NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2020 November (Form 10-Q)

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED) AND

AUGUST 31, 2020 (AUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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 November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2020 and the results of the Company’s operations for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 and the Company’s cash flows for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).

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, 2020. 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 months ended November 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending August 31, 2021.

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

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government mandated restrictions on the Company’s business as well as the businesses of its joint ventures, customers and suppliers, disruption to the Company’s business and the manufacture and sale of its products and services has occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and is expected to continue into the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond.

2.      Accounting PronouncementS

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which revises guidance for the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, and in November 2018, issued ASU No. 2018-19 and in April 2019, issued ASU No. 2019-04 and in May 2019, issued ASU No. 2019-05, and in November 2019, issued ASU No. 2019-11, which amended the standard. The new standard introduces an approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments and modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. The new approach to estimating credit losses (referred to as the current expected credit losses model) applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities are required to apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this ASU.

Although there are several other new accounting pronouncements issued or proposed by the FASB, which the Company has adopted or will adopt, as applicable, the Company does not believe any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or operating results.

3.     INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

4.     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

5.     PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS, NET

Patents and trademarks, net consisted of the following:

Patent and trademark costs are amortized over seven years. Costs incurred related to patents and trademarks are capitalized until filed and approved, at which time the amounts capitalized to date are amortized, and any further costs, including maintenance costs, are expensed as incurred. Amortization expense is estimated to be $200,000 in each of the next four fiscal years.

6.     INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

The consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements have subsequently been adjusted to conform with U.S. GAAP in all material respects. All material profits on sales recorded that remain on the consolidated balance sheet from the Company to its joint ventures and from joint ventures to other 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 (EXCOR), and all the Company’s other joint ventures are summarized as follows:

7.     CORPORATE DEBT

The Company has a revolving line of credit with PNC Bank, National Association (PNC Bank) of $3,000,000. No amounts were outstanding under the line of credit as of both November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2020.

The line of credit is governed under a loan agreement. The loan agreement contains standard covenants, including affirmative financial covenants, such as the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, and negative covenants, which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, loans and equity investments, disposition of assets, mergers and consolidations and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Under the loan agreement, the Company is subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10:1.00. As of November 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

On December 21, 2020, the Company and PNC Bank amended the loan agreement relating to the revolving line of credit and amended and restated the promissory note issued by the Company relating to the revolving line of credit. Pursuant to these amendments:

(a)     the rate at which amounts outstanding under the line of credit bear interest was revised to equal (i) (A) a per annum rate equal to the “London Interbank Offered Rate” for a one month period determined and applied each business day until the next business date, or if greater (B) 75 basis points (0.75%), plus (ii) 325 basis points (3.25%);

(b)     a provision was added that added a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest in the event the “London Interbank Offered Rate” is no longer available or in certain other circumstances which are determined to make using an alternative rate desirable;

(c)     the maturity date of the line of credit was extended to January 7, 2022;

(d)     the fixed charge coverage ratio financial covenant was revised to be required to be maintained only as of the end of each fiscal year at a ratio of 1.10:1.0, the same ratio as previously in effect. The definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” was amended to delete the effects of changes to paid-in capital on stockholders’ equity and delete references to payments under all capital leases . The related definition of “EBITDA” was amended to delete the effect of non-cash reductions or increases in net income and the related definition of “Current Maturities” was amended to delete the reference to the phrase “as current maturities” ; and

(e)     the automatic sweep by PNC Bank of the Company’s checking account and the automatic advance from the line of credit to the Company’s checking account were terminated.

Except as described above, the other material terms of the revolving line of credit and loan agreement with PNC Bank and other related documents were not affected by the foregoing described amendments.

As of November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2020, the Company did not have any letters of credit outstanding with respect to the letter of credit sub-facility available under the revolving line of credit with PNC Bank.

As of November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2020, the Company had $88,831 of letters of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank that are performance based and set to expire in 2021 and 2022.

8.     STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On April 23, 2020, the Company announced the temporary suspension of its quarterly cash dividend pending clarity on the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Company. Therefore, the Company did not declare a cash dividend during the three months ended November 30, 2020. On October 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.065 per share of NTIC’s common stock, payable on November 20, 2019 to stockholders of record on November 6, 2019.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, the Company granted stock options under the Northern Technologies International Corporation 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2019 Plan) to purchase an aggregate of 419,874 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors. The weighted average per share exercise price of the stock options is $8.24. The exercise price of the stock options is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. During the three months ended November 30, 2020, no stock options to purchase common stock were exercised.

During the three months ended November 30, 2019, the Company granted stock options under the 2019 Plan to purchase an aggregate of 300,770 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors. The weighted average per share exercise price of these stock options is $10.80. During the three months ended November 30, 2020, no stock options to purchase common stock were exercised.

The Company issued 4,646 and 3,597 shares of common stock on September 1, 2020 and 2019, respectively, under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP).

9.     NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

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

The following is a reconciliation of the net income per share computation for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019:

The dilutive impact summarized above relates to the periods when the average market price of the Company’s common stock exceeded the exercise price of the potentially dilutive option securities granted. Net income per common share was based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods when computing basic net income per share. When dilutive, stock options are included as equivalents using the treasury stock market method when computing the diluted net income per share. Excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended November 30, 2020 were options outstanding to purchase 605,629 shares of common stock. Excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended November 30, 2019 were options outstanding to purchase 141,768 shares of common stock.

10.     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has three stock-based compensation plans under which stock options or other stock-based awards have been granted: the 2019 Plan, the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2007 Plan) and the ESPP. The 2019 Plan replaced the 2007 Plan with respect to future grants; and, therefore, no further awards may be made under the 2007 Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors administer these plans.

The 2019 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. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2019 Plan, up to a maximum of 800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the 2019 Plan. Options granted generally have a term of ten years and become exercisable over a one- or three- 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. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of options. As of November 30, 2020, options to purchase an aggregate of 720,644 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the 2019 Plan and 79,356 shares of the Company’s common stock remain available for grant under the 2019 Plan.

The maximum number of shares of common stock of the Company available for issuance under the ESPP is 200,000 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. As of November 30, 2020, 80,047 shares of common stock remained available for sale under the ESPP.

The Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 419,874 and 300,770 shares of its common stock during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, 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. The Company recognized compensation expense of $181,669 and $318,818 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to the options that vested during such time period. As of November 30, 2020, the total compensation cost for non-vested options not yet recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations was $1,149,172. Stock-based compensation expense of $482,505 is expected through the remainder of fiscal year 2021, and $333,334 is expected to be recognized during fiscal 2022, based on outstanding options as of November 30, 2020. Future option grants will impact the compensation expense recognized. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

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:

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 was $3.12 and $4.30, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding as of November 30, 2020 and 2019 was 6.90 years and 6.78 years, respectively.

On November 6, 2020, the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended 2019 Plan) subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders at its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on January 15, 2021. The Amended 2019 Plan incorporates certain amendments to the 2019 Plan, including an increase in the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan by an additional 800,000 shares and a new limit on overall non-employee director compensation of $200,000 per year or $250,000 in the case of a non-employee chairman, lead independent director, or non-employee director in the first year of service on the Board of Directors. This proposed limit on non-employee director compensation will be in lieu of the currently existing limit on the number of shares subject to awards granted to a non-employee director each year.

11.     SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s business is organized into two reportable segments: ZERUST^® and Natur-Tec^®. The Company has been selling its proprietary ZERUST^® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets for over 40 years and, more recently, has targeted and expanded into the oil and gas industry. The Company also sells a portfolio of bio-based and compostable (fully biodegradable) polymer resins and finished products under the Natur-Tec^® brand.

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 by segment:

The following table sets forth the Company’s cost of goods sold for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 by segment:

The Company 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.

Geographic Information

Net sales by geographic location for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

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

Fees for services provided to joint ventures by geographic location as a percentage of total fees for services provided to joint ventures during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

The geographical distribution of total long-lived assets and net sales is as follows:

Long-lived assets located in China, Brazil, Germany, and India consist of property and equipment. These assets are periodically reviewed to assure the net realizable value from the estimated future production based on forecasted sales exceeds the carrying value of the assets.

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

All joint venture operations, including equity in income, fees for services and related dividends, are primarily related to ZERUST^® products and services.

12.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Annual Bonus Plan

On August 27, 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the material terms of an annual bonus plan for the Company’s executive officers as well as certain officers and employees for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2021. For fiscal 2021, as in past years, the total amount available under the bonus plan for all plan participants, including executive officers, is dependent upon the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, and other income, as adjusted to take into account amounts to be paid under the bonus plan and certain other adjustments (Adjusted EBITOI). Each plan participant’s percentage of the overall bonus pool is based upon the number of plan participants, the individual’s annual base salary, and the individual’s position and level of responsibility within the Company. In the case of each of the Company’s executive officer participants, 75% of the amount of their individual bonus payout will be determined based upon the Company’s actual EBITOI for fiscal 2021 compared to a pre-established target EBITOI for fiscal 2021, and 25% of the payout will be determined based upon such executive officer’s achievement of certain pre-established individual performance objectives. The payment of bonuses under the plan is discretionary, and bonuses may be paid to executive officer participants in both cash and shares of NTIC common stock, the exact amount and percentages of which are determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, after the completion of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2021. There was $516,667 accrued for management bonuses for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $400,000 accrued for management bonuses for the three months ended November 30, 2019.

Concentrations

Three joint ventures (consisting of the Company’s joint ventures in South Korea, USA and India) accounted for 55.6% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at November 30, 2020, and three joint ventures (consisting of the Company’s joint ventures in South Korea, Thailand and India) accounted for 51.4% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at November 30, 2019.

Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is subject to various other claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of its business. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for costs related to claims, including future legal costs, settlements and judgments, where the Company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount could be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the Company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The Company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that material loss may have been incurred. In the opinion of management, as of November 30, 2020, the amount of liability, if any, with respect to these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

13.     Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to marketable equity securities. These items are marked-to-market at each reporting period, and the Company estimates that market value approximates costs.

The following tables provide information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 or 2019.

14.     SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information consisted of:

Non-cash financing activity consisted of:

15.     INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense for the three months ended November 30, 2020 was $378,590 compared to $264,066 for the same prior year period. The expense was largely due to foreign operations. The Company has federal and state tax credit carry forwards, net operating loss carry forwards and foreign tax carry forwards. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against the US deferred tax assets as of November 30, 2020.

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” in this report and under “Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. 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.”

Business Overview

NTIC develops and markets proprietary, environmentally-beneficial products and services in over 60 countries either directly or via a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, independent distributors, and agents. NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention marketed mainly under the ZERUST^® brand. NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST^® products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military, and retail consumer markets for over 40 years and, in recent years, has targeted and expanded into the oil and gas industry. NTIC also markets and sells a portfolio of bio-based and certified compostable (fully biodegradable) 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 waste disposal options.

NTIC’s ZERUST^® rust and corrosion inhibiting products include plastic and paper packaging, liquids, coatings, rust removers, cleaners, and diffusers as well as engineered solutions designed specifically for the oil and gas industry. NTIC also offers worldwide, on-site, technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s ZERUST^® rust and corrosion inhibiting products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their performance requirements. In North America, NTIC sells its ZERUST^® corrosion prevention solutions through a network of independent distributors and agents supported by a direct sales force. Internationally, NTIC sells its ZERUST^® corrosion prevention solutions through its wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (NTIC China), its majority-owned joint venture holding company for NTIC’s joint venture investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, NTI Asean LLC (NTI Asean), certain majority-owned and wholly-owned subsidiaries, and joint venture arrangements in North America, Europe, and Asia. NTIC also sells products directly to its joint venture partners through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, NTIC Europe GmbH (NTI Europe).

One of NTIC’s strategic initiatives is to expand into and penetrate other markets for its ZERUST^® corrosion prevention technologies. Consequently, for the past several years, NTIC has focused significant sales and marketing efforts on the oil and gas industry, as the infrastructure that supports that industry is typically constructed using metals that are highly susceptible to corrosion. NTIC believes that its ZERUST^® corrosion prevention solutions will minimize maintenance downtime on critical oil and gas industry infrastructure, extend the life of such infrastructure, and reduce the risk of environmental pollution due to leaks caused by corrosion.

NTIC markets and sells its ZERUST^® rust and corrosion prevention solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry across several countries either directly, through its subsidiaries, or through its joint venture partners and other strategic partners. The sale of ZERUST^® corrosion prevention solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry typically involves long sales cycles, often including multi-year trial periods with each customer and a slow integration process thereafter.

Natur-Tec^® bio-based and compostable plastics are manufactured using NTIC’s patented and/or proprietary technologies and are intended to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. The Natur-Tec^® biopolymer resin compound portfolio includes formulations that have been optimized for a variety of applications, including blown-film extrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding, and engineered plastics. These resin compounds are certified to be fully biodegradable in a composting environment and are currently being used to produce finished products, including can liners, shopping and grocery bags, lawn and leaf bags, branded apparel packaging bags and accessories, and various foodservice items, such as disposable cutlery, drinking straws, food-handling gloves, and coated paper products. In North America, NTIC markets its Natur-Tec^® resin compounds and finished products primarily through a network of regional and national distributors as well as independent agents. NTIC continues to see significant opportunities for finished bioplastic products and, therefore, continues to strengthen and expand its North American distribution network for finished Natur-Tec^® bioplastic products.

Internationally, NTIC sells its Natur-Tec^® resin compounds and finished products both directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiary in China and majority-owned subsidiaries in India and Sri Lanka, and through distributors and certain joint ventures.

NTIC’s Subsidiaries and Joint Venture Network

NTIC has ownership interests in nine operating subsidiaries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The following table sets forth a list of NTIC’s operating subsidiaries as of November 30, 2020, the country in which the subsidiary is organized and NTIC’s ownership percentage in each subsidiary:

The results of these subsidiaries are fully consolidated in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

NTIC participates in 19 active joint venture arrangements in North America, Europe and Asia. Each of these joint ventures generally manufactures and markets products in the geographic territory to which it is assigned. While most of NTIC’s joint ventures exclusively sell rust and corrosion inhibiting products, some of the joint ventures also sell NTIC’s Natur-Tec^® resin compounds. NTIC has historically funded its investments in joint ventures with cash generated from operations.

The following table sets forth a list of NTIC’s operating joint ventures as of November 30, 2020, the country in which the joint venture is organized and NTIC’s ownership percentage in each joint venture:

____________________

NTIC receives funds from its joint ventures as fees received for services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures and as dividend distributions. 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 NTIC’s joint venture in Germany (EXCOR), NTIC recognizes an agreed upon quarterly fee for services. NTIC recognizes equity income from each joint venture based on the overall profitability of the joint venture. Such profitability is subject to variability from quarter to quarter, which, in turn, subjects NTIC’s earnings to variability from quarter to quarter. The profits of each joint venture are shared by the respective joint venture owners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages. NTIC typically directly or indirectly owns 50% or less of each of its joint venture entities and, thus, does not control the decisions of these entities regarding whether to pay dividends and, if paid, what amount is paid in a given year. The payment of a dividend by an entity is determined by a joint vote of the owners and is not at the sole discretion of NTIC.

NTIC accounts for the investments and financial results of its joint ventures in its financial statements utilizing the equity method of accounting.

NTIC considers EXCOR to be individually significant to NTIC’s consolidated assets and income. Therefore, NTIC provides certain additional information regarding EXCOR in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and in this section of this report.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility in financial markets and has resulted in an economic recession. The outbreak and continuing rapid spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities worldwide and has caused weakened economic conditions, both in the United States and abroad.

As part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, federal, state, local and foreign governments imposed various restrictions on the conduct of business and travel, some of which remain in place in whole or in part and some of which have been or may be reinstated. Government restrictions, such as stay-at-home orders, quarantines and worker absenteeism as a result of COVID-19, have led to a significant number of business closures and slowdowns. These business closures and slowdowns have adversely impacted and will likely continue to adversely impact NTIC directly and have caused some of NTIC’s customers and suppliers to operate at a fraction of their capacities or wholly lock down, which has disrupted and may continue to disrupt NTIC’s sales and production.

As the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, NTIC’s primary focus was, and continues to be, the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees, customers and suppliers. In order to continue its operations, as permitted by respective state, local and foreign governments, NTIC has adopted numerous safety measures in accordance with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and federal, state, local and foreign guidance in order to protect its employees, customers and suppliers. These safety measures include, but are not limited to, adhering to social distancing protocols, enabling the majority of its employees to work from home, suspending non-essential travel, disinfecting facilities and workspaces extensively and frequently, suspending all non-essential visitors and requiring employees who must be present at NTIC’s facilities to wear face coverings. NTIC expects to continue such safety measures for the foreseeable future and may take further actions, or adapt these existing policies, as government authorities may require or recommend or as it may determine to be in the best interests of its employees, customers and suppliers.

NTIC has been balancing its safety-focused approach with the needs of its customers. Government mandated measures resulting in the substantial curtailment of business activities generally have excluded certain essential businesses and services, including certain manufacturing. With the exception of the temporary closures of NTIC’s facilities in China and India during the second and third fiscal quarters of 2020, NTIC’s manufacturing activities are generally considered part of the “critical sector” with respect to state and local government orders. This has allowed NTIC to continue to receive orders and provide uninterrupted order fulfillment to its customers. However, its facilities have been operating at a reduced capacity in order to abide by local government requirements and recommendations, such as social distancing practices, and in response to reduced demand. During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, certain of NTIC’s facilities were impacted by reduced levels of production, manufacturing inefficiencies due to the reconfiguration of certain of its manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols and reduced demand. NTIC has engaged and continues to engage in communications with its suppliers in an attempt to identify and mitigate supply chain risks and proactively manage inventory levels in order to align production with demand. While domestic and international governmental measures may be modified or extended, NTIC currently expects that its global facilities will remain operational, although operating at reduced production capacity at certain of its facilities. However, such expectation is dependent upon future governmental actions and demand for NTIC’s products, the stability of its global supply chain and the ability of carriers to transport supplies to its facilities and products to its customers.

As a result of the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NTIC continued to experience softened demand in various regions and markets during the first quarter of fiscal 2021, which had a adverse effect on NTIC’s operating results and financial condition. NTIC anticipates continued softened global demand for its products and services during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond. Due to the international reach of COVID-19, NTIC’s international joint ventures have also been adversely impacted, which has had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on NTIC’s joint venture operations and equity in income from joint ventures. It is currently not possible to predict the precise potential impact, as well as the extent of any future impact, of the COVID-19 pandemic on NTIC’s business and on the global economy as a whole. It is also currently not possible to predict how long the pandemic will last or the time that it will take for economic activity to return to prior levels. A prolonged situation could have a significant adverse effect on economies and financial markets globally, potentially leading to a significant worldwide economic downturn, which could have a significant adverse effect on NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact NTIC’s business will likely depend on numerous evolving factors that NTIC may not be able to accurately predict, including:

Any of these events could materially adversely affect NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition.

Financial Overview

NTIC’s management, including its chief executive officer, who is NTIC’s chief operating decision maker, reports and manages NTIC’s operations in two reportable business segments based on products sold, customer base and distribution center: ZERUST^® products and services and Natur-Tec^® products.    

NTIC’s consolidated net sales decreased 12.7% during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019. NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the three months ended November 30, 2020 were adversely affected by reduced demand globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. NTIC anticipates that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to adversely affect NTIC’s consolidated net sales, including sales of its ZERUST^® products and services and Natur-Tec^® products, and earnings during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, 80.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of ZERUST^® products and services, which increased 2.7% to $10,220,551 compared to $9,949,512 for the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase was due to increased sales to new and existing customers in China, partially offset by a slight decrease in North American sales as a result of decreased demand, primarily as a result of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. NTIC has focused its sales efforts of ZERUST^® products and services by strategically targeting customers with specific corrosion issues in new market areas, including the oil and gas industry and other industrial sectors that offer sizable growth opportunities. NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the three months ended November 30, 2020 included $562,693 of sales made to customers in the oil and gas industry compared to $520,844 for the three months ended November 30, 2019. Overall demand for ZERUST^® products and services depends heavily on the overall health of the markets in which NTIC sells its products, including the automotive, oil and gas, agriculture, and mining markets in particular. NTIC’s sales of ZERUST^® products and services for the three months ended November 30, 2020 were adversely affected by reduced demand globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, 20.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec^® products compared to 32.0% during the three months ended November 30, 2019. Net sales of Natur-Tec^® products decreased 45.4% during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019 primarily due to a decrease in finished product sales in North America and finished product sales at NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited (Natur-Tec India) and reduced demand globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID pandemic continues having a material impact on demand from many large users of bioplastics including college campuses, stadiums, arenas, restaurants, and corporate office complexes. These are expected to be some of the last businesses to re-open and many of these institutions have still not announced re-opening plans. Furthermore, production across the apparel industry has declined sharply, further decreasing demand for our Natur-Tec bioplastic bags, which have become an important part of the sustainability initiatives within this industry.

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.1% during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to 67.0% during the three months ended November 30, 2019 primarily as a result of a decreased percentage of product sales from Natur-Tec^® products, which have lower gross margins than NTIC’s traditional ZERUST^® industrial products and services or its oil and gas products.

NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures increased 41.1% to $1,825,712 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $1,293,990 during the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase was primarily due to an increase in net sales at the joint ventures, which increased 5.2% to $26,777,343 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $25,460,294 for the three months ended November 30, 2019. The increase in the net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures was due primarily to increased sales to existing customers as a result of increased demand for existing products.

NTIC’s total operating expenses increased 0.2% to $5,911,487 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $5,898,620 for the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase was primarily due to a slight increase in research and development expenses, partially offset by a decrease in other expenses due to the suspension of travel and work from home initiatives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal 2020.

NTIC spent $1,075,737 and $961,641 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, in connection with its research and development activities. NTIC anticipates that it will spend a total of between $3,900,000 and $4,100,000 in fiscal 2021 on research and development activities.

NTIC incurred net income attributable to NTIC of $1,262,399, or $0.13 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $1,212,550, or $0.13 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2019. Although NTIC’s earnings for the three months ended November 30, 2020 were comparable to the three months ended November 30, 2019, NTIC anticipates that its earnings will continue to be subject to volatility due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond. NTIC also anticipates that its quarterly net income will continue to remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the financial performance of its subsidiaries and joint ventures, sales of its ZERUST^® products and services into the oil and gas industry, and sales of its Natur-Tec^® bioplastics products, which sales fluctuate more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST^® business.

NTIC’s working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $28,172,918 at November 30, 2020, including $6,953,341 in cash and cash equivalents and $6,382,785 in available for sale securities, compared to $27,104,746 at August 31, 2020, including $6,403,032 in cash and cash equivalents and $5,544,722 in available for sale securities.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth NTIC’s results of operations for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019.

Net Sales. NTIC’s consolidated net sales decreased 12.7% to $12,779,112 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019. NTIC’s consolidated net sales to unaffiliated customers excluding NTIC’s joint ventures decreased 13.1% to $12,198,808 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2020. These decreases were primarily a result of reduced demand globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. NTIC anticipates that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to adversely affect NTIC’s consolidated net sales, including sales of its ZERUST^® products and services and Natur-Tec^® products, during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond.

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales by product segment for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 by segment:

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, 80.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of ZERUST^® products and services, which increased 2.7% to $10,220,551 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $9,949,512 during the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase was primarily a result of increased demand in China partially offset by the continued decreased demand in North America as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales of ZERUST^® products for the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019:

NTIC’s total ZERUST^® net sales increased during the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared to the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to overall increased demand for ZERUST^® industrial products and services in China and overall increased demand for ZERUST^® oil and gas products and services. NTIC’s sales of ZERUST^® industrial products and services for the three months ended November 30, 2020 were adversely affected by reduced demand globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ZERUST^® oil and gas net sales increased 8.0% during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the same period last fiscal year primarily as a result of increased demand. NTIC anticipates that its sales of ZERUST^® products and services into the oil and gas industry will continue to remain subject to significant volatility from quarter to quarter as sales are recognized, specifically due to the volatility of oil prices. Demand for oil and gas products around the world depends primarily on market acceptance and the reach of NTIC’s distribution network. Because of the typical size of individual orders and overall size of NTIC’s net sales derived from sales of oil and gas products, the timing of one or more orders can materially affect NTIC’s quarterly sales compared to prior fiscal year quarters.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, 20.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec^® products, compared to 32.0% during the three months ended November 30, 2019. Sales of Natur-Tec^® products decreased 45.4% to $2,558,561 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $4,681,888 during the three months ended November 30, 2019. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in finished product sales in North America and finished product sales at NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India, and decreased demand globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID pandemic has adversely impacted demand from across the apparel industry, as well as many large users of bioplastics, including college campuses, stadiums, arenas, restaurants, and corporate office complexes. NTIC currently expects these customers will be some of the last businesses to re-open, and accordingly, anticipates that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to significantly adversely affect sales of Natur-Tec^® products during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond.

Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold decreased 15.2% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2019. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.1% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to 67.0% for the three months ended November 30, 2019 primarily due to a decreased percentage of product sales from Natur-Tec^® products, which have lower gross margins than NTIC’s traditional ZERUST^® industrial products and services or its ZERUST^® oil and gas products.   

Equity in Income from Joint Ventures. NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures increased 41.1% to $1,825,712 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $1,293,990 during the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase was primarily a result of increased profitability of the joint ventures, which fluctuates based on net sales, during the respective periods. Of the total equity in income from joint ventures, NTIC had equity in income from joint ventures of $1,010,537 attributable to EXCOR during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $821,164 during the three months ended November 30, 2019. NTIC had equity in income from all other joint ventures of $815,175 during the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared to $472,827 during the three months ended November 30, 2019.

Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures. NTIC recognized fee income for services provided to joint ventures of $1,336,561 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $1,358,325 during the three months ended November 30, 2019, representing a slight decrease of $21,764, or 1.6%. Fee income for services provided to joint ventures is traditionally a function of the sales made by NTIC’s joint ventures; however, at various joint ventures, the fee income for services is a fixed amount that does not fluctuate with the increase in sales which was experienced by certain joint ventures during the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 5.2% to $26,777,343 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $25,460,294 for the three months ended November 30, 2019 due to increased demand. Net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures are not included in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements. Of the total fee income for services provided to joint ventures, fees of $228,826 were attributable to EXCOR during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $212,101 attributable to EXCOR during the three months ended November 30, 2019.     

Selling Expenses. NTIC’s selling expenses decreased 5.0% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2020 due primarily to decreased travel expenses and other expenses due to work from home arrangements necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 21.5% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 from 19.7% during the three months ended November 30, 2019 primarily due to the decrease in net sales, as previously described.

General and Administrative Expenses. NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 2.2% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2020 primarily due to the timing of various audit and tax fees, partially offset by decreased travel expenses and other expenses due to work from home arrangements necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased to 16.4% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 from 14.0% for the three months ended November 30, 2019 primarily due to the decrease in net sales, as previously described.

Research and Development Expenses. NTIC’s research and development expenses increased 11.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2020 primarily due to increased personnel and development efforts, partially offset by decreased travel expenses and other expenses due to work from home arrangements necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interest Income. NTIC’s interest income increased to $69,538 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $49,038 during the three months ended November 30, 2019 due primarily to increased levels of invested capital.

Interest Expense. NTIC’s interest expense decreased to $2,368 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $5,444 during the three months ended November 30, 2019.

Income Before Income Tax Expense. NTIC incurred income before income tax expense equal to $1,783,747 for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $1,623,605 for the three months ended November 30, 2019.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $378,590 during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $264,066 during the three months ended November 30, 2019. Income tax expense was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate.

NTIC considers the earnings of certain foreign joint ventures to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that NTIC’s future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs. As a result, U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been recognized on the cumulative undistributed earnings of $22,726,127 and $21,855,747 at November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2020, respectively. To the extent undistributed earnings of NTIC’s joint ventures are distributed in the future, they are not expected to result in any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits.

Net Income Attributable to NTIC. Net income attributable to NTIC increased $49,849 to $1,262,399, or $0.13 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to $1,212,550, or $0.13 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2019. This increase was primarily the result of the increase in equity in income from joint venture operations during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year period.

NTIC anticipates that its earnings will continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 and beyond and that its quarterly net income will continue to remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the financial performance of its subsidiaries and joint ventures, sales of its ZERUST^® products and services into the oil and gas industry, and sales of its Natur-Tec^® bioplastics products, which fluctuate more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST^® business.

Other Comprehensive Income - Foreign Currency Translations Adjustment. The changes in the foreign currency translations adjustment were due to the fluctuations of the U.S. dollar compared to the Euro and other foreign currencies during the three months ended November 30, 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Cash and Working Capital. NTIC’s working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $28,172,918 at November 30, 2020, including $6,953,341 in cash and cash equivalents and $6,382,785 in available for sale securities, compared to $27,104,746 at August 31, 2020, including $6,403,032 in cash and cash equivalents and $5,544,722 in available for sale securities.

As of November 30, 2020, NTIC had a revolving line of credit with PNC Bank of $3,000,000 with no amounts outstanding. At the option of the Company, outstanding advances under the line of credit bore interest at either (a) an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.15% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by the Company or (b) at the rate publicly announced by PNC Bank from time to time as its prime rate.

The line of credit was evidenced by an amended and restated committed line of credit note in the principal amount of up to $3,000,000. The line of credit had a $1,200,000 standby letter of credit sub-facility, with any standby letters of credit issued thereunder being at the sole discretion of PNC Bank. Any lines of credit issued by PNC Bank would decrease the availability under the revolving line of credit.

The line of credit was subject to standard covenants, including affirmative financial covenants, such as the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, and negative covenants, which, among other things, limited the incurrence of additional indebtedness, loans and equity investments, disposition of assets, mergers and consolidations and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Under the loan agreement, NTIC was subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10:1.00. As of November 30, 2020, NTIC was in compliance with all debt covenants.

On December 21, 2020, the Company and PNC Bank amended the loan agreement and the Company issued an amended and restated the promissory note relating to the revolving line of credit. The material changes made by these amendments, which include changes to the rate at which interest accrues and certain other revisions, are described in Note 7 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements. The other material terms of the revolving line of credit and loan agreement with PNC Bank and other related documents remain in effect.

NTIC believes that a combination of its existing cash and cash equivalents, available for sale securities, 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 or subsidiaries, capital expenditures, debt repayments, cash dividends if NTIC’s Board of Directors decides to reinstate them, and any stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months. During the remainder of fiscal 2021, NTIC expects to continue to invest directly and through its use of working capital in NTIC China, Zerust Mexico, NTI Europe, research and development, marketing efforts, resources for the application of its corrosion prevention technology in the oil and gas industry, and its Natur-Tec^® bio-plastics business, although the amounts of these various investments are not known at this time. 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 revolving 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 operations, distributions of earnings from joint ventures and fees for services provided to its joint ventures to fund NTIC’s new technology investments and capital contributions to new and existing subsidiaries and 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 there is limited exposure by NTIC’s joint ventures that could materially impact their respective operations and/or liquidity.

Uses of Cash and Cash Flow. Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended November 30, 2020 was $1,601,120, which resulted principally from NTIC’s net income, dividends received from joint ventures, depreciation expense, and stock-based compensation, partially offset by equity in income from joint ventures. Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended November 30, 2019 was $1,567,157, which resulted principally from NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures, an increase in inventory and increases in trade receivables excluding joint ventures, and income tax payable, partially offset by NTIC’s net income, depreciation and amortization and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

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 and payables. 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. 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, are 30 days and 90 days for trade receivables from its joint ventures. 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 receivables in excess of the provided allowance are determined uncollectible, they are charged to selling expense in the period that the determination is made. Accounts receivable are deemed uncollectible based on NTIC exhausting reasonable efforts to collect. NTIC’s typical contractual terms for receivables for services provided to its joint ventures are 90 days. NTIC records receivables for services provided to its 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 trade receivables and a decrease in inventory as of November 30, 2020 compared to August 31, 2020. Trade receivables excluding joint ventures as of November 30, 2020 increased $1,479,307 compared to August 31, 2020, primarily related to the timing of collections.

Outstanding trade receivables, excluding joint ventures balances, as of November 30, 2020 decreased 6 days to an average of 71 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2020.

Outstanding trade receivables from joint ventures as of November 30, 2020 increased $199,491 compared to August 31, 2020 primarily due to the timing of payments. Outstanding balances from trade receivables from joint ventures increased an average of 12 days from an average of 94 days from balances outstanding from these customers compared to August 31, 2020. The average days outstanding of trade receivables from joint ventures as of November 30, 2020 were primarily due to the receivables balances at NTIC’s joint ventures in the United States, South Korea and India.

Outstanding receivables for services provided to joint ventures as of November 30, 2020 increased $221,879 compared to August 31, 2020 and the average days to pay increased an average of 2 days from an average of 76 days compared to August 31, 2020.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2020 was $1,177,869, which was primarily the result of the purchase of available for sale securities, purchases of property and equipment and investments in patents. Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2019 was $353,300, which was primarily the result of cash provided by the sale of available for sale securities, partially offset by additions to property and equipment and additions to patents.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2020 was $36,192, which resulted from proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2019 was $555,271, which resulted from dividends paid on NTIC common stock, partially offset by proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan and the exercise of stock options.

Share Repurchase Plan. On January 15, 2015, NTIC’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 in shares of NTIC common stock through open market purchases or unsolicited or solicited privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by NTIC’s Board of Directors at any time. No repurchases occurred during the three months ended November 30, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, up to $2,640,548 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

Cash Dividends. On April 23, 2020, the Company announced the temporary suspension of its quarterly cash dividend pending clarity on the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the Company did not declare a cash dividend during the three months ended November 30, 2020. On October 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.065 per share of NTIC’s common stock, payable on November 20, 2019 to stockholders of record on November 6, 2019. The length of the Company’s suspension of its quarterly cash dividend is currently unknown, and the declaration of future dividends is not guaranteed and will be determined by NTIC’s Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including NTIC’s earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors, including without limitation the effect of COVID-19 on NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition.

Capital Expenditures and Commitments. NTIC spent $309,400 on capital expenditures during the three months ended November 30, 2020, which related primarily to the purchase of new equipment. NTIC expects to spend an aggregate of approximately $600,000 to $900,000 on capital expenditures during fiscal 2021, which it expects will relate primarily to the purchase of new equipment.

Contractual Obligations

There has been no material change to NTIC’s contractual obligations as provided in “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations,” included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

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 are 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.

Inflation and Seasonality

Inflation in the United States and abroad historically has had little effect on NTIC. Although NTIC’s business historically has not been seasonal, NTIC believes there is some seasonality in its business. NTIC anticipates its net sales in the second fiscal quarter may be adversely affected by the long Chinese New Year, the North American holiday season and overall less corrosion taking place at lower winter temperatures worldwide.

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, the Indian Rupee, the Chinese Renminbi, the South 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 from joint ventures reflected in its consolidated statements of operations. 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.

Any outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 amended and restated revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 3.25% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by the Company with a minimum rate of 0.75%. As of November 30, 2020, NTIC had no borrowings under the prior line of credit that existed as of that date.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no material changes to NTIC’s critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies,” included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

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, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements 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, and prospects regarding, among other things, NTIC’s financial condition, results of operations and business, the anticipated effect of COVID-19 on NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings and the effect of the liquidation of Tianjin Zerust, and the operations of NTIC China. NTIC has identified some of these forward-looking statements in this report with words like “believe,” “can,” “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. The use of future dates is also an indication of a forward-looking statement. 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:

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, 2020 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. NTIC wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement that speaks only as of the date made and to recognize that forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results due to the uncertainties and factors described above and others that NTIC may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this time. Although NTIC believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, NTIC does not know whether its expectations will prove correct. NTIC’s expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions NTIC might make or by known or unknown uncertainties and factors, including those described above. The risks and uncertainties described above are not exclusive, and further information concerning NTIC and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect its financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time. NTIC assumes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements. NTIC advises you, however, to consult any further disclosures NTIC makes on related subjects in its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K that NTIC files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT 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, the Indian Rupee, the Chinese Renminbi, the South 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 from joint ventures reflected in its consolidated statements of operations. 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.

Any outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 amended and restated revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 3.25% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by the Company with a minimum rate of 0.75%. As of November 30, 2020, NTIC had no borrowings under the prior line of credit that existed as of that date.

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 November 30, 2020 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.  

PART II -       OTHER INFORMATION

See Note 12 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements of this report.

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

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

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, 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

The following table shows NTIC’s first quarter of fiscal 2021 stock repurchase activity.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6.         EXHIBITS

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

SIGNATURES

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