such as compostable cutlery, food and consumer goods packaging.  In addition, NTIC is developing a line of renewable resource based resin compounds for durable engineering plastics applications such as automotive and industrial plastics.

 

Bio-Based Chemical Additives.  NTIC’s React-NTI, LLC joint venture revenues for fiscal 2008 of $301,697 were primarily derived from the sales of MR-101 and MR-102 anti-abrasion ink additives to one former customer.  The ink industry uses these additives to ensure ink does not “rub off” the pages of magazines and books. As described in more detail under the heading “Part II.  Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Overview,” during fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, this customer notified React that it would place future orders for React’s remaining inventory of ink additives, but that after such inventory was purchased, the customer would not place any future orders.  Although the loss of this customer had a material adverse impact on NTIC’s consolidated net sales for fiscal 2008, the profit on React’s sales of the ink additives to the customer was extremely small and the resulting effect on NTIC’s net income during fiscal 2008 was not material.

 

React-NTI’s renewable resource-based industrial chemical additive sales in fiscal 2008 also came from a patented sintered metal mold release agent sold under the brand name SERAVAT™.  SERAVAT™ significantly increases the “green strength” of powder metal parts as they are ejected from their molds.  The increase in green strength leads to much higher process yields for the user, especially in stainless steel applications, thereby significantly lowering their production costs.

 

React-NTI’s renewable resource-based personal care chemical additive sales in fiscal 2008 included the Farona™ line of patented micronized cotton and corn powders.  End user applications for these additives included deodorants, pressed powder products and loose powder products.  Sales also were derived from patented EnviroPure™ emollient gels that consist of a soy and canola base petrolatum replacement, as well as EnviroSolve™ soy and canola base solvents that were used, among other applications, as a successful acetone replacement.

 

Electronic Measuring Instruments.  NTIC’s Mütec GmbH joint venture develops, manufactures and sells proprietary electronics components including signal converters, Input-Output interfaces, bulk goods property measurement instruments, and process sensor technologies.

 

Emerging Businesses

 

NTIC is in the process of expanding its technologies into other applications and businesses.  NTIC is undertaking these new businesses either directly or through joint ventures.

 

Plastics to Fuel Oil Conversion Technology.  Polymer Energy™ offers a fiscally and environmentally beneficial solution to plastic waste. Polymer Energy™ uses catalytic pyrolysis to efficiently convert plastic waste (primarily polyolefins) into hydrocarbons (primarily a crude oil mix). The Polymer Energy™ system is modular by design and is perfectly suited for distributed processing of plastic waste. Each unit can process up to ten tons of plastic waste per day, and the modular design allows for easily scalable capacity. The Polymer Energy™ process can handle plastic that is contaminated with other types of waste such as metals, glass, dirt and water.  The system can tolerate up to 25% of other waste in the input waste stream. As a result, the plastic waste does not need to be pre-sorted, cleaned or dried prior to processing, which significantly reduces the overall cost of operation. The output crude oil mix is

 

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high-grade and can be further processed in a refinery or used as an input for co-generation of electricity. NTIC, through Polymer Energy LLC, a joint venture in which NTIC has a 62.5% interest has an exclusive license to market the technology in countries in Asia and North America as per the current JV agreement. Polymer Energy LLC plans to sell its first unit in fiscal 2009 and intends to ramp up its manufacturing and service infrastructure to capitalize on global market opportunities it believes exists for the Polymer Energy™ solution.

 

Oil and Gas Technology.  NTIC has developed proprietary corrosion inhibiting technologies for use in the mitigation of corrosion in capital assets used in the process chemical industry and is initially targeting the sale of these new ZERUST^® products to the oil and gas industry sector.  NTIC has concluded successful trials of its solutions with a large oil company and is pursuing opportunities to market NTIC’s technology to other potential customers in the oil and gas industry across several countries through its joint venture partners and other strategic partners.  NTIC believes the sale of its new ZERUST^® products to customers in the oil and gas industry will involve a long sales cycle, likely including a one- to two-year trial period with each customer and a slow integration process thereafter.  NTIC has been granted several patents in this area and has several other patents pending covering these new technologies.  NTIC has also expanded the core research and development team responsible for the development and testing of solutions for this market segment and is working with several large oil companies on R&D projects to validate the effectiveness and efficacy of new NTIC solutions for this sector.

 

Manufacturing

 

NTIC produces its proprietary ZERUST^® additives and products at its facility in Circle Pines, Minnesota.  NTIC’s other products are produced according to NTIC’s specifications by selected contractors and joint ventures under trade secrecy agreements and/or license agreements.

 

NTIC is ISO 9001 certified with respect to the manufacturing of its products and ISO 14000 certified with respect to environmental management standards.  NTIC believes that the process of ISO 9001 certification serves as an excellent total quality management tool, enabling NTIC to ensure consistency in the performance of its products.  NTIC believes that the process of ISO 14000 certification serves as an excellent tool for NTIC to continuously improve its environmental performance.  In addition, because potential customers may prefer or require manufacturers to have achieved ISO certification, such ISO certifications may provide NTIC with certain competitive advantages.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

In the United States, NTIC markets its products principally to industrial users by a direct sales force and through a network of independent distributors and manufacturer’s sales representatives.  NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements.

 

Internationally, NTIC has entered into several joint venture and similar arrangements with foreign partners (either directly or through a holding company).  Pursuant to these arrangements, NTIC and/or Excor, NTIC’s corporate joint venture in Germany, supply certain proprietary additives to NTIC’s foreign joint venture entities, which, in turn, provide for the international manufacture and marketing of ZERUST^® and other finished products.  NTIC receives fees for providing technical support and marketing assistance to its joint ventures in accordance with the terms of the joint venture arrangements.

 

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Competition

 

While NTIC is unaware of any third parties with which NTIC competes on a worldwide basis with respect to its corrosion prevention products, NTIC does compete with several third parties on a regional basis.  NTIC evaluates competing products on an ongoing basis.  Some of NTIC’s competitors are established companies that may have financial, marketing and other resources substantially greater than those of NTIC.  As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products than NTIC can.  With respect to its corrosion prevention products, NTIC competes on the basis of price, product innovation, quality and reliability, product support and customer service and reputation.  Most of NTIC’s competitors have attempted to commoditize NTIC’s corrosion prevention packaging products thereby pressuring NTIC to compete at least in part on the basis of price.  Some of these companies may have achieved significant market acceptance of their competing products and brand recognition.  NTIC, however, believes it has an advantage over most of its competitors as a result of NTIC’s technical innovation and its value added service.  NTIC attempts to provide its customers with the highest level of technical service and applications engineering in addition to the ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging.

 

With respect to NTIC’s bio-plastics products, NTIC competes with several established companies that have been producing and selling such products for a significantly longer time period, have significant sales and much more substantial financial and other resources than NTIC.  In addition to performance, NTIC competes on the basis of price and therefore NTIC’s margins on its bio-plastics products are smaller than its margins on its ZERUST® products.  NTIC also competes on the basis of supply for the resins used to manufacture NTIC’s bio-plastics products since there are a limited number of suppliers of such resins and limited capacity of production.

 

With respect to NTIC’s plastics to fuel oil conversion technology, although NTIC is not currently aware of a large number of competitors, such competitors could quickly develop and a few have recently emerged from Asia.

 

With respect to NTIC’s corrosion prevention technology for use in the oil and gas industry, NTIC is not currently aware of competitors with the same or similar technology.

 

Customers

 

A former customer of NTIC’s React-NTI, LLC joint venture accounted for, in the aggregate, approximately 2.0% and 28.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively, and $16,879 and $132,999 of NTIC’s receivables at August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  As described in more detail under the heading “Part II.  Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Overview,” during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, this customer notified React Inc. of the customer’s intent to purchase React’s remaining inventory of ink additives, but that after such inventory was depleted, the customer would not place any future orders with React Inc.  Although the loss of the customer had a material adverse impact on NTIC’s consolidated net sales for fiscal 2008, the profit on React’s sales of the ink additives to the customer was extremely small and the resulting effect on NTIC’s net income during the fiscal 2008 was not material.

 

Research and Development

 

NTIC’s research and development activities are directed at improving existing products, developing new products and improving quality assurance through improved testing of NTIC’s products.  NTIC’s joint

 

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venture in Germany, Excor, has established a wholly owned subsidiary, Excor Korrosionsforschung GmbH, to conduct research into new fields of corrosion inhibiting packaging and the applications engineering of such products in conjunction with NTIC’s domestic research and development operation.  NTIC’s internal research and development activities are conducted at its facilities located in Circle Pines, Minnesota; Beachwood, Ohio; Dresden, Germany; Chennai, and India under the direction of internationally known scientists and research institutes under exclusive contract to NTIC with respect to the subject of their respective research efforts.  NTIC’s research and development activities in Minnesota, Ohio, Germany and India, along with NTIC’s research and development efforts conducted with the expert consulting support of Dr. Ramani Narayan, frequently result in the development of intellectual property rights for NTIC.  NTIC spent $2,532,791 in fiscal 2008 and $2,575,325 in fiscal 2007 in connection with its research and development activities.  NTIC anticipates that it will spend between $2,800,000 and $3,200,000 in fiscal 2008 on research and development activities.  These fees are accounted for in the “Expenses incurred in support of corporate joint ventures” section of NTIC’s consolidated statements of income.

 

Intellectual Property Rights

 

NTIC’s success depends and will continue to depend in part upon its ability to maintain patent and trademark protection for its products and processes, to preserve its proprietary information and trade secrets and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.  NTIC’s policy is to attempt to protect its technology by, among other things, filing patent applications and trademark applications and vigorously preserving the trade secrets covering its technology and other intellectual property rights.

 

In 1979, NTIC developed and patented the first polyolefin (plastic) based industrial corrosion inhibiting packing material in the world.  The U.S. patent granted under this patent application became the most important intellectual property right in NTIC’s history.  This patent expired in 2000.  NTIC has since filed for twelve letters of patents in the U.S. covering various corrosion inhibiting technologies, systems and applications.  NTIC owns several patents in these areas.  These patents as well as patent applications have been extended to the countries of strategic relevance to NTIC including, but not limited to, the Patent Cooperation Treaty.  In addition, NTIC’s joint venture in Germany, EXCOR GmbH, owns several patents in the area covering various corrosion inhibiting technologies and also applied for new patent applications for proprietary new corrosion inhibiting technologies, to which NTIC and its other joint ventures worldwide have rights.  NTIC is also seeking additional patent protection covering various host materials into which its corrosion inhibiting additives and other protective features can be incorporated, proprietary new process technologies, and chemical formulations outside the area of corrosion protection.  NTIC owns several patents outside the area of corrosion protection both in the U.S. and in countries of strategic relevance to NTIC including, but not limited to, the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

 

In addition to seeking patent protection, NTIC maintains an extensive portfolio of trademarks in all countries where NTIC has joint venture presence.  NTIC continuously pursues new trademark applications of strategic interest worldwide.  NTIC owns the following U.S. registered trademarks: NTI®, NTI & Globe Design, ZERUST®, EXCOR®, COR TAB®, PLASTABS®, MATCH-TECH®, COR/SCI®, NIC®.  NTIC also has a registered trademark on the use of the Color Yellow with respect to corrosion inhibiting packaging. In addition, NTIC has applied for the following new trademarks in the U.S.: NATUR-TEC™, NATUR-TEC & Design™, Polymer Energy™, Polymer Energy Logo™, ICT™, Z-CIS™. Furthermore, NTI®, ZERUST®, The ZERUST People®, EXCOR®, the Color Yellow®, NTI ASEAN®, MATCH-TECH®, COR/SCI®, Polymer Energy® and Polymer Energy Logo® as well as other marks have been registered in the European Union with several new applications pending.

 

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NTIC requires its employees, consultants and advisors having access to its confidential information, including trade secrets, to execute confidentiality agreements upon commencement of their employment or consulting relationships with NTIC.  These agreements generally provide that all confidential information NTIC develops or makes known to the individual during the course of the individual’s employment or consulting relationship with NTIC must be kept confidential by the individual and not disclosed to any third parties.  NTIC also requires all of its employees and consultants who perform research and development for NTIC to execute agreements that generally provide that all inventions developed by these individuals during their employment by or service arrangement with NTIC will fall under NTIC’s proprietary intellectual property rights.

 

Backlog

 

NTIC had order backlog of $731,000 as of August 31, 2008 compared to $445,000 as of August 31, 2007.  These are orders that are held by NTIC pending release instructions from the customers to be used in just-in-time production.  Customers generally place orders on an “as needed” basis and expect delivery within a relatively short period of time.

 

Availability of Raw Materials

 

NTIC does not carry excess quantities of raw materials or purchased parts because of widespread availability for such materials and parts from various suppliers.

 

Employees

 

As of August 31, 2008, NTIC had 44 full-time employees located in the United States, consisting of 16 in administration, 13 in sales and marketing, 10 in research and development and lab, 4 in production and one responsible for international coordination.  There are no unions representing NTIC’s employees and NTIC believes that its relations with employees are good.

 

Available Information

 

NTIC is a Delaware corporation that was originally organized as a Minnesota corporation in 1970.  NTIC’s principal executive office is located at 4201 Woodland Road, Circle Pines, Minnesota 55014 and its telephone number is (763) 225-6600.  NTIC’s website is located at www.ntic.com.  The information on NTIC’s website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this report and is included as an inactive textual reference only.

 

NTIC makes available, free of charge and through its Internet web site, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to any such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after NTIC electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. NTIC also makes available, free of charge and through its Internet web site under the “Investor Relations — Corporate Governance” section, to any stockholder who requests, the charters of its board committees and its Code of Ethics, which applies to all of NTIC’s directors, executive officers, including NTIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and other employees. Requests for copies can be directed to NTIC’s Corporate Secretary at (763) 225-6637.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains or incorporates by reference not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E

 

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of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections.  In addition, NTIC or others on its behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or web casts open to the public, in press releases or reports, on NTIC’s Internet web sites or otherwise.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report that address activities, events or developments that NTIC expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, the statements about NTIC’s plans, objectives, strategies and prospects regarding, among other things, its financial condition, results of operations and business.  NTIC has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words like “believe,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “forecast,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate” or “continue” and other words and terms of similar meaning.  These forward-looking statements may be contained in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and elsewhere in this report, including under the heading “Part II.  Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

NTIC wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement that speaks only as of the date made and to recognize that forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” below, as well as others that NTIC may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this time.  Although NTIC believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, NTIC does not know whether its expectations will prove correct.  NTIC’s expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions NTIC might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties, including those described below under the heading “Risk Factors.”  The risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” below are not exclusive and further information concerning NTIC and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect its financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time.  NTIC assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.  NTIC advises stockholders and investors to consult any further disclosures it may make on related subjects in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that NTIC files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 1A.                     RISK FACTORS

 

The following are the most significant factors known to NTIC that could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or operating results.

 

Current worldwide economic conditions may adversely affect NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition, as well as further decrease its stock price.

 

General worldwide economic conditions have experienced a downturn due to the effects of the subprime lending crisis, general credit market crisis, collateral effects on the finance and banking industries, concerns about inflation, slower economic activity, decreased consumer confidence, reduced corporate profits and capital spending, adverse business conditions and liquidity concerns.  NTIC’s business is not immune.  NTIC believes the current worldwide economic crisis has resulted and may continue to result in a further decline in automobile and truck sales, which will likely result in decreased demand for NTIC’s ZERUST^® products from its automotive customers.  In addition, demand for ZERUST^® products from NTIC’s other customers in other industries adversely affected by the current economic crisis, such as the customers in the electronics and retail consumer industries, may also decrease.  The worldwide economic crisis also may have other adverse implications on NTIC’s business.  For example, the ability of NTIC’s

 

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customers to borrow money from their existing lenders or to obtain credit from other sources to purchase NTIC’s products may be impaired.  Although NTIC maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments and such losses have historically been within NTIC’s expectations and the provisions established, NTIC cannot guarantee that it will continue to experience the same loss rates that it has in the past, especially given the current turmoil in the worldwide economy.  A significant change in the liquidity or financial condition of NTIC’s customers could cause unfavorable trends in NTIC’s receivable collections and additional allowances may be required, which could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.  In addition, the worldwide economic crisis may adversely impact the ability of suppliers to provide NTIC with materials and components, which could adversely affect NTIC’s business and operating results.  Like many other stocks, NTIC’s stock price has decreased recently and if investors have concerns that NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition will be negatively impacted by a worldwide economic downturn, NTIC’s stock price could further decrease.

 

The automotive industry in the United States has experienced a significant downturn in recent years thus resulting in decreased demand for NTIC’s ZERUST^® products in the United States, which has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect NTIC’s net sales from North American operations and net income.

 

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, almost 95% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from the sales of ZERUST^® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services.  Most of these products and services were sold to customers in the automotive industry and to a lesser extent to customers in the electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets.  The automotive industry in the United States has experienced a significant downturn in recent years, especially recently as a result of the current economic crisis, and is not expected to improve in the foreseeable future, which may result in a continued adverse effect on NTIC’s net sales from North American operations and net income.  While NTIC intends to increase marketing efforts of its ZERUST^® products and services to customers in other target industries, no assurance can be provided that NTIC will be successful in doing so or will recognize increased sales from such new target markets.

 

NTIC’s liquidity and financial position rely on the receipt of fees for technical and other support services and dividend distributions from its corporate joint ventures.  No assurance can be provided that NTIC will continue to receive such fees and dividend distributions in amounts NTIC historically has received.

 

NTIC conducts business, either directly or indirectly through holding companies, in 29 corporate joint venture arrangements in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Each of these joint ventures manufactures, markets and sells finished products in the geographic territory that it is assigned.  NTIC’s international business has expanded significantly during the past several fiscal years.  Total net sales of all of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 25.7% to $101,279,532 during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.  However, NTIC’s receipt of funds as a result of sales by its joint ventures is dependent upon NTIC’s receipt of fees for technical and other support services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures based on the revenues of the joint ventures and NTIC’s receipt of dividend distributions from the joint ventures.  As a result of the increase in total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures, NTIC’s fee income for technical and support services increased 19.7% to $5,956,403 in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.  No assurance can be provided that NTIC’s international business as conducted through its corporate joint ventures will continue to expand or be successful in the future.  NTIC’s liquidity and financial position rely on NTIC’s receipt of fee income for technical and support services and dividend distributions from its corporate joint ventures.  During fiscal 2008, NTIC received approximately $1,983,316 in dividends received from its corporate joint ventures.  Because NTIC typically owns only 50% or less of its joint venture entities, NTIC does not control the decisions of these entities regarding

 

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whether to pay dividends and how much in dividends should be paid in any given year.  Thus, NTIC cannot guarantee that any of its joint ventures will pay dividends in any given year.  The failure of NTIC’s joint ventures to declare dividends or the failure of NTIC to receive fees for technical and other support services in amounts typically expected by NTIC could adversely affect NTIC’s liquidity and financial position.

 

NTIC intends to invest additional research and development and marketing efforts and resources to expand its existing product lines and the distribution of its products into new target markets, such as the oil and gas industry.  No assurance can be provided, however, that NTIC’s investments in such new products and markets will be successful and result in additional revenue.

 

In an effort to increase net sales, NTIC is expanding its corrosion prevention solution products into new markets, such as the oil and gas industry, and expanding its product lines to include other products, such as additional biodegradable and compostable plastics and plastic recycling technology.  During fiscal 2009, NTIC expects to invest additional research and development and marketing efforts and resources into these new product lines and markets.  No assurance can be provided that such efforts and investments into NTIC’s new businesses will be successful or that NTIC will be successful in obtaining additional revenue.

 

NTIC’s emerging new businesses may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms.  In addition, any equity financings may be dilutive to NTIC’s stockholders.

 

The expansion of NTIC’s corrosion prevention solution products into new markets, such as the oil and gas industry, and the expansion of NTIC’s product lines to include other products, such as additional biodegradable and compostable plastics and plastic recycling technology will require significant resources during fiscal 2009 and beyond.  To the extent that NTIC’s existing capital, including amounts available under its demand line of credit or other then existing financing arrangements, is insufficient to meet these requirements, NTIC may raise additional capital through financings or additional borrowings. Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to NTIC. Equity financings could result in dilution to NTIC’s stockholders, and the securities issued in any future financings may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of NTIC’s common stock.

 

NTIC’s emerging new businesses are risky and may not prove to be successful, which could harm NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.

 

NTIC is undertaking its emerging new businesses either directly or through joint ventures.  Such new businesses are risky and subject to all of the risks inherent in the establishment of a new business enterprise, including:

 

·                  the absence of an operating history;

 

·                  the lack of commercialized products;

 

·                  the lack of market acceptance of new products;

 

·                  expected substantial and continual losses for such businesses for the foreseeable future;

 

·                  the lack of manufacturing experience and limited marketing experience;

 

·                  an expected reliance on third parties for the commercialization of some of the proposed products;

 

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·                  a competitive environment characterized by numerous, well-established and well-capitalized competitors;

 

·                  insufficient capital and other resources; and

 

·                  reliance on key personnel.

 

A significant portion of NTIC’s earnings is the result of NTIC’s income from its international corporate joint ventures and holding companies. NTIC’s international business conducted through its corporate joint ventures and holding companies requires management attention and financial resources and exposes NTIC to difficulties and risks presented by international economic, political, legal, accounting and business factors.

 

NTIC sells products and technical services directly and via a network of independent distributors, manufacturers’ representatives and joint ventures in over 50 countries, including countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  One of NTIC’s strategic objectives is the continued expansion of its international operations.  During the past three fiscal years, NTIC has entered into joint ventures in Indonesia, the Ukraine, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.  The expansion of NTIC’s existing international operations and entry into additional international markets require management attention and financial resources.

 

The sale and shipping of products and services across international borders subject NTIC to extensive U.S. and foreign governmental trade regulations. Compliance with such regulations is costly and exposes NTIC to penalties for non-compliance. Other laws and regulations that can significantly impact NTIC include various anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, laws restricting business with suspected terrorists and anti-boycott laws. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations could impact NTIC in a variety of ways that include, but are not limited to, significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties, including imprisonment of individuals, fines and penalties, denial of export privileges, seizure of shipments and restrictions on certain business activities. Also, the failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations could result in the disruption of NTIC’s shipping and sales activities.

 

Many of the countries in which NTIC sells its products directly or indirectly through its corporate joint ventures, are, to some degree, subject to political, economic and/or social instability.  NTIC’s international operations expose NTIC and its joint venture partners, representatives, agents and distributors to risks inherent in operating in foreign jurisdictions.  These risks include:

 

·                  difficulties in managing and staffing international operations and the required infrastructure costs including legal, tax, accounting, information technology;

 

·                  the imposition of additional U.S. and foreign governmental controls or regulations, new trade restrictions and restrictions on the activities of foreign agents, representatives and distributors, the imposition of costly and lengthy export licensing requirements and changes in duties and tariffs, license obligations and other non-tariff barriers to trade;

 

·                  the imposition of U.S. and/or international sanctions against a country, company, person or entity with whom NTIC does business that would restrict or prohibit continued business with the sanctioned country, company, person or entity;

 

·                  pricing pressure that NTIC or its corporate joint ventures may experience internationally;

 

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·                  laws and business practices favoring local companies;

 

·                  currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

·                  longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;

 

·                  difficulties in enforcing or defending intellectual property rights; and

 

·                  multiple, changing and often inconsistent enforcement of laws and regulations.

 

No assurance can be provided that one or more of the factors listed above will not harm its business.  Any material decrease in NTIC’s international sales could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.

 

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income and changes in NTIC’s foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign corporate joint ventures and holding companies is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business.  NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese yen, Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar.  NTIC’s fees for technical support and other services and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies and thus fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income.  Since NTIC’s investments in its corporate joint ventures and holding companies are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures and holding companies reflected in its consolidated statements of income.  NTIC does not hedge against its foreign currency exchange rate risk.

 

NTIC’s compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and any changes in such principles might adversely affect NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.  Any requirement to consolidate NTIC’s corporate joint ventures or subject them to compliance with the internal control provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.

 

NTIC adopted accounting policy FASB Interpretation No. 46R (FIN 46R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, a revision of FIN 46” effective as of May 31, 2005.  As a result of FIN 46R, NTIC consolidated React-NTI LLC, one of its corporate joint ventures that is 75% owned by NTIC.  If the interpretation of FIN 46R were to change and NTIC were required to fully consolidate its remaining corporate joint ventures or if NTIC’s corporate joint ventures otherwise would be required to be in compliance with the internal control provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, NTIC would incur significant additional costs.  NTIC estimates that the costs for each of its corporate joint ventures to become Sarbanes-Oxley compliant would range between $150,000 to $500,000 and that annual maintenance expenses would range from $50,000 to $100,000 per year per corporate joint venture thereafter.  In addition, other accounting pronouncements issued in the future could have a material cost associated with NTIC’s implementation of such new accounting pronouncements.

 

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NTIC’s business, properties and products are subject to governmental regulation and taxes, compliance with which may require NTIC to incur expenses or modify its products or operations, and which may expose NTIC to penalties for non-compliance.  Governmental regulation may also adversely affect the demand for some of NTIC’s products and NTIC’s operating results.

 

NTIC’s business, properties and products are subject to a wide variety of international, federal, state and local laws, rules, taxes and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, natural resources, and worker health and safety and the use, management, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances, wastes and other regulated materials.  These laws, rules and regulations may affect the way NTIC conducts its operations, and the failure to comply with these regulations could lead to fines and other penalties.  Because NTIC owns and operates real property, various environmental laws also may impose liability on NTIC for the costs of cleaning up and responding to hazardous substances that may have been released on NTIC’s property, including releases unknown to NTIC.  These environmental laws and regulations also could require NTIC to pay for environmental remediation and response costs at third-party locations where NTIC disposed of or recycled hazardous substances.  NTIC’s future costs of complying with the various environmental requirements, as they now exist or may be altered in the future, could adversely affect NTIC’s financial condition and operating results.  NTIC is also subject to other international, federal and state laws, rules and regulations, the future non-compliance with which may harm NTIC’s business or may adversely affect the demand for some of its products.  Changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards and taxation changes, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, revised tax law interpretations, also may adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.

 

NTIC intends to grow its business through additional joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions, which could be risky and harm its business.

 

One of NTIC’s growth strategies is to expand its business by entering into additional joint ventures and alliances and acquiring businesses, technologies and products that complement or augment NTIC’s existing products.  The benefits of a joint venture, alliance or acquisition may take more time than expected to develop, and NTIC cannot guarantee that any future joint ventures, alliances or acquisitions will in fact produce the intended benefits. In addition, joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions involve a number of risks, including:

 

·                  diversion of management’s attention;

 

·                  difficulties in assimilating the operations and products of a new joint venture or acquired business or in realizing projected efficiencies, cost savings and revenue synergies;

 

·                  potential loss of key employees or customers of the new joint venture or acquired business or adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;

 

·                  adverse impact on overall profitability if the new joint venture or acquired business does not achieve the financial results projected in NTIC’s valuation models;

 

·                  reallocation of amounts of capital from other operating initiatives and/or an increase in NTIC’s leverage and debt service requirements to pay the joint venture capital contribution or the acquisition purchase price, which could in turn restrict NTIC’s ability to access additional capital when needed or to pursue other important elements of NTIC’s business strategy;

 

·                  inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities or problems and unanticipated costs associated with the new joint venture or acquisition; and

 

·                  incorrect estimates made in the accounting for acquisitions, occurrence of non-recurring charges and write-off of significant amounts of goodwill that could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.

 

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NTIC’s ability to grow through joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable opportunities at an acceptable cost, NTIC’s ability to compete effectively for these opportunities and the availability of capital to complete such transactions.

 

NTIC relies on its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and corporate joint ventures to market and sell its products.

 

In addition to its direct sales force, NTIC relies on its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and corporate joint ventures to market and sell its products in the United States and internationally.  NTIC’s independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint venture partners might terminate their relationship with NTIC, or devote insufficient sales efforts to NTIC’s products.  NTIC does not control its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint ventures and they may not be successful in implementing NTIC’s marketing plans. NTIC’s failure to maintain its existing relationships with its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint ventures, or its failure to recruit and retain additional skilled independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint venture partners could have an adverse effect on NTIC’s operations.

 

NTIC has very limited staffing and will continue to be dependent upon key employees.

 

NTIC’s success is dependent upon the efforts of a small management team and staff.  NTIC’s future success will depend in large part on its ability to retain these individuals and identify, attract and retain other highly qualified managerial, technical, sales and marketing and customer service personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, especially in the markets in which NTIC operates.  NTIC may not succeed in identifying, attracting and retaining these personnel.  NTIC’s current management, other than NTIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, does not have any material stock ownership in NTIC or any contractual obligation to maintain their employment with NTIC.  The loss or interruption of services of any of NTIC’s key personnel, the inability to identify, attract or retain qualified personnel in the future, delays in hiring qualified personnel, or any employee slowdowns, strikes or similar actions could make it difficult for NTIC to manage its business and meet key objectives, which could harm NTIC’s business, financial condition and operating results.

 

NTIC relies on its management information systems for inventory management, distribution and other functions.  If these information systems fail to adequately perform these functions or if NTIC experiences an interruption in their operation, NTIC’s business and operating results could be adversely affected.

 

The efficient operation of NTIC’s business is dependent on its management information systems.  NTIC relies on its management information systems to effectively manage accounting and financial functions; manage order entry, order fulfillment and inventory replenishment processes; and to maintain its research and development data.  The failure of management information systems to perform as anticipated could disrupt NTIC’s business and product development and could result in decreased sales, causing NTIC’s business and operating results to suffer.  In addition, NTIC’s management information systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks and attacks by computer viruses or hackers, or power loss or computer systems, Internet, telecommunications or data network failure.  Any such interruption could adversely affect NTIC’s business and operating results.

 

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NTIC’s reliance upon patents, trademark laws, trade secrets and contractual provisions to protect its proprietary rights may not be sufficient to protect its intellectual property from others who may sell similar products.

 

NTIC holds patents relating to various aspects of its products and believes that proprietary technical know-how is critical to many of its products.  Proprietary rights relating to NTIC’s products are protected from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that they are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are maintained in confidence as trade secrets.  NTIC cannot be certain that it will be issued any patents from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to NTIC or that the claims allowed under any issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect its technology.  In the absence of patent protection, NTIC may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy NTIC’s products or gain access to its trade secrets and know-how.  NTIC’s competitors may initiate litigation to challenge the validity of NTIC’s patents, or they may use their resources to design comparable products that do not infringe NTIC’s patents.  NTIC may incur substantial costs if its competitors initiate litigation to challenge the validity of its patents or if it initiates any proceedings to protect its proprietary rights and if the outcome of any such litigation is unfavorable to NTIC, its business and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

 

In addition, NTIC relies on trade secrets and proprietary know-how that it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with its employees, and consultants.  These agreements may be breached and NTIC may not have adequate remedies for any such breach.  Even if these confidentiality agreements are not breached, NTIC’s trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors.

 

If NTIC is unable to continue to enhance existing products and develop and market new products that respond to customer needs and achieve market acceptance, NTIC may experience a decrease in demand for its products, and its business could suffer.

 

One of NTIC’s strategies is to enhance its existing products and develop and market new products that respond to customer needs.  NTIC may not be able to compete effectively with its competitors unless NTIC can keep up with existing or new products in the markets in which it competes.  Product development requires significant financial and other resources. Although in the past NTIC has implemented lean manufacturing and other productivity improvement initiatives to provide investment funding for new products, no assurance can be provided that NTIC will be able to continue to do so in the future.  Product improvements and new product introductions also require significant planning, design, development and testing at the technological, product, and manufacturing process levels and NTIC may not be able to timely develop product improvements or new products.  NTIC’s competitors’ new products may beat NTIC’s products to market, may be more effective or less expensive than NTIC’s products or render NTIC’s products obsolete.  Any new products that NTIC may develop may not receive market acceptance or otherwise generate any meaningful net sales or profits for NTIC relative to its expectations, based on, among other things, existing and anticipated investments in manufacturing capacity and commitments to fund advertising, marketing, promotional programs, and research and development.

 

NTIC faces intense competition in almost all of its product lines, including from competitors that have substantially greater resources than NTIC does. No assurance can be provided that  NTIC  will be able to compete effectively, which would harm its business and operating results.

 

NTIC’s products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world.  The principal competitive factors in NTIC’s markets are pricing, product innovation, quality and reliability, product support and customer service and reputation.  NTIC often competes with numerous manufacturers, many of which have substantially greater financial, marketing, and other resources than NTIC does.  As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products than NTIC can.  In addition, competition could increase if new companies enter the market or if existing competitors expand their product lines or intensify efforts within existing product lines.  NTIC’s current products,

 

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products under development and its ability to develop new and improved products may be insufficient to enable NTIC to compete effectively with its competitors.  No assurance can be provided that NTIC will be able to compete effectively, which would harm its business and operating results.

 

NTIC’s dependence on key suppliers puts NTIC at risk of interruptions in the availability of its products, which could reduce its net sales and adversely affect its operating results. In addition, increases in prices for raw materials and components used in NTIC’s products could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.

 

NTIC relies on a limited number of suppliers for certain raw materials and components used in its products. For reasons of quality assurance, cost effectiveness or availability, NTIC procures certain raw materials and components from sole and limited source suppliers. NTIC generally acquires such raw materials and components through purchase orders placed in the ordinary course of business, and as a result NTIC does not have a significant inventory of these materials and components and does not have any guaranteed or contractual supply arrangements with many of these suppliers. NTIC’s dependence on third-party suppliers involves several risks, including limited control over pricing, availability, quality and delivery schedules, as well as manufacturing yields and costs. Suppliers of raw materials and components may decide, or be required, for reasons beyond NTIC’s control to cease supplying raw materials and components to NTIC or to raise their prices. Shortages of raw materials, quality control problems, production capacity constraints or delays by suppliers could negatively affect NTIC’s ability to meet its production obligations and result in increased prices for affected parts. Any such shortage, constraint or delay may result in delays in shipments of products or components, which could adversely affect NTIC’s net sales and operating results. Increases in prices for raw materials and components used in NTIC’s products could also adversely affect its operating results.

 

NTIC is currently involved in several litigation matters and an audit matter with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, which are costly to defend and the resolution of which could have a material adverse effect on NTIC’s operating results and financial position.

 

NTIC is party to several litigation matters and an audit matter with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as described in more detail in note 18 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.  Such litigation and audit matter are costly and may adversely affect NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.  In addition, the resolution of such matters may also have a material adverse effect on NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.

 

NTIC is exposed to risks relating to its evaluation of its internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related and other recent regulations implemented by the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market, are creating challenges for publicly-held companies, including NTIC. NTIC is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, NTIC’s efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. In particular, NTIC’s efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding NTIC’s assessment of its internal control over financial reporting required the expenditure of financial and managerial resources in fiscal 2008. Because NTIC’s management was required to complete an assessment of the effectiveness of NTIC’s internal controls over financial reporting in fiscal 2008 and will continue to be required to do so in future years, NTIC expects these expenditures to continue.

 

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Risks Related to NTIC’s Common Stock

 

A large percentage of NTIC’s outstanding common stock is held by insiders, and, as a result, the trading market for NTIC’s common stock is not as liquid as the stock of other public companies.

 

NTIC has approximately 3.7 million shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 30.7% of the shares are beneficially owned by directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and their respective affiliates. The stock of companies with a substantial amount of stock held by insiders is usually not as liquid as the stock of other public companies where insider ownership is not as concentrated.

 

The price and trading volume of NTIC’s common stock has been, and may continue to be, volatile.

 

The market price and trading volume of NTIC’s common stock price has fluctuated over a wide range during the past year or so. During fiscal 2008, the sale price of NTIC’s common stock ranged from a low of $6.40 to a high of $20.85, and the daily trading volume ranged from zero shares to 373,800 shares. It is likely that the price and trading volume of NTIC’s common stock will continue to fluctuate in the future. The securities of small capitalization companies, including NTIC, from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations, often unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. Securities class action litigation is sometimes brought against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities or for other reasons. NTIC may become the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation, whether with or without merit, could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, which could harm NTIC’s business and financial condition, as well as the market price of its common stock.

 

NTIC does not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

Although in the past NTIC has paid dividends on its common stock, NTIC has not done so since fiscal 2005.  The payment of any future dividends will be determined by NTIC’s Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including NTIC’s earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors.  The Board of Directors currently does not anticipate paying a dividend on NTIC’s common stock in the near future, but rather intends to retain all of its earnings for the foreseeable future to finance the operation and expansion of its business. As a result, NTIC’s stockholders will only receive a return on their investment in NTIC’s common stock if the market price of the common stock increases.

 

One of NTIC’s principal stockholders beneficially owns 24.3% of NTIC’s outstanding common stock and is affiliated with NTIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer and thus may be able influence matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, and could discourage or otherwise impede a transaction in which a third party wishes to purchase NTIC’s outstanding shares at a premium.

 

As of November 25, 2008, Inter Alia Holding Company beneficially owned approximately 24.3% of NTIC’s outstanding common stock.  Inter Alia is an entity owned by G. Patrick Lynch, NTIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director, and three other members of the Lynch family.  Mr. Lynch shares voting and dispositive power of shares of NTIC’s common stock held by Inter Alia Holding Company with the other owners.  As a result of his share ownership through Inter Alia and his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of NTIC, Mr. Lynch may be able to influence the affairs and actions of NTIC, including matters requiring stockholder approval, such as the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions.  The interests of Mr. Lynch and Inter Alia may differ from the interests of NTIC’s other stockholders.  This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of NTIC, could deprive NTIC’s

 

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stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale or merger of NTIC and may negatively affect the market price of NTIC’s common stock.  Transactions that could be affected by this concentration of ownership include proxy contests, tender offers, mergers or other purchases of common stock that could give stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for shares of NTIC’s common stock.

 

Future sales of NTIC common stock by Inter Alia Holding Company or its pledgees if Inter Alia is subject to margin calls could adversely affect NTIC’s stock price.

 

As of November 25, 2008, Inter Alia Holding Company beneficially owned approximately 24.3% of NTIC’s outstanding common stock.  After the recent death of Philip M. Lynch, NTIC’s former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and a principal shareholder of Inter Alia Holding Company, NTIC learned that Mr. Philip M. Lynch had pledged all of Inter Alia’s NTIC shares to various banks.  Depending upon the trading price of NTIC’s common stock, Inter Alia may experience a margin call that could result in the sale of Inter Alia’s pledged shares of NTIC’s common stock by NTIC’s pledgees.  Such sales could have an adverse effect on trading price of NTIC’s common stock.  In addition, it is NTIC’s understanding that as a result of the recent death of Mr. Philip M. Lynch, Inter Alia intends to diversify its stock holdings by selling a significant portion of its NTIC stock holdings in the public market, in private negotiated transactions and otherwise.  There are no contractual restrictions on the ability of Inter Alia to sell shares of NTIC common stock, although sales in the public market will be subject to the volume limitations and other requirements of SEC Rule 144.  Pursuant to the volume limitations of Rule 144, an affiliate of NTIC may sell shares under Rule 144 only if the shares to be sold, together with the shares sold under Rule 144 during the past three months, do not exceed the greater of one percent of the issuer’s outstanding shares or the average weekly trading volume of the issuer’s shares during the preceding four calendar weeks.  Future sales of NTIC common stock in the public market by Inter Alia could adversely affect the market price of NTIC common stock.  Any adverse effect on the market price of NTIC common stock could make it difficult for NTIC to raise additional capital through sales of equity securities at a time and at a price NTIC’s Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

Item 1B.                     UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

This Item 1B is inapplicable to NTIC as a smaller reporting company.

 

Item 2.                              PROPERTIES

 

NTIC’s principal executive offices, production facilities and domestic research and development operations are currently located at 4201 Woodland Road, Circle Pines, Minnesota 55014.  NTIC purchased the real estate and 40,000 square feet building in which its new corporate headquarters is located pursuant to a like-kind exchange transaction within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for a purchase price of $1,475,000.  To finance the transaction, NTIC obtained a secured term loan in the principal amount of $1,275,000.  The term loan matures on May 1, 2011, bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.01% and is payable in 59 monthly installments equal to approximately $10,776 (inclusive of principal and interest) commencing June 1, 2006.  All of the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest is due and payable on the maturity date.  The loan is secured by a first lien on the real estate and building.  NTIC’s management considers NTIC’s current properties suitable and adequate for its current and foreseeable needs.

 

In fiscal 1999, a subsidiary of NTIC, NTI Facilities, Inc., acquired a one-third ownership of Omni-Northern Ltd., an Ohio limited liability company, in contemplation of NTI Facilities, Inc. entering into a lease agreement with Omni-Northern Ltd. for approximately 50% of the net rental space in a building owned by Omni-Northern Ltd.  Omni-Northern Ltd. owns and operates a rental property located at 23205

 

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Mercantile Road, Beachwood, Ohio, comprising approximately two acres of land and a building of approximately 34,000 square feet.  The property had an approximate value of $2,205,000, based upon the cash-to-mortgage acquisition price of the property paid in fiscal 2000.  NTIC has guaranteed up to $329,082 of the Omni-Northern Ltd.’s $1,903,571 mortgage obligation with National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio.  NTI Facilities, Inc. entered into a 15-year lease agreement with Omni-Northern Ltd. for approximately 17,000 square feet of office, manufacturing, laboratory and warehouse space, requiring monthly rental payments of $17,500, which are adjusted annually according to the annual consumer price index, through November 2014.  By its ownership in Omni-Northern Ltd., NTI Facilities Inc. is entitled to one-third of the operating results of Omni-Northern Ltd.  Omni-Northern has leased the remaining 50% of the net rental space to other third parties. Rent expense was $262,232 and $236,572 for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Future minimum rental payments for each of the succeeding fiscal years through fiscal year ending August 31, 2014 are estimated to be approximately $250,000 per year.

 

Item 3.                              LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In April 2007, REACT-NTI, LLC (“React LLC”), a company that is 75% owned by NTIC, was served with a summons and complaint that was filed by Shamrock Technologies, Inc. (“Shamrock”) in state court in New York.  This case has been removed to the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The lawsuit seeks payment from React LLC of commissions in the approximate amount of $314,500 owed by React LLC under a license agreement between React LLC and Shamrock.  The complaint alleges breach of the license agreement by React LLC and seeks damages in an unspecified amount for such breach as well as damages of approximately $300,000 for the alleged failure of React LLC to purchase from Shamrock certain inventory manufactured for sale to a customer.  Shamrock further claims lost profits with respect to sales made by Shamrock that were manufactured by parties other than React LLC.  React LLC acknowledges that React LLC has not made payment for product in the approximate amount of $300,000 to Shamrock as the invoice for this was only received after Shamrock had already filed its complaint, but denies all of the claims of breach of the license agreement by it and believes that damages caused by Shamrock’s breach of the license agreement and tortious conduct exceed any amounts owing to Shamrock.  React LLC formally responded to the complaint after removal by moving to dismiss or stay because of Shamrock’s failure to comply with alternative dispute resolution procedures contained in the license agreement.  By court order, the matter was stayed so that the parties could attempt mediation.  The parties mediated for one day and were unsuccessful in resolving the matter.  Negotiations following the mediation have also been unproductive, and it appears that the stay will be lifted.  Accordingly, React LLC will both defend against Shamrock’s allegations and pursue counterclaims against Shamrock for breach of the license agreement and for tortious interference.  The parties are presently proceeding with discovery.  Because this matter is in the early stage, NTIC cannot estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with its resolution.  However, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of the matter will not result in a material adverse effect on NTIC’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

NTIC was involved in a legal action in Finland whereby NTIC sued a Finnish company for trademark infringement.  Upon initiation of legal action, the courts seized the inventory of the Finnish company as contraband. NTIC won the initial case, but subsequently lost on appeal.  On November 19, 2008, NTIC entered into an agreement to settle the lawsuit.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, NTIC agreed to seek an amendment to its trademark YELLOW and to pay the defendant a one-time payment of 320,000 Euro.  The defendant agreed, among other things, not to challenge the amendment or the validity of the trademark and not to infringe upon the trademark, once amended. Each party released each other of all claims in connection with the matter.  As a result of the settlement, NTIC recorded a $400,000 litigation settlement accrual in its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.

 

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On June 11, 2008, NTIC entered into an agreement to settle a lawsuit brought by Evelyna Cantwell and Jack Cantwell, individually, and also doing business as the principals of Byrd-Walsh International, LLC, against NTIC and its former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Philip M. Lynch.  The lawsuit sought unspecified injunctive relief as well as compensatory and punitive damages in an unspecified amount which, based on the allegations of the complaint, may have been claimed by plaintiffs to be in an amount in excess of $45 million.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the plaintiffs agreed to dismiss their claims with prejudice and to release NTIC and Mr. Philip M. Lynch from any and all claims, in exchange for a cash payment from NTIC of $41,340, which was paid in fiscal 2008.

 

In June 2007, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service concluded its audit of NTIC’s U.S. federal income tax returns for fiscal 2004 and 2005.  As a result of such audit, NTIC paid the IRS approximately $25,000 in additional payroll taxes.  NTIC also agreed in principle with the IRS to adjustments that will result in the additional payment of approximately $60,000 in income tax and interest.  As a result of the audit, the IRS has also taken the position that NTIC failed to withhold and has assessed against NTIC approximately $505,000 of payroll taxes and individual income taxes on travel and other expense reimbursements made to Philip M. Lynch, NTIC’s former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and commissions payments made to Inter Alia Holding Co. under that certain former Manufacturer’s Representative Agreement dated as of October 1, 1976 and as subsequently amended thereafter between NTIC and Inter Alia, which agreement has since been terminated.  Inter Alia beneficially owns approximately 24.3% of NTIC’s outstanding common stock.   G. Patrick Lynch, NTIC’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as three other members of the Lynch family, are shareholders of Inter Alia.   G. Patrick Lynch is also the son of the late Philip M. Lynch.  NTIC disagrees with the IRS’ position on withholding and is in the process of appealing the matter.  Because NTIC believes that it has valid legal grounds for appeal, it has determined that a loss is not probable at this time as defined by SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” However, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of the matter will not result in a material adverse effect on NTIC’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

NTIC is involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business.  Management is of the opinion that any judgment or settlement resulting from these pending or threatened actions would not have a material adverse effect on NTIC’s financial position or consolidated results of operations.

 

Item 4.                              SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

No matter was submitted to a vote of NTIC’s security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

Item 4A.                     EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The executive officers of NTIC, their ages and the offices held, as of November 25, 2008, are as follows:

 

Name		Age		Position with NTIC
G. Patrick Lynch		41		President and Chief Executive Officer
Donald A. Kubik, Ph.D.		68		Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer
Matthew C. Wolsfeld		34		Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

Mr. G. Patrick Lynch, an employee of NTIC since 1995, has been President since July 2005 and Chief Executive Officer since January 2006 and was appointed a director of NTIC in February 2004.  From July 2005 to January 2006, Mr. Lynch served as Chief Operating Officer of NTIC.  Mr. Lynch served as

 

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President of North American Operations of NTIC from May 2004 to July 2005.  Prior to May 2004, Mr. Lynch held various positions with NTIC, including Vice President of Strategic Planning, Corporate Secretary and Project Manager.  Mr. Lynch is also an officer and director of Inter Alia Holding Company, a financial and management consulting firm that is a significant stockholder of NTIC.  Prior to joining NTIC, Mr. Lynch held positions in sales management for Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan and programming project management for BMW AG in Munich, Germany.  Mr. Lynch received an M.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

 

Dr. Donald A. Kubik has been employed by NTIC since 1978, was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board in September 1999 and Chief Technology Officer in May 2000.  In May 2008, Dr. Kubik notified the Board of Directors of NTIC that he intends to retire in June 2009.  Dr. Kubik served as Vice President of NTIC from 1979 to September 1999 and as Co-Chief Executive Officer of NTIC from September 1999 to May 2000.  Dr. Kubik is responsible for developing the patent that led to NTIC’s introduction of protective plastic film and paper products incorporating volatile corrosion inhibitors.  Prior to joining NTIC, Dr. Kubik held a research and development position with Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company (3M).

 

Mr. Matthew C. Wolsfeld, an employee of NTIC since February 2001, has been NTIC’s Chief Financial Officer since November 2001 and Corporate Secretary since November 2004.  Mr. Wolsfeld was Controller of NTIC from May 2001 through November 2001. Prior to joining NTIC, Mr. Wolsfeld held an auditing position with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1997 to 2001.  Mr. Wolsfeld received a B.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and received his M.B.A. degree at the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business.  Mr. Wolsfeld is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Officers of NTIC, their ages and the offices held, as of November 25, 2008, are as follows:

 

Name		Age		Position with NTIC
Prof. Efim Ya. Lyublinski		71		Vice President and Director of New Technologies and Applications Engineering
Vineet R. Dalal		39		Vice President and Director Global Market Development
Gautam Ramdas		35		Vice President and Director Global Market Development

 

Prof. Efim Ya. Lyublinski has been employed by NTIC since March 2000 in the position of Vice President and Director of New Technologies and Applications Engineering.  Prof. Lyublinski is a Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and NACE International the Corrosion Society.  From 1984 to 1999, Prof. Lyublinski was Head of Laboratory of Complex Methods of Corrosion Protection at the Central Research Institute of Structural Materials (“Prometey”), St. Petersburg, Russia.  Prof. Lyublinski also held a Senior Consulting Position with Osmos Technology, Boston, Massachusetts from 1995 to 1999.  Prof. Lyublinski holds 18 patents, is responsible for 64 inventions and has authored 14 books, 148 articles and lectured at more than 100 symposiums, conferences and congresses in the areas of materials science and corrosion. Prof. Lyublinski received the following awards: in 1997, gold medal of the International Exhibition of Patents in Brussels (Belgium).  From 1975 to 1986 – three gold, three silver and one bronze medal from the Exhibitions of the Achievements of Russian National Economy.

 

Mr. Vineet R. Dalal, an employee of NTIC since 2004, Vice President and Director – Global Market Development since November 2005.  Prior to joining NTIC, Mr. Dalal was a Principal in the Worldwide Product Development Practice of PRTM, a management consultancy to technology based companies. In this position, Mr. Dalal consulted to several Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of product strategy,

 

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Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and technology management.  Prior to that, Mr. Dalal held positions in program management and design engineering at National Semiconductor Corporation in Santa Clara, California. Mr. Dalal received an M.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He also holds an M.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University, and a B.Eng. degree in Electronics Engineering from Karnatak University, India.

 

Mr. Gautam Ramdas, an employee of NTIC since 2005, is Vice President and Director – Global Market Development.  Prior to joining NTIC, Mr. Ramdas was a Manager in the Strategic Change group of IBM Business Consulting Services. In this position, Mr. Ramdas led consulting engagements at several Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of service strategy, global supplier relationship management and supply chain streamlining.  Mr. Ramdas held positions in the E-Commerce and Supply Chain strategy groups at PricewaterhouseCoopers Management Consulting, again providing consulting services for Fortune 500 clients.  Prior to management consulting, Mr. Ramdas worked as a program manager and design engineer with Kinhill Engineers in Australia.  He has also been involved in the start-up stage of successful small businesses in the U.S. and in India.  Mr. Ramdas received an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy (Chennai), India.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information

 

NTIC’s common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market, under the symbol “NTIC.”  NTIC’s common stock has traded on the NASDAQ Global Market since June 30, 2008.  From September 1993 to June 29, 2008, NTIC’s common stock traded on The American Stock Exchange under the symbol “NTI.”

 

The following table sets forth the high and low daily sales prices for NTIC’s common stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market, for the fiscal quarter indicated:

 

		High			Low
Fiscal 2008:
Fourth quarter (beginning June 30, 2008)		$	18.50		$	8.68

 

The following table sets forth the high and low daily sales prices for NTIC’s common stock, as reported by The American Stock Exchange, for the fiscal quarters indicated:

 

		High			Low
Fiscal 2008:
Fourth quarter (ending June 29, 2008)		$	20.85		$	13.25
Third quarter		15.25			6.65
Second quarter		12.00			6.40
First quarter		12.25			6.71
Fiscal 2007:
Fourth quarter		$	10.15		$	8.01
Third quarter		9.00			7.30
Second quarter		10.00			7.45
First quarter		10.49			7.44

 

Dividends

 

Although NTIC’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend to NTIC’s stockholders of record as of December 3, 2004 in the amount of $0.07 per share, NTIC’s Board of Directors has not since declared or paid a cash dividend on NTIC’s common stock.  The payment of any future dividends will be determined by NTIC’s Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including NTIC’s earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors.  The Board of Directors currently does not anticipate paying a dividend on NTIC’s common stock in the near future, but rather intends to retain all of its earnings for the foreseeable future to finance the operation and expansion of its business.

 

Number of Record Holders

 

As of August 31, 2008, there were 264 record holders of NTIC’s common stock.  This does not include shares held in “street name” or beneficially owned.

 

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Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

 

NTIC did not issue any shares of its common stock or any other equity securities of NTIC that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

NTIC did not purchase any shares of its common stock or any other equity securities of NTIC during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

Item 6.                              SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

This Item 6 is inapplicable to NTIC as a smaller reporting company and has been omitted pursuant to Item 301(c) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

Item 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides material historical and prospective disclosures intended to enable investors and other users to assess NTIC’s financial condition and results of operations.  Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties discussed under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” of Part I, Item 1 entitled “Business” of this report.  The following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of NTIC should be read in conjunction with NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included under Part II, Item 8 entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report.

 

General Overview

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary environmentally beneficial products and technical services either directly or via a network of joint ventures and independent distributors in over 50 countries.  NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention. In addition, NTIC has recently launched a new product line of compounds and finished products based on a portfolio of proprietary bio-plastic technologies.  NTIC also is in the advanced stages of commercially launching waste plastic to fuel conversion technology and is in various stages of development with respect to several other emerging businesses.

 

NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® and EXCOR® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets, for over 25 years. NTIC also offers worldwide on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues.  In North America, NTIC markets its technical services and ZERUST® products principally to industrial users by a direct sales force and a network of independent distributors.  NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements.  In fiscal 2008, over 94.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from the sales of ZERUST® and EXCOR® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services.

 

In addition to ZERUST® products and services, NTIC develops and has recently launched a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable (compostable) polymer resin compounds and finished products under the Natur-Tec™ brand.  These products are intended to reduce NTIC’s customers’ carbon footprint and

 

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provide environmentally sound disposal options.   NTIC’s consolidated net sales in North America for fiscal 2008 included $383,904 in sales of NTIC’s Natur-Tec™ products.  In recent years, a combination of market drivers, such as higher petroleum prices, a desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental awareness at the consumer level and regulations banning the use of traditional, petroleum-based plastics, have led to interest in sustainable, renewable resource-based and compostable alternatives to traditional plastics.  Natur-Tec™ bio-based and biodegradable plastics are manufactured using NTIC’s patented and/or proprietary technologies and are intended to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. The Natur-Tec™ bioplastics portfolio includes flexible film, foam, rigid injection molded materials and engineered plastics. Natur-Tec™ biodegradable and compostable finished products include shopping and grocery bags, lawn and leaf bags, can liners, pet waste collection bags, cutlery, packaging foam and coated paper products and are engineered to be fully biodegradable in a composting environment.  Unlike competing plastic products claiming to be “degradable” or “oxo-degradable” that only break down into smaller plastic fragments, Natur-Tec™ products are designed to completely biodegrade within 180 days in accordance with the ASTM D6400 standard for compostable plastics and are certified 100 percent biodegradable and compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute.

 

NTIC participates, either directly or indirectly through holding companies, in 29 corporate joint venture arrangements in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Each of these joint ventures generally manufactures and markets finished products in the geographic territory that it is assigned.  NTIC’s joint venture partners are knowledgeable in the applicable environmental, labor, tax and other requisite regulations and laws of the respective foreign countries in which they operate, as well as the local customs and business practices.  While most of NTIC’s joint ventures currently sell rust and corrosion inhibiting products and custom packaging systems, NTIC also has joint ventures that manufacture, market and sell or intend to manufacture, market or sell bio-based additives with both industrial and personal care applications, machinery that converts waste plastics into diesel, gasoline and mid-distillates, and electronic sensing instruments.  NTIC categorizes its joint ventures into two principal areas: industrial chemical and non-industrial chemical.

 

NTIC’s international rust and corrosion inhibiting product business has expanded significantly during the past several fiscal years.  NTIC has entered into five new corporate joint venture arrangements during the past three fiscal years.  Total net sales of all of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 25.7% to $101,279,532 during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 and increased 26.0% during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.  NTIC also recognized increased fee income for technical and support services in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 and in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 as a result of the increase in total net sales of the joint ventures.   The profits of NTIC’s corporate joint ventures are shared, however, by the respective corporate joint venture owners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages.  NTIC’s receipt of funds as a result of sales by its joint ventures are dependent upon NTIC’s receipt of fees for technical and other support services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures based on the revenues of the joint ventures and NTIC’s receipt of dividend distributions from the joint ventures.  NTIC typically owns only 50% or less of its joint venture entities and thus does not control the decisions of these entities regarding whether to pay dividends and how much in dividends in any given year.  NTIC’s income from its corporate joint ventures and holding companies increased 36.8% to $4,514,601 in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

While NTIC’s rust and corrosion inhibiting product business has expanded significantly internationally during the past several fiscal years, sales of NTIC’s rust and corrosion inhibiting products in North America have decreased slightly during the past several fiscal years.  One of the main markets for NTIC’s rust and corrosion inhibiting products has typically been the automotive industry.  While the automotive industry has been growing worldwide, it has been stagnant or contracting in the United States and is not expected to improve in the foreseeable future, especially in light of the current economic conditions on that industry.

 

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In an effort to increase net sales, NTIC is in the process of expanding its product line to include additional biodegradable and compostable plastics products, process technology and machinery that converts plastic waste into crude oil and the application of new and existing corrosion inhibiting technology into the oil and gas industry.  NTIC intends to distribute and sell products incorporating these new technologies through its North American operations, its existing joint ventures and new joint ventures.  During fiscal 2008, NTIC invested $2,532,791 in additional research and development and marketing efforts and resources into these emerging businesses, product lines and markets.  Although NTIC recognized $383,904 in sales of Natur-Tec™ for fiscal 2008, no assurance can be provided that such new businesses will be successful or that NTIC will be successful in obtaining additional revenue.

 

Financial Overview

 

NTIC’s consolidated net sales in North America decreased 24.6% during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of the anticipated loss of its React-NTI, LLC subsidiary’s most significant customer and decreased demand for NTIC’s ZERUST^® products, partially offset by sales of its new Natur-Tec™ products.  As previously disclosed by NTIC, the sales of React-NTI included in NTIC’s consolidated net sales historically have consisted almost entirely of sales by React Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of React-NTI, of proprietary ink additives to one customer.  During fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, this single customer notified React Inc. of the customer’s intent to purchase React’s remaining inventory of ink additives, but that after such inventory was depleted, the customer would not place any future orders with React Inc.  React-NTI had consolidated sales of $301,697 for fiscal 2008 compared to sales of $4,784,789 for fiscal 2007.  The vast majority of such sales by React-NTI were from React Inc., which had sales of $248,160 during fiscal 2008 compared to sales of $4,716,620 during fiscal 2007.  NTIC anticipates no additional sales for React Inc. of its only product, proprietary ink additives, after the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.  Accordingly, the loss of React’s sole customer has had a material adverse impact on NTIC’s consolidated net sales.  However, since the profit on React’s sales of the ink additives to this customer was extremely small, the effect on NTIC’s net income during fiscal 2008 was not material.

 

Net sales of NTIC’s ZERUST^® products decreased 0.4% or $39,090 to $12,005,151 during fiscal 2008 compared to $12,044,241 during fiscal 2007.  Additionally, NTIC’s consolidated net sales in North America during fiscal 2008 included $383,904 from sales of NTIC’s Natur-Tec™ products.

 

Total net sales of all of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 25.7% to $101,279,532 during fiscal 2008 as compared to $80,551,700 during fiscal 2007.  NTIC also recognized increased fee income for technical and support services as a result of the increase in total net sales of the joint ventures.  NTIC recognized fee income for technical and support services of $5,956,403 in fiscal 2008 compared to $4,976,194 in fiscal 2007, an increase of 19.7%.  NTIC incurs direct expenses related to its corporate joint ventures and holding companies.  Such expenses include consulting, travel, technical and marketing services to existing joint ventures, legal fees incurred in the establishment of new joint ventures, registration and promotion and legal defense of worldwide trademarks, and legal fees incurred in connection with the filing of patent applications.  NTIC incurred $5,406,766 in direct joint venture expenses in fiscal 2008 as compared to $4,876,928 in fiscal 2007, an increase of 10.9%.  NTIC’s equity in income of corporate joint ventures and holding companies increased 18.4% to $3,792,197 in fiscal 2008 as compared to $3,201,621 in fiscal 2007.  NTIC’s income from its corporate joint ventures and holding companies increased 36.8% to $4,514,601 in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

NTIC sold its 50% ownership interest in its industrial chemical joint venture in Austria during fiscal 2008 for $364,000.  NTIC’s industrial chemical joint venture in Germany purchased NTIC’s 50% Austrian joint venture interest and has consolidated the joint venture into its existing business.  NTIC’s German joint venture will service the territory and customers of the former Austrian venture in addition to its own

 

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territory and customers.  NTIC recorded a gain on the sale of its Austrian joint venture ownership interest of $172,767, as NTIC determined that its interest in the Austrian joint venture entity was non-controlling.

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 60.2% in fiscal 2008 as compared to 64.2% for fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of the significant decrease of React Inc. sales during fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007, which sales were sold at lower margins than NTIC’s ZERUST^® and Natur-Tec™ products.

 

NTIC spent $2,532,791 in fiscal 2008 and $2,575,325 in fiscal 2007 in connection with its research and development activities.  NTIC anticipates that it will spend between $2,800,000 and $3,200,000 in fiscal 2009 on research and development activities related to its new technologies.  These fees are accounted for in the “Expenses incurred in support of corporate joint ventures” section of NTIC’s consolidated statements of income.

 

Net income decreased 20.8% to $2,553,956, or $0.68 per diluted common share, for the year ended August 31, 2008 compared to $3,223,408, or $0.87 per diluted common share, for the year ended August 31, 2007.  This decrease was primarily the result of the one-time gain on the sale of assets of land, building and equipment that previously served as NTIC’s corporate headquarters of $724,495 during the year ended August 31, 2007 and a decreased demand of NTIC’s ZERUST^® products in the United States, partially offset by increased income from NTIC’s corporate joint ventures and holding companies.

 

NTIC’s working capital was $4,837,271 at August 31, 2008, including $260,460 in cash and cash equivalents.  As of August 31, 2008, NTIC had $86,000 of borrowings under its $2,300,000 demand line of credit.  Subsequent to August 31, 2008, NTIC repaid all borrowings under the demand line of credit bringing the outstanding balance as of November 25, 2008 to $0. As of August 31, 2008, $600,000 was committed under the demand line of credit to cover a letter of credit.

 

NTIC elected not to pay a cash dividend to its stockholders in fiscal 2007 or fiscal 2008 or thus far in fiscal 2009 in order to preserve cash and make investments in future operations.  NTIC expects to meet its future liquidity requirements during at least the next 12 months by using its existing cash and cash equivalents, forecasted cash flows from future operations, anticipated distributions of earnings and technical assistance fees to NTIC from its joint venture investments and funds available through existing or anticipated financing arrangements.  In order to take advantage of new product market opportunities to expand its business and increase its revenues, NTIC may decide to finance such opportunities by borrowing under its line of credit or raising additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities.

 

Results of Operations

 

Fiscal Year 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year 2007

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s results of operations for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007.  These results of operations exclude the impact of NTIC’s activities with its joint ventures, other than React-NTIC LLC.  As explained in more detail in note 1 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements, the results of React-NTIC LLC are included in NTIC’s consolidated results of operations and thus included in the table below.

 

		Fiscal 2008			% of Net Sales		Fiscal 2007			% of Net Sales			$ Change		% Change
Net sales		$	12,690,752		100.0	%	$	16,829,030		100.0	%	$	(4,138,278	)	(24.6	)%
Cost of goods sold		$	7,638,690		60.2	%	$	10,799,180		64.2	%	$	(3,160,490	)	(29.3	)%

 

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		Fiscal 2008			% of Net Sales		Fiscal 2007			% of Net Sales			$ Change		% Change
Selling expenses		$	3,120,171		24.6	%	$	3,214,170		19.1	%	$	(93,999	)	(2.9	)%
General and administrative expenses		$	3,514,437		27.7	%	$	3,083,314		18.3	%	$	431,123		14.0	%
Lab and technical support expenses		$	174,711		1.4	%	$	229,988		1.4	%	$	(55,277	)	(24.0	)%

 

Net Sales.  NTIC’s net sales originating in the United States decreased 24.6% during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of the loss of the principal customer of React Inc. and a slight decrease in demand for ZERUST® products sold to existing and new customers, partially offset by sales of Natur-Tec™ products in fiscal 2008.

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007.

 

		Fiscal 2008			Fiscal 2007			$ Change			% Change
ZERUST® sales		$	12,005,151		$	12,044,241		$	39,090		(0.4	)%
Natur-Tec™ sales		383,904			—			383,904			—
React-NTI sales		53,537			68,169			(14,632		)	(21.5	)%
React Inc. sales		248,160			4,716,620			(4,468,460		)	(94.8	)%
Total North American net sales		$	12,690,752		$	16,829,030		$	(4,138,278	)	(24.6	)%

 

Cost of Goods Sold.  Cost of goods sold decreased 29.3% in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of the significant decrease in React Inc. sales which were sold at significantly lower margins that NTIC’s ZERUST® products, combined with a slight reduction in the gross margin achieved on the core NTIC’s ZERUST® products in North America.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales also decreased to 60.2% in fiscal 2008 compared to 64.2% in fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in raw material prices, primarily plastic resins.

 

Selling Expenses.  NTIC’s selling expenses decreased 2.9% in fiscal 2008 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007.  Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2008 increased significantly compared to same respective periods in fiscal 2007 due to the decrease in React Inc. sales.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 14.0% in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of increases in (i) audit and tax expense of $170,000 and (ii) salary and benefits expenses of $160,000, partially offset by a decrease in insurance expense of $30,000.   As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased significantly to 27.7% in fiscal 2008 compared to 18.3% in fiscal 2007, due to the decrease in React Inc. net sales and the increases in spending noted above.

 

NTIC includes expenses in general and administrative expenses that provide benefit to the various joint ventures in addition to providing benefit to NTIC’s North American operations, including specifically, expenses associated with information technology, general insurance, executive and non-executive salary, bonus and benefits, building expenses, audit and tax and directors fees.

 

Lab and Technical Support Expenses.  NTIC’s lab and technical support expenses decreased 24.0% in fiscal 2008 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007.   As a percentage of net sales, lab and technical support expenses remained relatively constant at 1.4% in fiscal 2008 and 2007.

 

International Corporate Joint Ventures and Holding Companies.  Net sales of NTIC’s corporate joint ventures in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, excluding React-NTI LLC, were as follows:

 

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		Fiscal 2008			Fiscal 2007
Industrial chemical		$	100,012,532		$	78,601,707
Non-industrial chemical		1,266,832			1,949,993
Total International Corporate Joint Ventures and Holding
Companies sales		$	101,279,532		$	80,551,700

 

NTIC receives fees for technical and other support services it provides to its corporate joint ventures based on the revenues of the individual corporate joint ventures.  NTIC recognized fee income for such support of $5,956,403 in fiscal 2008 compared to $4,976,194 in fiscal 2007, an increase of 19.8%.  The increase in fees for technical and other support to its corporate joint ventures was due to the significant increase in revenues from the corporate joint ventures as a whole, as well as the foreign currency exchange rate of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies in which NTIC’s joint ventures conduct business.

 

NTIC sponsors a worldwide corporate joint venture conference approximately every three to four years in which all of its corporate joint ventures are invited to participate.  NTIC defers a portion of its technical and other support fees received from its corporate joint ventures in each accounting period leading up to the next conference, reflecting that NTIC has not fully earned the payments received during that period.  The next corporate joint venture conference is scheduled to be held in the summer of 2009 or 2010.  There was $96,000 of deferred income recorded within other accrued liabilities in fiscal 2008 related to this future conference.  The costs associated with these joint venture conferences are offset against the deferral as incurred, generally in the period in which the conference is held and immediately before.

 

NTIC incurred direct expenses related to its corporate joint ventures and the holding companies of $5,406,766 in fiscal 2008 compared to $4,876,928 in fiscal 2007, an increase of 10.9%.  These expenses include: product and business development, consulting, travel, technical and marketing services to existing joint ventures, legal fees regarding the establishment of new joint ventures, registration and promotion and legal defense of worldwide trademarks and legal fees incurred in the filing of patent applications for new technologies to which NTIC acquired certain rights.  The increase in direct expenses incurred relating to NTIC’s corporate joint ventures and holding companies in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 was attributable to the (i) legal settlement accrual for the Finnish Trademark case of $400,000 in fiscal 2008 (See note 18 entitled “Commitments and Contingencies” to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for further information) and (ii) an increase in travel and related expenses of $45,000.  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in legal expenses of $100,000.  As a percentage of net sales, direct expenses incurred relating to NTIC’s corporate joint ventures and holding companies increased significantly due to the decrease in React Inc. net sales for fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007.

 

NTIC sold its 50% ownership interest in its industrial chemical joint venture in Austria for $364,000.  NTIC’s industrial chemical joint venture in Germany purchased NTIC’s Austrian joint venture ownership interest and has consolidated the Austrian joint venture into its existing business.  NTIC’s German joint venture will service the territory and customers of NTIC’s former Austrian joint venture.  NTIC recorded a gain on sale of the joint venture interest of $172,767 as NTIC determined its interest in the entity was non-controlling.

 

NTIC had equity in income of corporate joint ventures and holding companies of $3,792,197 in fiscal 2008 compared to $3,201,621 in fiscal 2007.  The increase in equity in income of 18.4% was due to the significant increase in revenue and profitability due to the growth of NTIC’s corporate joint ventures as a whole.

 

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Interest Income.  NTIC’s interest income increased to $23,815 in fiscal 2008 compared to $4,165 for fiscal 2007 due primarily to interest income received from the United Kingdom tax authorities related to interest earned on a tax refund received that covered the period from fiscal 2001 to 2007.

 

Interest Expense.  NTIC’s interest expense decreased to $123,874 in fiscal 2008 compared to $164,372 for fiscal 2007 due to lower average outstanding debt levels and decreases in interest rates during fiscal 2008.

 

Gain on Sale of Assets.  NTIC recognized a gain on sale of assets of $5,529 during fiscal 2008 compared to a gain on sale of assets of $726,295 during fiscal 2007, $724,495 of which was due to the sale of land, building and equipment that previously served as NTIC’s corporate headquarters.

 

Income Before Income Taxes.  Income before income taxes decreased to $2,723,956 in fiscal 2008 compared to $3,409,408 in fiscal 2007.

 

Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense decreases to $170,000 during fiscal 2008 compared to $186,000 during fiscal 2007.  Income tax expense was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate.  NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate during fiscal 2008 and 2007 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to NTIC’s equity in income of corporate joint ventures being recognized based on after-tax earnings of these entities.  To the extent joint ventures’ undistributed earnings are distributed to NTIC, it is not expected to result in any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits.

 

Fiscal Year 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year 2006

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s consolidated results of operations for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006.  These results of operations exclude the impact of NTIC’s activities with its joint ventures, other than React-NTIC LLC.  As explained in more detail in note 1 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements, the results of React-NTIC LLC are included in NTIC’s consolidated results of operations and thus included in the table below.

 

		Fiscal 2007			% of Net Sales		Fiscal 2006			% of Net Sales			$ Change		% Change
Net sales		$	16,829,030		100.0	%	$	16,604,964		100.0	%	$	224,066		1.3	%
Cost of sales		$	10,799,180		64.2	%	$	10,346,437		62.3	%	$	452,743		4.4	%
Selling expenses		$	3,214,170		19.1	%	$	3,075,072		18.5	%	$	139,098		4.5	%
General and administrative expenses		$	3,083,314		18.3	%	$	2,795,194		16.8	%	$	288,120		10.3	%
Lab and technical support expenses		$	229,988		1.4	%	$	296,676		1.8	%	$	(66,688	)	(22.5	)%

 

Net Sales.  NTIC’s consolidated net sales slightly increased 1.3% during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in demand of React-NTI products to existing customers partially offset by a decrease in demand for ZERUST^® products.  Net sales of React-NTI products increased $279,012, or 6.2%, to $4,784,789 during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.  Net sales of ZERUST^® products decreased $54,946 to $12,044,241.

 

Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales slightly increased 4.4% in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales also increased slightly to 64.2% in fiscal 2007 compared to 62.3% in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in raw material prices, primarily plastic resins.

 

Selling Expenses.  NTIC’s selling expenses increased 4.5% in fiscal 2007 compared in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of increases in (i) promotional materials expense of $40,000, (ii) lab supplies and testing of $55,000, and (iii) selling expense related to the sale of React products of $70,000.  These

 

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increases were partially offset by a decrease in commissions to salespeople and manufacturer’s representatives totaling $76,000.  As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased slightly to 19.1% in fiscal 2007 compared to 18.5% in fiscal 2006, primarily as a result of the increased spending as described above and NTIC’s increased efforts to diversify its product lines and expand the distribution of its new product lines into new industry markets.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 10.3% in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of increases in (i) information technology expenses of $30,000, (ii) insurance expense of $23,000, (iii) legal expenses of $75,000, (iv) audit and tax expense of $51,000, and (v) depreciation expense of $88,000.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in travel of $29,000.  As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased slightly to 18.3% in fiscal 2007 compared to 16.8% in fiscal 2006, primarily as a result of the increased spending as described above and NTIC’s increased efforts to support the diversification of its product lines and the expansion of the distribution of its new product lines into new industry markets.

 

Lab and Technical Support Expenses.  NTIC’s lab and technical support expenses decreased 22.5% in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 primarily a result of decreases in (i) salary and wages of $31,000 and (ii) lab supplies and testing of $39,000.  As a percentage of net sales, lab and technical support expenses decreased to 1.4% in fiscal 2007 compared to 1.8% in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of the decreased expenses described above.

 

International Corporate Joint Ventures and Holding Companies.  Net sales of NTIC’s corporate joint ventures in fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, excluding React-NTI LLC, were as follows:

 

		Fiscal 2007			Fiscal 2006
Industrial chemical		$	78,601,707		$	62,266,618
Non-industrial chemical		1,949,993			1,692,472
Total		$	80,551,700		$	63,959,090

 

NTIC had equity in income of corporate joint ventures and holding companies of $3,201,621 in fiscal 2007 compared to $2,713,096 in fiscal 2006.  The increase in equity in income was due to the significant increase in sales and profitability from the corporate joint ventures as a whole due to global product demand.

 

NTIC receives fees for technical and other support services it provides to its corporate joint ventures based on the revenues of the individual corporate joint ventures.  NTIC recognized fee income for such support of $4,976,194 in fiscal 2007 compared to $4,695,124 in fiscal 2006.  The increase in fees for technical and other support to its corporate joint ventures was due to the significant increase in total net sales of the corporate joint ventures and the weakening of the United States dollar.

 

		Fiscal 2007			Fiscal 2006			$  Change			% Change
Total net sales of corporate joint ventures, excluding React-NTI LLC		$	80,551,700		$	63,959,090		$	16,592,610		26.0	%
NTIC’s fee income for technical and other support services		$	4,976,194		$	4,695,124		$	281,070		6.0	%
NTIC’s direct expenses incurred related to corporate joint ventures and holding companies		$	4,876,928		$	5,481,757		$	(604,829	)	(11.0	)%

 

NTIC sponsors a worldwide corporate joint venture conference approximately every two to four years in which all of its corporate joint ventures are invited to participate.  The most recent conference was in

 

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August 2005 and the next corporate joint venture conference is scheduled to be held in 2009 or 2010.  NTIC defers a portion of its technical and other support fees received from its corporate joint ventures in each accounting period leading up to the conference, reflecting that NTIC has not fully earned the payments received during that period.  There was $96,000 of deferred income recorded in fiscal 2007 bringing the total deferred accrual for the conference to $192,000 at August 31, 2007.  The costs associated with these joint venture conferences are offset against the deferral as incurred, generally in the period in which the conference is held and immediately before.

 

NTIC incurred direct expenses related to its corporate joint ventures and the holding companies of $4,876,928 in fiscal 2007 compared to $5,481,757 in fiscal 2006.  These expenses include: product and business development, consulting, travel, establishment of a reserve on a note receivable, technical and marketing services to existing joint ventures, legal fees regarding the establishment of new joint ventures, registration and promotion and legal defense of worldwide trademarks and legal fees incurred in the filing of patent applications for new technologies to which NTIC acquired certain rights.  The decrease in direct expenses incurred relating to NTIC’s corporate joint ventures and holding companies in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 was attributable to decreases of (i) loan forgiveness of $571,000, (ii) consulting expense of $43,000, (iii) legal expense of $64,000, partially offset by increases in (i) expenses related to employee relocation of $32,000, (ii) travel and related expenses of $83,000, (iii) lab supplies and testing of $30,000, and (iv) insurance and group health benefits of $39,000.

 

Interest Income.  NTIC’s interest income decreased to $4,165 in fiscal 2007 compared to $34,251 for fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of lower average invested cash balances and fewer notes receivable in fiscal 2007.

 

Interest Expense.  NTIC’s interest expense increased to $164,372 in fiscal 2007 compared to $94,751 for fiscal 2006 as a result of higher average outstanding borrowings under NTIC’s revolving line of credit in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 and the entering into of the term note in May 2006 in connection with NTIC’s purchase of the real estate and building for its new corporate headquarters.

 

Gain on Sale of Assets.  NTIC recognized a gain on the sale of land, building and equipment that previously served as NTIC’s corporate headquarters of $726,295 during fiscal 2007.  This was a one-time sale and no additional gain is anticipated to be recognized relating to the building in the future.  NTIC did not recognize any gain on sale of assets during fiscal 2006.

 

Income Before Income Taxes.  Income before income taxes increased to $3,409,408 in fiscal 2007 compared to $1,973,065 in fiscal 2006.

 

Income Taxes.  Income tax expense for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate.  NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate for fiscal 2007 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to NTIC’s equity in income of corporate joint ventures being recognized for book purposes based on NTIC’s share of after-tax earnings of these entities.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Cash and Working Capital.  As of August 31, 2008, NTIC’s working capital was $4,837,271, including $260,460 in cash and cash equivalents, compared to working capital of $3,788,777, including $244,499 in cash and cash equivalents, as of August 31, 2007.

 

On April 10, 2008, NTIC entered into a Promissory Note Modification Agreement with National City Bank pursuant to which NTIC’s demand line of credit was increased to $2,300,000 and its $1,500,000

 

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revolving credit facility was terminated.  Advances made under the demand line of credit will be made at the sole discretion of National City Bank and will be due and payable on demand.  Outstanding amounts under the demand line of credit bear interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.25%.  As of August 31, 2008, the interest rate was 4.72%.  Interest is payable in arrears on the 15th day of each month and on demand.  As of August 31, 2008, NTIC had $86,000 of borrowings under its $2,300,000 demand line of credit.  Subsequent to August 31, 2008, NTIC repaid all borrowings under the demand line of credit bringing the outstanding balance as of November 24, 2008 to $0. As of August 31, 2008, $600,000 was committed under the demand line of credit to cover a letter of credit.

 

NTIC believes that a combination of its existing cash and cash equivalents, forecasted cash flows from future operations, anticipated distributions of earnings and technical assistance fees to NTIC from its joint venture investments and funds available through existing or anticipated financing arrangements, will continue to be adequate to fund its existing operations, capital expenditures, debt repayments and any stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months.  In an effort to increase net sales, NTIC is in the process of expanding its product line to include additional biodegradable and compostable plastics products and process technology and machinery that converts plastic waste into crude oil and the application of its corrosion inhibiting technology into the oil and gas industry.  During fiscal 2009, NTIC expects to invest additional research and development and marketing efforts and resources into these emerging businesses, product lines and markets.  In order to take advantage of such new product and market opportunities to expand its business and increase its revenues, NTIC may decide to finance such opportunities by borrowing under its line of credit or raising additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities.  There is no assurance that any financing transaction will be available on terms acceptable to NTIC or at all, or that any financing transaction will not be dilutive to NTIC’s current stockholders.

 

Uses of Cash and Cash Flows.  Cash flows used in operations during fiscal 2008 was $2,833,214, which resulted principally from equity income of corporate joint ventures, increases in trade receivables, technical and other services receivables, inventories and gain on sale of an investment and decreases in accounts payable, offset by net income, depreciation and amortization expense and an increase in accrued liabilities.  Cash flows used in operations during fiscal 2007 was $717,358, which resulted principally from equity in income from corporate joint ventures, gain on sale of assets, decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and increases in inventories and prepaid expenses, offset by net income, depreciation and amortization expense, and decreases in trade and income tax receivables.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities during fiscal 2008 was $1,666,172, which was comprised of dividends received from corporate joint ventures and the sale of a joint venture, offset by additions to property and equipment, loans made and investment in joint ventures.  Net cash provided by investing activities during fiscal 2007 was $1,502,939, which resulted from dividends received from corporate joint ventures, proceeds from the sale of assets and cash received from loans and deposits, offset by additions to property and equipment and investment in joint ventures.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal 2008 was $1,183,003, which resulted primarily from bank overdrafts and borrowings made on the demand line of credit and proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan, offset by principal payments on the bank loan for NTIC’s corporate headquarters building.  Net cash used in financing activities during fiscal 2007 was $840,199, which resulted primarily from repayments on NTIC’s line of credit and bank overdrafts, offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

 

Capital Expenditures and Commitments.  NTIC had no material lease commitments as of August 31, 2008, except a lease agreement entered into by NTI Facilities, Inc., a subsidiary of NTIC, for approximately 16,994 square feet of office, manufacturing, laboratory and warehouse space in

 

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Beachwood, Ohio, requiring monthly payments of $17,500, which are adjusted annually according to the annual consumer price index, through November 2014.

 

NTIC moved its corporate headquarters in September 2006.  NTIC purchased the real estate and 40,000 square feet building in which its new corporate headquarters is located pursuant to a like-kind exchange transaction within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for a purchase price of $1,475,000.  To finance the transaction, NTIC obtained a secured term loan in the principal amount of $1,275,000.  The term loan matures on May 1, 2011, bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.01% and is payable in 59 monthly installments equal to approximately $10,776 (inclusive of principal and interest) commencing June 1, 2006.  All of the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest is due and payable on the May 1, 2011 maturity date.  The loan is secured by a first lien on the real estate and building.

 

NTIC sold the real property and building in which NTIC’s former Lino Lakes corporate headquarters was located for a purchase price of $870,000 on September 8, 2006.  The net book value of the building held for sale was $89,636 and the closing costs and fees associated with the sale of the property was $46,571.  The gain on sale of the property was $724,495.

 

NTIC has no postretirement benefit plan and does not anticipate establishing any postretirement benefit program.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

NTIC does not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet financial arrangements.  As such, NTIC is not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if NTIC had engaged in such arrangements.

 

In fiscal 1999, a subsidiary of NTIC, NTI Facilities, Inc., acquired a one-third ownership of Omni-Northern Ltd., which owns and operates a rental property located at 23205 Mercantile Road, Beachwood, Ohio.  The property had an approximate value of $2,205,000, based upon the cash-to-mortgage acquisition price of the property paid in fiscal 2000.  NTIC has guaranteed up to $329,082 of Omni-Northern Ltd.’s $1,903,571 mortgage obligation with National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio.  The building is fully leased at present.

 

Inflation and Seasonality

 

Inflation in the U.S. and abroad has historically had little effect on NTIC.  NTIC’s business has not historically been seasonal.

 

Market Risk

 

NTIC is exposed to some market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates.

 

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign corporate joint ventures and holding companies is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business.  NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese yen, Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar.  NTIC’s fees for technical support and other services and dividend distributions from these

 

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foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies and thus fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income.  Since NTIC’s investments in its corporate joint ventures and holding companies are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures and holding companies reflected in its consolidated statements of income.  NTIC does not hedge against its foreign currency exchange rate risk.

 

Some raw materials used in NTIC’s products are exposed to commodity price changes.  The primary commodity price exposures are with a variety of plastic resins.

 

NTIC’s demand line of credit bears interest at a rate based on LIBOR and thus may subject NTIC to some market risk on interest rates.  As of August 31, 2008, NTIC had $86,000 of borrowings under its $2,300,000 demand line of credit.  Subsequent to August 31, 2008, NTIC repaid all borrowings under the demand line of credit bringing the outstanding balance as of November 25, 2008 to $0. As of August 31, 2008, $600,000 was committed under the demand line of credit to cover a letter of credit.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

See note 16 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for related party transaction disclosure.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of NTIC’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  The Securities and Exchange Commission has defined a company’s most critical accounting policies as those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Based on this definition, NTIC has identified the following critical accounting policies.  Although NTIC believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Corporate Joint Ventures

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Northern Technologies International Corporation, its wholly owned subsidiaries, NTI Facilities, Inc. and Northern Technologies Holding Company, LLC, and its 75% owned subsidiary, React-NTI LLC.  NTIC’s consolidated financial statements do not include the accounts of any of its corporate joint ventures.

 

NTIC’s investments in its corporate joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, except for React-NTI LLC which has been fully consolidated, due to the adoption of FIN 46R.  Periodically, NTIC evaluates the investments for any impairment and assesses the future cash flow projections to determine if there are any going concern issues.  If an investment were determined to be impaired, then a reserve would be created to reflect the impairment on the financial results of NTIC.  NTIC’s evaluation of its investments in corporate joint ventures requires NTIC to make assumptions about future cash flows of its corporate joint ventures.  These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed or estimated amounts.  NTIC’s investments in corporate joint ventures were $16,016,347 and $13,602,842 as of August 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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Accounts and Notes Receivable

 

NTIC values accounts and notes receivable, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Each quarter, NTIC prepares an analysis of its ability to collect outstanding receivables that provides a basis for an allowance estimate for doubtful accounts.  In doing so, NTIC evaluates the age of its receivables, past collection history, current financial conditions of key customers, and economic conditions. Based on this evaluation, NTIC establishes a reserve for specific accounts and notes receivable that it believes are uncollectible, as well as an estimate of uncollectible receivables not specifically known.  Deterioration in the financial condition of any key customer or a significant slowdown in the economy could have a material negative impact on NTIC’s ability to collect a portion or all of the accounts and notes receivable. NTIC believes that an analysis of historical trends and its current knowledge of potential collection problems provide NTIC with sufficient information to establish a reasonable estimate for an allowance for doubtful accounts.  However, since NTIC cannot predict with certainty future changes in the financial stability of its customers, NTIC’s actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from its estimates.  In the event NTIC determined that a smaller or larger uncollectible accounts reserve is appropriate, NTIC would record a credit or charge to selling expense in the period that it made such a determination. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $10,000 and $30,000 at August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In recognizing revenue, NTIC applies the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition.  NTIC recognizes revenue from the sale of its products when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the price is fixed and determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.  These criteria are met at the time of shipment when risk of loss and title pass to the customer or distributor.

 

Foreign Currency Translation (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income)

 

The functional currency of each international corporate joint venture is the applicable local currency.  The translation of the applicable foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average monthly exchange rate.  Translation gains or losses are reported as an element of accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

NTIC conducts all foreign transactions based on the U.S. dollar, except for its investments in various foreign corporate joint ventures and holding companies.  The exchange rate differential relating to investments in foreign corporate joint ventures and holding companies is accounted for under the requirements of SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.”  Since NTIC’s investments in its corporate joint ventures and holding companies are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change the equity in income of joint ventures and holding companies reflected in NTIC’s consolidated statement of income.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

In December 2004, FASB published FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment.  FAS 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in financial statements.  That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.  FAS 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based

 

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awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.  FAS 123(R) is a replacement of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related interpretive guidance.  The effect of FAS 123(R) is to require entities to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and to recognize the cost over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award.  FAS 123(R) permits entities to use any option-pricing model that meets the fair value objective in FAS 123(R).  NTIC implemented FAS 123(R) on September 1, 2006, using the modified prospective transition method.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See note 2 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

 

ITEM 7A.                         QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

This Item 7A is inapplicable to NTIC as a smaller reporting company and has been omitted pursuant to Item 305(e) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

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Item 8.          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following items are included herein:

 

Financial Statements:		Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		42
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2008 and 2007		43
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007		44
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007		45
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007		46
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		47-62

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders, Audit Committee and Board of Directors

Northern Technologies International Corporation and Subsidiaries

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Northern Technologies International Corporation and Subsidiaries as of August 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of its internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Northern Technologies International Corporation and Subsidiaries as of August 31, 2008 and 2007 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

/s/ Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 19, 2008

 

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NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - AUGUST 31, 2008 AND 2007

 

		August 31, 2008			August 31, 2007
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	260,460		$	244,499
Receivables:
Trade excluding corporate joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,000 & $30,000 at August 31, 2008 & 2007, respectively		1,962,222			1,622,420
Trade corporate joint ventures		530,609			642,518
Technical and other services, corporate joint ventures		3,065,738			1,514,139
Income taxes		28,961			29,755
Inventories		2,725,466			1,636,073
Prepaid expenses		179,766			184,407
Deferred income taxes		183,300			562,000
Total current assets		8,936,522			6,435,811
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		3,754,565			3,792,461
OTHER ASSETS:
Investments in corporate joint ventures:
Industrial chemical		15,676,876			13,180,576
Industrial non-chemical		339,471			422,266
Deferred income taxes		837,300			779,500
Notes receivable		140,000			—
Industrial patents and trademarks, net		1,015,321			983,206
Goodwill		304,000			304,000
Other		325,557			398,936
		18,638,525			16,068,484
		$	31,329,612		$	26,296,756
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Bank overdrafts		$	1,039,757		$	—
Borrowings made on line of credit		86,000			—
Current portion of note payable		31,556			29,319
Accounts payable		1,251,522			1,337,443
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll and related benefits		1,102,992			1,025,858
Deferred joint venture royalties		288,000			192,000
Other		195,324			62,414
Total current liabilities		3,995,151			2,647,034
NOTE PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION		1,179,972			1,211,528
MINORITY INTEREST		3,398			36,133
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,729,457 and 3,683,016, respectively		74,556			73,660
Additional paid-in capital		5,271,417			4,755,146
Retained earnings		18,672,938			16,118,982
Accumulated other comprehensive income		2,132,180			1,454,273
Total stockholders’ equity		26,151,091			22,402,061
		$	31,329,612		$	26,296,756

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008 AND 2007

 

		2008			2007
NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS:
Net sales		$	12,690,752		$	16,829,030
Cost of sales		7,638,690			10,799,180
Gross profit		5,052,062			6,029,850
Operating expenses:
Selling		3,120,171			3,214,170
General and administrative		3,514,437			3,083,314
Lab and technical support		174,711			229,988
		6,809,319			6,527,472
NORTH AMERICAN OPERATING LOSS		(1,757,257		)	(497,622		)
CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES AND HOLDING COMPANIES:
Equity in income of industrial chemical corporate joint ventures and holding companies		3,908,438			3,100,895
Equity in income (loss) of industrial non-chemical corporate joint ventures and holding companies		(116,241		)	100,726
Gain on sale of industrial chemical corporate joint venture		172,767			—
Fees for technical support and other services provided to corporate joint ventures		5,956,403			4,976,194
Expenses incurred in support of corporate joint ventures		(5,406,766		)	(4,876,928		)
INCOME FROM ALL CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES AND HOLDING COMPANIES		4,514,601			3,300,887
INTEREST INCOME		23,815			4,165
INTEREST EXPENSE		(123,874		)	(164,372		)
OTHER INCOME		28,407			20,934
GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS		5,529			726,295
MINORITY INTEREST		32,735			19,121
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE		2,723,956			3,409,408
INCOME TAX EXPENSE		170,000			186,000
NET INCOME		$	2,553,956		$	3,223,408
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic		$	0.69		$	0.88
Diluted		$	0.68		$	0.87
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:
Basic		3,714,940			3,661,824
Diluted		3,757,492			3,695,166

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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