UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2018

 

☐ 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

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

41-0857886

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

4201 Woodland Road

P.O. Box 69

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 ☒ NO ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). YES ☒ NO ☐

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☒

  Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

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

 

As of January 7, 2019, there were 4,542,177 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding.

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

November 30, 2018

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Description       Page
         
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Item 1.   Financial Statements    
    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2018 (unaudited) and August 31, 2018   1
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2018 and 2017   2
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2018 and 2017   3
    Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) for the years Three Months Ended November 30, 2018 and 2017   4
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2018 and 2017   5
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)   6-16
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    19-31
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   32
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   32
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION    
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings   34
Item 1A.   Risk Factors   34
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   34
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities   35
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures   35
Item 5.   Other Information   35
Item 6.   Exhibits   35
SIGNATURE PAGE   36

_________________

 

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.”

 

i

 

_________________

 

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 and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, all of which are consolidated on NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

 

As used in this report, references to: (1) “NTIC China” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; (2) “NTI Europe” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, NTIC Europe GmbH; (3) “Zerust Mexico” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico, ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V; (4) “Zerust Brazil” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A.; (5) “Natur-Tec India” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited; and (6) “NTI Asean” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned holding company subsidiary, NTI Asean LLC, which is a holding company that holds investments in seven entities that operate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, including the following countries: Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

 

NTIC’s consolidated financial statements do not include the accounts of any of its joint ventures. Except as otherwise indicated, references in this report to NTIC’s joint ventures do not include any of NTIC’s wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries.

 

As used in this report, references to “EXCOR” refer to NTIC’s joint venture in Germany, Excor Korrosionsschutz – Technologien und Produkte GmbH.

 

As used in this report, references to “Tianjin Zerust” refer to NTIC’s former joint venture in China, Tianjin-Zerust Anticorrosion Co., Ltd.

 

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

 

ii

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

AND AUGUST 31, 2018 (AUDITED)

    November 30, 2018   August 31, 2018
ASSETS                
CURRENT ASSETS:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 4,518,951     $ 4,163,023  
Available for sale securities     1,711,930       3,300,110  
Receivables:                
Trade excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $65,000 at November 30, 2018 and $50,000 at August 31, 2018     10,255,975       9,920,108  
Trade joint ventures     579,836       761,506  
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     1,272,078       1,357,255  
Income taxes     379,883       273,333  
Inventories     10,217,043       9,130,861  
Prepaid expenses     1,423,081       1,661,577  
Total current assets     30,358,777       30,567,773  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET     7,059,236       7,168,826  
                 
OTHER ASSETS:                
Investments in joint ventures     23,111,834       22,950,995  
Deferred income taxes     1,525,775       1,551,536  
Patents and trademarks, net     1,109,745       1,156,257  
Other     153,846       153,849  
Total other assets     25,901,200       25,812,637  
Total assets   $ 63,319,213     $ 63,549,236  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
Accounts payable   $ 4,038,018     $ 3,905,034  
Income taxes payable     139,802       70,892  
Accrued liabilities:                
Payroll and related benefits     965,648       2,747,303  
Other     1,048,688       1,006,953  
Total current liabilities     6,192,156       7,730,182  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)                
                 
EQUITY:                
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and outstanding     —         —    
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 15,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,542,177 and 4,541,303, respectively     90,844       90,826  
Additional paid-in capital     14,995,420       14,619,777  
Retained earnings     42,915,335       41,963,341  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (3,918,085 )     (3,597,199 )
Stockholders’ equity     54,083,514       53,076,745  
Non-controlling interest     3,043,543       2,742,309  
Total equity     57,127,057       55,819,054  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 63,319,213     $ 63,549,236  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

1

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
NET SALES:                
Net sales, excluding joint ventures   $ 13,610,865     $ 11,035,407  
Net sales, to joint ventures     483,187       507,631  
Total net sales     14,094,052       11,543,038  
                 
Cost of goods sold     9,461,137       7,888,470  
Gross profit     4,632,915       3,654,568  
                 
JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:                
Equity in income from joint ventures     2,004,162       1,741,328  
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     1,428,435       1,507,142  
Total joint venture operations     3,432,597       3,248,470  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                
Selling expenses     2,811,094       2,599,949  
General and administrative expenses     2,495,797       2,219,745  
Research and development expenses     872,157       798,731  
Total operating expenses     6,179,048       5,618,425  
                 
OPERATING INCOME     1,886,464       1,284,613  
                 
INTEREST INCOME     12,787       24,056  
INTEREST EXPENSE     (2,357 )     (5,089 )
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE     1,896,894       1,303,580  
                 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE     255,703       104,991  
                 
NET INCOME     1,641,191       1,198,589  
                 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS     144,132       114,963  
                 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC   $ 1,497,059     $ 1,083,626  
                 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC PER COMMON SHARE:                
Basic   $ 0.33     $ 0.24  
Diluted   $ 0.32     $ 0.24  
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:                
Basic     4,542,175       4,537,368  
Diluted     4,739,288       4,608,788  
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE   $ 0.12     $ 0.10  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
         
NET INCOME   $ 1,641,191     $ 1,198,589  
Other comprehensive LOSS – foreign currency translation adjustment     (297,822 )     (25,231 )
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME     1,343,369       1,173,358  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS     167,200       136,915  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC   $ 1,176,173     $ 1,036,443  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
              Accumulated      
            Additional       Other   Non-    
    Common Stock   Paid-in   Retained   Comprehensive   Controlling   Total
    Shares   Amount   Capital   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Interests   Equity
                             
BALANCE AT AUGUST 31, 2017     4,535,018     $ 90,700     $ 14,163,509     $ 37,077,483     $ (2,471,064 )   $ 2,857,448     $ 51,718,076  
Stock options exercised     1,500       30       15,345       —       —       —       15,375  
Stock issued for employee stock
purchase plan 		    890       18       12,463       —       —       —       12,481  
Stock option expense     —       —       103,267       —       —       —       103,267  
Dividends paid to shareholders     —       —       —       (454,738 )     —       —       (454,738 )
Dividend received by non-controlling interest     —       —       —       —       —       (200,000 )     (200,000 )
Comprehensive income (loss)     —       —       —       1,083,622       (47,179 )     136,915       1,173,358  
BALANCE AT NOVEMBER 30, 2017     4,537,408     $ 90,748     $ 14,294,584     $ 37,706,367     $ (2,518,243 )   $ 2,794,363     $ 52,367,819  
                                                         
BALANCE AT AUGUST 31, 2018     4,541,303     $ 90,826     $ 14,619,777     $ 41,963,341     $ (3,597,199 )   $ 2,742,309     $ 55,819,054  
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan     874       18       17,663       —       —       —       17,681  
Stock option expense     —       —       357,980       —       —       —       357,980  
Investment by non-controlling interest     —       —       —       —       —       134,034       134,034  
Dividends paid to shareholders     —       —       —       (545,061 )     —       —       (545,061 )
Comprehensive income (loss)     —       —       —       1,497,055       (320,886 )     167,200       1,343,369  
BALANCE AT NOVEMBER 30, 2018     4,542,177    

$

90,844     $ 14,995,420     $ 42,915,335     $ (3,918,085 )   $ 3,043,543     $ 57,127,057  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Net income   $ 1,641,191     $ 1,198,589  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                
Stock-based compensation     357,980       103,267  
Depreciation expense     217,723       208,486  
Amortization expense     64,443       62,177  
Equity in income from joint ventures     (2,004,162 )     (1,741,328 )
Deferred income taxes     19,010       —    
Dividends received from joint ventures     1,486,705       63,937  
Changes in current assets and liabilities:                
Receivables:                
Trade, excluding joint ventures     (343,517 )     (1,364,409 )
Trade, joint ventures     181,670       171,099  
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     85,177       (7,874 )
Income taxes     (93,513 )     (101,908 )
Inventories     (1,075,014 )     (530,401 )
Prepaid expenses and other     238,268       (250,280 )
Accounts payable     165,553       1,278,940  
Income tax payable     (6,949 )     102,618  
Accrued liabilities     (1,673,171 )     (622,696 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (738,606 )     (1,429,783 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Additions to property and equipment     (106,300 )     (87,250 )
Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities     1,588,180       —    
Purchase of available for sale securities     —         (3,257 )
Additions to patents     (17,930 )     (31,423 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     1,463,950       (121,930 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Dividend received by non-controlling interest     —         (200,000 )
Investment by non-controlling interest     134,034       —    
Dividends paid on NTIC common stock     (545,061 )     —    
Proceeds from option exercises     —         15,375  
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan     17,681       12,481  
Net cash used in financing activities     (393,346 )     (172,144 )
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:     23,930       (9,131 )
                 
                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     355,928       (1,732,988 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD     4,163,023      

6,360,201

 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD   $ 4,518,951     $

4,627,213

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

 

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, 2018 and August 31, 2018 and the results of their operations for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017 and their cash flows for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017, 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, 2018. 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, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending August 31, 2019.

 

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

 

2.         Accounting PronouncementS

 

New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are detailed in “Note 1: Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance creating Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Section 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), which establishes a comprehensive new model for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. This model is based on the core principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

 

On September 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 for all customer contracts using the modified retrospective method. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contracts with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods it transfers to, or services it performs for, the customer.

 

The adoption of ASC 606 did not impact the previously reported financial statements in any prior period nor did it result in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings; and therefore, the adoption of the standard did not impact the Company’s revenue recognition process. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied when the customers take possession of the products, which normally occurs at the shipping point or destination depending on the terms of the contracts. The Company’s services are generally sold based upon quotes or contracts with customers that include fixed or determinable price and sales arrangements do not contain any significant financing component for its customers. The Company does not recognize revenue related to product warranties, nor does the Company incur significant contract costs. Customer arrangements do not generate contract assets or liabilities.

 

6

 

 

Changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies as a result of adopting ASC 606 are discussed below:

 

Revenue Recognition - Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in the contract with a customer, adjusted for any applicable estimates of variable consideration and other factors affecting the transaction price, including noncash consideration, consideration paid or payable to customers and significant financing components. While most of the Company’s revenue is contracted with customers through one-time purchase orders and short-term contracts, the Company does have long-term arrangements with certain customers. Revenue from all customers is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of a distinct good or service to a customer.

 

Individually promised goods and services in a contract are considered a distinct performance obligation and accounted for separately if the customer can benefit from the individual good or service on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the arrangement. When an arrangement includes multiple performance obligations, the consideration is allocated between the performance obligations in proportion to their estimated standalone selling price. Costs related to products delivered are recognized in the period incurred, unless criteria for capitalization of costs are met. Costs of revenues consist primarily of direct labor, manufacturing overhead, materials and components. The Company does not incur significant upfront costs to obtain a contract. If costs to obtain a contract were to become material, the costs would be recorded as an asset and amortized to expense in a manner consistent with the related recognition of revenue.

 

The Company excludes government assessed and imposed taxes on revenue generating transactions that are invoiced to customers from revenue. The Company includes freight billed to customers in revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of goods sold.

 

The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in accounts receivable on the balance sheet.

 

Performance Obligations - A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation in proportion to its standalone selling price and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s various performance obligations and the timing or method of revenue recognition are discussed below:

 

The Company sells its products to both distributors and end-users. Each unit of product delivered under a customer order represents a distinct and separate performance obligation as the customer can benefit from each unit on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer and each unit of product is separately identifiable from other products in the arrangement.

 

The transaction price for the Company’s products is the invoiced amount. The Company does not have variable consideration in the form of refunds, credits, rebates, price concessions, pricing incentives or other items impacting transaction price. The purchase order pricing in arrangements with customers is deemed to approximate standalone selling price; therefore, the Company does not need to allocate proceeds on a relative standalone selling price allocation between performance obligations. The Company applies the practical expedient in paragraph 606-10-50-14 and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less. There are no material obligations that extend beyond one year.

 

7

 

 

Revenue is recognized when transfer of control occurs as defined by the terms in the customer agreement. The Company immediately recognizes incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract. The Company has applied the practical expedient in paragraph 606-10-25-16A and does not assess if immaterial items are promised goods or services. The Company has also applied the practical expedient in paragraph 606-10-32-18 regarding the adjustment of the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when the customer pays for that good or service within one year or less, as the Company does not have any significant financing components in its customer arrangements as payment is received at or shortly after the point of sale, generally thirty to ninety days.

 

The Company estimates returns based on an analysis of historical experience if the right to return products is granted to its customers. The Company does not record a return asset as non-conforming products are generally not returned. The Company’s return policy does not vary by geography. The customer has no rotation or price protection rights, and the Company is not under a warranty obligation.

 

Trade Receivables - Trade receivables include amounts invoiced and currently due from customers. The amounts due are stated at their net estimated realizable value. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected. The allowance is based on a review of all outstanding amounts on an on-going basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considers a customer’s financial condition, credit history, and current economic conditions. Trade receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible and have been historically insignificant. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received. Accounts are considered past due if payment is not received according to agreed-upon terms.

 

Sales Commissions - Sales commissions paid to sales representatives are eligible for capitalization as they are incremental costs that would not have been incurred without entering into a specific sales arrangement and are recoverable through the expected margin on the transaction. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient provided by ASC 340-40-25-4 and recognize the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred, as the amortization period of the assets that would have otherwise been recognized is one year or less. The Company records these costs as a selling expense.

 

Product Warranty - The Company offers warranties on various products and services. These warranties are assurance type warranties that are not sold on a standalone basis; therefore, they are not considered distinct performance obligations. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranties and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the revenue is recognized for the product sale.

 

International Revenue - The Company markets its products to numerous countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and other parts of the world. See Note 11, Segment and Geographical Information, for information regarding revenue disaggregation by geography.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash , a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (Task Force). The new standard requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Entities will also be required to reconcile such total to amounts on the balance sheet and disclose the nature of the restrictions.  This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods of public entities beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. This guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The amendments in this ASU 2016-18 should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We do not anticipate ASU 2016-18 to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

 

During February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “ Leases .” ASU No. 2016-02 was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all lease transactions (with terms in excess of 12 months) on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset (as defined). ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted. Upon adoption, the lessee will apply the new standard retrospectively to all periods presented or retrospectively using a cumulative effect adjustment in the year of adoption. The guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year 2020. The Company is currently assessing the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , which will allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for the tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform Act) that are stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. This standard also requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU No. 2018-02, however, does not change the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations. ASU No. 2018-02 will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year 2020, with the option for early adoption at any time prior to the effective date. It must be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Reform Act is recognized. The Company is currently assessing the impact this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

8

 

 

In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 118 (as further clarified by FASB ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): “Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118”) to provide guidance for companies that may not have completed their accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act in the period of enactment, which is the period that includes December 22, 2017. SAB No. 118 provides for a provisional one-year measurement period for entities to finalize their accounting for certain income tax effects related to the Tax Reform Act. SAB No. 118 provides guidance where: (i) the accounting for the income tax effect of the Tax Reform Act is complete and reported in the Tax Reform Act’s enactment period, (ii) the accounting for the income tax effect of the Tax Reform Act is incomplete and reported as provisional amounts based on reasonable estimates (to the extent determinable) subject to adjustments during a limited measurement period until complete, and (iii) accounting for the income tax effect of the Tax Reform Act is not reasonably estimable (no related provisional amounts are reported in the enactment period) and entities would continue to apply accounting based on tax law provisions in effect prior to the Tax Reform Act enactment until provisional amounts are reasonably estimable. SAB No. 118 requires disclosure of the reasons for incomplete accounting additional information or analysis needed, among other relevant information (see Note 14 - Income Taxes).

 

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:

 

    November 30, 2018   August 31, 2018
Production materials   $ 2,357,473     $ 1,824,489  
Finished goods     7,859,570       7,306,372  
    $ 10,217,043     $ 9,130,861  

 

4.       PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

    November 30, 2018   August 31, 2018
Land   $ 310,365     $ 310,365  
Buildings and improvements     6,988,619       6,927,484  
Machinery and equipment     4,724,490       4,680,072  
      12,023,474       11,917,921  
Less accumulated depreciation     (4,964,238 )     (4,749,095 )
    $ 7,059,236     $ 7,168,826  

 

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5.       PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS, NET

 

Patents and trademarks, net consisted of the following:

 

    November 30, 2018   August 31, 2018
Patents and trademarks   $ 2,842,370     $ 2,824,440  
Less accumulated amortization     (1,732,625 )     (1,668,183 )
    $ 1,109,745     $ 1,156,257  

 

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 approximate $260,000 in each of the next five 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 recorded that remain on the consolidated balance sheet on sales 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:

 

    As of November 30, 2018
    Total   EXCOR   All Other
Current assets   $ 58,993,098     $ 28,075,384     $ 30,917,714  
Total assets     63,792,622       30,821,905       32,970,717  
Current liabilities     16,579,222       4,629,942       11,949,280  
Noncurrent liabilities     409,444       —         409,444  
Joint ventures’ equity     46,789,400       26,191,964       20,597,436  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity     23,111,834       13,095,984       10,015,850  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ undistributed earnings   $ 21,082,622     $ 13,065,079     $ 8,017,543  
Northern Technologies International Corporation's dividends received from joint ventures   $ 1,486,705     $ 843,750     $ 642,955  

 

    Three Months Ended November 30, 2018
    Total   EXCOR   All Other
Net sales   $ 30,479,926     $ 12,869,523     $ 17,610,403  
Gross profit     13,356,891       6,683,574       6,673,317  
Net income     4,163,791       3,039,802       1,123,989  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income from joint ventures   2,004,162     1,519,901     484,261  
Northern Technologies International Corporation's dividends received from joint ventures   $ 1,486,705     $ 843,750     $ 642,955  

 

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    As of August 31, 2018
    Total   EXCOR   All Other
Current assets   $ 58,086,747     $ 27,354,788     $ 30,731,959  
Total assets     62,803,261       30,033,750       32,769,511  
Current liabilities     15,991,886       4,535,954       11,455,932  
Noncurrent liabilities     403,653       —         403,653  
Joint ventures’ equity     46,407,722       25,497,796       20,909,926  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity     22,950,995       12,748,899       10,195,263  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ undistributed earnings   $ 20,921,783     $ 12,717,994     $ 8,203,789  

 

    Three Months Ended November 30, 2017
    Total   EXCOR   All Other
Net sales   $ 28,498,711     $ 11,026,514     $ 17,472,197  
Gross profit     12,788,122       5,933,526       6,854,596  
Net income     3,499,815       2,483,800       1,016,015  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income from joint ventures   $ 1,741,328     $ 1,241,900     $ 499,428  
Northern Technologies International Corporation's dividends received from joint ventures   $

63,937

      —     $

63,937

 

 

The Company did not make any joint venture investments during the three months ended November 30, 2018 or 2017.

 

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, 2018 and August 31, 2018. At the option of the Company, outstanding advances under the line of credit bear 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 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, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

 

The revolving credit facility allows the Company to request that PNC Bank issue letters of credit up to $1,200,000. The Company did not have any letters of credit reserved against the available letters of credit balance as of November 30, 2018 and August 31, 2018 with PNC Bank. The availability of advances under the line of credit will be reduced by the face amount of any letter of credit issued and outstanding (whether or not drawn) under the revolving credit facility. 

 

As of November 30, 2018 and August 31, 2018, the Company had $88,831 of letters of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank that are performance based and set to expire between 2020 and 2022.

 

On November 30, 2018, the Company and PNC Bank extended the maturity date of the line of credit from January 7, 2019 to January 7, 2020. All other terms of the line of credit and the loan agreement and other documents evidencing the line of credit remain the same.

 

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8.       STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

On October 24, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share of NTIC’s common stock, payable on November 21, 2018 to stockholders of record on November 7, 2018. On November 20, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share of NTIC’s common stock, payable on December 21, 2018 to stockholders of record on December 8, 2018.

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock.

 

The Company granted stock options under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2007 Plan) to purchase an aggregate of 70,884 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors during the three months ended November 30, 2018. The weighted average per share exercise price of the stock options is $36.45, which was equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. During the three months ended November 30, 2018, no stock options to purchase common stock were exercised.

 

The Company granted stock options under the 2007 Plan to purchase an aggregate of 47,252 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors during the three months ended November 30, 2017. The weighted average per share exercise price of the stock options is $18.35, which was equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 1,500 shares of common stock were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $10.25 per share.

 

The Company issued 874 and 891 shares of common stock on September 1, 2018 and 2017, respectively, under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP).

 

The Company held its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (2018 Annual Meeting) on January 12, 2018. At the 2018 Annual Meeting, a proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 10,000,000 to 15,000,000 (Share Increase Amendment) was approved by the Company’s stockholders by the required vote. The Share Increase Amendment was filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 16, 2018 and it became effective the same day. In determining that the Share Increase Amendment was approved by the required vote, votes cast by brokers, banks or other nominees without instruction from the beneficial owners of certain of our outstanding shares were counted in favor of the proposal in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange that govern how brokers may cast such votes. Because a disclosure in the definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting, which was filed on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 27, 2017 (2018 Proxy Statement), anticipated that brokers would not have discretion to vote for the proposal to approve the Share Increase Amendment, a question has been raised as to the validity of the vote taken on the proposal to approve the Share Increase Amendment. The Company believes that the Share Increase Amendment was properly approved and is effective. However, because the description of the authority of brokers to vote on proposals without instruction in the 2018 Proxy Statement may create some uncertainty as to the effect of the vote obtained at the 2018 Annual Meeting and out of an abundance of caution, the Company is asking its stockholders at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on January 18, 2019 to ratify the filing and effectiveness of the Share Increase Amendment pursuant to Delaware law in order to eliminate any uncertainty related to the effectiveness of the Share Increase Amendment. The Company has not issued, or reserved for issuance, and will not issue, or reserve for issuance, any of the additional 5,000,000 authorized shares as part of the Share Increase Amendment unless the vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is in favor of the ratification of the Share Increase Amendment.

 

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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, 2018 and 2017:

 

    Three Months Ended
Numerator:   November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
Net income attributable to NTIC   $ 1,497,059     $ 1,083,626  
                 
Denominator:                
Basic – weighted shares outstanding     4,542,175       4,537,368  
Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options     197,113       71,420  
Diluted – weighted shares outstanding     4,739,288       4,608,788  
Basic net income per share:   $ 0.33     $ 0.24  
Diluted net income per share:   $ 0.32     $ 0.24  

 

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, 2018 were options outstanding to purchase 70,884 shares of common stock. Excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended November 30, 2017 were options outstanding to purchase 92,319 shares of common stock.

 

10.       STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has two stock-based compensation plans under which stock options and other stock-based awards have been granted, the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors administer these plans.

 

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. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2007 Plan, up to a maximum of 800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the 2007 Plan. Options granted under the 2007 Plan generally have a term of ten 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. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of options. As of November 30, 2018, only stock options and stock bonuses had 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.

 

13

 

 

The Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 70,884 and 47,252 shares of its common stock during the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017, 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 $357,980 and $103,267 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the options that vested during such time period. As of November 30, 2018, the total compensation cost for non-vested options not yet recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations was $1,139,175. Stock-based compensation expense of $1,073,941 is expected through the remainder of fiscal year 2019, and $65,234 is expected to be recognized during fiscal 2020, based on outstanding options as of November 30, 2018. 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:

 

    November 30,
    2018   2017
Dividend yield     1.32%       2.18%  
Expected volatility     45.8%       45.9%  
Expected life of option (in years)     10       10  
Average risk-free interest rate     2.75%       1.87%  

 

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017 was $18.03 and $7.75, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding as of November 30, 2018 and 2017 was 6.65 years and 6.95 years, respectively.

 

On November 16, 2018, the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the Northern Technologies International Corporation 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders at its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on January 18, 2019. If the stockholders approve the 2019 Plan, it will replace the 2007 Plan, with the remaining shares available for grant under the 2007 Plan rolling over into the 2019 Plan, and no new awards will be granted under the 2007 Plan. The terms of the 2007 Plan will continue to govern awards outstanding under the 2007 Plan, until exercised, expired, paid or otherwise terminated or canceled.

 

Subject to adjustment, the maximum number of shares of common stock to be authorized for issuance under the 2019 Plan is 400,000 shares, plus (i) shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2007 Plan as of the date of stockholder approval of the 2019 Plan, but not subject to outstanding awards and (ii) shares subject to awards outstanding under the 2007 Plan as of the date of stockholder approval of the 2019 Plan that are subsequently forfeited or cancelled or expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of such shares (which may otherwise be returned and available for grant under the terms of the 2007 Plan and 2019 Plan).

 

11.       SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

Segment Information

 

The Company’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) 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.

 

14

 

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017 by segment:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
ZERUST® net sales   $ 10,065,174     $ 9,527,737  
Natur-Tec® net sales     4,028,878       2,015,301  
Total net sales   $ 14,094,052     $ 11,543,038  

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s cost of goods sold for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017 by segment:

 

    November 30, 2018   % of Product Sales*   November 30, 2017   % of Product Sales*
Direct cost of goods sold                                
ZERUST®   $ 5,621,700       55.9 %   $ 5,803,980       60.9 %
Natur-Tec®     3,156,076       78.3 %     1,479,199       73.4 %
Indirect cost of goods sold     683,361      

NA

      605,291      

NA

 
Total net cost of goods sold   $ 9,461,137             $ 7,888,470          

 

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

 

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, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
Inside the U.S.A. to unaffiliated customers   $ 6,923,934     $ 6,256,205  
Outside the U.S.A. to:                
Joint ventures in which the Company is a shareholder directly and indirectly     483,187       507,631  
Unaffiliated customers     6,686,931       4,779,202  
    $ 14,094,052     $ 11,543,038  

 

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

 

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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, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30,
2018 		  % of Total Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures   November 30,
2017 		  % of Total Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures
Germany   $ 214,992       15.1 %   $ 219,873       14.6 %
Poland     181,844       12.7 %     206,076       13.7 %
Japan     169,800       11.9 %     174,045       11.5 %
Sweden     130,243       9.1 %     127,954       8.5 %
France     110,062       7.7 %     139,641       9.3 %
Thailand     98,348       6.9 %     102,531       6.8 %
United Kingdom     94,781       6.6 %     111,775       7.4 %
India     94,727       6.6 %     86,763       5.8 %
Czech Republic     89,692       6.3 %     84,225       5.6 %
South Korea     86,467       6.1 %     83,488       5.5 %
Finland     81,816       5.7 %     89,627       5.9 %
Other     75,663       5.3 %     81,144       5.4 %
    $ 1,428,435       100.0 %   $ 1,507,142       100.0 %

 

The geographical distribution of key financial statement data is as follows:

 

    At
November 30, 2018 		  At
August 31, 2018
China   $ 188,695     $ 205,490  
Brazil     76,977       71,677  
Germany     6,142       7,058  
India     31,101       22,220  
United States     6,756,321       6,862,381  
Total property and equipment   $ 7,059,236     $ 7,168,826  

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
China   $ 3,168,060     $ 2,911,643  
Brazil     824,796       639,841  
India     1,651,641       495,539  
Germany     6,472       48,771  
Other     1,519,149       1,191,039  
United States     6,923,934       6,256,205  
Total net sales   $ 14,094,052     $ 11,543,038  

 

Total property and equipment 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. Total assets located in the United States include the Company’s investments in joint ventures.

 

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 and cost of goods sold recognized directly by the Company.

 

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

 

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12.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

On August 31, 2018, 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, 2019. For fiscal 2019 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 2019 compared to a pre-established target EBITOI for fiscal 2019 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 are discretionary and may be paid to executive officer participants in both cash and shares of NTIC common stock, the exact amount and percentages will be 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 2019. There was $450,000 accrued for management bonuses for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $318,000 accrued for management bonuses for the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

Three joint ventures (consisting of the Company’s joint ventures in South Korea, Thailand, and India) accounted for 71.3% and 74.1% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at November 30, 2018 and August 31, 2018, respectively.

 

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, 2018, 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:

 

        Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
    Fair value as of
November 30, 2018 		  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
Available for sale securities   $ 1,711,930     $ 1,711,930     $ —       $ —    

 

        Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
    Fair value as of
August 31, 2018 		  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
Available for sale securities   $ 3,300,110     $ 3,300,110     $ —       $ —    

 

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

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14.        SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information consisted of:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
Cash paid for interest   $ 2,357     $ 5,089  
Cash paid for income taxes     —         —    

 

Non-cash financing activity consisted of:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30, 2018   November 30, 2017
Dividends declared, not paid   $ —         454,741  

 

15.       INCOME TAXES

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or Tax Reform Act. The Tax Reform Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that impacted the Company’s fiscal year ending August 31 2018, including, but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends received from foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures after December 31, 2017, and imposing a one-time deemed repatriation tax on certain unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures.

 

The Company recorded income tax expense during the three months ended November 30, 2018 of $255,703, compared to $104,991 for the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

The Company continues to analyze the impact of other provisions of the Tax Reform Act on its financial statements and operations, including the impact of the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) rules, and the impact of the Tax Reform Act on the Company’s indefinite reinvestment assertion with respect to the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures. Any additional impacts from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period.

 

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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 ” 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, 2018. 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 biobased 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) its majority-owned subsidiary in Brazil, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A. (Zerust Brazil), and its wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico, ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V (Zerust Mexico), 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 corrosion leaks.

 

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.

 

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Natur-Tec ® biobased 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, pet waste collection bags, cutlery 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 majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited (Natur-Tec India), and through distributors and certain joint ventures.

 

NTIC’s Subsidiaries and Joint Venture Network

 

NTIC has ownership interests in six 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, 2018, the country in which the subsidiary is organized and NTIC’s ownership percentage in each subsidiary:

 

Subsidiary Name   Country   NTIC
Percent (%) Ownership
NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd   China   100%
NTI Asean LLC   United States   60%
Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A.   Brazil   85%
ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V   Mexico   100%
Natur-Tec India Private Limited   India   75%
NTIC Europe GmbH   Germany   100%

 

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

 

On September 1, 2018 the minority owner in Natur-Tec India made an additional capital contribution of INR 9,340,118 (US$ 134,034) which diluted NTIC ownership interest from 90% to 75%. This contribution was made with NTIC’s consent and with the intended purpose to increase the minority owner’s ownership interest accordingly.

 

NTIC participates in 20 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.

 

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The following table sets forth a list of NTIC’s operating joint ventures as of November 30, 2018, the country in which the joint venture is organized and NTIC’s ownership percentage in each joint venture:

 

Joint Venture Name   Country   NTIC
Percent (%) Ownership
TAIYONIC LTD.   Japan   50%
ACOBAL SAS   France   50%
EXCOR KORROSIONSSCHUTZ – TECHNOLOGIEN . UND PRODUKTE GMBH   Germany   50%
ZERUST AB   Sweden   50%
MOSTNIC-ZERUST   Russia   50%
ZERUST OY   Finland   50%
HARITA-NTI LTD   India   50%
ZERUST (U.K.) LTD.   United Kingdom   50%
EXCOR-ZERUST S.R.O.   Czech Republic   50%
EXCOR SP. Z.O.O.   Poland   50%
ZERUST A.Ş.   Turkey   50%
ZERUST CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC   United States   50%
ZERUST – DNEPR   Ukraine   50%
KOREA ZERUST CO., LTD.   South Korea (1)   30%
ZERUST-NIC (TAIWAN) CORP.   Taiwan (1)   30%
PT. CHEMINDO – NTIA   Indonesia (1)   30%
ZERUST SPECIALTY TECH CO. LTD.   Thailand (1)   30%
CHONG WAH-NTIA SDN. BHD.   Malaysia (1)   30%
NTIA ZERUST PHILIPPINES, INC.   Philippines (1)   30%
ZERUST SINGAPORE PTE. LTD   Singapore (1)(2)   60%

____________________

 

(1) Indirect ownership interest through NTI Asean.
(2) NTI Asean owns 100% of this joint venture.

 

NTIC receives funds from its joint ventures as fees received for services that NTIC provides 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; and therefore, provides certain additional information regarding EXCOR in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and in this section of this report.

 

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 increased 22.1% during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was primarily a result of an increase in sales of ZERUST® oil and gas products and increased sales of Natur-Tec® products.

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2018, 71.4% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which increased 5.6% to $10,065,174 compared to $9,527,737 for the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was due primarily to higher sales of ZERUST® oil and gas products. 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, 2018 included $986,173 of sales made to customers in the oil and gas industry compared to $283,842 for the three months ended November 30, 2017. 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.

 

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During the three months ended November 30, 2018, 28.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products compared to 17.5% during the three months ended November 30, 2017. Net sales of Natur-Tec® products increased 99.9% during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2017 primarily due to an increase 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).

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 67.1% during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to 68.3% during the three months ended November 30, 2017 primarily as a result of increased net sales and cost reductions realized on the raw materials associated with NTIC’s ZERUST® industrial products.

 

NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures increased 15.1% to $2,004,162 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,741,328 during the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to a corresponding increase in net sales at the joint ventures, which increased 7.0% to $30,479,926 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $28,498,711 for the three months ended November 30, 2017. The increase in net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures was due primarily to higher sales from existing customers for new and existing products as a result of increased demand. The increase in net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures resulted in a corresponding increase in fees for services provided to joint ventures as such fees are a function of net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures.

 

NTIC’s total operating expenses increased 10.0% to $6,179,048 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $5,618,425 for the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to an increase in NTIC’s personnel expenses.

 

NTIC spent $872,157 and $798,731 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in connection with its research and development activities. NTIC anticipates that it will spend a total of between $3,200,000 and $3,500,000 in fiscal 2019 on research and development activities.

 

Net income attributable to NTIC increased $413,433 to $1,497,059, or $0.32 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,083,626, or $0.24 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was primarily the result of the increase in gross profit and joint venture operations, partially offset by the increase in operating expenses.

 

NTIC anticipates that its quarterly net income or loss will continue to remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the financial performance of its subsidiaries and joint ventures and sales of its ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec® bioplastics products, which sales fluctuate more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST® business.

 

NTIC’s working capital, as defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $24,166,621 at November 30, 2018, including $4,518,951 in cash and cash equivalents and $1,711,930 in available for sale securities, compared to $22,837,591 at August 31, 2018, including $4,163,023, in cash and cash equivalents and $3,300,110 in available for sale securities.

 

On October 24, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share of NTIC’s common stock, payable on November 21, 2018 to stockholders of record on November 7, 2018. During fiscal 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.10 per share. Although NTIC’s Board of Directors intends to continue to declare regular quarterly cash dividends, 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.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s results of operations for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30,
2018 		  % of
Net Sales 		  November 30,
2017 		  % of
Net Sales 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures   $ 13,610,865       96.6 %   $ 11,035,407       95.6 %   $ 2,575,458       23.3 %
Net sales, to joint ventures     483,187       3.4 %     507,631       4.4 %     (24,444 )     (4.8 )%
Cost of goods sold     9,461,137       67.1 %     7,888,470       68.3 %     1,572,667       19.9 %
                                                 
Equity in income from joint ventures     2,004,162       n/a       1,741,328       n/a       262,834       15.1 %
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     1,428,435       n/a       1,507,142       n/a       (78,707 )     (5.2 )%
                                                 
Selling expenses     2,811,094       19.9 %     2,599,949       22.5 %     211,145       8.1 %
General and administrative expenses     2,495,797       17.7 %     2,219,745       19.2 %     276,052       12.4 %
Research and development expenses     872,157       6.2 %     798,731       6.9 %     73,426       9.2 %

 

Net Sales . NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 22.1% to $14,094,052 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2017. NTIC’s consolidated net sales to unaffiliated customers excluding NTIC’s joint ventures increased 23.3% to $13,610,865 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the same period in fiscal 2018. These increases were primarily a result of an increase in sales of ZERUST® oil and gas products and increased sales of Natur-Tec® products. Net sales to joint ventures decreased 4.8% to $483,187 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the same period in fiscal 2018. This decrease was primarily a result of decreased demand.

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales by product segment for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017 by segment:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30,
2018 		  November 30,
2017 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
Total ZERUST® sales   $ 10,065,174     $ 9,527,737     $ 537,437       5.6 %
Total Natur-Tec® sales     4,028,878       2,015,301       2,013,577       99.9 %
Total net sales   $ 14,094,052     $ 11,543,038     $ 2,551,014       22.1 %

 

During the three months ended November 30, 2018, 71.4% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of ZERUST ® products and services, which increased 5.6% to $10,065,174 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $9,527,737 during the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was due to increased demand from ZERUST ® oil and gas net sales. NTIC has strategically focused its sales efforts for ZERUST ® products and services on customers with sizeable corrosion problems in industry sectors that offer sizable growth opportunities, including the oil and gas sector. Overall demand for ZERUST ® products and services depends heavily on the overall health of the market segments to which NTIC sells its products, including the automotive, oil and gas, agriculture, and mining markets in particular.

 

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The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales of ZERUST ® products for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017:

 

    Three Months Ended
    November 30,
2018 		  November 30,
2017 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales   $ 8,595,814     $ 8,736,264     $ (140,450 )     (1.6 %)
ZERUST® joint venture net sales     483,187       507,631       (24,444 )     (4.8 %)
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales     986,173       283,842       702,331       247.4 %
Total ZERUST® net sales   $ 10,065,174     $ 9,527,737     $ 537,437       5.6 %

 

NTIC’s net sales to the oil and gas industry sector increased during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to increased demand of ZERUST ® industrial products and services and the addition of new customers in North America and China and increased demand of ZERUST ® oil and gas products and services. 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, 2018, 28.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products, which increased 99.9% to $4,028,878 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase is primarily due to an increase 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).

 

Cost of Goods Sold . Cost of goods sold increased 19.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended November 30, 2017. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 67.1% for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to 68.3% for the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

Equity in Income from Joint Ventures. NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures increased 15.1% to $2,004,162 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,741,328 during the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was primarily a result of improved profitability at the joint ventures. Of the total equity in income from joint ventures, NTIC had equity in income from joint ventures of $1,519,901 attributable to EXCOR during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,241,900 during the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures . NTIC recognized fee income for services provided to joint ventures of $1,428,435 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,507,142 during the three months ended November 30, 2017, representing an decrease of $78,707, or 5.2%. Fee income for services provided to joint ventures is traditionally a function of the sales made by NTIC’s joint ventures. Total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 7.0% to $30,479,926 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $28,498,711 for the three months ended November 30, 2017. 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 $214,992 were attributable to EXCOR during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $219,873 attributable to EXCOR during the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

Selling Expenses . NTIC’s selling expenses increased 8.1% for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the same period in fiscal 2018 due primarily to increases in operating expenses associated with ZERUST® sales efforts, consisting primarily of selling and personnel expenses. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 19.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2018, from 22.5% during the three months ended November 30, 2017 primarily due to the increase in net sales, as previously described.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses . NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 12.4% for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the same period in fiscal 2018 primarily due to increased personnel costs. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 17.7% for the three months ended November 30, 2018 from 19.2% for the three months ended November 30, 2017 due primarily to the increase in net sales, as previously described.

 

Research and Development Expenses . NTIC’s research and development expenses increased 9.2% for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the same period in fiscal 2018 due to primarily increases in research and development efforts.

 

Interest Income . NTIC’s interest income decreased to $12,787 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $24,056 during the three months ended November 30, 2017 due to changing levels of invested cash.

 

Interest Expense . NTIC’s interest expense decreased to $2,357 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $5,089 during the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

Income Before Income Tax Expense . NTIC incurred income before income tax expense equal to $1,896,894 for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,303,580 for the three months ended November 30, 2017.

 

Income Tax Expense . Income tax expense was $255,703 during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $104,991 during the three months ended November 30, 2017. 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 $21,082,622 and $20,921,783 at November 30, 2018 and August 31, 2018, 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 $413,433 to $1,497,059, or $0.32 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to $1,083,626, or $0.24 per diluted common share, for the three months ended November 30, 2017. This increase was primarily the result of the increase in gross profit and joint venture operations, partially offset by the increase in operating expenses.

 

Other Comprehensive Income - Foreign Currency Translations Adjustment. The changes in the foreign currency translations adjustment was due to the fluctuations of the U.S. dollar compared to the Euro and other foreign currencies during the three months ended November 30, 2018 compared to the same period in fiscal 2018.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Cash and Working Capital . NTIC’s working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $24,166,621 at November 30, 2018, including $4,518,951 in cash and cash equivalents and $1,711,930 in available for sale securities, compared to $22,837,591 at August 31, 2018, including $4,163,023 in cash and cash equivalents and $3,300,110 in available for sale securities.

 

As of November 30, 2018, 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 bear 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. On November 30, 2018, the Company and PNC Bank extended the maturity date of the line of credit from January 7, 2019 to January 7, 2020. All other terms of the line of credit and the loan agreement and other documents evidencing the line of credit remain the same. It is anticipated that, as historically has been the practice, the line of credit will be renewed each year for one additional year for the immediate foreseeable future.

 

The line of credit is 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 has 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 is 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, 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, NTIC is subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10:1.00. As of November 30, 2018, NTIC was in compliance with all debt covenants.

 

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 and any stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months. During the remainder of fiscal 2019, NTIC expects to continue to invest in NTIC China, research and development and in marketing efforts and 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 Flows . Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended November 30, 2018 was $738,606, 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. Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended November 30, 2017 was $1,429,783, which resulted principally from NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures, an increase in inventory and increases in trade receivables excluding joint ventures, accrued liabilities, and income tax payable, partially offset by NTIC’s net income, depreciation and amortization and an increase in accounts payable.

 

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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 are traditionally 30 days and for trade receivables from its joint ventures are 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 receivables 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 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 inventory as of November 30, 2018 compared to August 31, 2018. Trade receivables excluding joint ventures as of November 30, 2018 increased $343,517 compared to August 31, 2018, primarily related to the timing of collections and the increase in sales.

 

Outstanding trade receivables excluding joint ventures balances as of November 30, 2018 increased 4 days to an average of 69 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2018.

 

Outstanding trade receivables from joint ventures as of November 30, 2018 decreased $181,670 compared to August 31, 2018 primarily due to the timing of payments. Outstanding balances from trade receivables from joint ventures increased an average of 10 days from an average of 99 days from balances outstanding from these customers compared to August 31, 2018. The significant average days outstanding of trade receivables from joint ventures as of November 30, 2018 were primarily due to the receivables balances at NTIC’s joint ventures in South Korea, India and Thailand.

 

Outstanding receivables for services provided to joint ventures as of November 30, 2018 decreased $85,177 compared to August 31, 2018 and the average days to pay decreased an average of one day from an average of 82 days compared to August 31, 2018.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2018 was $1,463,950, 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 used in investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2017 was $121,930, which was primarily the result of cash used in the purchase of available for sale securities, additions to property and equipment, and additions to patents.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2018 was $393,346, which resulted from dividends paid on NTIC common stock, partially offset by an investment by non-controlling interest and proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2017 was $172,144, which resulted from a dividend paid to a non-controlling interest, partially offset by proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan and stock option exercises.

 

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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, 2018. As of November 30, 2018, up to $2,640,548 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

 

Cash Dividends . On October 24, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share of NTIC’s common stock, payable on November 21, 2018 to stockholders of record on November 7, 2018. Although NTIC’s Board of Directors intends to declare regular quarterly cash dividends going forward, 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.

 

Capital Expenditures and Commitments . NTIC spent $106,300 on capital expenditures during the three months ended November 30, 2018, 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 2019, 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, 2018.

 

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.

 

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 now some seasonality in its business. NTIC anticipates its net sales in 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, Indian Rupee, Chinese Renminbi, 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.

 

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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.

 

At the option of NTIC, outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at either (a) an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.15% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by NTIC or (b) at the rate publicly announced by PNC Bank from time to time as its prime rate, and thus may subject NTIC to some market risk on interest rates. As of November 30, 2018, NTIC had no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

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, 2018, other than as a result of NTIC’s adoption of ASC 606.

 

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, 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 and prospects regarding, among other things, NTIC’s financial condition, results of operations and business, 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 .”

 

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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 and any turmoil and disruption in the global credit and financial markets on NTIC’s business;

 

· The variability in NTIC’s sales of ZERUST® products and services into oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec ® products and NTIC’s equity income of joint ventures, which variability in sales and equity in income from joint venture in turn, subject NTIC’s earnings to quarterly fluctuations;

 

· Risks associated with NTIC’s international operations and exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and import duties, taxes and tariffs;

 

· The effect of United Kingdom’s process to exit the European Union on NTIC’s operating results, including in particular future net sales of NTIC’s European and other joint ventures;

 

· 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;

 

· NTIC’s relationships with its joint ventures and its ability to maintain those relationships, especially in light of anticipated succession planning issues;

 

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

 

· The success of and risks associated with NTIC’s emerging new businesses and products and services, including in particular NTIC’s ability and the ability of NTIC’s joint ventures to sell ZERUST® products and services into oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec ® products and the often lengthy and extensive sales process involved in selling such products and services;

 

· NTIC’s ability to introduce new products and services that respond to changing market conditions and customer demand;

 

· Market acceptance of NTIC’s existing and new products, especially in light of existing and new competitive products;

 

· Maturation of certain existing markets for NTIC’s ZERUST ® products and services and NTIC’s ability to grow market share and succeed in penetrating other existing and new markets;

 

· Increased competition, especially with respect to NTIC’s ZERUST ® products and services, and the effect of such competition on NTIC’s and its joint ventures’ pricing, net sales and margins;

 

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

 

· NTIC’s reliance upon suppliers;

 

· Oil prices, which may affect sales of NTIC’s ZERUST ® products and services into the oil and gas industry;

 

· NTIC’s operations in China and the risks associated therewith, the termination of the joint venture agreements with Tianjin Zerust, and the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and the effect of all these events on NTIC’s business and future operating results;

 

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

 

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

 

· Unforeseen production expenses incurred in connection with new customers and new products;

 

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

 

· Ability of management to manage around unplanned events;

 

· Pending and future litigation;

 

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

 

· NTIC’s ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, especially in light of its joint venture arrangements;

 

· Changes in applicable laws or regulations and NTIC’s failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations;

 

· Changes in generally accepted accounting principles and the effect of new accounting pronouncements;

 

· Fluctuations in NTIC’s effective tax rate, including from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

 

· Effect of extreme weather conditions on NTIC’s operating results; 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, 2018 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, as well as others that NTIC may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this time. Although NTIC believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, NTIC does not know whether its expectations will prove correct. NTIC’s expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions NTIC might make or by known or unknown 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 NTIC files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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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, Indian Rupee, Chinese Renminbi, 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.

 

At the option of NTIC, outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at either (a) an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.15% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by NTIC or (b) at the rate publicly announced by PNC Bank from time to time as its prime rate, and thus may subject NTIC to some market risk on interest rates. As of November 30, 2018, NTIC had no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

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.

 

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Except for the implementation of certain internal controls related to the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard (ASC 606), there were no changes in NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended November 30, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.  NTIC implemented new controls as part of its effort to adopt ASC 606. The adoption of ASC 606 required the implementation of new accounting processes which changed NTIC’s internal controls over revenue recognition and financial reporting.  NTIC implemented these internal controls to ensure it adequately evaluated its contracts and properly assessed the impact of the new revenue recognition standard on its financial statements to facilitate its adoption.  NTIC has completed the design of these controls and they were implemented as of September 1, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On March 23, 2015, NTIC and NTI Asean LLC (NTI Asean) filed a lawsuit in Tianjin No 1 Intermediate People’s Court against two individuals, Tao Meng and Xu Hui, related to breaches of duties and contractual commitments owed to NTI Asean under certain agreements related to NTIC’s former joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust Anti-Corrosion Technologies Ltd. (Tianjin Zerust). The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Mr. Tao Meng and Xu Hui have engaged in self-dealing, usurped business opportunities, and received economic benefits that were required to go to Tianjin Zerust. As of November 30, 2018, NTIC is not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any recovery to NTI Asean, if any.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

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, 2018, 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 2019 stock repurchase activity.

 

Period

Total Number of Shares

(or Units) Purchased

Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)

Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
September 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018 0 $0 0 (1)
October 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018 0 $0 0 (1)
November 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 0 $0 0 (1)
Total 0 $0 0 (1)(2)

 

(1) 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.

 

(2) As of November 30, 2018, up to $2,640,548 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

 

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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

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

10.1   Letter Agreement effective as November 30, 2018 between PNC Bank, National Association and Northern Technologies International Corporation (filed herewith)
     
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
     
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted 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)
     
101   The following materials from NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (filed herewith)

 

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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.

 

  NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
       
Date: January 8, 2019      
    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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Exhibit 10.1

 

 

PNC BANK

 

 

November 30, 2018

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation

Po Box 69

Circle Pines, MN 55014-0069

 

Re: Renewal of Expiration Date for that certain $3,000,000.00 Committed Line of Credit (" Line of Credit ") extended by PNC Bank, National Association (the " Bank ") to NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (the " Borrower ")

 

We are pleased to inform you that the Line of Credit has been renewed. The Expiration Date of the Line of Credit, as set forth in that certain promissory note executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Bank dated December 14, 2006 (the " Note ") and/or that certain loan agreement governing the Line of Credit (the " Loan Agreement "), has been extended from January 07, 2019 to January 07, 2020, or such later date as may, in the Bank's sole discretion, be designated by the Bank by written notice from the Bank to the Borrower, effective on January 08, 2019. All sums due under the Note, the Loan Agreement or any related documents, instruments and agreements (collectively as amended from time to time, the " Loan Documents ") shall be due and payable on the Expiration Date, as extended hereby. All other terms and conditions of the Loan Documents governing the Line of Credit remain in full force and effect.

 

It has been a pleasure working with you and I look forward to a continued successful relationship. Thank you again for your business.

 

Very truly yours,

 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

By: /s/ Chris Neve  
  Chris Neve  
  Vice President  

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302(a) OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, G. Patrick Lynch, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Northern Technologies International Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)       Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: January 8, 2019      
    G. Patrick Lynch  
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
    (principal executive officer)  
       

 

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Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302(a) OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Matthew C. Wolsfeld, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Northern Technologies International Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)       Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: January 8, 2019    
    Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA  
    Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary  
    (principal financial officer)  

 

 

39

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Northern Technologies International Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, G. Patrick Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge and belief:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 
G. Patrick Lynch  
President and Chief Executive Officer  
(principal executive officer)  

 

Circle Pines, Minnesota

January 8, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Northern Technologies International Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Matthew C. Wolsfeld, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge and belief:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 
Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA  
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

 

Circle Pines, Minnesota

January 8, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

2