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NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2010 May (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2010

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                        to                       .

 

Commission File Number:  001-11038

 


 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

41-0857886

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

4201 Woodland Rd

Circle Pines, Minnesota 55014

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

(763) 225-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

 

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES o  NO o

 

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company x

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

As of July 15, 2010, 4,253,321 shares of common stock of the registrant were outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

May 31, 2010

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Description

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2010 (unaudited) and August 31, 2009

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2010 and 2009

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2010 and 2009

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

5-13

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

14-28

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

[Removed and Reserved]

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31

 


 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q 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 “Part I. Financial Information — Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— 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., Northern Technologies Holding Company, LLC and 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.

 



Table of Contents

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED)

AND AUGUST 31, 2009 (AUDITED)

 

 

 

May 31,
2010

 

August 31,
2009

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 1,103,620

 

$

 138,885

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $79,000 at May 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009

 

1,731,936

 

1,373,802

 

Trade joint ventures

 

1,350,696

 

662,954

 

Fees for services provided to joint ventures

 

1,311,939

 

1,760,602

 

Income taxes

 

401,992

 

173,038

 

Inventories

 

2,955,044

 

2,002,622

 

Prepaid expenses

 

186,428

 

138,086

 

Deferred income taxes

 

218,900

 

218,900

 

Total current assets

 

9,260,555

 

6,468,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

 

3,484,050

 

3,542,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in joint ventures

 

14,960,391

 

14,064,122

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,336,700

 

1,336,700

 

Notes receivable

 

140,000

 

140,000

 

Industrial patents and trademarks, net

 

932,424

 

888,065

 

Other

 

40,619

 

42,975

 

 

 

17,410,134

 

16,471,862

 

 

 

$

 30,154,739

 

$

 26,482,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings made on line of credit

 

$

 —

 

$

 1,077,000

 

Current portion of note payable (Note 6)

 

1,153,953

 

1,179,973

 

Accounts payable

 

1,089,952

 

630,363

 

Accrued liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payroll and related benefits

 

841,378

 

261,579

 

Deferred joint venture royalties

 

288,000

 

288,000

 

Other

 

351,185

 

304,202

 

Total current liabilities

 

3,724,468

 

3,741,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 4,253,321 and 3,756,596, respectively

 

85,066

 

75,132

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

9,059,451

 

5,631,767

 

Retained earnings

 

17,062,278

 

15,327,962

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

223,476

 

1,706,942

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

26,430,271

 

22,741,803

 

 

 

$

 30,154,739

 

$

 26,482,920

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales, excluding joint ventures

 

$

2,559,467

 

$

1,555,065

 

$

7,164,784

 

$

5,855,536

 

Net sales, to joint ventures

 

677,731

 

118,569

 

1,660,294

 

823,212

 

 

 

3,237,198

 

1,673,634

 

8,825,078

 

6,678,748

 

Cost of goods sold

 

2,172,902

 

995,672

 

5,771,045

 

4,444,075

 

Gross profit

 

1,064,296

 

677,962

 

3,054,033

 

2,234,673

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in income (loss) of joint ventures

 

1,511,534

 

(6,838

)

2,909,120

 

650,900

 

Fees for services provided to joint ventures

 

1,140,295

 

821,810

 

3,441,563

 

2,760,379

 

 

 

2,651,829

 

814,972

 

6,350,683

 

3,411,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

819,572

 

591,559

 

2,004,094

 

1,975,387

 

General and administrative

 

869,183

 

599,012

 

2,628,447

 

2,184,974

 

Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures

 

208,444

 

224,887

 

682,828

 

1,152,654

 

Research and development

 

960,780

 

655,281

 

2,526,478

 

2,222,576

 

Loss on impairment

 

 

 

 

554,000

 

 

 

2,857,979

 

2,070,739

 

7,841,847

 

8,089,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

858,146

 

(577,805

)

1,562,869

 

(2,443,639

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

864

 

6,509

 

5,607

 

7,828

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

(23,867

)

(27,933

)

(73,637

)

(102,271

)

OTHER INCOME

 

6,825

 

4,550

 

20,475

 

18,200

 

MINORITY INTEREST

 

 

 

 

3,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

841,968

 

(594,679

)

1,515,314

 

(2,516,484

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE

 

(110,000

)

44,000

 

(219,000

)

(377,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

951,698

 

$

(638,679

)

$

1,734,314

 

$

(2,139,484

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.23

 

$

(0.17

)

$

0.41

 

$

(0.57

)

Diluted

 

$

0.22

 

$

(0.17

)

$

0.41

 

$

(0.57

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

4,244,086

 

3,754,596

 

4,213,465

 

3,746,977

 

Diluted

 

4,299,855

 

3,754,596

 

4,252,735

 

3,746,977

 

 

3



Table of Contents

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2010 AND 2009

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

1,734,314

 

$

(2,139,484

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Expensing of fair value of stock options vested

 

141,315

 

75,000

 

Change in allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

20,000

 

Depreciation expense

 

284,041

 

294,852

 

Amortization expense

 

116,128

 

106,391

 

Loss on asset impairment

 

 

554,000

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

46,302

 

Minority interest expense

 

 

(3,398

)

Equity in income (loss) from joint ventures

 

(2,909,120

)

(650,900

)

Change in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade excluding joint ventures

 

(358,134

)

769,768

 

Trade joint ventures

 

(569,824

)

(127,950

)

Fees for services provided to joint ventures

 

448,663

 

1,444,249

 

Income taxes

 

(228,954

)

(705,544

)

Inventories

 

(952,422

)

431,237

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(45,986

)

29,708

 

Accounts payable

 

459,589

 

(962,099

)

Accrued liabilities

 

626,784

 

(743,599

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(1,253,606

)

(1,561,467

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in joint ventures

 

(30,101

)

(666,663

)

Dividends received from joint ventures

 

441,548

 

2,289,888

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(225,922

)

(178,231

)

Additions to industrial patents

 

(160,486

)

(26,522

)

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

25,059

 

1,418,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts

 

 

(852,284

)

Net borrowings made on line of credit

 

(1,077,000

)

877,000

 

Repayment of note payable

 

(26,020

)

(24,007

)

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

 

3,195,613

 

 

Stock options exercised

 

63,765

 

 

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

 

36,925

 

23,465

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

2,193,283

 

24,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

964,735

 

(118,821

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

138,885

 

260,460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

1,103,620

 

$

141,639

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1.             INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all necessary adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Northern Technologies International Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of May 31, 2010 and the results of their operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009 and their cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

Certain amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements for the previous reporting periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s previously reported consolidated balance sheets or statements of cash flows. The Company has reclassified various line items in the statements of operations to better provide the results of its joint ventures, as well as its North American operations.  These reclassifications changed the Company’s operating income (loss), but did not impact its net income (loss) or net income (loss) per common share.

 

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009 and the revised consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009 and 2008 contained in Exhibit 99.1 to this report.  These consolidated financial statements also should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section appearing in this report.

 

Operating results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending August 31, 2010.

 

The Company evaluates events occurring after the date of the consolidated financial statements requiring recording or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

2.             INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

August 31, 2009

 

Production materials

 

$

1,325,966

 

$

947,677

 

Finished goods

 

1,629,078

 

1,054,945

 

 

 

$

2,955,044

 

$

2,002,622

 

 

3.             PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

5



Table of Contents

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

August 31, 2009

 

Land

 

$

310,365

 

$

310,365

 

Buildings and improvements

 

3,099,185

 

3,083,598

 

Machinery and equipment

 

1,796,375

 

1,641,878

 

 

 

5,205,925

 

5,035,841

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(1,721,875

)

(1,493,672

)

 

 

$

3,484,050

 

$

3,542,169

 

 

4.             INDUSTRIAL PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS, NET

 

Industrial patents and trademarks consisted of the following:

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

August 31, 2009

 

Patents and trademarks

 

$

1,590,839

 

$

1,430,352

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

(658,415

)

(542,287

)

 

 

$

932,424

 

$

888,065

 

 

Patent and trademark costs are amortized over seven years once a patent or trademark is filed and approved.  Amortization expense related to patents and trademarks was $38,984 and $33,290 for the three months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $116,128 and $106,391 for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009, respectively.  Amortization expense is estimated to approximate $160,000 in each of the next five fiscal years.

 

5.             INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

 

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign joint ventures are initially prepared using the accounting principles accepted in the respective joint ventures’ countries of domicile.   Amounts related to foreign joint ventures reported in the below tables and the accompanying financial statements have subsequently been adjusted to approximate U.S. GAAP in all material respects.  All material profits recorded on sales from the Company to its joint ventures have been eliminated for financial reporting purposes.

 

Financial information from the audited and unaudited financial statements of the Company’s joint venture in Germany, Excor Korrosionsschutz — Technologien und Produkte GmbH (“Germany”), the Company’s joint venture holding company in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, region, NTI ASEAN, LLC (“ASEAN”), and all of the Company’s other joint ventures, are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

Germany

 

ASEAN

 

All Other

 

Current assets

 

$

46,904,472

 

$

13,730,225

 

$

11,723,269

 

$

21,450,978

 

Total assets

 

53,060,653

 

16,176,823

 

11,995,041

 

24,888,789

 

Current liabilities

 

16,097,277

 

2,031,799

 

3,998,499

 

10,066,979

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

4,424,241

 

 

860,200

 

3,564,041

 

Joint ventures’ equity

 

32,539,135

 

14,145,024

 

7,136,342

 

11,257,769

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity

 

$

14,960,391

 

$

7,072,512

 

$

2,518,180

 

$

5,369,771

 

 

6



Table of Contents

 

 

 

August 31, 2009

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

Germany

 

ASEAN

 

All Other

 

Current assets

 

$

43,863,290

 

$

15,304,713

 

$

9,619,391

 

$

18,939,186

 

Total assets

 

50,224,882

 

18,291,291

 

9,752,084

 

22,181,507

 

Current liabilities

 

17,260,943

 

4,614,540

 

3,458,446

 

9,187,957

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

2,325,943

 

 

97,433

 

2,228,510

 

Joint ventures’ equity

 

30,637,996

 

13,676,750

 

6,196,206

 

10,765,040

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity

 

$

14,064,122

 

$

6,838,375

 

$

3,098,103

 

$

4,127,644

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2010

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

Germany

 

ASEAN

 

All Other

 

Net sales

 

$

62,294,519

 

$

18,042,624

 

$

10,350,856

 

$

33,901,039

 

Gross profit

 

30,852,120

 

9,981,373

 

5,307,801

 

15,562,945

 

Net income

 

5,664,630

 

3,029,361

 

1,113,340

 

1,521,928

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income of joint ventures

 

$

2,909,120

 

$

1,505,024

 

$

677,175

 

$

726,921

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2009

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

Germany

 

ASEAN

 

All Other

 

Net sales

 

$

46,628,644

 

$

14,824,466

 

$

6,635,907

 

$

25,168,271

 

Gross profit

 

21,551,740

 

7,026,016

 

3,211,362

 

11,314,362

 

Net income

 

1,009,691

 

753,462

 

584,842

 

(328,613

)

Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income of joint ventures

 

$

650,900

 

$

381,877

 

$

264,763

 

$

4,260

 

 

The Company records expenses that are directly attributable to the joint ventures on the statements of operation on the line “Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures”.  The expenses include items such as employee compensation and benefit expenses, travel expense and consulting expense.

 

6.             CORPORATE DEBT

 

The Company has a demand line of credit of $2,300,000 with National City Bank (the “Bank”) with $0 and $963,000 outstanding as of May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Advances made under the demand line of credit are made at the sole discretion of the Bank and are 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 May 31, 2010, the interest rate was 3.33% and the weighted average rate was 3.31% for the nine months ended May 31, 2010.  As of May 31, 2009, the interest rate was 2.57% and the weighted average rate was 3.26% for the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  Interest is payable in arrears on the 15th day of each month and on demand.

 

In connection with the purchase of its corporate headquarters, in September 2006, the Company obtained a term loan with a principal amount of $1,275,000 that matures on May 1, 2011, bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.01% and is payable in 59 monthly payments equal to approximately $10,776 (inclusive of principal and interest).  All of the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest is due and payable on the maturity date, unless the Bank demands payment earlier due to a covenant breach by the Company as discussed in more detail below.  The term loan is secured by a first lien on the Company’s Circle Pines facility pursuant to a Mortgage dated as of May 3, 2006 between Northern Technologies Holding Company LLC and the Bank and is guaranteed by the Company.

 

Under the note governing the term loan (the “Note”), the Company is subject to a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0.  At August 31, 2009, November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010 and May 31, 2010, the Company

 

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failed to meet this financial covenant.  Although the Bank subsequently waived the covenant violation as of August 31, 2009, the Company has not sought and has not obtained a waiver of any subsequent covenant violations from the Bank.  As a result, an event of default occurred under the Note and the Bank has the right in its discretion, by giving written notice to the Company, to declare the full amount outstanding under the Note immediately due and payable in full. The Company has no intention to obtain a waiver for the event of default or desire to renegotiate or refinance the term loan.  The Company has not received any notice from the Bank regarding the Bank’s intent to call the loan.  In the event the Bank declares the Note immediately due and payable, the Company intends to pay off the Note in full with the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalents. The Company has classified all amounts outstanding under the Note as a current liability on its consolidated balance sheets as of May 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009.

 

7.             STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

During the nine months ended May 31, 2010, the Company did not purchase or retire any shares of its common stock.  The following stock options to purchase shares of common stock were exercised during the nine months ended May 31, 2010:

 

Options Exercised

 

Exercise Price

 

1,500

 

$

6.15

 

8,000

 

$

5.38

 

2,000

 

$

5.75

 

 

The Company granted stock options under the Northern Technologies International Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase an aggregate of 128,333 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors during the nine months ended May 31, 2010.  The weighted average per share exercise price of the stock options is $7.92, which is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

The Company sold an aggregate of 5,225 shares of its common stock to various employees at a weighted average purchase price of $7.07 per share under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $36,925, during the nine months ended May 31, 2010.

 

In September 2009, the Company completed a $3,552,000 registered direct offering in which it sold an aggregate of 480,000 shares of its common stock to institutional investors at a purchase price of $7.40 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $3,195,613, after deducting placement agent fees and expenses and the Company’s offering expenses.

 

During the nine months ended May 31, 2009, the Company did not purchase or retire any shares of its common stock and no stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised or granted.  The Company granted stock bonuses under the Northern Technologies International Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for an aggregate of 21,513 shares of its common stock to various employees during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  The fair value of the shares of the Company’s common stock as of the date of grant of the stock bonuses was $226,961, based on the closing sale price of a share of the Company’s common stock on that date.  The Company sold an aggregate of 3,626 shares of its common stock to various employees at a weighted average purchase price of $6.47 per share under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $23,465, during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.

 

8.             TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

The Company’s total comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:

 

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Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

951,968

 

$

(638,679

)

$

1,734,314

 

$

(2,139,484

)

Other comprehensive (loss) income – foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(1,379,530

)

1,202,403

 

(1,483,466

)

(584,657

)

Total comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(427,562

)

$

563,724

 

$

250,848

 

$

(2,724,141

)

 

9.             NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net income (loss) per share assumes the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, if dilutive.

 

Options to purchase shares of common stock of 39,000 were excluded from the computation of common share equivalents for both the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, as stock option exercise prices were greater than market price of a share of common stock. All outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of common share equivalents for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, as the Company reported losses for those periods.

 

10.          STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

In January 2007, the Company’s stockholders approved the Northern Technologies International Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) and the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”).  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers both of the plans.

 

The 2007 Plan replaced the Northern Technologies International Corporation 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, which was terminated with respect to future grants, but continues to govern grants outstanding under such plan.  The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock unit awards, performance awards and stock bonuses to eligible recipients to enable the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the achievement of the Company’s economic objectives.  Up to a total of 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock has been reserved for issuance under the 2007 Plan, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2007 Plan.  Options granted under the 2007 Plan generally have a term of five years and become exercisable over a three- or four-year period beginning on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.  Options are granted at per share exercise prices equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  To date, only stock options and stock bonuses have been granted under the 2007 Plan.

 

The maximum number of shares of common stock of the Company available for issuance under the ESPP is 100,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in the ESPP.  The ESPP provides for six-month offering periods beginning on September 1 and March 1 of each year.  The purchase price of the shares is 90% of the lower of the fair market value of common stock at the beginning or end of the offering period.  This discount may not exceed the maximum discount rate permitted for plans of this type under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The ESPP is compensatory for financial reporting purposes.

 

The Company granted options to purchase 124,333 and 30,000 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The fair value of option grants is determined at date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions listed below.  Based on these valuations, the Company recognized compensation expense of $141,315 and $75,000 during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to the options that vested during such time period.  The stock-based expense recorded reduced after-tax net income per share by $0.03 and $0.02 for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 

 

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As of May 31, 2010, the total compensation cost for non-vested options not yet recognized in the Company’s statements of operations was $309,519 net of estimated forfeitures.  Additional stock-based compensation expense of $47,105 is expected through the remainder of fiscal year 2010, and expense of $150,820 and $111,594 is expected to be recognized during fiscal 2011 and 2012, respectively.  Future option grants will impact the compensation expense recognized.

 

The Company currently estimates a ten percent forfeiture rate for stock options, but will continue to review this estimate in future periods.

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions and results for the grants:

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

Dividend yield

 

0.00

%

2.00

%

Expected volatility

 

48.3

%

46.7

%

Expected life of option

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

Average risk-free interest rate

 

2.34

 

2.88

%

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009 was $2.99 and $4.78, respectively.

 

11.          GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Net sales by geographic location as a percentage of total consolidated net sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

Inside the U.S.A. to unaffiliated customers

 

71.6

%

87.9

%

73.4

%

83.2

%

Outside the U.S.A. to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joint ventures in which the Company is a shareholder directly and indirectly

 

20.6

 

7.1

 

18.8

 

12.4

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

7.8

 

5.0

 

6.9

 

4.4

 

 

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

Net sales by geographic location are based on the location of the customer.

 

Fees for services provided to joint ventures by geographic location for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

Germany

 

$

240,625

 

$

348,000

 

$

761,723

 

$

913,500

 

Japan

 

219,783

 

129,725

 

662,195

 

516,944

 

India

 

141,137

 

12,474

 

441,945

 

110,207

 

France

 

126,702

 

83,934

 

363,095

 

262,789

 

Finland

 

97,747

 

109,702

 

299,905

 

373,213

 

Sweden

 

102,437

 

8,306

 

288,510

 

168,357

 

United Kingdom

 

72,736

 

45,000

 

211,092

 

142,132

 

Other

 

139,129

 

84,670

 

413,098

 

273,237

 

 

 

$

1,140,295

 

$

821,810

 

$

3,441,563

 

$

2,760,379

 

 

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Fees for services provided to joint ventures by geographic location are based on the location of the joint venture.

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009 by segment:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

May 31, 2010

 

May 31, 2009

 

ZERUST® net sales

 

$

3,072,038

 

$

1,646,715

 

$

8,485,046

 

$

6,159,096

 

Natur-Tec™ net sales

 

165,160

 

14,029

 

340,032

 

499,037

 

React-NTI net sales

 

 

12,890

 

 

20,615

 

 

 

$

3,237,198

 

$

1,673,634

 

$

8,825,078

 

$

6,678,748

 

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s cost of goods sold for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009 by segment:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31,
2010

 

% of
Product
Sales*

 

May 31,
2009

 

% of
Product
Sales*

 

May 31,
2010

 

% of
Product
Sales*

 

May 31,
2009

 

% of
Product
Sales*

 

Direct cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZERUST®

 

$

1,682,795

 

54.8

%

$

828,933

 

50.3

%

$

4,585,073

 

54.0

%

$

3,341,166

 

54.2

%

Natur-Tec™

 

111,541

 

67.5

%

7,944

 

56.5

%

230,488

 

67.8

%

425,178

 

85.2

%

React-NTI

 

 

 

6,490

 

50.3

%

 

 

10,610

 

51.5

%

Indirect cost of goods sold

 

378,566

 

 

152,305

 

 

955,484

 

 

667,121

 

 

 

 

$

2,172,902

 

 

 

$

995,672

 

 

 

$

5,771,045

 

 

 

$

4,444,075

 

 

 

 


* The percent of segment sales is calculated by dividing the direct cost of sales for each individual segment category by the net sales for each segment category.

 

The Company’s management utilizes product net sales and direct and indirect cost of goods sold for each product in reviewing the financial performance of a product type.  Further allocation of Company expenses or assets, aside from amounts presented in the tables above, is not utilized in evaluating product performance, nor does such allocation occur for internal financial reporting.

 

Sales to the Company’s joint ventures are included in the foregoing geographic and segment information, however, sales by the Company’s joint ventures to other parties are not included.  The foregoing geographic and segment information represents only sales and cost of goods sold recognized directly by the Company.

 

12.          RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

During the year ended August 31, 2009, the Company was awarded multiple research and development contracts.  The Company accrues proceeds received under the grants and offsets research and development expenses incurred in equal installments over the timelines associated with completion of the grants specific objectives and milestones. At May 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009, the Company deferred amounts received of $186,365 and $145,562, respectively, in other accrued liabilities, as the Company had not yet performed under the obligations of the contracts.

 

The Company expenses all costs related to product research and development as incurred.  The Company incurred $2,526,478 and $2,222,576 of expense during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in connection with its research and development activities.  These costs related to product research and development are the net amount after being reduced by reimbursements related to the awarding of the multiple research and development contracts of $400,094 and $0 for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The

 

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net fees are accounted for in the “Research and Development Expenses” section of the consolidated statements of operations.

 

13.          COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

On November 20, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the material terms of an annual bonus plan for the Company’s executive officers and certain employees for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2010, the purpose of which is to align the interests of the Company, its executive officers and stockholders by providing an incentive for the achievement of key corporate and individual performance measures that are critical to the success of the Company and linking a significant portion of each executive officer’s annual compensation to the achievement of such measures.  The following is a brief summary of the material terms approved by the Board:

 

·      The total amount available under the bonus plan will be up to 25% of the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes and other income (EBITOI);

 

·      The total amount available under the bonus plan will be $0 if EBITOI, as adjusted to take into account amounts to be paid under the bonus plan, fall below 70% of target EBITOI; and

 

·      The payment of bonuses under the plan will be purely discretionary and will be paid to executive officer participants in both cash and stock, the exact amount and percentages of which will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee.

 

There was $571,044 for management bonuses for fiscal 2010 accrued at May 31, 2010.  There was no management bonuses for fiscal 2009 accrued as of May 31, 2009.

 

In fiscal 1999, a subsidiary of the Company, 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 has an approximate value of $2,205,000, based upon the cash-to-mortgage acquisition price of the property paid in fiscal 2000.  The Company 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.

 

In April 2007, REACT-NTI, LLC (“React LLC”), a company that is 75% owned by the Company, 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. The parties proceeded with discovery, exchanging answers to interrogatories and documents, and the parties also obtained documents by subpoena from third parties.  With more complete information, the parties decided to dismiss their respective claims without prejudice and return to

 

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mediation.  A mediation session was held on December 4, 2008, and the parties continued to negotiate through the mediator thereafter without any final agreement by either party.  Because the mediation and negotiation process did not result in a final settlement, there can be no permanent assurance at the present time that the matter will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations at some point in the future, however, at this point in time the Company has not recorded any loss accruals related to this matter.

 

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

 

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ITEM 2.

 

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 heading “Part I. Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements.” 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 the heading “Part I. Item 1.  Financial Statements.”

 

General Overview

 

NTIC develops and markets proprietary environmentally beneficial products and technical services in over 55 countries either directly or via a network of joint ventures and independent distributors.  NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention.  From this base, NTIC has expanded into three new business areas that have started recently to generate revenue (1) corrosion prevention technologies specifically designed for the oil and gas industry, which NTIC sells both directly as well as through joint ventures and independent agents; (2) a proprietary portfolio of bio-plastic compounds and finished products marketed under the Natur-Tec® brand, which NTIC sells directly as well as through distributors and independent agents; and (3) technology and equipment that converts waste plastic into diesel, gasoline and heavy fractions, which is exclusively licensed and sold in North America and Asia through NTIC’s joint venture Polymer Energy, LLC.

 

NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® brand rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets for over 35 years.  NTIC also offers worldwide on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues.  In North America, NTIC markets its technical services and products principally to industrial users by a direct sales force as well as a network of independent distributors and agents.  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.

 

NTIC has developed proprietary corrosion inhibiting technologies for use in the mitigation of corrosion on capital assets used in the petroleum and process chemical industry and is initially targeting the sale of these new ZERUST® products to the oil and gas industry sector.  During fiscal 2009, NTIC announced the signing of a multi-year contract between NTIC’s Brazilian joint venture (Zerust Prevencao de Corrosao S.A.) and Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) to install and service proprietary corrosion protection technologies on the roofs of an initial set of aboveground oil storage tanks at the Petrobras REDUC refinery in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Also during fiscal 2009, NTIC signed multiple joint research and development contracts with Petrobras’s research and development group at the Leopoldo Américo Miguez de Mello Research & Development Center (CENPES) pursuant to which the parties will undertake a 20-month Petrobras funded effort to explore, understand and resolve bottom plate corrosion issues in aboveground storage tanks.  A second 12-month Petrobras sponsored project has also started aimed at field trials of certain pipeline protection technologies.  NTIC also is pursuing opportunities to market its ZERUST® corrosion prevention technology to other potential customers in the oil and gas industry across several countries through NTIC’s joint venture partners and other strategic partners.  NTIC believes the sale of its 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.

 

In addition to ZERUST® products and services, NTIC develops and markets a portfolio of bio-based and/or 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.  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®

 

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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.

 

NTIC’s Polymer Energy LLC joint venture markets and sells a system that uses catalytic pyrolysis to convert waste plastic (primarily polyolefins) into hydrocarbons (primarily a mix of diesels, gasoline and heavy fractions) resulting in an economically viable and environmentally responsible alternative to current methods of recycling and disposal of waste plastic.  Each unit can process up to ten tons of waste plastic per day, and the modular design allows for easily scalable capacity.  The crude output is high-grade and can be further processed in a refinery or used as an input for co-generation of electricity.

 

NTIC participates in 27 active 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 to which it is assigned.  While most of NTIC’s joint ventures currently exclusively sell rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging and products to industrial customers, NTIC also has joint ventures that manufacture, market and sell corrosion prevention solutions for the oil and gas industry and Polymer Energy™ equipment that converts waste plastic into diesel, gasoline and heavy fractions.  The profits of NTIC’s joint ventures are shared by the respective joint venture owners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages.  NTIC typically owns 50% of its joint venture entities.  NTIC does not control the decisions of its joint venture entities regarding whether to pay dividends or how much to pay in dividends in any given year. NTIC funds its joint venture investments with cash generated from operations.  NTIC does not consolidate the results of its joint ventures, other than its former joint venture React-NTIC LLC.  Nonetheless, NTIC considers its German joint venture and ASEAN joint venture holding company to be individually significant to NTIC’s consolidated assets and income; and therefore, provides certain additional information regarding these joint ventures in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and in this section of this report.

 

Financial Overview

 

NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 93.4% and 32.1% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively.  These increases were primarily a result of increased sales of ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services to customers in North America and sales to NTIC’s joint ventures.  During the nine months ended May 31, 2010, 96.1% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which increased 37.8% to $8,485,046 during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to $6,159,096 during the nine months ended May 31, 2009 due to increased demand primarily as a result of the economic recovery of the domestic manufacturing sector and the addition of new customers. NTIC has focused its sales efforts of ZERUST® products and services by strategically targeting customers with specific corrosion issues in new market areas, including oil and gas industry and other industrial sectors that offer sizable growth opportunities.  Overall demand for ZERUST® products and services depends heavily on the overall health of the markets in which it sells its products.

 

During the nine months ended May 31, 2010, $340,033, or 3.9%, of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products compared to 7.5% during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  Net sales of Natur-Tec® products increased 1077.3% and decreased 31.9% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively.  The increase in the three-month comparison was primarily due to the addition of new Natur-Tec® distributors on the West Coast of the United States and the decrease in the nine-month comparison was due to several large stocking orders of Natur-Tec® products that occurred early in 2009 that were not repeat orders.  NTIC is continuing to fortify and expand its West Coast distribution network in California, while expanding its industrial distribution reach to geographical “green” hotspots such as Oregon, Washington, Minnesota and New England.  Additionally, NTIC is targeting key national

 

15



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and regional retailers utilizing independent sales agents.  Demand for the Natur-Tec® products depends primarily on the market acceptance and the extent of NTIC’s distribution network.

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.4% for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to 66.5% for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 primarily as a result of decreased raw material costs for ZERUST® products and higher sales volumes during the most recent period.

 

NTIC recognized a 24.7% increase in fees for services provided to joint ventures during the nine months ended May 31, 2010.  NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures increased 346.9% to $2,909,120 during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to $650,900 during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  Both of these increases were primarily a result of a 33.6% increase in total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the same prior year period.  The increase in total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures was primarily a result of the economic recovery of the international manufacturing sector that the NTIC joint venture network serves.

 

NTIC’s total operating expenses increased 38.0% during the three months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the three months ended May 31, 2009 primarily as a result of increased sales efforts in both the ZERUST® and the Natur-Tec® markets and increased general and administrative costs due to increased employee count to pre-recession levels.

 

NTIC expenses all costs related to product research and development as incurred.  NTIC incurred $2,526,478 and $2,222,576 of expense during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in connection with its research and development activities.  These costs related to product research and development and represent the net amount after being reduced by reimbursements related to the awarding of the multiple research and development contracts of $400,094 and $0 for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.   NTIC anticipates that it will spend between $3,000,000 and $3,500,000 in total during fiscal 2010 on research and development activities related to its new technologies.  The net fees are accounted for in the “Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures” section of NTIC’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

Net income was $1,734,314, or $0.41 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to a net loss of $(2,139,484), or $(0.57) per diluted common share, for the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  The net loss for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 included a $554,000 loss on impairment relating to NTIC’s React-NTI joint venture.

 

NTIC’s working capital was $5,536,087 at May 31, 2010, including $1,103,620 in cash and cash equivalents.

 

Results of Operations

 

NTIC does not consolidate the results of its joint ventures, other than its former joint venture React-NTIC LLC.  The following table sets forth NTIC’s results of operations for the three months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended

May 31, 2010

 

% of
Net Sales

 

Three Months
Ended

May 31, 2009

 

% of
Net Sales

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

Net sales, excluding joint ventures

 

$

2,559,467

 

79.1

%

$

1,555,065

 

92.9

%

$

1,004,402

 

64.6

%

Net sales, to joint ventures

 

677,731

 

20.9

%

118,569

 

7.1

%

559,162

 

471.6

%

Cost of goods sold

 

2,172,902

 

67.1

%

995,672

 

59.5

%

1,177,230

 

118.2

%

Equity in income of joint ventures

 

1,511,534

 

 

(6,838

)

 

1,518,372

 

22,205

%

Fees for services provided to joint ventures

 

1,140,295

 

 

821,810

 

 

318,485

 

38.8

%

Selling expenses

 

819,572

 

25.3

%

591,559

 

35.4

%

228,013

 

38.5

%

General and administrative expenses

 

869,183

 

26.9

%

599,012

 

35.8

%

270,171

 

45.1

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended

May 31, 2010

 

% of
Net Sales

 

Three Months
Ended

May 31, 2009

 

% of
Net Sales

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures

 

208,444

 

6.5

%

224,887

 

13.4

%

(16,443

)

(7.3

)%

Research and development expenses

 

960,780

 

29.7

%

655,281

 

39.2

%

305,499

 

46.6

%

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s results of operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009.

 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended

May 31, 2010

 

% of
Net Sales

 

Nine Months
Ended

May 31, 2009

 

% of
Net Sales

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

Net sales, excluding joint ventures

 

$

7,164,784

 

81.2

%

$

5,855,536

 

87.7

%

$

1,309,248

 

22.4

%

Net sales, to joint ventures

 

1,660,294

 

18.8

%

823,212

 

12.3

%

837,082

 

101.7

%

Cost of goods sold

 

5,771,045

 

65.4

%

4,444,075

 

66.5

%

1,326,970

 

29.9

%

Equity in income of joint ventures

 

2,909,120

 

 

650,900

 

 

2,258,220

 

346.9

%

Fees for services provided to joint ventures

 

3,441,563

 

 

2,760,379

 

 

681,184

 

24.7

%

Selling expenses

 

2,004,094

 

22.7

%

1,975,387

 

29.6

%

28,707

 

1.5

%

General and administrative expenses

 

2,628,447

 

29.8

%

2,184,974

 

32.7

%

443,473

 

20.3

%

Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures

 

682,828

 

7.7

%

1,152,654

 

17.3

%

(469,826

)

(40.8

)%

Research and development expenses

 

2,526,478

 

28.6

%

2,222,576

 

33.3

%

303,902

 

13.7

%

Loss on impairment

 

 

 

554,000

 

8.3

%

(554,000

)

(100.0

)%

 

Net Sales. NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 93.4% and 32.1% to $3,237,198 and $8,825,078 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively.  NTIC’s consolidated net sales to unaffiliated customers excluding NTIC’s joint ventures increased 64.6% and 22.4% to $2,559,467 and $7,164,784, during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the same prior year periods. These increases were due to increases in demand primarily as a result of the economic recovery of the domestic manufacturing sector and the addition of new customers. Net sales to joint increased 471.6% and 101.7% to $677,731 and $1,660,294 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively.  These increases were due to increases in demand primarily as a result of the economic recovery of the international manufacturing sector.

 

The following table sets forth additional detail regarding NTIC’s net sales by product category for the three months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009:

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended

May 31, 2010

 

Three Months
Ended

May 31, 2009

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

ZERUST® net sales

 

$

3,072,038

 

$

1,646,715

 

$

1,425,324

 

86.6

%

Natur-Tec® net sales

 

165,160

 

14,029

 

151,131

 

1,077.3

%

React-NTI net sales

 

 

12,890

 

(12,890

)

(100.0

)%

Total North American net sales

 

$

3,237,198

 

$

1,673,634

 

$

1,563,564

 

93.4

%

 

The following table sets forth additional detail regarding NTIC’s net sales by product category for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009:

 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended

May 31, 2010

 

Nine Months
Ended

May 31, 2009

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

ZERUST® net sales

 

$

8,485,046

 

$

6,159,096

 

$

2,325,950

 

37.8

%

Natur-Tec® net sales

 

340,033

 

499,037

 

(159,004

)

(31.9

)%

React-NTI net sales

 

 

20,615

 

(20,615

)

(100.0

)%

Total North American net sales

 

$

8,825,078

 

$

6,678,748

 

$

2,146,330

 

32.1

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Net sales of ZERUST® products and services increased 86.6% and 37.8% to $3,072,039 and $8,485,046 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $1,646,715 and $6,159,096 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009.  These increases were due to increased demand primarily as a result of the economic recovery of the domestic manufacturing sector and the addition of new customers.

 

Net sales of Natur-Tec® products and services increased 1077% to $165,160 during the three months ended May 31, 2010, compared to $14,029 during the three months ended May 31, 2009. Net sales of Natur-Tec® products and services decreased 31.9% to $340,033 during the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to $499,037 during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  The increase in the three-month comparison was primarily due to the addition of new distributors on the West Coast.  The decrease in the nine-month comparison was due to several large stocking orders of Natur-Tec® products that occurred early in 2009 that were not repeat orders.

 

Cost of Goods Sold.  Cost of goods sold increased 118.2% and 29.9% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2009 primarily as a result of increased net sales as described above.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 67.1% for the three months ended May 31, 2010 compared to 59.5% for the three months ended May 31, 2009 as a result of the fluctuations in raw material prices of the ZERUST® products.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased slightly to 65.4% for the three months ended May 31, 2010 compared to 66.5% for the three months ended May 31, 2009.

 

Joint Ventures.  NTIC receives fees for services provided to joint ventures based primarily on the net sales of the individual joint ventures.  The fees for services provided to joint ventures are determined based on either a flat fee or a percentage of sales depending on local laws and tax regulations.  With respect to its German joint venture, NTIC recognizes an agreed upon quarterly fee for such services.  With respect to its ASEAN joint venture holding company, NTIC does not receive a fee for such services, but rather receives a bi-annual dividend based on available cash.  NITC recognizes equity income from its joint ventures based on the overall profitability of the entity.  Traditionally, a portion of the equity income recorded in a given fiscal year is paid to the owners of the entity during the following fiscal year.  The payment of a dividend by a entity is determined by a joint vote of the owners and is not at the sole discretion of NTIC.

 

NTIC had equity in income (loss) of joint ventures of $1,511,534 and $2,909,120 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to equity in (loss) income of joint ventures of $(6,838) and $650,900 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively.  The increases in equity in income were due to increased profitability of NTIC’s joint ventures primarily resulting from increased sales and cost control measures put in place during the last fiscal year, many of which remained in place during the most recent periods. Of the total equity in income (loss) of joint ventures, NTIC had equity in income of joint ventures of $773,572 and $1,505,024 attributable to its joint venture in Germany and $257,851 and $677,175 attributable to its ASEAN joint venture holding company during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively. NTIC had equity in income of all other joint ventures of $480,111 and $726,921 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively.

 

NTIC recognized fees for services provided to joint ventures of $1,140,295 and $3,441,563 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $821,810 and $2,760,379 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively, representing an increase of 38.8% and 24.7%, respectively.  The increase in fees for services provided to joint ventures was due primarily to the increase in net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures to $22,440,448 and $62,214,519 in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $14,151,960 and $46,628,644 in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively, representing an increase of 58.6% and 33.6%, respectively. Sales of NTIC’s joint ventures are not included in NTIC’s product sales

 

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Table of Contents

 

and are not combined with NTIC’s sales in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements or in any description of NTIC’s products sales.

 

Selling Expenses.  NTIC’s selling expenses increased 38.5% for the three months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal 2009 due to increases in (i) salary and benefits of $98,000; (ii) lab testing related expenses of $38,000 and (iii) travel expenses of $28,000, partially offset by a decrease in consulting expenses of $19,000.  NTIC’s selling expenses increased 1.5% for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared the same period in fiscal 2009.  Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 25.3% and 22.7% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, from 34.5% and 28.8% during the same respective periods in fiscal 2009, due to the increase in net sales.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 45.1% for the three months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal 2009 due to increases in (i) auditing and tax expense of $45,000; (ii) stock option expense of $15,000; and (iii) salaries and related benefits of $140,000.  NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 20.3% for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal 2009 due to increases in (i) auditing and tax expense of $55,000; (ii) stock option expense of $40,000; and (iii) salaries and related benefits of $250,000.  As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 26.9% and 29.8% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, from 35.8% and 32.7% for the same respective periods in fiscal 2009, primarily as a result of fixed general and administrative expenses spread over increased net sales and NTIC’s cost reduction efforts during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, many of which had remained in place during the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

 

Expenses Incurred in Support of Joint Ventures.  The support and services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures 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 expenses in support of its joint ventures of $208,444 and $682,828 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $224,887 and $1,152,654 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2009, respectively, representing a decrease of 7.3% and 40.8%, respectively.  The decrease for the three-month comparison was due to a decrease in lab supplies and testing of $24,000.  The decrease for the nine-month comparison was due to decreases in (i) consulting expenses of $197,000; (ii) legal expenses of $120,000; and (iii) lab supplies and testing of $87,000.

 

NTIC sponsors a worldwide joint venture conference approximately every three to four years in which all of NTIC’s joint ventures are invited to participate.  NTIC defers a portion of its fees for services provided to 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 joint venture conference is scheduled to be held in the spring or fall of 2011.  There was no additional deferred income recorded within other accrued liabilities during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 related to this future conference since $288,000 had been accrued over the past three fiscal years, which represents the amount that NTIC expects to spend every three years to hold the conference.  This amount is based on the historical experience of NTIC, current conditions and the intentions of NTIC’s management.  NTIC does not anticipate deferring any additional fees for services provided to joint ventures until after the next 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.

 

Research and Development Expense.  NTIC’s research and development expenses increased 46.6% for the three months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal 2009 due to increases in (i) salary and benefits of $175,000; (ii) lab testing related expenses of $59,000; (iii) consulting expenses of $58,000; and (iv) travel expenses of $24,000, partially offset by grants received of $130,000.  NTIC’s research and development expenses increased 13.7% for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared the same period in fiscal 2009 due to increases

 

19



Table of Contents

 

in (i) salary and benefits of $405,000; (ii) lab testing related expenses of $159,000; (iii) consulting expenses of $138,000; and (iv) travel expenses of $54,000, partially offset by grants received of $400,000.

 

Loss on Impairment.  NTIC’s incurred a loss on impairment of $554,000 during the nine ended May 31, 2009 relating to React-NTI.

 

Interest Income.  NTIC’s interest income decreased to $864 and $5,607 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $6,509 and $7,828 during the same respective periods in fiscal 2009 primarily due to the decreased cash balances earning interest during the most recent periods.

 

Interest Expense.  NTIC’s interest expense decreased to $23,867 and $73,637 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $27,933 and $102,271 during the same respective periods in fiscal 2009 primarily due to lower average outstanding debt levels during the most recent periods.

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense.  Income before income tax expense was $841,968 and $1,515,314 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared loss before income tax expense of $(594,679) and $(2,516,484) for the same respective periods in fiscal 2009.

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  Income tax benefit was $(110,000) and $(219,000) during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $44,000 and income tax benefit of $(377,000) in the same respective periods in fiscal 2009.  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 the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010 and 2009 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures being recognized based on after-tax earnings of these entities.  To the extent undistributed earnings of NTIC’s joint ventures are distributed to NTIC, it is not expected to result in any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits. NTIC determined based on all available evidence, including historical data and projections of future results, that it is more likely than not that all of its deferred tax assets, except for its foreign tax credit carryforward and Minnesota state research and development credit carryforwards, will be fully realized and that NTIC’s deferred tax asset related to foreign tax credit carryforwards will not be realized due to insufficient federal taxable income within the carryforward period and the fact that for ordering purposes the foreign tax credit carryforwards are not allowed to be used until after any current year foreign tax credits are utilized.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Cash and Working Capital.  As of May 31, 2010, NTIC’s working capital was $5,536,087, including $1,103,620 in cash and cash equivalents, compared to working capital of $2,727,737, including $138,885 in cash and cash equivalents, as of August 31, 2009.

 

In September 2009, NTIC completed a $3,552,000 registered direct offering in which NTIC sold an aggregate of 480,000 shares of its common stock to institutional investors at a purchase price of $7.40 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $3,195,613, after deducting placement agent fees and expenses and NTIC’s offering expenses.  All of the shares were offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement.

 

NTIC has a $2,300,000 demand line of credit with National City Bank, with no amounts outstanding as of May 31, 2010.  Advances made under the demand line of credit are made at the sole discretion of National City Bank and are 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 May 31, 2010, the interest rate was 3.33%.  Interest is payable in arrears on the 15th day of each month and on demand.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

In September 2006, NTIC purchased the real estate and 40,000 square feet building in which its 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, unless the bank demands payment earlier due to a covenant breach by NTIC as discussed in more detail below.  The loan is secured by a first lien on the real estate and building.

 

Under the note governing the term loan, NTIC is subject to a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0.  At August 31, 2009, November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010 and May 31, 2010, NTIC failed to meet this financial covenant.  Although the bank subsequently waived the covenant violation as of August 31, 2009, NTIC has not sought or obtained a waiver of any subsequent covenant violations from the bank.  As a result, an event of default occurred under the note and the bank has the right in its discretion, by giving written notice to NTIC, to declare the full amount outstanding under the note immediately due and payable in full. NTIC has no intention to obtain a waiver for the event of default or desire to renegotiate or refinance the term loan.  NTIC has not received any notice from the bank regarding the bank’s intent to call the loan.  In the event the bank declares the note immediately due and payable, NTIC intends to pay off the note in full with existing cash and cash equivalents. NTIC has classified all amounts outstanding under the note as a current liability on its consolidated balance sheets as of May 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009.

 

NTIC believes that a combination of its existing cash and cash equivalents, forecasted cash flows from future operations, anticipated distributions of earnings, anticipated fees to NTIC for services provided to its joint ventures, and funds available through existing or anticipated financing arrangements, will be adequate to fund its existing operations, investments in new or existing joint ventures, capital expenditures, debt repayments and any stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months.  During fiscal 2010, NTIC expects to continue to invest in research and development and in marketing efforts and resources into its new businesses, product lines and markets, including in particular the application of its corrosion prevention technology into the oil and gas industry.  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 demand 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.

 

NTIC traditionally has used the cash generated from its North American operations, distributions of earnings and fees for services provided to its joint ventures to fund NTIC’s new technology investments and capital contributions to new and existing joint ventures.  NTIC’s joint ventures traditionally have operated with little or no debt and have been self-financed with minimal initial capital investment and minimal additional capital investment from their respective owners.  Therefore, NTIC believes it is not likely that there exists any exposure to debt by NTIC’s joint ventures that could materially impact their respective operations and/or liquidity.

 

Uses of Cash and Cash Flows. Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 was $1,609,993, which resulted principally from NTIC’s equity in loss from joint ventures and decreases in inventories and trade receivables, partially offset by NTIC’s net income, expensing of stock options vested, depreciation and amortization expense, and increases in fees for services provided to joint ventures and accrued liabilities.  Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 was $1,561,466, which resulted principally from NTIC’s net loss, equity in loss of joint ventures, increases in joint venture trade receivables, income tax receivables, prepaid expenses and decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by decreases in trade receivables excluding joint ventures and inventories, the loss on the impairment of assets and depreciation expense.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NTIC’s cash flows from operations are impacted by significant changes in certain components of NTIC’s working capital, including inventory turnover and changes in receivables.  NTIC considers internal and external factors when assessing the use of its available working capital, specifically when determining inventory levels and credit terms of customers.  Key internal factors include existing inventory levels, stock reorder points, customer forecasts and customer requested payment terms, and key external factors include the availability of primary raw materials and sub-contractor production lead times.  NTIC’s typical contractual terms for trade receivables excluding joint ventures is 30 days and for trade receivables from its joint ventures is 90 days.  Before extending unsecured credit to customers, excluding NTIC’s joint ventures, NTIC reviews customers’ credit histories and will establish an allowance for uncollectible accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers and other information.  Accounts receivable over 30 days are considered past due for most customers.  NTIC does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable.  If accounts receivable in excess of the provided allowance are determined uncollectible, they are charged to selling expense in the period that determination is made.  Accounts receivable are deemed uncollectible based on NTIC exhausting reasonable efforts to collect. NTIC’s typical contractual terms for receivables for fees for services provided to joint ventures is 90 days.  NTIC records receivables for fees for services provided to joint ventures on an accrual basis, unless circumstances exist that make the collection of the balance uncertain in which case the fee income will be recorded on a cash basis until there is consistency in payments.  This determination is handled on a case by case basis.

 

NTIC experienced an increase in receivables and inventory as of May 31, 2010 compared to August 31, 2009 due to the increase in net sales during the most recent period and requests from customers to stock more products to shorten lead times and meet customer demand.  Trade receivables excluding joint ventures as of May 31, 2010 increased $358,134 compared to August 31, 2009, primarily related to the increase in NTIC’s net sales during the 90 days then ended as compared to the prior year 90 day period.  Outstanding trade receivables excluding joint ventures balances as of May 31, 2010 decreased 24 days to an average of 62 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2009.  Outstanding trade receivables from joint ventures as of May 31, 2010 increased $687,742 compared to August 31, 2009, primarily due to the corresponding increase in net sales, which also resulted in an increase of outstanding balances from trade receivables from joint ventures as of May 31, 2010 of 41 days to an average of 183 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2009.  The significant average days outstanding of trade receivables from joint ventures as of May 31, 2010 was primarily due to the current receivable balance at NTIC’s joint venture in India.  NTIC has made separate arrangements for payments on product that NTIC’s joint venture in India has purchased from NTIC until the product is sold.  Outstanding fees for services provided to joint ventures as of May 31, 2010 decreased $448,663 as compared to August 31, 2009, primarily resulting from collections of past due fees.  This payment, in conjunction with higher fees for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2009 resulted in a decrease of 156 days of fees receivable outstanding as of May 31, 2010 to an average of 106 days as compared to August 31, 2009.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 was $25,059 which was comprised of dividends received from joint ventures, partially offset by investments in joint ventures, patents and additions to property and equipment.  Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 was $1,418,472, which was comprised of dividends received from joint ventures, decrease in other assets, partially offset by additions to property and equipment and investments in patents.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2010 was $2,549,670, which resulted primarily from the issuance of common stock and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan and option exercises, partially offset by repayments to the demand line of credit and principal payments on the bank loan for NTIC’s corporate headquarters buildings.  Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 was $24,147, which resulted primarily from bank overdrafts and principal payments on the bank loan for NTIC’s corporate headquarters building, partially offset by borrowings made under the demand line of credit.

 

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Capital Expenditures and Commitments.  NTIC had no material lease commitments as of May 31, 2010, 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 Beachwood, Ohio, requiring monthly payments of $17,500, which are adjusted annually according to the annual consumer price index, through November 2014.

 

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 has 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 historically has 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 joint ventures 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, Indian Rupee, Chinese yuan, Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar.  NTIC’s fees for services provided to joint ventures 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 joint ventures 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 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 May 31, 2010, NTIC had no borrowings under its $2,300,000 demand line of credit.

 

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

 

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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 Joint Ventures

 

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

 

NTIC’s investments in its joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.  NTIC assesses its joint ventures for impairment on an annual basis as of August 31 of each year as part of its fiscal year end analysis.  In addition to the annual review for impairment, NTIC reviews the operating results of each joint venture on a quarterly basis in comparison to its historical operating results.  If the operating results of a joint venture do not meet financial performance expectations, an additional evaluation is performed on the joint venture.  In addition to the annual assessments for impairment, non-periodic assessments for impairment may occur if cash remittances are less than accrued balances, a joint venture’s management requests capital or other events occur suggesting a decline in value. 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 joint ventures requires NTIC to make assumptions about future cash flows of its joint ventures.  These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed or estimated amounts.  NTIC’s investments in joint ventures were $14,960,391 as of May 31, 2010 and $14,329,122 as of August 31, 2009, respectively.  NTIC’s investments in its joint venture in Germany and its ASEAN joint venture holding company were $7,072,512 and $2,518,180, respectively, as of May 31, 2010 and $6,838,375 and $3,098,103, respectively, as of August 31, 2009.

 

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.

 

With respect to recording revenue related to fees for services provided to joint ventures, NTIC recognizes revenue related to support of joint ventures when earned, amounts are determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.  The support and services NTIC provides its joint ventures 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.  Although this support and these services are continuously occurring, contractual obligation of payment by NTIC’s joint ventures related to administrative services does not occur until the joint ventures ship product from their facilities, as noted above.  Under NTIC’s agreements with its joint ventures, amounts are earned when product is shipped from joint venture facilities.  NTIC reviews the financial situation of each of its joint ventures to assist in the likelihood of collections on amounts earned.  NTIC elects to account for these fees on a cash basis for certain joint ventures when uncertainty exists surrounding the collections of such fees.

 

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Accounts and Notes Receivable

 

Trade receivables arise from sales of NTIC’s products and services to NTIC’s joint ventures and to unaffiliated customers.  Trade receivables from joint ventures arise from sales NTIC makes to its joint ventures of products and the essential additives required to make ZERUST® industrial corrosion inhibiting packaging products functional.  Receivables for fees for services provided to joint ventures are contractually based on a percentage of the sales of the joint ventures and are intended to compensate NTIC for services NTIC provides to its joint ventures as, including 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.

 

Payment terms for NTIC’s unaffiliated customers are determined based on credit risk and vary by customer.  NTIC typically offers standard payments terms to unaffiliated customers of net 30 days.  Payment terms for NTIC’s joint ventures also are determined based on credit risk; however, additional consideration also is given to the individual joint venture due to the transportation time associated with ocean delivery of most products and certain other factors.  NTIC typically offers payment terms to joint ventures of net 90 days. NTIC does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable.  NTIC reviews the credit histories of its customers, including its joint ventures, before extending unsecured credit. 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 its joint ventures, 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 joint venture 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 or joint ventures, 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 $79,000 at May 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009.

 

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets

 

NTIC reviews its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable and determines potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the assets with expected net cash flows expected to be provided by operating activities of the business or related products.  If the sum of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows were less than the carrying value, NTIC would determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized.  An impairment loss would be measured by comparing the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

Recoverability of Investments in Joint Ventures

 

NTIC reviews the overall performance its joint ventures on an annual basis as of August 31 as a part of its fiscal year end analysis.  The quarterly operating results of each joint venture and a comparison to historical operating results, accrual for fees for services provided to joint ventures and impairment are evaluated upon receipt of quarterly operating results from the entity.  If operating results do not meet financial performance expectations, an additional evaluation is performed on the joint venture.  In addition, non-periodic assessments of impairment may occur between annual evaluation periods if cash remittances are less than accrued balances, joint venture management requests capital or other events occur suggesting an other than temporary decline in value.

 

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Foreign Currency Translation (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income)

 

The functional currency of each international 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 joint ventures.  Since NTIC’s investments in its joint ventures 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 reflected in NTIC’s consolidated statement of income.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

NTIC recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of employee stock options in its financial statements.  That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.   NTIC measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and recognizes the cost over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. In addition, NTIC or others on NTIC’s 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 site or otherwise. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report or expressed by NTIC orally from time to time 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, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and prospects regarding, among other things, NTIC’s financial condition, results of operations and business. NTIC has identified some of these forward-looking statements in this report with words like “believe,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “forecast,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate” “outlook” or “continue” or the negative of these words or 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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about future events affecting NTIC and are subject to uncertainties and factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market as well as matters specific to NTIC.  These uncertainties and factors are difficult to predict and many of them are beyond NTIC’s control.  The following are some of the uncertainties and factors known to us that could cause NTIC’s actual results to differ materially from what NTIC has anticipated in its forward-looking statements:

 

·      The effect of current worldwide economic conditions on NTIC’s business;

 

·      The health of the U.S. automotive industry on NTIC’s business;

 

·      NTIC’s dependence on the success of its joint ventures and fees and dividend distributions that NTIC receives from them;

 

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·      NTIC’s relationships with its joint ventures and its ability to maintain those relationships;

 

·      Risks associated with NTIC’s international operations and exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

·      Fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, including resins and other commodities;

 

·      NTIC’s investments in its new business and research and development efforts and its need for additional capital to support such new business and research and development efforts;

 

·      The success of and risks associated with NTIC’s emerging new businesses;

 

·      Acceptance of NTIC’s existing and new products;

 

·      Increased competition;

 

·      NTIC’s reliance upon and its relationships with its distributors, independent sales representatives and joint ventures;

 

·      NTIC’s reliance upon suppliers;

 

·      The costs and effects of complying with changes in tax, fiscal, government and other regulatory policies, including rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters;

 

·      The costs and effects of currently outstanding or threatened litigation;

 

·      Unforeseen product quality or other problems in the development, production and usage of new and existing products;

 

·      Loss of or changes in executive management or key employees;

 

·      Ability of management to manage around unplanned events;

 

·      NTIC’s reliance on its intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; and

 

·      NTIC’s reliance upon its management information systems.

 

For more information regarding these and other uncertainties and factors that could cause NTIC’s actual results to differ materially from what NTIC has anticipated in its forward-looking statements or otherwise could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or operating results, see NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009 under the heading “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

All forward-looking statements included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We wish 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 uncertainties and factors described above, as well as others that we may consider immaterial or do not anticipate at this time.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct.  Our expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate

 

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assumptions we might make or by known or unknown uncertainties and factors, including those described above.  The risks and uncertainties described above are not exclusive and further information concerning us and our business, including factors that potentially could materially affect our financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time.  We assume no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.  We advise you, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

This Item 3 is inapplicable to NTIC as a smaller reporting company and has been omitted pursuant to Item 305(e) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

NTIC maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by NTIC in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to NTIC’s management, including NTIC’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  NTIC’s management evaluated, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of NTIC’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered in this report.  Based on that evaluation, NTIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that NTIC’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that NTIC files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to NTIC’s management, including NTIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II                OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

A description of NTIC’s legal proceedings in Note 13 of its consolidated financial statements included within this report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 1A.       RISK FACTORS

 

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

 

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ITEM 2.          UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

 

During the three months ended May 31, 2010, NTIC did not issue any shares of its common stock or other equity securities of NTIC that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

During the three months ended May 31, 2010, NTIC did not purchase any shares of its common stock or other equity securities of NTIC.

 

On November 13, 2003, the Board of Directors of NTIC authorized Matthew Wolsfeld, Chief Financial Officer of NTIC, to repurchase on behalf of NTIC, up to 100,000 shares of NTIC’s common stock from time to time in accordance with applicable rules governing issuer stock repurchases.  Since being authorized, NTIC has not repurchased and retired any shares of its common stock.

 

ITEM 3.          DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.          [REMOVED AND RESERVED]

 

ITEM 5.          OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.                EXHIBITS

 

The following exhibits are being filed or furnished with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

99.1

 

Revised Consolidated Statements of Operations of Northern Technologies International Corporation and Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Years ended August 31, 2009 and 2008 (filed herewith)

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

 

 

Date:  July 15, 2010

Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized to Sign on Behalf of the Registrant)

 

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NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

Method of Filing

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed herewith

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed herewith

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Furnished herewith

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Furnished herewith

99.1

 

Revised Consolidated Statements of Operations of Northern Technologies International Corporation and Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Years ended August 31, 2009 and 2008

 

Filed herewith

 

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