Table of Contents

FORM 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

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

   

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 201 7

 

OR

 

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

000-23115

 

CTI INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

  Illinois   36-2848943  
  (State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)  
  incorporation or organization)      
         
  22160 N. Pepper Road      
  Lake Barrington, Illinois   60010  
  (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)  

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 382-1000

 

Securities Registered pursuant to sections 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
   
Common Stock, No Par NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ☐      No ☑     

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐      No ☑     

 

 

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 and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes ☑      No ☐

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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 ☑

 

Based upon the closing price of $5.68 per share of the Registrant’s Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ Capital Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock Market on June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was then approximately $10,452,000. (The determination of stock ownership by non-affiliates was made solely for the purpose of responding to the requirements of the Form and the Registrant is not bound by this determination for any other purpose.)

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of March 1, 2018 was 3,530,227 (excluding treasury shares).

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Document  

Part of Form 10-K into Which

Document Is Incorporated

     

Sections of the registrant ’s Proxy Statement

To be f iled on or before April 30, 2018 for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

  Part III

                                                                  

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INDEX  
   
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS  
     
Part I    
     
Item No. 1 Description of Business 1
Item No. 1B Unresolved Staff Comments 15
Item No. 2 Properties 15
Item No. 3 Legal Proceedings 16
     
Part II    
     
Item No. 5 Market for Registrant ’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 17
Item No. 7 Management ’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17
Item No. 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Market Risk 26
Item No. 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 26
Item No. 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 26
Item No. 9A Controls and Procedures 26
Item No. 9B Other Information 27
     
Part III    
     
Item No. 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 27
Item No. 11 Executive Compensation 27
Item No. 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 28
Item No. 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 28
Item No. 14 Principal Accounting Fees and Services 28
     
Part IV    
     
Item No. 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 28

 

 

 

FORWARD -LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This annual report includes both historical and “ forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future results. Words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Although we believe that our opinions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and our actual results may differ substantially from the views and expectations set forth in this annual report. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our opinions or expectations. These forward-looking statements are affected by factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions that we make, including, without limitation, our participation in highly competitive markets, potential changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, our dependence on a limited number of suppliers, the possible inability to obtain an adequate supply of raw materials, our reliance on a limited number of key customers, the loss of one or more of our key customers, changing consumer demands, developments or changes in technology, risks of international operations and political environments, dependence on our intellectual property, compliance with federal, state or local regulations, the resolution of litigation or other legal proceedings to which we may become involved, restrictions included in the Company’s credit facility, the availability of funds under the Company’s credit facility, damage to or destruction of one or both of the Company’s principal plants, our ability to service our indebtedness, our ability to invest in needed plant or equipment.

 

 

PART I

 

Item No. 1 – Description of Business

 

Business Overview

 

We develop, produce and distribute a number of consumer products and sell these products throughout the United States and in over 30 other countries, and we produce film products for commercial and industrial uses in the United States. Many of our products utilize flexible films and, for a number of years, we have been a leading developer of innovative products which employ flexible films including novelty balloons, pouches and rolls of film for vacuum sealing and storage of products in the home as well as films for commercial packaging applications.

 

Our principal lines of products include :

 

Novelty Products consisting principally of foil and latex balloons and other inflatable toy items.

 

 

Vacuum Sealing Containers and Sealing Devices for home and consumer use to vacuum seal, store and preserve food and personal items.

Flexible Films for food and other commercial and packaging applications.

 

In addition to these principal product lines, for the past several years, we have engaged in (i) the assembly and sale of Candy Blossoms (small gift bouquets of arranged candy items often including ribbons and/or a small foil balloon), (ii) the distribution in Mexico of party goods products, and (iii) the sale and distribution of home containers and organizing products (some of which we produce) to and through a related entity which distributes these products through a network of independent distributors.

 

We leverage our technology to design and develop proprietary products which we market and sell and which we develop for our customers. We have been engaged in the business of developing flexible film products for over 40 years and have acquired significant technology and know-how in that time. We currently hold several patents, related to flexible film products including specific films, zipper closures, valves and other features of these products.

 

We print, process and convert flexible film into finished products and we produce latex balloons and novelty items. Our principal production processes include:

 

 

Coating and laminating rolls of flexible film. Generally, we adhere polyethylene film to another film such as nylon or polyester.

 

 

Printing film and l atex balloons. We print both plastic and latex films, with a variety of graphics, for use as packaging film or for balloons.

 

 

Converting printed film to balloons.

 

 

Converting film to flexible containers.

 

 

Producing latex balloons and other latex novelty items.

 

 

Assembl ing and inflating of novelty products and balloons and Candy Blossoms.

 

In 1978, we began manufacturing metalized balloons ( often referred to as "foil" balloons), which are balloons made of a base material (usually nylon or polyester) often having vacuum deposited aluminum and polyethylene coatings. These balloons remain buoyant when filled with helium for much longer periods than latex balloons and permit the printing of graphic designs on the surface. In 1985, we began marketing latex balloons and, in 1988, we began manufacturing latex balloons. In 1999, we acquired an extrusion coating and laminating machine and began production of coated and laminated films, which we have produced since that time.

 

For more than 20 years, we have been engaged in the production of flexible containers for the storage of liquids, food products, household goods and other items, and in the coating, laminating and printing of flexible films for our novelty and container products and for the production of laminated and printed films we supply to others.

 

 

We market and sell our foil and latex balloons and related novelty items throughout the United States , Canada and Mexico and in a number of other countries in Latin America and Europe. We supply directly to retail stores and chains and through distributors, who in turn sell to retail stores and chains. Our balloon and novelty products are sold to consumers through a wide variety of retail outlets including general merchandise, discount and drugstore chains, grocery chains, card and gift shops, and party goods stores, as well as through florists and balloon decorators.

 

Most of our foil balloons contain printed characters, designs and social expression messages, such as “Happy Birthday,” “Get Well” and similar items. For some of our balloon designs, we obtain licenses for well-known characters and print those characters and messages on our balloons.

 

We produce flexible containers and rolls of film for use as flexible containers in a variety of applications, including (i) zippered pouches with valves for vacuum sealing of food and household products and (ii) pouches and rolls of film for use with vacuum sealing machines to vacuum seal, store and protect food and household items. We market and sell flexible containers and rolls of film for consumer storage uses through retail chains and outlets throughout the United States, and we provide flexible containers to others for resale. We market and sell vacuum sealing machines for use with pouches and rolls of film for the vacuum storage of food and household products.

 

We provide customized laminated films and printed films to customers who utilize the film to produce bags or pouches for the packaging of food, liquids and other items.

Commencing in 2014, we began assembling and producing Candy Blossoms - containers including candy items and, at times, air-inflated balloons. Since 2014, we have distributed home container and organizing products, some of which we produce, to and through a related entity which distributes those products through a network of independent distributors in the United States. In 2015, we commenced the distribution of party goods in Mexico.

 

In 201 7, our revenues from our product lines, as a percent of total revenues were:

 

 

Novelty Products

69% of revenues
 

Vacuum Sealing Containers and Devices  

14% of revenues
 

Flexible Film Products

4% of revenues
 

Other Products

13% of revenues

 

We are an Illinois corporation with our principal offices and plant at 22160 N. Pepper Road, Lake Barrington, Illinois.

 

 

Business Strategies and Developments

 

Our business strategies, and recent developments related to our business, include :

 

 

Management . Significant management changes occurred on or about November 30, 2017. Our then CEO, John Schwan, retired from that role. Mr. Schwan continued as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Stephen Merrick, then President, assumed the role as CEO. Mr. Jeffrey Hyland joined CTI as President. Messrs. Merrick and Hyland both report directly the Board of Directors. Mr. Frank Cesario joined as CFO, and Mr. Jeffrey Memenga joined as Plant Manager for all of our domestic locations. Finally, the Manager of our European operations (based in Germany), Mr. Manfred Jakobi, was promoted to be the Manager over both our European and U.K. operations.

 

 

Financing . During December 2017, we secured new financing from PNC Bank, National Association, and immediately repaid all tranches of our prior credit facility including senior debt, term debt, and mezzanine debt.

 

 

Initial Strategy.  As an initial strategy, our management determined to focus on achieving growth and profitability within the current scope of our core product lines – foil balloons, latex balloons, vacuum sealing products and systems and film products for commercial and packaging applications. We reviewed our operations and, during 2017, eliminated more than $2 million in operating costs on an annualized basis. We are aggressively pursuing additional revenues in our core product lines both from existing and new customers in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

 

 

Focus on our Core Assets and Expertise . We have been engaged in the development, production and sale of film and container products for 40 years and have developed assets, technology and expertise which, we believe, enable us to develop, manufacture, purchase, market and sell innovative products of high quality within our areas of knowledge and expertise. We plan to focus our efforts on these core assets and areas of expertise – film novelty products, consumer vacuum storage systems, specialty film products, container products, laminated films and printed films – to develop new products, to market and sell our products and to build our revenues.

 

 

Develop New Products, Product Improvements and Technologies . We engage in research, design, innovation and development for the purpose of developing, and improving, products, materials, methods and technologies within our core product categories. We work to develop and identify new products, to improve existing products and to develop new technologies within our core product areas in order to enhance our competitive position and increase our sales. We seek to leverage our technology to develop innovative and proprietary products. In our novelty product lines, our development work includes new designs, new character licenses, new product developments, new materials and improved production methods. In our consumer storage product lines, we have developed new pouch closure systems and valves and new film methods for packaging applications. We have received several patents for these developments. We developed and introduced a line of resealable pouches with a valve and pump system for household storage and vacuum sealing of food items. We designed and introduced a line of vacuum sealing equipment for the vacuum sealing of pouches for food and household items and are engaged in development efforts to create new and enhanced vacuum sealing machines, accessories and related products. We work with customers to develop custom film products which serve the unique needs or requirements of the customer.

 

 

 

Develop New Channels of Distribution and New Sales Relationships . We seek to organically develop new channels of distribution and new sales relationships, both for existing and new products. Over the past several years, we have developed new distributors and customers for our pouch and novelty products, in the United States and in Europe, Mexico, Latin America and Australia, expanding the scope and level of our international sales and activities. In 2013, we introduced a line of vacuum sealing systems for the storage and preservation of food and other items in the home under the Ziploc® Brand Vacuum Sealer System. We market and sell the vacuum sealing machines, pouches and rolls of film under the brand throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. During recent years, we developed a relationship with a related company engaged in the sale of home containers and organization products and have become a supplier of products, some of which we produce, to that company. During 2015, we became a distributor in Mexico for a major party goods company.

 

 

Enhance Our Productive Capacity. We invest in new plant and equipment when appropriate to expand the range and volume of products we produce. During 2008 and 2009, we acquired, installed and commenced operation of equipment which enabled us to produce the pouches and rolls of film for our vacuum sealing storage business we developed. During 2010 and 2011, we designed, assembled and installed latex balloon production equipment which significantly enhanced our production capacity for latex balloons to support our growing sales of this product line. We significantly expanded our warehouse, packaging and fulfillment facilities and operations during 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, we acquired printing equipment which almost doubled printing capacity to support our growing sales of foil balloons. We acquired and installed a new latex balloon production machine in Mexico which became operational in August 2016; this machine has enhanced our latex balloon production capacity by approximately 30%. At the end of 2017 we initiated a repair and maintenance, and quality improvement, program. This program includes the addition of two automated balloon converting machines during the first quarter of 2018 which will enhance our foil balloon capacity by 30% and will further our quality program.

 

 

Product and Line Extensions. Upon achieving our initial strategic goals, beginning in 2018, we intend to pursue new product lines and product line extensions, through internal developments, purchase and acquisitions. We believe that the acquisition and integration of targeted opportunities could benefit our Company in a meaningful way.

 

 

Products

 

Foil Balloons . We have designed, produced and sold foil balloons since 1979 and, we believe, are the second largest manufacturer of foil balloons in the United States. Currently, we produce several hundred foil balloon designs, in different shapes and sizes.

 

In addition to size and shape, a principal element of the Company's foil balloon products is the printed design or message contained on the balloon. These designs include figures and licensed characters many of which are well known. We maintain licenses for several well-known characters.

 

We recognize that consumer trends and preferences, and competing products, are constantly changing. In order to compete effectively in this product line we must constantly innovate and develop new designs, shapes and products.

 

Latex Balloons . Through our subsidiary in Guadalajara, Mexico, Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Flexo Universal”), we manufacture latex balloons in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Many of these balloons are marketed under the name Partyloons ® and balloons are also marketed on a private label basis. We also manufacture toy balloon products including punch balls, water bombs and "Animal Twisties."

 

Vacuum Sealing Pouches and Systems . We produce, market and sell consumer vacuum storage pouches and systems for the vacuum storage of food and other household items. We produce (i) vacuum sealable bags and rolls of film for use with vacuum sealing devices for household storage and (ii) valved, resealable bags also for vacuum storage uses. Our valved, resealable bags function with a small hand or battery-powered pump to evacuate air from the bag when it is sealed. Since 2012, we have produced and marketed vacuum sealable bags and rolls of film under the Ziploc ® brand. We also market vacuum sealing machines, produced for us, under the Ziploc ® Brand Vacuum Sealer System. We have produced and marketed a line of valved, resealable bags under our Zipvac™ line and a line of valved, resealable bags, including a line of vacuum sealing canisters sold under the brand Clever Fresh™ by our affiliate, Clever Container Company.

 

Packaging Films and Custom Film Products. A large and increasing number of both consumer and commercial products are packaged in pouches or containers utilizing flexible films. Often such containers include printed labels and designs. We produce and sell films that may be utilized for the packaging of a wide variety of products and liquids. We laminate, extrusion coat and adhesive coat flexible films for these purposes and we provide flexographic printing for the films we produce. We can produce a variety of customized film products, and printing services, to meet the specific packaging needs of a wide variety of customers.

 

Other Products. We now distribute, and to some degree produce, home organization and container products for Clever Container Company, an entity consolidated with our company as a variable interest entity. Clever Container engages in the direct sale of such products through a network of independent distributors. In 2014, we began assembly and sale of our Candy Blossom product line. In 2015, we began to distribute party goods in Mexico.

 

 

Markets

 

Foil B alloons

 

The foil balloon came into existence in the late 1970s. During the 1980s, the market for foil balloons grew rapidly. Initially, the product was sold principally to individual vendors, small retail outlets and at fairs, amusement parks, shopping centers and other outdoor facilities and functions. Foil balloons remain buoyant when filled with helium for extended periods of time and they permit the printing and display of graphics and messages. As a result, the product has significant appeal as a novelty and message item. Foil balloons became part of the "social expression" industry, carrying graphics designs, characters and messages like greeting cards. In the mid-1980s, we and other participants in the market began licensing character and cartoon images for printing on the balloons and directed marketing of the balloons to retail outlets including grocery, general merchandise, discount and drug store chains, card and gift shops, party goods stores as well as florists and balloon decorators. These outlets now represent the principal means for the sale of foil balloons throughout the United States and in a number of other countries, although individual “vendors” remain a means of distribution in a number of areas.

 

Foil balloons are now sold in virtually every region of the world. The United States, however, remains the largest market for these products.

 

Foil balloons are sold in the United States and foreign countries directly by producers to retail outlets and through distributors and wholesalers. Often the sale of foil balloons by the wholesalers/distributors is accompanied by related products including latex balloons, floral supplies, candy containers, mugs, plush toys, baskets and a variety of party goods.

 

Latex Balloons

 

For a number of years, latex balloons and related novelty/toy latex items have been marketed and sold through out the United States and in many other countries. Latex balloons are sold as novelty/toy items, for decorative purposes, as part of floral designs and as party goods and favors. In addition to standard size and shape balloons, inflatable latex items include punch balls, water bombs, balloons to be twisted into shapes, and other specialty designs. Often, latex balloons include printed messages or designs.

 

Latex balloons are sold principally in retail outlets, including party goods stores, general merchandise stores, discount chains, gift stores and drugstore chains. Latex balloons are also purchased by balloon decorators and floral outlets for use in decora tive or floral designs. Printed latex balloons are sold both in retail outlets and for balloon decoration purposes including floral designs.

 

Latex balloons are sold both through distributors and directly to retail outlets by the producers.

 

 

Flexible Containers/Pouches

 

The market for flexible containers and pouches is large and diverse. Many companies engaged in the production of food items package their products in flexible containers or pouches, and, therefore, represent a market for these containers.

 

Flexible containers and pouches are sold and utilized in the consumer market in numerous forms. They include simple open-top plastic bags, resealable bags and zippered bags. The market also includes containers and pouches of special design or purpose, including vacuumable bags for storage of food or household items or commercial uses.

 

We participate in a segment of the market for vacuum sealing and storage of food and household items. These products generally are sold in retail chain stores, and to some degree , in grocery stores, and, recently, in a direct sales channel. The product lines sold include (i) zippered, resealable bags, incorporating a valve through which air can be evacuated by a hand pump or other device; (ii) pouches or rolls of film which can be sealed by vacuum sealing devices and (iii) vacuum sealing devices.

 

Printed and Specialty Films

 

The industry and market for printed and specialty films are fragmented and include many participants. There are hundreds of manufacturers of printed and specialty film products in the United States and in other markets. In many cases, companies who provide food and other products in film packages also produce or process the films used for their packages. The market for the Company's film products consists principally of companies who utilize the films for the packaging of their products, including food products and other items, usually by converting the film to a flexible container.

 

Marketing, Sales and Distribution

 

Balloon Products

 

We work in collaboration with our customers on designs, promotions, and other elements of marketing and selling. Our customers are typically retailers who sell our products to ultimate customers. These relationships generally can be terminated unilaterally by our customers. We must maintain good relationships with our customers if this sales model is to be successful.

 

 

We market and sell our foil balloon, latex balloon and related novelty products throughout the United States and in a number o f other countries. We maintain marketing, sales and support staff and a customer service department in the United States. Sales in the United Kingdom are conducted by CTI Balloons Ltd. (“CTI Balloons”), the Company's subsidiary located in Rugby, England. Sales in Europe are conducted by CTI Europe GmbH (“CTI Europe”), the Company’s subsidiary located in Heusenstamm, Germany. Flexo Universal, our subsidiary in Mexico, conducts sales and marketing activities for the sale of balloon products in Mexico, Latin America, and certain other markets. Sales in other foreign countries are made generally to distributors in those countries and are managed at the Company's principal offices.

 

We sell and distribute our balloon products (i) by our employed staff of sales and customer service personnel in the United States, Mexico, the UK and Germany, (ii) through a network of distributors and wholesalers in the United States, Mexico, the UK and Europe, (iii) through several groups of independent sales repres entatives, and (iv) to retail chains. Our balloon products are generally sold through retail outlets including grocery, general merchandise and drug store chains, card and gift shops, party goods stores as well as florists and balloon decorators.

 

We engage in a variety of advertising and promotional activities to promote the sale of ou r balloon products. We produce a complete catalog of our balloon products, and also prepare various flyers and brochures for special or seasonal products, which we disseminate to thousands of customers, potential customers and others. We participate in several trade shows for the gift, novelty, balloon and other industries and advertise in several trade and other publications. We maintain websites which show images of our products.

 

Flexible Containers/Pouches

 

We market several lines of flexible containers or pouches for household use to vacuum seal, store and preserve food and other household items.

 

We developed and, for several years, we have produced and sold a line of pouches and rolls of film for use with vacuum sealing machines to vacuum seal food and household items. Initially, we marketed these products through various retail channels under our brand or on a private label basis. On December 14, 2011, the Company entered into a Trademark License Agreement with SC Johnson under which the Company is licensed to manufacture and sell a line of vacuum sealing machines and pouches under the Ziploc ® Brand Vacuum Sealer System. The agreement was initially for a three year term expiring on December 31, 2014 and was extended to December 31, 2017 and then to December 31, 2019. The licensed product line includes vacuum sealing machines manufactured for the Company and pouches and rolls manufactured by the Company for use in the home to vacuum seal food items to preserve freshness and help prevent freezer burn.

 

During 2007, we introduced a line of re-sealable pouches incorporating a valve permitting the evacuation of air from the sealed pouch by use of a hand pump supplied with the po uches. This line of products has been marketed under the brand name ZipVac ® . We now produce a line of resealable pouches under the brand Clever Fresh™ which we provide to our affiliate Clever Container Company for sale and distribution to its network of independent distributors.

 

 

Printed and Specialty Films

 

We market and sell printed and laminated films directly and through independent sales representatives throughout the United States. We sell laminated and printed films to companies that utilize these films to produce packaging for a variety of products, including food products, in both solid and liquid form, such as cola syrup, coffee, juices and other items. We seek to identify and maintain customer relationships in which we provide added value in the form of technology or systems.

 

Other Products

 

Other products are sold through both our internal sales force directly to customers and through independent sales representatives. These products are generally sold directly to consumers or to retail outlets.

 

Production and Operations

 

We conduct our operations at our facilities including: (i) our 68,000 square feet facility in Lake Barrington, Illinois, incorporating our headquarters office, production and warehouse space, (ii) our 118,000 square foot facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois consisting of warehouse, packaging and office space (iii) a 73,000 square foot facility in Guadalajara, Mexico, consisting of office, warehouse and production space, (iv) a 9,000 square foot facility in Rugby, England consisting of office and warehouse/assembly space, and (v) a 13,000 square foot facility in Heusenstamm, Germany (near Frankfurt), consisting of office and warehouse/assembly space.

Our production operations include (i) lamination and extrusion coating of films, (ii) slitting of film rolls, (iii) printing on film and on latex balloons, (iv) converting film to completed products including balloons, flexible containers and pouches, (v) producing latex balloon products, (vi) inflating of air-filled balloons, and (vii) assembling Candyblossoms. We perform all of the lamination, extrusion coating and slitting activities in our Lake Barrington, Illinois plant and produce all of our latex balloon products at our Guadalajara, Mexico plant. We print on films in Lake Barrington, Illinois and we print on latex balloons in Guadalajara, Mexico. We complete air-filling and assembly of balloons in all our facilities except Lake Barrington, Illinois. We assemble Candyblossoms in our Lake Zurich, Illinois facility.

 

We warehouse raw materials at our plants in Lake Barrington, Illinois and Guadalajara, Mexico and we warehouse finished goods at our facilities in Lake Barrington, Illinois; Lake Zurich, Illinois; Guadalajara, Mexico; Rugby, England and Heusenstamm, Germany. We maintain customer service and fulfillment operations at each of our warehouse locations. We conduct sales operations for the United States and for all other markets, except those handled by our Mexico, Germany and England facilities, at the Lake Barrington, Illinois facility. Sales for Mexico and Latin America are handled at our Guadalajara, Mexico facility; sales for the United Kingdom are handled at our Rugby, England facility; sales for Europe are conducted from our facilities in Heusenstamm, Germany. In addition to warehouse and sales activities at these locations, we engage in some assembly, balloon inflation and related activities.

 

 

We maintain a graphic arts and development department at our Lake Barrington, Illinois facility which designs our balloon products and graphics. Our creative department operates a networked, computerized graphic arts system for the production of these designs and of printed materials including catalogues, advertisements and other promotional materials. As many of our products are custom designed or created to fulfill promotional schedules, we sometimes have excess inventory that must be sold at a discount or disposed of. Any such disposition will typically negatively impact our profit margin.

 

We conduct administrative and accounting functions at our headquarters in Lake Barrington, Illinois and at our facil ities in Guadalajara, Mexico, Rugby, England and Heusenstamm, Germany.

 

Raw Materials

 

The principal raw materials we use in manufacturing our products are (i) petroleum or natural gas-based films, (ii) petroleum or natural gas-based resin, (iii) latex, and (iv) printing inks. The cost of raw materials represents a significant portion of the total cost of our products, with the result that fluctuations in the cost of raw materials have a material effect on our profitability. During the past several years, we have experienced significant fluctuations in the cost of these raw materials. We do not have any long-term agreements for the supply of raw materials and may experience wide fluctuations in the cost of raw materials in the future. Further, although we have been able to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in the past, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain adequate supplies of one or more of our raw materials in the future.

 

Many of the foil balloons we produce and sell are intended to be filled with helium in order to be buoyant. Over the past several years, the price of helium has fluctuated substantially and the availability of helium has, on occasion, been limited. Limited availability or an increase in the cost of helium could adversely affect our sales of foil balloons in the future.

 

Competition

 

The balloon and novelty industry is highly competitive, with numerous competitors. We believe there are presently five principal manufacturers of foil balloons whose products are sold in the United States including Anagram International, Inc., Pioneer Balloon Company, Convertidora International S.A. de C.V., and Betallic, LLC. Several companies market and sell foil balloons designed by them and manufactured by others for them. In addition, there are several additional foil balloon manufacturers in Europe and China who participate in our markets.

 

We compete for the sale of latex balloons in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Australia and Europe. There are a number of other companies situated in the United States, Mexico, Asia, South America and Europe who manufacture latex balloons and with whom we compete in the markets in which we participate. The markets are highly competitive with respect to price, quality and terms.

 

 

Our company competes principally in the United States and Canada for the sale of vacuum sealing products. There are several companies who compete in those markets.

 

The market for films, packaging, flexible containers and custom products is fragmented, and competition in this area is difficult to gauge. However, there are numerous participants in this market and the Company can expect to experience intense quality and price competition.  

 

Many of the companies in these markets offer products and services that are the same or similar to those offered by us and our ability to compete depends on many factors within and outside our control. There are a number of well-established competitors in each of our product lines, several of which possess substantially greater financial, marketing and technical resources and have established extensive, direct and indirect channels of distribution for their products and services. As a result, such competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new developments and changes in customer requirements, or devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products and services than we can. Competitive pressures include, among other things, price competition, new designs and product development and copyright licensing.

 

Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights

 

We have developed or acquired a number of intellectual property rights which we believe are significant to our business. As of December 31, 2017, we held 9 issued patents in the United States and 7 issued patents in foreign countries. Of these, 1 US patent is due to expire during 2018, while the other patents are not scheduled to expire until various times during the 2020s. While these intellectual property rights are helpful, their degree of protection is uncertain. Competitors may violate our intellectual property rights, forcing us to decide whether to challenge them. Such rights may or may not withstand challenge. Conversely, entities may charge us with violating their intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our rights, or conflict with the rights of one or more other entities, may negatively impact our financial and competitive position.

 

Proprietary Designs and Copyright Licenses. We design the shapes and graphic designs of most of our foil balloon products. We also maintain licenses on certain characters and designs for our balloon products.

 

Trademarks. We own five registered trademarks in the United States relating to our balloon products. Many of these trademarks are registered in foreign countries, principally in the European Union.

 

Patent Rights. We own, or have license rights under, or have applied for, patents related to our balloon products, certain film products and certain flexible container products. These include (i) several foil balloon design patents, (ii) patents and applications related to the design and structure of, and method of, inserting and affixing, zipper-closure systems in a bag, (iii) patents related to one-way valves for pouches, (iv) a patent related to methods of embossing film and utilizing such film to produce pouches with fitments, (v) a patent related to vacuumable storage bags with fitments, and (vi) a patent application related to vacuum sealing equipment.

 

 

Research and Development

 

We maintain a product develop ment and research group for the development or identification of new products, product designs, product components and sources of supply. Research and development includes (i) creative product development and design, (ii) creative marketing, and (iii) engineering development. During each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we estimate that the total amount spent on research and development activities was approximately $344,000 and $496,000, respectively.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 201 7, the Company had 105 full-time employees in the United States, of whom 19 are executive or supervisory, 3 are in sales, 62 are in manufacturing or warehouse functions and 21 are clerical. As of that same date, we had 17 full-time employees in England, of whom 1 is executive or supervisory, 4 are in sales, 11 are in warehousing and 1 is clerical. At Flexo Universal, our Mexico subsidiary, as of December 31, 2017, we had 335 full-time employees, of whom 8 are executive or supervisory, 16 are in the warehouse, 6 are in sales, 296 are in manufacturing and 9 are clerical. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 7 full-time employees in Germany, of whom two are executive or supervisory, 1 is in warehousing and 4 are clerical. The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement in the United States, has not experienced any work stoppages, and believes that its relationship with its employees is satisfactory.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Our manufacturing operations in the United States are subject to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA"). We believe we are in material compliance with OSHA. The Company generates liquid, gaseous and solid waste materials in its operations in Lake Barrington, Illinois and the generation, emission or disposal of such waste materials are, or may be, subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the generation, emission or disposal of waste materials. We believe we are in material compliance with applicable environmental rules and regulations. Several states have enacted laws limiting or restricting the release of helium filled foil balloons. We do not believe such legislation will have any mat erial effect on our operations.

 

In August 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a rule under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requiring companies to publicly disclose their use of conflict minerals that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or an adjoining country. Under the rule, issuers are required to conduct a reasonable country of origin inquiry and, if necessary, exercise due diligence process to ascertain the source of conflict minerals, defined as tantalum, tin, gold or tungsten, which are necessary to the functionality or production of their manufactured or contracted to be manufactured products. Companies are required to provide this disclosure on Form SD. Companies were required to file Form SD on May 31, 2014 for the 2013 calendar period and annually on May 31 every year thereafter. The Company files Form SD annually.

 

 

An increasing number of regulations and actions relate to the integrity and security of individually identifiable data. Additionally, we require the effective use of data in running our business. While we are not aware of losses in the past, access of such data by unauthorized persons may expose us to costs, fines, penalties, and loss of customer confidence.

 

International Operation s

 

We conduct operations in three locations outside of the United States:

 

 

Flexo Universal , a 99%-owned subsidiary in Guadalajara, Mexico. Flexo Universal maintains a plant, offices and warehouse in Guadalajara, Mexico where we produce latex and foil balloons and print latex balloons. Flexo Universal conducts sales, warehousing and fulfillment operations, servicing principally the Company and other customers in the United States, our subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Europe, customers in Mexico and Latin America and certain customers in Europe.

 

 

CTI Balloons , a wholly-owned subsidiary located in Rugby, England. CTI Balloons maintains offices and a warehouse in Rugby, conducts certain packaging and inflation activities there and conducts sales, warehousing and fulfillment activities for customers principally in the United Kingdom.

 

 

CTI Europe , a majority-owned subsidiary located in Heusenstamm, Germany. CTI Europe maintains offices and a warehouse in Heusenstamm, Germany (near Frankfurt), conducts certain packaging and inflation activities there and conducts sales, warehousing and fulfillment activities for customers principally in Europe.

 

We rely, and are dependent, on our operations in Mexico for the supply of latex balloons in the United States, Mexico, Europe and other markets. Interruption of that supply would have a materially adverse effect on the business of the Company.

 

Our domestic and international sales to outside customers and assets by area over the period 2016-2017 have been as follows:

 

   

United States

   

United Kingdom

(UK)

   

Europe

(Excluding

UK)

   

Mexico

   

Consolidated

 

Year ended 12/31/1 7

                                       

Sales to outside customers

  $ 41,165,000     $ 1,908,000     $ 4,142,000     $ 9,022,000     $ 56,237,000  

Total Assets

  $ 27,784,000     $ 923,000     $ 2,989,000     $ 8,288,000     $ 39,984,000  

 

   

United States

   

United Kingdom

(UK)

   

Europe

(Excluding

UK)

   

Mexico

   

Consolidated

 

Year ended 12/31/16

                                       

Sales to outside customers

  $ 51,792,000     $ 2,427,000     $ 2,590,000     $ 7,459,000     $ 64,268,000  

Total Assets

  $ 33,108,000     $ 1,324,000     $ 2,418,000     $ 7,064,000     $ 43,914,000  

 

 

Available Information

 

We maintain our corporate website at www.ctiindustries.com and we make available, free of charge, through this website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports that we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file that material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. You may also read and copy material filed by us with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and you may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC in the U.S. at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website, www.sec.gov , which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC. Our website also includes corporate governance information, including our Code of Ethics and our Board Committee Charters. The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this report.

 

Item No. 1B Unresolved Staff Comments

 

As of the filing of this Annual report on Form 10-K, we had no unresolved comments from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item No. 2 – Properties

 

We own our principal plant and offices located in Lake Barrington, Illinois, approximately 45 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois. The facility includes approximately 68,000 square feet of office, manufacturing and warehouse space. This facility was subject to a mortgage loan with an initial principal of $2,300,000 as of April 29, 2010, and a balance due of approximately $1,664,000 when it was incorporated into our December 2017 refinancing.

 

In September 2012, we entered into a lease agreement, expiring on February 28, 2017 to rent approximately 118,000 square feet of warehouse and office space in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Effective March 1, 2017, this lease was renewed for three years, at a basic rental cost per month of:

 

Lease period

 

Amount per month

 

November 1, 2016 – February 28, 2017

  $ 36,000  

March 1, 2017 – February 28, 2018

  $ 38,000  

March 1, 2018 – February 28, 2019

  $ 40,000  

March 1, 2019 – February 29, 2020

  $ 42,000  

 

In August 2015, CTI Balloons, entered into a 5-year lease agreement for approximately 9,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Rugby, England at a cost of $6,000 per month. This facility is utilized to warehouse balloon products and to manage and service the Company's operations in England.

 

 

In August 2011, Flexo Universal entered into a 5-year lease agreement, expiring July 31, 2016, for the lease of approximately 73,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office space in Guadalajara, Mexico at a cost of $22,000 per month. The lease was extended to February 28, 2017. Effective March 1, 2017, Flexo Universal entered into a five year lease for these premises at a cost of 493,090 Mexican Pesos per month (approximately $26,000 per month).

 

On November 22, 2016, CTI Europe entered into a lease agreement for 13,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Heusenstamm, Germany for a term commencing on February 1, 2017 and ending on February 1, 2022, at a rate per month of $9,000.

 

We believe that our properties have been adequately maintained, are in generally good condition and are suitable for our business as presently conducted. We believe our existing facilities provide sufficient production capacity for our present needs and for our presently anticipated needs in the foreseeable future. We also believe that, with respect to leased properties, upon the expiration of our current leases, we will be able to either secure renewal terms or to enter into leases for alternative locations at market terms.

 

Item No. 3 – Legal Proceedings

 

The Company may be party to certain lawsuits or claims arising in the normal course of business. The ultimate outcome of these matters is unknown but, in the opinion of management, we do not believe any of these proceedings will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, cash flows or future results of operation.

In July, 2017, God ’s Little Gift, Inc. (d\b\a) Helium and Balloons Across America and Gary Page (“Claimants”) filed an action against the Company in the North Carolina State Court. This action was removed to the United States District Court in North Carolina. The Company filed an answer and motion to dismiss this action. The Court stayed the action based upon an arbitration clause in the agreement on which part of the action was based. On December 18, 2017, Claimants filed an arbitration claim against the Company before the American Arbitration Association in Chicago, Illinois. The Statement of Claim includes claims for alleged breach of two agreements among the parties, essentially for alleged failure by the Company to pay disputed commission amounts. Claimants also included counts for alleged unjust enrichment and tortious interference with contract. The Company has filed a response to the Statement of Claim denying all of the claims. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend all of the claims vigorously. The Company has not accrued any amounts in respect of this matter and cannot estimate the possible loss, if any, that the Company many incur with respect to it, as the proceedings are at an early stage and discovery has not yet commenced.

 

 

PART II

 

Item No. 5 – Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information

 

The Company's Common Stock was admitted to trading on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market (now the NASDAQ Capital Market) under the symbol CTIB on November 5, 1997.

 

The high and low sales prices for the last eight fiscal quarters according to the NASDAQ Stock Market's Stock Price History Report were:

 

   

High

   

Low

 

January 1, 2016 to March 30, 2016

    6.56       4.61  

April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016

    6.94       5.85  

July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016

    7.60       5.75  

October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

    6.99       5.01  

J anuary 1, 2017 to March 30, 2017

    6.83       5.55  

April 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017

    6.20       5.55  

July 1, 20 17 to September 30, 2017

    6.00       3.83  

October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017

    4.50       3.25  

 

As of December 31, 201 7 there were approximately 42 holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company’s total number of beneficial owners of common stock of the Company was approximately 459.

 

The Company did not pay any cash dividends on its Common Stock during 2017 or 2016. Under the terms of the Company’s current loan agreements, the amount of dividends the Company may pay is limited by the terms of the financial covenants.

 

Item No. 7 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

The Company produces film products for novelty, packaging container and custom film product applications. These products include foil balloons, latex balloons and related latex toy products, films for packaging applications, flexible containers for packaging and storage applications and custom film products. We produce all of our film products for packaging and container applications at our facilities in Lake Barrington, Illinois. We produce all of our latex balloons and latex products at our facility in Guadalajara, Mexico. Substantially all of our film products for packaging applications and flexible containers for packaging and storage are sold to customers in the United States. We market and sell our novelty items – principally foil balloons and latex balloons – in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and a number of additional countries. In addition, the Company assembles and sells Candy Blossoms (containers of arranged candy items) in the United States, distributes party goods in Mexico and provides home organization and container products to an affiliated company who markets and sells these products in the United States to a network of independent distributors. These additional products, and certain accessory products sold by the Company, are recorded as “Other Products” in the following product category table.

 

 

Our revenues from each of our product categories in each of the past two years have been as follows:

 

   

(000 Omitted)

 
           

% of

           

% of

 

Product Category

 

2017

   

Net Sales

   

2016

   

Net Sales

 
                                 

Foil Balloons

    29,103       52 %     26,530       41 %
                                 

Latex Balloons

    9,400       17 %     8,250       13 %
                                 

Vacuum Sealing Products

    7,866       14 %     17,455       27 %
                                 

Film Products

    2,602       4 %     4,856       8 %
                                 

Other Products

    7,266       13 %     7,177       11 %
                                 

Total

    56,237       100.0 %     64,268       100.0 %

 

Our primary expenses include the cost of products sold and selling, gener al and administrative expenses.

 

Cost of products sold primarily consists of expenses related to raw materials, labor, quality control and overhead expenses such as supervisory labor, depreciation, utilities expense and facilities expense directly associated with produ ction of our products, warehousing and fulfillment expenses and shipping costs relating to the shipment of products to customers. Cost of products sold is impacted by the cost of the raw materials used in our products, the cost of shipping, along with our efficiency in managing the production of our products.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include the compensation and benefits paid to our employees, all other selling expenses, marketing, promotional expenses, travel and other corporate administrative expenses. These other corporate administrative expenses include professional fees, depreciation of equipment and facilities utilized in administration, occupancy costs, communication costs and other similar operating expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses can be affected by a number of factors, including staffing levels and the cost of providing competitive salaries and benefits, the cost of regulatory compliance and other administrative costs.

 

Purchases by a limited number of customers represent a significant portio n of our total revenues. In 2017, sales to our top 10 customers represented 65% of net revenues. During 2017 and 2016, there were two customers to whom our sales represented more than 10% of net revenues.

 

 

Our pr incipal customer sales for 2017 and 2016 were:

 

Customer

 

Product

 

2017 Sales

   

% of 2017

Revenues

   

2016 Sales

   

% of 2016

Revenues

 

Wal-Mart

 

Vacuum Sealing Products; Balloons

  $ 9,524,000       16.9 %   $ 17,990,000       28.0 %

Dollar Tree Stores

 

Balloons

  $ 15,481,000       27.5 %   $ 15,802,000       24.6 %

 

The loss of one or both of these principal customers, or a significant reduction in purchases by one or both of them, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We generally do not have agreements with our customers under which customers are obligated to purchase any specific or minimum amount of product from us.

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 201 7 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 201 6

 

Net Sales

 

For the fis cal year ended December 31, 2017, consolidated net sales from the sale of all products were $56,237,000 compared to consolidated net sales of $64,268,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of 12.5%.

 

Sales of foil balloons were $26,530,000 in 2016 and $29,103,000 in 2017, an increase of 9.7%. Our largest customer for foil balloons was Dollar Tree Stores. The remaining sales were made to nearly 900 customers including distributors and retail stores or chains in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Europe and Latin America. Sales to these other customers increased by 50.9% from $10,762,000 in 2016 to $16,245,000 in 2017.

 

Sales of latex balloons were $8,250,000 in 2016 and $9,400,000 in 2017, an increase of 13.9%.

 

Sales of vacuum sealing products including pouch and related products and vacuum sealing machines were $17,455,000 in 2016 and $7,866,000 in 2017, a decrease of 54.9%. Our sales of vacuum sealing systems during 2016 and 2017 have been made principally to two retail chains in the United States. In 2016, $7.85 million of our sales of vacuum sealing systems were to one retail chain for a promotional sales program at that chain in November 2016. This event was not repeated during 2017. Additionally, 2017 revenue was negatively impacted by that large program during November 2016.

 

Sales of film products were $4,856,000 in 2016 and $2,602,000 in 2017, a decrease of 46.4%. Approximately 95% of these sales were to Rapak, L.L.C. but includes sales to four other customers.

 

 

Sales of other products increased from $7,177,000 in 2016 to $7,266,000 in 2017, an increase of 1.2%. This category includes (i) sales of helium and accessory items for our balloon products, (ii) sales of Candy Blossoms, (iii) sales by Clever Container Company, L.L.C. which engages in the direct sale of container and organizing products through a network of independent distributors and (iv) sales of party goods in Mexico by Flexo Universal.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales decreased from $47,149,000 in 2016 to $42,482,000 in 2017. The decrease in total sales was the primary reason for this decrease.  Additionaly, the reduction in sales volume negatively impacted our ability to absorb fixed/overhead costs.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased from $7,378,000 in 2016 to $7,657,000 in 2017. Costs associated with extending our prior credit facility until we secured our new credit facility in December 2017, and subsequently resolving our prior credit facility, was the primary cause of this net increase.

 

Selling

 

Selling expenses decreased from $4,748,000 in 2016 to $3,638,000 in 2017. Spending on external consultants and related commissions and royalties decreased, both related to sales volume and due to changes in structure and design.

 

Other Income or Expense

 

During 201 7, we incurred net interest expense of $1,576,000 compared to net interest expense of $1,455,000 during 2016 . Total borrowings were higher during 2017, and interest rates in the United States increased during 2017, which impacted the Company’s floating rate facilities.

 

During 20 17, we realized a foreign currency loss in the amount of $145,000 compared to foreign currency gain in 2016 of $43,000.

 

Income Taxes  

 

In 2 017, the Company income tax expense, on a consolidated basis, totaled $712,000, compared to $703,000 in 2016.  Due to changes in U.S. tax law, we recorded a valuation reserve of $0.6 million related to foreign tax credits that may no longer be useable in the future as a result of this legislation.

 

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Provided By Operating Activities During fiscal 2017, cash provided by operating activities amounted to $1,259,000, compared to cash used in operating activities during fiscal 2016 of $449,000. Significant changes in working capital items affecting cash flow used in operating activities were:

 

 

Depreci ation and amortization of $1,659,000 compared to depreciation and amortization for 2016 of $1,592,000.

 

An  increase in inventories of $222,000 compared to an increase of inventories of $1,364,000 in 2016.

 

A decrease in accounts receivable of $3,878,000 compared to an increase in accounts receivable of $4,083,000 in 2016.

 

A n increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $690,000 compared to a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $473,000 in 2016.

 

A decrease in trade payables of $564,000 compared to an increase in trade payables of $2,070,000 in 2016.

 

Cash Used In Investing Activities During fiscal 2017, cash used in investing activities amounted to $753,000 compared to cash provided by investing activities during fiscal 2016 of $65,000.

 

Cash Provided By Financing Activities During fiscal 2017, cash provided by financing activities amounted to $302,000, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $681,000 during fiscal 2016.

 

Until December 2017, we had in place a series of credit facility and related agreements with BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and BMO Private Equity (U.S.), (collectively, “BMO”), in the aggregate amount of approximately $17 million. During December 2017, we terminated those agreements and fully repaid all amounts owed to BMO under those agreements, including associated fees and costs related to termination, as we entered in new financing agreements with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”). The “PNC Agreements” include a $6 million term loan and an $18 million revolving credit facility, with a termination date of December 2022.

 

Available credit under the Revolving Credit facility is determined by eligible receivables and inventory at CTI Industries (U.S.) and Flexo Universal (Mexico).  

 

Certain terms of the PNC Agreements include:

 

 

Restrictive Covenants : The Credit Agreement includes several restrictive covenants under which we are prohibited from, or restricted in our ability to:

 

o

Borrow money;

 

o

Pay dividends and make distributions;

 

o

Make certain investments;

 

o

Use assets as security in other transactions;

 

o

Create liens;

 

o

Enter into affiliate transactions;

 

o

Merge or consolidate; or

 

o

Transfer and sell assets.

 

 

 

Financial Covenants : The Credit Agreement includes a series of financial covenants we are required to meet including:

 

o

We are required to maintain a "Leverage Ratio", which is defined as the ratio of (a) Funded Debt (other than the Shareholder Subordinated Loan) as of such date of determination to (b) EBITDA (as defined in the PNC Agreements) for the applicable period then ended. The highest values for this ratio allowed by the PNC Agreements are:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ratio        
            
December 31, 2017   4.75 to 1.00  
March 31, 2018 4.50 to 1.00  
June 30, 2018      4.25 to 1.00  
September 30, 2018 3.75 to 1.00  
December 31, 2018 3.50 to 1.00  
March 31, 2019 3.25 to 1.00  
June 30, 2019 3.00 to 1.00  
September 30, 2019 and thereafter   2.75 to 1.00  

 

 

o

We are required to maintain a "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio", which is defined as the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such fiscal period, minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures made during such period, minus distributions (including tax distributions) and dividends made during such period, minus cash taxes paid during such period to (b) all Debt Payments made during such period. This ratio must not exceed 1.1 : 1.0 for any quarterly calculation.

 

The credit agreement provides for interest at varying rates in excess of the prime rate, depending on the level of senior debt to EBITDA over time. We also entered into a swap agreement with PNC Bank to fix the interest for $3 million over 3 years.

 

On September 30, 2016, John H. Schwan advanced to the Company the sum of $530,000 and on the same date, Stephen M. Merrick advanced to the Company the sum of $370,000 to provide short-term working capital to the Company to fund the Company ’s obligation to purchase and produce inventory for a substantial order for vacuum sealing systems to be delivered in November 2016. In consideration of such advances, the Company issued a Promissory Note to Mr. Schwan in the principal amount of $530,000 and to Mr. Merrick in the amount of $370,000 dated September 30, 2016 and bearing interest at the rate of 6% per annum. The principal balance of these notes was paid in December 2016 and January 2017.

 

As of December 2017, Mr. Schwan was owed a total of $ 1,099,091, with additional accrued interest of $399,731, by the Company. As part of the December 2017 financing with PNC, Mr. Schwan executed a subordination agreement related to these amounts due him, as evidenced by a related note.

 

Current Assets. As of December 31, 2017, the total current assets of the Company were $32,291,000, compared to total current assets of $34,959,000 at December 31, 2016.

 

Current Liabilities . Total current liabilities decreased from $23,880,000 as of December 31, 2016 to $22,661,000 as of December 31, 2017.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources ; Working Capital. As of December 31, 2017, our current assets exceeded our current liabilities by $9,630,000; we had cash and cash equivalents of $181,000 and the potential for additional credit under our PNC Agreements. Management believes that these available funds, our internally generated funds and the borrowing capacity under our revolving line of credit facility will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements for the remainder of 2018. We believe that the financial covenants in the PNC Agreements will be challenging for the Company to meet unless and until it begins performing at a higher level, and any failure could result in a higher rate of interest (2% higher default rate) or other penalties up to and including the potential loss of the facility. Any such result could negatively impact the value of the facility on our liquidity, and if left uncorrected, ultimately impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

CTI Industries Corporation Stockholders ’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity was $11,364,000 as of December 31, 2017 compared to $12,717,000 as of December 31, 2016.

 

Seasonality

 

In the foil balloon product line, sales have historically been seasonal with approximately 40% occurring in the period from December through March of the succeeding year and 24% being generated in the period July through October in recent years. Vacuum sealing product sales are also seasonal; approximately 60% of sales in this product line occur in the period from July through December.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The financial statements of the Company are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies which require management to make various estimates and assumptions. The following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of our accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operation.

 

Revenue Recognition. Substantially all of the Company's revenues are derived from the sale of products. With respect to the sale of products, revenue from a transaction is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred, (iii) the price to the buyer has been fixed or is determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company generally recognizes revenue for the sale of products when the products have been shipped and invoiced. In some cases, product is provided on consignment to customers. In those cases, revenue is recognized when the customer reports a sale of the product.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of specific accounts, an analysis of historical trends, payment and write-off histories. Our credit risks are continually reviewed and management believes that adequate provisions have been made for doubtful accounts. However, unexpected changes in the financial condition of customers or changes in the state of the economy could result in write-offs which exceed estimates and negatively impact our financial results.

 

 

Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using standard costs which approximate costing determined on a first-in, first out basis. Standard costs are reviewed and adjusted at the time of introduction of a new product or design, periodically and at year-end based on actual direct and indirect production costs. On a periodic basis, the Company reviews its inventory levels for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable items, in reference to future demand requirements and shelf life of the products. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had established a reserve for obsolescence, marketability or excess quantities with respect to inventory in the aggregate amount of $500,000. As of December 31, 2016, the amount of the reserve was $794,000. In addition, on a periodic basis, the Company disposes of inventory deemed to be obsolete or unsaleable and, at such time, charges reserve for the value of such inventory. We record freight income as a component of net sales and record freight costs as a component of cost of goods sold.

 

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred which indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets (principally property and equipment and goodwill) may be impaired or not recoverable. Significant factors which may trigger an impairment review include: changes in business strategy, market conditions, the manner of use of an asset, underperformance relative to historical or expected future operating results, and negative industry or economic trends. We apply the provisions of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) U.S. GAAP, under which goodwill is evaluated at least annually for impairment. We performed a quantitative assessment for the year ended December 31, 2017 in which we considered the assets and liabilities of the Company as one operating segment, both recognized and unrecognized, as well as the cash flows necessary to operate the business relating to the assets and liabilities. We conducted a quantitative assessment of our goodwill in our consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2016. From this quantitative assessment and from the quantitative assessment for December 31, 2017, we determined the fair value of the subsidiary exceeds the carrying amount initially recorded, and was therefore not impaired.

 

Foreign Currency Translation. All balance sheet accounts are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statements of operations amounts are translated using the average exchange rates for the year-to-date periods. The gains and losses resulting from the changes in exchange rates during the period have been reported in other comprehensive income or loss, except that, on November 30, 2012, the Company determined that it does have an expectation of receiving payment with respect to indebtedness of Flexo Universal to the Company, and accordingly, as of and after that date foreign currency gains and losses with respect to such indebtedness will be reported in the statement of operations.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. We follow U.S. GAAP which requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on their grant-date fair values.

 

We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options which requires us to estimate certain key assumptions. In accordance with the application of U.S. GAAP, we incurred employee stock-based compensation cost of $21,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, we had $364,000 of unrecognized compensation cost relating to stock options.

 

 

On July 17, 2012, the Company issued detachable warrants in connection with the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with BMO Equity. The fair value of the detachable warrants was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Changes in the fair value of the warrants were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Income Taxes and Deferred Tax Assets. Income taxes are accounted for as prescribed in U.S. GAAP. Under the asset and liability method of U.S. GAAP, the Company recognizes the amount of income taxes currently payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

 

We evaluate all available positive and negative evidence in each tax jurisdiction regarding the recoverability of any asset recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and provide valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability considering historical profitability, our ability to project future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. If we continue to operate at a loss in certain jurisdictions or are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income within the defined lives of such assets, we could be required to increase our valuation allowance against all or a significant portion of our deferred tax assets. This increase in valuation allowance could result in substantial increases in our effective tax rate and could have a material adverse impact on our operating results. Conversely, if and when our operations in some jurisdictions become sufficiently profitable before what we have estimated in our current forecasts, we would be required to reduce all or a portion of our current valuation allowance and such reversal would result in an increase in our earnings in such period.

 

As of December 31, 201 7, the Company had net deferred tax assets of $1,102,000 representing the amount the Company may recover in future years from future taxable income. As of December 31, 2016, the amount of the net deferred tax asset was $1,697,000. Each quarter and year-end, management makes a judgment to determine the extent to which the deferred tax asset will be recovered from future taxable income. This value was reduced, in large part, due to changes in US tax law effective 2018 which will impact the value of future deductions.

 

Fair Value Measurements . U.S. GAAP defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. U.S. GAAP clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. U.S. GAAP also requires that a fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based upon the best information available. In February 2008, the FASB issued guidance now codified in U.S. GAAP which provides for delayed application of certain guidance related to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).

 

 

Item No. 7A – Qualitative a nd Quantitative Disclosures Regarding Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

Item No. 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Reference is made to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part IV hereof.

 

Item No. 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None .

 

Item No. 9A – Controls and Procedures

 

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures  

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017, the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017, to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under Security Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (a) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including officers, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There were no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2017 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

Management ’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the management and the Board; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operation effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Although there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal controls over financial reporting, based on our evaluation, management has concluded our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2017.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the company ’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 

Item No. 9B Other Information

 

None

 

PART III

 

Item No. 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Information called for by Item 9 of Part III is incorporated by reference to the definit ive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

 

Item No. 11 – Executive Compensation

 

Information called for by Item 10 of Part III is incorporated by reference to the definit ive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

 

 

Item No. 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Information called for by Item 11 of Part III is incorporated by reference to the definit ive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

 

Item No. 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Information called for by Item 12 of Part III is incorporated by reference to the definit ive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

 

Item No. 14 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Information called for by Item 13 of Part III is incorporated by reference to the definit ive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

 

PART IV

 

Item No. 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

1.

The Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report on Form 10-K are listed on the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules.

 

 

2.

Financial schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this form, and by Item 15(d) below:

     
    Schedule II     Valuation and qualifying accounts

 

All other financial schedules are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

 

 

 

3.

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit

Number    

Document
   

3.1

Restated Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Registrant ’s Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy Statement filed April 29, 2015).

3.2

Amended and Restated By-Laws of CTI Industries Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2, contained in Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2017).

4.1

Form of CTI Industries Corporation ’s common stock certificate  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 2017).

 

 

10.1

CTI Industries Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A contained in Registrant ’s Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy Statement, as filed with the Commission on May 15, 2002).

10.2

CTI Industries Corporation 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Schedule A contained in Registrant ’s Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy Statement, as filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009).

10.3

Credit Agreement between Harris N.A. and CTI Industries Corporation dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.4

Mortgage and Security Agreement between Harris N.A. and the Company dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.5

Security Agreement between Harris N.A. and the Company dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.6

Pledge Agreement between Harris N.A. and the Company dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.7

Trademark License Agreement between S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. and the Company dated December 14, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 29, 2012).

10.8

Third Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.9

Replacement Revolving Note between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.10

Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity, Inc. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.11

Warrant Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.12

Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

 

 

10.13

Lease Agreement between Schultz Bros. Co. and the Company dated September 19, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2012).

10.14

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated April 12, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 2013).

10.15

First Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated April 12, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 2013).

10.16

Consignment and Pay by Scan Agreement between Food Lion L.L.C. and CTI Supply, Inc. dated December 10, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 30, 2015).

10.17

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated December 23, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 30, 2015).

10.18

Second Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated December 23, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 30, 2015).

10.19

Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated October 13, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2015).

10.20

Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated August 8, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.21

Replacement Revolving Note between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated August 8, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.22

Third Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated August 8, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.23

Securities Purchase Agreement between [Purchaser] and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

 

 

10.24

Stock Purchase Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of CTI Industries Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.25

Registration Rights Agreement between [Purchaser] and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.26

Promissory Note between CTI Industries and Stephen M. Merrick dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.27

Promissory Note between CTI Industries and John H. Schwan dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.28

Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.29

Fourth Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.30

Subordination Agreement between CTI Industries, Stephen M. Merrick, John H. Schwan and BMO Harris Bank, N.A. effective September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.31

Subordination Agreement between CTI Industries, Stephen M. Merrick, John H. Schwan and BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. effective September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.32 Amendment No. 10 to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A., BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated July 28, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017).
10.33 Consent and Acknowledgment among BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated July 28, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017).
10.34 Amendment No. 5 to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated July 28, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017).
10.35 Senior Secured Subordinated Warrant Conversion Note between BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated August 17, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017).
10.36 Amendment No. 11 to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A., BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated October 17, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017).
10.37 Amendment No. 6 to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated October 17, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017).
10.38 Employment Agreement between Jeffrey S. Hyland and the Company dated December 1, 2017 (filed herewith).
10.39 Revolving Credit, Term Loan, and Security Agreement dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.40 Revolving Credit Note dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.41 Term Note dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.42 Promissory Note dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.43 Real Property Mortgage dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.44 Subordination Agreement dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).

14

Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit contained in the Registrant ’s Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2, as filed with the Commission on October 13, 2004).

21

Subsidiaries (description incorporated in Form 10-K under Item No. 1) .

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Plante & Moran, PLLC.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (filed herewith) .

 

 

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (filed herewith) .

32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith) .

99

Audited financial statements of the Company ’s subsidiary, Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V. for the year ended December 31, 2017.

101

Interactive Data Files, including the following materials from the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

(a)

The Exhibits listed in subparagraph (a)(3) of this Item 15 are attached hereto unless incorporated by reference to a previous filing.

 

(b)

The Schedule listed in subparagraph (a)(2) of this Item 15 is attached hereto.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto d uly authorized on April 2, 2018.

 

 

CTI INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

  By: /s/ Stephen M. Merrick
    Stephen M. Merrick , Chief Executive Officer

 

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

Title

Date

     

/s/ Stephen M. Merrick

Stephen M. Merrick

Chief Executive Officer , Secretary and Director

April 2, 2018

     

/s/ Jeffrey S. Hyland

Jeffrey S. Hyland

President  and Director

April 2, 2018
     

/s/ Frank J. Cesario

Frank J. Cesario

Chief Financial Officer

April 2, 2018
     

/s/ John H. Schwan

John H. Schwan

Chairman of the Board

April 2, 2018
     

/s/ Stanley M. Brown

Stanley M. Brown

Director

April 2, 2018
     

/s/ Bret Tayne

Bret Tayne

Director

April 2, 2018
     

/s/ John I. Collins

John I. Collins

Director

April 2, 2018
     

/s/ John Klimek

John Klimek

Director

April 2, 2018

 

 

CTI Industries Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Years ended December 31, 201 7 and 2016

 

 

 

 

Contents      

 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

F-2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity as of December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

F-6

 

 

 

Financial Statement Schedule:

 

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

F-27

 

All other schedules for which a provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017, and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the related notes and financial Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We did not audit the 2017 or 2016 financial statements of Flexo Universal S. de R.L. de C.V., a 99.82 percent owned subsidiary, whose statements reflect total assets and revenue constituting 21 percent and 16 percent of the related consolidated totals, respectively, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, and total assets and revenue constituting 19 percent and 14 percent of the related consolidated totals as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Flexo Universal S. de R.L. de C.V., is based solely on the report of the other auditors. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and 2016 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

The Company ’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required  to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.   As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.   Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC

 

We have served as the Company ’s auditor since 2007.

 

Chicago, Illinois

April 2, 2018

 

 

 

CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   

December 31, 2017

   

December 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents (VIE $2,000 and $51,000, respectively)

  $ 181,026     $ 563,043  

Accounts receivable, (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $114,000 and $137,000 respectively) (VIE $28,000 and $6,000, respectively)

    11,235,834       14,838,978  

Inventories, net (VIE $498,000 and $719,000, respectively)

    18,865,932       18,348,011  

Prepaid expenses (VIE $80,000 and $18,000, respectively)

    887,885       678,689  

Other current assets

    1,120,808       530,669  
                 

Total current assets

    32,291,485       34,959,390  
                 

Property, plant and equipment:

               

Machinery and equipment

    23,439,781       26,348,443  

Building

    3,367,082       3,379,636  

Office furniture and equipment (VIE $268,000 and $154,000, respectively)

    2,591,159       3,597,158  

Intellectual property

    752,044       482,088  

Land

    250,000       250,000  

Leasehold improvements

    402,963       395,603  

Fixtures and equipment at customer locations

    518,450       3,302,868  

Projects under construction

    121,241       493,859  
      31,442,720       38,249,655  

Less : accumulated depreciation and amortization (VIE $36,000 and $29,000, respectively)

    (26,886,139 )     (32,938,267 )
                 

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    4,556,581       5,311,388  
                 

Other assets:

               
    Goodwill (VIE $440,000 and $440,000 respectively)     1,473,176       1,473,176  

Net deferred income tax asset

    1,102,467       1,696,690  

Other assets (due from related party $53,000 and $47,000, respectively)

    560,329       473,095  
                 

Total other assets

    3,135,972       3,642,961  
                 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 39,984,038     $ 43,913,739  
                 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Checks written in excess of bank balance (VIE $16,000 and $11,000, respectively)

  $ 454,850     $ 1,688,675  

Trade payables (VIE $144,000 and $92,000, respectively)

    5,414,497       5,861,932  

Line of credit (net of deferred financing costs of $0 and $62,000, respectively) (VIE $338,000 and $408,000, respectively)

    13,783,930       11,263,531  

Notes payable - current portion (net discount of $0 and $113,000, respectively)

    942,533       1,709,220  

Notes Payable Officers - current portion

    -       180,000  

Notes Payable Affiliates - current portion

    9,615       8,141  

Capital Lease - current portion

    7,562       40,660  

Accrued liabilities (VIE $96,000 and $140,000, respectively)

    2,047,893       3,127,425  
                 

Total current liabilities

    22,660,880       23,879,584  
                 

Long-term liabilities:

               

Notes Payable - Affiliates (VIE 144,000 and 153,000 respectively)

    212,545       218,858  

Notes payable, net of current portion (net discount of $0 and $0, respectively) (VIE $83,000 and $301,000, respectively)

    4,951,581       5,301,491  

Notes payable - officer, subordinated

    1,507,362       1,416,138  

Capital Lease

    -       4,690  

Deferred gain (non current) (VIE $31,000 and $39,000, respectively)

    207,410       297,521  

Total long-term debt, net of current portion

    6,878,898       7,238,698  
                 

Warrants Payable

            817,880  
                 

Total long-term liabilities

    6,878,898       8,056,578  
                 

Equity:

               

CTI Industries Corporation stockholders' equity:

               

Preferred Stock -- no par value 3,000,000 shares authorized 0 shares issued and outstanding

    -       -  

Common stock - no par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 3,568,885 issued and 3,525,227 oustanding on December 31, 2017 and 2016

    13,898,494       13,898,494  

Paid-in-capital

    2,271,261       2,250,235  

Accumulated earnings

    720,223       2,323,326  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (5,365,364 )     (5,593,878 )

Less: Treasury stock - 43,658 shares as of December 31, 2017 and 2016

    (160,784 )     (160,784 )

Total CTI Industries Corporation stockholders' equity

    11,363,830       12,717,393  
                 

Noncontrolling interest

    (919,570 )     (739,816 )
                 

Total Equity

    10,444,260       11,977,577  
                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

  $ 39,984,038     $ 43,913,739  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-2

 

 

CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

   

For the Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Net Sales

  $ 56,236,560     $ 64,268,367  
                 

Cost of Sales

    42,481,710       47,149,360  
                 

Gross profit

    13,754,850       17,119,007  
                 

Operating expenses:

               
General and administrative     7,657,338       7,378,296  
Selling     3,638,241       4,748,061  
Advertising and marketing     1,971,420       2,189,620  
Gain on sale of assets     (140,494 )     (36,745 )
Other operating income     (1,416 )     -  
                 
Total operating expenses     13,125,089       14,279,232  
                 

Income from operations

    629,761       2,839,775  
                 

Other (expense) income:

               
Interest expense     (1,576,229 )     (1,454,589 )
Change in fair value of warrants     19,999       (103,636 )
Foreign currency (loss) gain     (144,855 )     43,263  
                 
Total other expense, net     (1,701,085 )     (1,514,962 )
                 

(Loss) Income before taxes

    (1,071,324 )     1,324,813  
                 

Income tax (benefit) expense

    711,533       702,877  
                 

Net (Loss) Income

    (1,782,857 )     621,936  
                 

Less: Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (179,754 )     (30,602 )
                 
Net (loss) income attributable to CTI Industries Corporation   $ (1,603,103 )   $ 652,538  
                 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

               
Foreign currency adjustment     228,514       (1,517,560 )
Comprehensive (loss) attributable to CTI Industries Corporation   $ (1,374,589 )   $ (865,022 )
                 

Basic (loss) income per common share

  $ (0.45 )   $ 0.18  
                 

Diluted (loss) income per common share

  $ (0.44 )   $ 0.18  
                 
Weighted average number of shares and equivalent shares of common stock outstanding:                

Basic

    3,568,885       3,566,400  
                 

Diluted

    3,616,244       3,727,554  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-3

 

 

CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

 

    CTI Industries Corporation                  
                                   

Accumulated

                                 
                            Accumulated    

Other

   

Less

                 
   

Common Stock

   

Paid-in

   

(Deficit)

   

Comprehensive

   

Treasury Stock

   

Noncontrolling

         
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Loss

   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Interest

   

TOTAL

 
                                                                         

Balance, December 31, 2015

    3,386,579     $ 13,775,994     $ 1,577,807     $ 1,670,788     $ (4,076,318 )     (43,658 )   $ (160,784 )     (198,463 )     12,589,024  
                                                                         
Stocks Issued     177,596     $ 122,500     $ 672,428                                             $ 794,928  
                                                                         
Options Exercised     4,710                                                                  
                                                                         
Member contributions, net                                                           $ 201,249     $ 201,249  
                                                                         
Dividends Declared                                                           $ (712,000 )   $ (712,000)  
                                                                         
Net Income                           $ 652,538                             $ (30,602 )   $ 621,936  
                                                                         
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes                                                                        

Foreign currency translation

                                  $ (1,517,560 )                           $ (1,517,560)  
                                                                         

Balance, December 31, 2016

    3,568,885     $ 13,898,494     $ 2,250,235     $ 2,323,326     $ (5,593,878 )     (43,658 )   $ (160,784 )     (739,816 )   $ 11,977,577  
                                                                         
                                                                         

Stock Option Expense

                  $ 21,026                                             $ 21,026  
                                                                         

Net Income

                            (1,603,103 )                             (179,754 )   $ (1,782,857 )
                                                                         

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes

                                                                       

Foreign currency translation

                                    228,514                             $ 228,514  
                                                                         

Balance, December 31, 2017

    3,568,885     $ 13,898,494     $ 2,271,261     $ 720,223     $ (5,365,364 )     (43,658 )   $ (160,784 )     (919,570 )   $ 10,444,260  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-4

 

 

CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   

For the Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net (loss) income

  $ (1,782,857 )   $ 621,936  

Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    1,546,413       1,420,789  

Amortization of debt discount

    112,622       170,931  

Change in fair value of warrants

    (19,999 )     103,636  

Stock based compensation

    -       34,104  

Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback

    (109,976 )     (60,401 )

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

    (29,227 )     26,318  

Change in allowance for excess quantities of inventory

    (295,430 )     (11,294 )

Deferred income taxes

    594,223       50,591  

Change in assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    3,878,170       (4,083,379 )

Inventories

    (222,491 )     (1,364,450 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    (690,015 )     473,328  

Trade payables

    (564,333 )     2,070,011  

Accrued liabilities

    (1,157,701 )     99,005  
                 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    1,259,399       (448,875 )
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (753,199 )     (630,187 )

Proceeds from equipment sale-leaseback

    -       783,134  

Purchase of member units

    -       (87,500 )
                 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (753,199 )     65,447  
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Change in checks written in excess of bank balance

    (1,233,825 )     206,848  

Net change in revolving line of credit

    2,466,652       373,059  

Repayment of long-term debt (related parties $1,416,000 and $32,000)

    (8,663,000 )     (1,528,927 )

Proceeds from issuance of debt

    7,507,362       1,180,000  

Proceeds from issuance of notes receivable

    8,740       -  

Proceeds from issuance of stock, net

    -       638,323  

Cash paid for deferred financing fees

    (299,824 )     (9,953 )

Distributions to Variable Interest Entity members

    -       (467,000 )

Contributions received by Variable Interest Entity

    515,912       288,750  
                 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    302,017       681,100  
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    (1,190,234 )     (81,033 )
                 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (382,017 )     216,639  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    563,043       346,404  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $ 181,026     $ 563,043  
                 
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

               

Cash payments for interest

  $ 1,426,743     $ 910,414  

Cash payments for taxes

  $ 300,000     $ -  
                 

Supplemental Disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity

               

Property, plant & equipment acquisitions funded by liabilities

  $ 186,409     $ 13,522  

Interest accrued not paid

  $ 65,000     $ 92,900  

Contributed Capital to Clever Container

               

Stock

  $ -     $ 122,500  

Debt

  $ -     $ 43,750  

Accounts Receivable

  $ -     $ 183,750  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-5

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years Ended

December 31, 201 7 and 2016

 

 

1. Nature of Business

 

Nature of Operations

 

CTI Industries Corporation, its United Kingdom subsidiary (CTI Balloons Li mited), its Mexican subsidiary (Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V.), its German subsidiary (CTI Europe GmbH) and CTI Supply, Inc. (collectively, the “Company”) (i) design, manufacture and distribute metalized and latex balloon products throughout the world and (ii) operate systems for the production, lamination, coating and printing of films used for food packaging and other commercial uses and for conversion of films to flexible packaging containers and other products.

 

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CTI Industries Corporation, its wholly owned subsidiaries CTI Balloons Limited and CTI Supply, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries, Flexo Universal and CTI Europe, as well as the accounts of Venture Leasing S. A. de R. L., Venture Leasing L.L.C., and Clever Container Company, L.L.C. (Clever Container). The last three entities have been consolidated as variable interest entities. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

The determination of whether or not to consolidate a variable interest entity under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires a significant amount of judgment concerning the degree of control over an entity by its holders of variable interest. To make these judgments, management has conducted an analysis of the relationship of the holders of variable interest to each other, the design of the entity, the expected operations of the entity, which holder of variable interests is most “closely associated” to the entity and which holder of variable interests is the primary beneficiary required to consolidate the entity. Upon the occurrence of certain events, management reviews and reconsiders its previous conclusion regarding the status of an entity as a variable interest entity.  Management continually reconsiders whether the Company is deemed to be a variable interest entity’s primary beneficiary who consolidates such entity. The Company has three entities that have been consolidated as variable interest entities. (See Note 13 )

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities, the historical exchange rate for stockholders’ equity, and a weighted average exchange rate for each period for revenues and expenses. Translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as the local currencies of the subsidiaries are the functional currencies. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in the period incurred and are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The Company ’s significant estimates include valuation allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangible asset valuation, and assumptions used as inputs in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model .

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying troubled accounts, evaluating the individual customer receivables through consideration of the customer ’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions and use of historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. A trade receivable is considered to be past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding for a period over the customer’s normal terms. Trade receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using standard costs which approximates costing determined on a first -in, first -out basis, to reflect the actual cost of production of inventories.

 

 

Production costs of work in process and finished goods include material, labor and overhead. Work in process and finished goods are not recorded in excess of net realizable value.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful life or the lease term. The estimated useful lives range as follows:

 

    In years  

Building

   25 - 30  

Machinery and equipment

   3 - 15  

Projects that prolong the life and increase efficiency of machinery

   3 - 5  

Light Machinery

   5 - 10  

Heavy Machinery

   10 - 15  

Office furniture and equipment

   5 - 8  

Intellectual Property

   9 - 15  

Leasehold improvements

   5 - 8  

Furniture and equipment at customer locations

   1 - 3  

 

Light machinery consists of forklifts, scissor lifts, and other warehouse machinery. Heavy machinery consists of production equipment including laminating, printing and converting equipment. Projects in process represent those costs capitalized in connection with construction of new assets and/or improvements to existing assets including a factor for interest on funds committ ed to projects in process of $11,000 and $33,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Upon completion, these costs are reclassified to the appropriate asset class.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has stock-based incentive plans which may grant stock option, restricted stock and unrestricted stock awards.   The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the award and the related vesting terms.  The fair value of stock-based awards is determined using the Black-Scholes model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected option life, and dividend yield.  See Note 16 for additional information.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

U.S. GAAP defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements.  See Note 4 for further discussion .

 

 

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. We may enter into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt to reduce the potential volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are included in accrued liabilities of our consolidated balance sheet. Our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet our criteria for designation as hedging transactions, which include the instrument’s effectiveness, risk reduction and, in most cases, a one -to- one matching of the derivative instrument to our underlying transaction. As of December 31, 2017, we had one derivative instrument accounted for as a hedge, compared to no such instrument as of December 31, 2016.   Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. We have no such derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2017. Changes in fair value for the respective periods were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company applies the provisions of U.S. GAAP, under which goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment. Goodwill on the accompanying balance sheets relates to the Company’s acquisition of Flexo Universal in a prior year, the investment in CTI Europe in a prior year and the goodwill related to Clever Container, a variable interest entity in which CTI is the primary beneficiary. It is the Company’s policy to perform impairment testing annually as of December 31, or as circumstances change. An annual impairment review was completed and no impairment was noted for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (see Note 14 ). While the Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows could materially affect these evaluations.

 

Valuation of Long Lived Assets

 

The Company evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred which indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets (principally property, plant and equipment) may be impaired or not recoverable. The significant factors that are considered that could trigger an impairment review include: changes in business strategy, market conditions, or the manner of use of an asset; underperformance relative to historical or expected future operating results; and negative industry or economic trends. In evaluating an asset for possible impairment, management estimates that asset ’s future undiscounted cash flows and appraised values to measure whether the asset is recoverable. The Company measures the impairment based on the projected discounted cash flows of the asset over its remaining life.

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

Deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the loan. Upon a refinancing, existing unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed.

 

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. As such, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the anticipated reversal of these differences is scheduled to occur. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management cannot determine, in its opinion, that it is more likely than not that the Company will recover that recorded value of the deferred tax asset. The Company is subject to U.S. Federal, state and local taxes as well as foreign taxes in the United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico. U.S. income tax expense and foreign withholding taxes are provided on remittances of foreign earnings and on unremitted foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested.

 

Unrecognized tax benefits are accounted for as required by U.S. GAAP which prescribes a more likely than not threshold for financial statement presentation and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  See Note 10 for further discussion.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria have been met:

 

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

 

Delivery has occurred or a service has been provided;

 

The sales price is fixed and determinable; and

 

Collection is reasonably assured.

 

For most of our revenue, these criteria are met at the time that product is shipped. In some cases, such as when material is sold on consignment, revenue is recognized when those products are reported as sold by the customer. Return rates fluctuate over time. We estimate returns at the time of shipment based on prior experience and relevant information.

 

Research and Development

 

The Company conducts product development and research activities which include (i) creative product development and (ii) engineering. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, research and development activities totaled $345,000 and $496,000, respectively.

 

Advertising Costs

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses amounted to $119,000 and $139,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

 

3 . New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single five -step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The guidance also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. The guidance provides an option to use either a retrospective approach or a cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the guidance. In 2015, the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date of the guidance to 2018, with early adoption permitted in 2017. In 2016, the FASB issued final amendments clarifying the implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations, identifying performance obligations and the accounting of intellectual property licenses. In addition, the FASB introduced practical expedients related to disclosures of remaining performance obligations, as well as other amendments . The Company has completed its evaluation of the overall impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes, system requirements and internal controls over financial reporting. The Company will adopt the new standard as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, and does not expect a material impact on the timing and amount of revenue recognized in its financial statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory . Under this standard, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015 - 11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this accounting standard update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes , to eliminate the current requirements to classify deferred income tax assets and liabilities between current and noncurrent. To simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes, the amendments in this update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of ASU 2015 - 17 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  The Company has adopted the standard and the impact to our consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2017 was a reclassification of $779,000 in deferred tax assets to noncurrent, and a reclassification of $773,000 in deferred tax assets to noncurrent for the period ended December 31, 2016.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 02, Leases ( Topic 842 ), aimed at making leasing activities more transparent and comparable. The new standard requires substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including today’s operating leases. For public business entities, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early application is permitted for all entities. While we are currently evaluating the potential impact of this new standard, we expect that our property, plant and equipment will increase significantly due to the addition of assets currently under lease, and the lease liabilities will correspondingly increase. 

 

 

On August 26, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 - 15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230 ) , a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2016 - 15” ). The new guidance amends Accounting Standards Codification No. 230 (“ASC 230” ) to add or clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. ASC 230 lacks consistent principles for evaluating the classification of cash payments and receipts in the statement of cash flows. This has led to diversity in practice and, in certain circumstances, financial statement restatements. Therefore, the FASB issued the ASU 2016 - 15 with the intent of reducing diversity in practice with respect to eight types of cash flows. ASU 2016 - 15 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  The implementation of this standard is not expected to have a material impact upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

4. Fair Value Disclosures; Derivative Instruments

 

U.S. GAAP clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. U.S. GAAP also requires that a fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based upon the best information available.

 

U.S. GAAP establishes a three -level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

 

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs are observable for the asset or liability, or unobservable but corroborated by market data, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

 

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

 

A financial instrument ’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of the input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The following table presents information about the Company’s liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:

 

   

Amount as of

                         

Description

 

12/31/201 7

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 

Warrant Liability

    -       -       -       -  
      -       -       -       -  

 

   

Amount as of

                         

Description

 

12/31/201 6

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 

Warrant Liability

  $ 818,000       -     $ 818,000       -  
    $ 818,000             $ 818,000          

 

The warrants were converted into notes and repaid during 2017.   These were carried as a derivative liability at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the warrants were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The interest rate swap entered into December 14, 2017 had a three year term (ending December 14, 2020) and a notional amount of $3 million.  The Company purchased a 2.25% fixed rate in exchange for the variable rate on a portion of the notes payable under the PNC Agreements, which was 1.47% at time of execution (see Note 8 ).  The fair value of the swap was insignificant as of December 31, 2017.

 

 

5. O ther Comprehensive Loss

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Balances as of December 31, 2017

 

           

Accumulated

 
   

Foreign

   

Other

 
   

Currency

   

Comprehensive

 
   

Items

   

Loss

 

Beginning balance

  $ (5,593,878 )   $ (5,593,878 )

Current period change

    228,514       228,514  

Ending balance

  $ (5,365,364 )   $ (5,365,364 )

 

Accumulated Ot her Comprehensive Loss   Balances as of December 31, 201 6

 

           

Accumulated

 
   

Foreign

   

Other

 
   

Currency

   

Comprehensive

 
   

Items

   

Loss

 

Beginning balance

  $ (4,076,318 )   $ (4,076,318 )

Current period change

    (1,517,560 )     (1,517,560 )

Ending balance

  $ (5,593,878 )   $ (5,593,878 )

 

For the years ended December 31, 201 7 and 2016, no tax benefit has been recorded on the foreign currency translation; as such amounts would result in a deferred tax asset and are not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

 

 

6 . Major Customers

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had two customers that accounted for approximately 27.5% and 16.9% of consolidated net sales. For the year ended December 31, 2016, those same two customers accounted for approximately 24.6% and 28.0% of consolidated net sales. At December 31, 2017, the outstanding accounts receivable balances due from these customers were $2,871,000 and $3,088,000, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the outstanding accounts receivable balances due from these customers were $2,842,000 and $5,512,000, respectively.

 

 

 

7. Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using standard costs which approximate costing determined on a first -in, first out basis. Standard costs are reviewed and adjusted periodically and at year end based on actual direct and indirect production costs. On a periodic basis, the Company reviews its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable items, primarily by reviewing future demand requirements and shelf life of the product.

 

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

   

December 31,

201 7

   

December 31,

201 6

 

Raw materials

  $ 2,632,415     $ 3,310,310  

Work in Process

    3,386,078       1,942,600  

Finished Goods

    13,347,620       13,889,328  

Allowance for excess quantities

    (500,181 )     (794,227 )

Total inventories

  $ 18,865,932     $ 18,348,011  

 

 

 

8.

Notes Payable and Capital Leases  

 

Long term debt consists of:

 

   

Dec. 31, 201 7

   

Dec. 31, 201 6

 

Mezzanine Note Payable with BMO Private Equity, balance due January 18, 2018, interest at 11.50% (effective rate of 15.56%)

  $ -     $ 5,000,000  

Less: Remaining debt discount to be amortized

            (113,000 )

Loan with Officer, payable on receipt, interest at 6.25%, balance paid January 2017, S/T

    -       180,000  

Mortgage Loan with BMO Harris, payable in monthly installments of $7,778 plus interest at prime (3.75%) plus a variable rate (based on loan covenants) of 0.75% (4.5%) at December 31, 2016 (amortized over 25 years)

    -       1,711,000  

Promissory Note with Clever Container shareholder(s) due 2018 L/T

    -       81,000  

Promissory Note from CTI to Clever Container shareholder S/T

    -       45,000  

Promissory Note with John Schwan due 2018 L/T

    -       220,000  

Term Loan with BMO Harris, payable in monthly installments of $22,323 beginning April 2012 plus interest at prime (3.75%) plus a variable rate (based on loan covenants) of 0.75% (4.5%) at December 31, 2016, (amortized over 5 years), balance due March 30, 2017.

    -       67,000  

Capital Lease with First American Equipment Finance, payable in monthly installments of $2,890 (amortized over 5 years).

    3,000       36,000  

Capital Lease with Wells Fargo, payable in monthly installments of $367 (amortized over 5 years).

    2,000       6,000  

Capital Lease with Wells Fargo, payable in monthly installments of $550 (amortized over 3 years).

    -       3,000  

Subordinated Notes (Officer ) due on demand, interest at 9% (see Notes 9, 12).

    -       5,000  

Subordinated Notes (Officer ) due on demand, interest at 8% (see Notes 9, 12).

    -       802,000  

Subordinated Notes (Officer ) due on demand, interest at prime (3.75%) plus 2% (5.75%) at December 31, 2016 (see Note 9).

    -       609,000  

Subordinated Notes (Officers) due on demand, interest at 4% , which consolidated prior Subordinated Notes (Officers)

    1,507,000       -  

Notes Payable (Affiliates) d ue 2015, interest at prime (3.25%) plus 0.25% (3.5%) at December 31, 2017 (see Note 12) (Related Party).

    32,000       27,000  

Promissory Note with Merrick Company due on demand, interest at 4.25% (Related Party).

    76,000       83,000  

Promissory Note with Schwan Leasing due on demand, interest at 4.25% (Related Party).

    60,000       70,000  

Notes Payable (Affiliate s) due 2021, interest at 11.75% (see Note 12) (Related Party).

    41,000       47,000  

Term Loan with PNC, payable in monthly installments of $100,000 amortized over 5 years, interest at 8.25%, balance due December 2022, which uses balloons and related equipment as collateral

    6,000,000       -  

Total long-term debt

    7,721,000       8,879,000  

Less current portion

    (1,247,000 )     (1,938,000 )

Total Long-term debt, net of current portion

  $ 6,474,000     $ 6,941,000  

 

Until December 2017, we had in place a series of credit facility and related agreements with BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and BMO Private Equity (U.S.), (collectively, “BMO”), in the aggregate amount of approximately $17 million. During December 2017, we terminated those agreements and fully repaid all amounts owed BMO under those agreements, including the outstanding warrant note payable and associated fees and costs related to termination, as we entered in new financing agreements with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”). The “PNC Agreements” include a $6 million term loan and an $18 million revolving credit facility, with a termination date of December 2022.

 

 

Available credit under the Revolving Credit facility is determined by eligible receivables and inventory at CTI Industries (U.S.) and Flexo Universal (Mexico).

 

Certain terms of the PNC Agreements include:

 

 

Restrictive Covenants : The Credit Agreement includes several restrictive covenants under which we are prohibited from, or restricted in our ability to:

 

o

Borrow money;

 

o

Pay dividends and make distributions;

 

o

Make certain investments;

 

o

Use assets as security in other transactions;

 

o

Create liens;

 

o

Enter into affiliate transactions;

 

o

Merge or consolidate; or

 

o

Transfer and sell assets.

 

 

Financial Covenants : The Credit Agreement includes a series of financial covenants we are required to meet including:

 

o

We are required to maintain a "Leverage Ratio", which is defined as the ratio of (a) Funded Debt (other than the Shareholder Subordinated Loan) as of such date of determination to (b) EBITDA (as defined in the PNC Agreements) for the applicable period then ended. The highest values for this ration allowed by the PNC Agreements are:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ratio        
         
December 31, 2017 4.75 to 1.00  
March 31, 2018   4.50 to 1.00  
June 30, 2018     4.25 to 1.00  
September 30, 2018 3.75 to 1.00  
December 31, 2018 3.50 to 1.00  
March 31, 2019 3.25 to 1.00  
June 30, 2019    3.00 to 1.00  
September 30, 2019 and thereafter  2.75 to 1.00  

 

 

 

o

We are required to maintain a "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio", which is defined as the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such fiscal period, minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures made during such period, minus distributions (including tax distributions) and dividends made during such period, minus cash taxes paid during such period to (b) all Debt Payments made during such period. This ratio must not exceed 1.1 : 1.0 for any quarterly calculation.

 

The credit agreement provides for interest at varying rates in excess of the prime rate, depending on the level of senior debt to EBITDA over time. We also entered into a swap agreement with PNC Bank to fix the rate of interest for $3 million of the notes over 3 years at 2.25%. This contract was made at market value upon December 14, 2017 execution and accounted for as a hedge.

 

Failure to comply with these covenants might cause us to pay a higher rate of interest (by 2% per the Agreements), or other penalties up to and including the availability of the credit facility itself, and thus might negatively impact our ability to remain a going concern. We believe that we were in compliance as of December 31, 2017.  

 

 

9 .

Subordinated Debt  – Related Parties  

 

On September 30, 2016, John H. Schwan advanced to the Company the sum of $530,000  and Mr. Stephen M. Merrick advanced the Company the sum of $370,000 to provide short-term working capital to the Company to fund the Company ’s obligation to purchase and produce inventory for a substantial order for vacuum sealing systems to be delivered in November 2016. In consideration of such advances, the Company issued Promissory Notes to Mr. Schwan and Mr. Merrick. The principal balance of these note were paid in December 2016 and January 2017.

 

As of December 2017, Mr. Schwan was owed a total of $1,099,091, with additional accrued interest of $399,731, by the Company. As part of the December 2017 financing with PNC, Mr. Schwan executed a subordination agreement related to these amounts due him, as evidenced by a related note representing the amount owed to Mr. Schwan.

 

 

10 .

Income Taxes

 

The income tax provisions are comprised of the following:

 

   

Dec. 31 2017

   

Dec. 31 2016

 

Current:

               

Federal

  $ (188,549 )   $ 448,462  

State

    (11,964 )     -  

Foreign

    317,823       203,824  
    $ 117,310     $ 652,286  
                 

Deferred

               

Federal

  $ 732,895     $ 70,223  

State

    (79,598 )     71,716  

Foreign

    (59,074 )     (91,348 )
      594,223       50,591  

Total Income Tax Provision

  $ 711,533     $ 702,877  

 

The 2017 tax provision includes the impact of changes in deferred taxes of $0.2 million resulting from the federal rate change from 34% to 21%.

 

 

The components of the net deferred tax asset at December 31 are as follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Deferred tax assets:

               

Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards

  $ 523,808     $ 438,075  

Foreign tax credit and other credits

    592,993       581,917  

Reserves and accruals

    271,884       731,655   

Unicap 263A adjustment

    126,944       170,765  

Other deferred tax assets

    26,198       17,922  

Foreign and VIE net operating loss carryforwards

    569,147       541,983  

Total gross deferred tax assets

    2,110,974       2,482,317  
                 

Deferred tax liabilities:

               

Fixed assets and intangibles

    (273,746 )     (740,627 )

Deferred state income tax

    (103,055 )     -  

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

    (376,801 )     (740,627 )
       Less: valuation allowance     (631,706 )     (45,000 )

Net deferred tax assets

    1,102,467       1,696,690  

 

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance     2017       201 6
          Beginning Balance   $ 45,000     $ 45,000
          Additions charged (credited) to expense   $ 586,706     $ -
          Balance at end of year   $ 631,706     $ 45,000

 

The Company has a net operating loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of approximately $0.4 million which will begin to expire in 2025, as well as federal tax credits of approximately $0.6 million which will begin to expire during 2018. It also has a net operating loss carryforward for state income tax purposes of approximately $4.5 million, which will begin to expire in 2022. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted significant tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act created a separate category of creditable foreign source income related to foreign branches. This may operate to prevent cross-crediting of foreign tax credit carryforwards generated by the Company in prior years with those attributable to branch income generated in future years. As a result of this new provision, the U.S. Foreign Tax Credit deferred tax asset has been fully offset by a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance increased by $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, and was unchanged during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

Income tax provisions differed from the taxes calculated at the statutory federal tax rate as follows:

 

   

Years Ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

201 6

 

Federal Taxes at statutory rate

  $ (372,364 )   $ 450,464  

State income taxes , net of Federal tax effect

    (60,695 )     67,768  

Nondeductible expenses

    35,083       51,741  

Foreign taxes

    522,803       132,905  
Change in valuation allowance     586,706       -  

Income tax provision

  $ 711,533     $ 702,877  

 

The Compan y files tax returns in the U.S. , and in the U.K, Germany and Mexico foreign tax jurisdictions and also in various state jurisdictions in the U.S. The tax years 2014 through 2016 remain open to examination. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. During the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not recognize expense for interest or penalties, and do not have any amounts accrued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, as the Company does not believe it has any uncertain tax positions.

 

Tax Reform act of 2017

 

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118 ) which addresses income tax accounting implications of the Tax Act. The purpose of SAB 118 was to address any uncertainty or diversity of view in applying ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes in the reporting period in which the Tax Act was enacted. SAB 118 addresses situations where the accounting is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act upon issuance of a company ’s financial statements for the reporting period which includes the enactment date. SAB 118 allows for a provisional amount to be recorded if it is a reasonable estimate of the impact of the Tax Act. Additionally, SAB 118 allows for a measurement period to finalize the impacts of the Tax Act, not to extend beyond one year form the date of enactment. Estimates were used in determining the balances of deferred tax assets and liabilities subject to changes in tax laws included in the Tax Act.

 

 

11.

Employee Benefit Plan

 

The Company has a defined contribution plan for substantially all employees. Profit sharing contributions may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  Under the plan, the maximum contribution for the Company is 4% of gross wages. Employer contributions to the plan totaled $47,000 and $78,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This reduction in contribution is the result of suspending the employer contribution during 2017.

 

 

12 .

Related Party Transactions

 

Stephen M. Merrick , Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is of counsel to a law firm from which the Company received legal services during the year. Mr. Merrick is both a director and a shareholder of the Company. Legal fees paid to this firm were $154,000 and $188,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

John H. Schwan, Chairman of the Board, is the brother of Gary Schwan, one of the owners of Schwan Incorporated, which provides building maintenance and remodeling services to the Company. The Company made payments to Schwan Incorporated of approximately $19,000 and $15,000 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

During the period from January 2003 to the present, John H. Schwan, Chairman of the Board, has made loans to the Company which have outstanding balances, for the Company of $1,507,000 and $1,416,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  During 2017 and 2016, interest expense on these outstanding loans was $94,000 and $93,000, respectively.

 

During 2010, Schwan Leasing and Merrick Company, owned by John H. Schwan and Stephen M. Merrick, provided financing for the acquisition and construction of latex balloon production and related equipment (see Note 13 ).

 

Items identified as Notes Payable Affiliates in the Company's Consolidated Balan ce Sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 include loans by shareholders to Flexo Universal totaling $41,000 and $47,000, respectively, as well as a loan to CTI Europe totaling $32,000 and $27,000, respectively.

 

 

13.

Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) and Transactions

 

During 2010, two entities owned by officers and/or principal shareholders of the Company (John H. Schwan and Stephen M. Merrick) provided financing for Flexo Universal, the Company’s Mexico subsidiary, for the acquisition and construction of latex balloon production and related equipment. The entities included Venture Leasing L.L.C., (“VLUS”), an Illinois limited liability company which is 100% owned by an entity owned by Mr. Schwan and Mr. Merrick, and Venture Leasing Mexico S. A. de R. L (“VLM”), a Mexico company which is also owned 100% by entities owned by Mr. Schwan and Mr. Merrick. The Company is the primary beneficiary of VLUS & VLM and accordingly consolidated the result of the entities in its financial statements.

 

Mr. Schwan and Mr. Merrick, through entities owned by them, arranged for a line of credit in the amount of $1,000,000 from Barrington Bank in order to loan monies to VLUS as needed. During 2010, VLUS received advances on this line totaling $700,000. VLUS loaned substantially all of these funds to VLM. VLM utilized the funds to purchase materials, parts, components and services for the acquisition and construction of balloon production and related equipment to be placed at the premises of Flexo Universal. Assembly and construction of this equipment was completed on or about December 31, 2010 and, in January 2011, the equipment was placed in service at Flexo Universal.

 

 

Title to the equipment remained in the name of VLM. VLM leased the equipment to Flexo Universal under a lease in which Flexo Universal paid to VLM rental payments at the rate of approximately $9,000 per month and had the right to purchase the equipment from VLM at the expiration of the lease at fair market value. The Company has not provided any guarantees related to VLUS or VLM and no creditors of the variable interest entities have recourse to the general credit of the Company as a result of including VLUS & VLM in the consolidated financial statements. The accounts of VLM and VLUS have been consolidated with the accounts of the Company.

 

On May 31, 2016 , Flexo Universal purchased the equipment from VLM for 8,700,000 in Mexican Pesos and the lease was terminated.

 

Mr. Schwan and Mr. Merrick are partial owners of Clever Container, an Illinois limited liability company engaged in the sale and distribution through a network of independent distributors, of household items including containers and organizing products. Together they own roughly half of Clever Container. The Company acquired a 28.5% interest in Clever Container from third parties in 2016. The Company produces and sells certain container products to Clever Container and also purchases and re-sells products to Clever Container. By reason of the level of ownership of Clever Container by two principal officers and/or shareholders of the Company, the ownership interest of the Company in Clever Container and the transactions among the Company and Clever Container, the determination was made to consolidate the results of Clever Container in the consolidated financial statements of the Company commencing as of October 1, 2013 and going forward.

 

The following sets forth the condensed balance sheet of VLM, VLUS and Clever Container for December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

   

Dec. 31, 201 7

   

Dec. 31, 2016

 

Current Assets

  $ 608,000     $ 794,000  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    231,000       125,000  

Other noncurrent assets

    740,000       794,000  

Total assets

  $ 1,579,000     $ 1,713,000  
                 

Mortgages and other long-term debt payable

  $ 2,062,000     $ 1,962,000  

Total liabilities

  $ 2,062,000     $ 1,962,000  

 

 

14 .

Goodwill  

 

Under the provisions of U.S. GAAP, goodwill is subject to at least annual assessments for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. U.S. GAAP also requires that an acquired intangible asset should be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the asset can be sold, licensed, rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer’s intent to do so. The Company has no acquired intangible assets other than goodwill.

 

 

The Company has determined that the fair value of goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 .

 

 

15 .

Commitments

 

Operating Leases

 

In August 2015, t he Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary entered into a 5 -year lease agreement to rent approximately 9,000 square feet of warehouse and office space in Rugby, England for $6,000 per month.

 

In November 2016, CTI Europe entered into a lease agreement for 13,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Heusenstamm, Germany for a term commencing on February 1, 2017 and ending on February 1, 2022 at the rate per month of $9,000. A prior lease for space in Heusenstamm was terminated on February 1, 2017.

 

In August 2011, Flexo Universal entered into a 5 -year lease to rent 73,000 square feet of warehouse and office space in Guadalajara, Mexico at the cost of $22,000 per month. The lease was extended to February 28, 2017. Effective March 1, 2017, Flexo Universal entered into a five year lease for these premises at a cost of 493,090 Mexican Pesos per month (approximately $26,000 per month).

 

In September 2012, we entered into a lease agreement, expiring on February 28, 2017 to rent approximately 118,000 square feet of warehouse and office space in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Effective March 1, 2017, this lease has been renewed for three years, at a basic rental cost per month of:

 

Lease period

 

Amount per month

 

March 1, 2017

February 28, 2018   $ 38,000  

March 1, 2018

February 28, 2019   $ 40,000  

March 1, 2019

February 29, 2020   $ 42,000  

 

All of the Company ’s lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis. The net lease expense was approximately $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

The future aggregate minimum net lease payments under existing agreements as of December 31  are as follows:  

 

    Total

201 8

  1,443,000

2019

  1,427,000
2020   947,000
2021   805,000
2022+   201,000

Total

$ 4,823,000

 

 

Licenses

 

The Company has certain merchandising license agreements that require royalty payments based upon the Company ’s net sales of the respective products. The agreements call for guaranteed minimum commitments that are determined on a calendar year basis. Future guaranteed commitments due, as computed on a pro rata basis, as of December 31, are as follows:

 

2018

    500,000  

2019

    500,000  

Total

  $ 1,000,000  

 

 

 

16 .

Stockholders ’ Equity

 

Stock Options

 

The Compensation Committee administers the stock-based plans. The exercise price for Incentive Stock Options (“ISO”) cannot be less than the fair value of the stock subject to the option on the grant date ( 110% of such fair value in the case of ISOs granted to a stockholder who owns more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock). The exercise price of a Non-Qualified Stock Options (“NQSO”) shall be fixed by the Compensation Committee at whatever price the Committee may determine in good faith. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, options beginning with the 2009 Plan generally have a 4 -year term with a 3 -year vesting schedule. Unless the Committee provides otherwise, options terminate upon the termination of a participant’s employment, except that the participant may exercise an option to the extent it was exercisable on the date of termination and for a period of time after termination. Officers, directors and employees of, and consultants to the Company, or any parent or subsidiary corporation selected by the Committee, are eligible to receive options under the Plan. Subject to certain restrictions, the Committee is authorized to designate the number of shares to be covered by each award, the terms of the award, the date on which and the rates at which options or other awards may be exercised, the method of payment, vesting and other terms.

 

The Company has applied the Black-Scholes model to value stock-based awards. That model incorporates various assumptions in the valuation of stock-based awards relating to the risk-free rate of interest to be applied, the estimated dividend yield and expected volatility of the Company ’s Common Stock. The risk-free rate of interest is the U.S. Treasury yield curve for periods within the expected term of the option at the time of grant. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

 

The valuation assumptions we have applied to determine the value of stock-based awards were as follows:

 

Historical stock price volatility: The Company used the weekly closing price to calculate historical annual volatility.

 

Risk-free interest rate: The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the rate payable on US treasury securities in effect at the time of the grant, which varied between 1.4% and 2.20%.

 

Expected life: The expected life of the option represents the period of time options are expected to be outstanding. The Company uses an expected life of 3.75 years.

 

Dividend yield: The estimate for dividend yield is 0%, as the Company did not issue dividends during 2017 and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.

 

Estimated forfeitures: When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers historical terminations as well as anticipated retirements.

 

The Company, at the discretion of the board, may issue options in excess of the total available, if options related to that stock plan are cancelled. In some cases, not all shares that are available to a stock plan are issued, as the Company is unable to issue options to a previous plan when a new plan is in place.

 

The Company ’s pre-tax income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 includes approximately $21,000 and $34,000, respectively, of compensation costs related to share-based payments. As of December 31, 2017, there is $364,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option grants. We expect approximately $172,000, $92,000, and $56,000 to be recognized during 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively.

 

On April 10, 2009, the Board of Directors approved for adoption, and on June 5, 2009, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan ( “2009 Plan”). The 2009 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 510,000 shares of stock or options to purchase stock of the Company (including cancelled shares reissued under the plan.) As of December 31, 2017, 399,469 were outstanding, of which 26,788 were vested and 372,681 were not vested. Vesting is determined at time of grant, with some of the schedules used for the 2009 Plan as follows:

 

Vesting Schedule A

Vesting Schedule B

Vesting Schedule C

Vesting Schedule D

25%

12 months

33%

24 months

50%

48 months

20 %

6 months

50%

24 months

67%

36 months

100%

57 months

40 %

18 months

75%

36 months

100%

48 months

   

60 %

30 months

100%

48 months

       

80 %

42 months

           

100 %

54 months

 

 

D uring the year ended December 31, 2017, no options were exercised and 4,906 options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The following is a summary of the activity in the Company ’s stock option plans and other options for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

   

December 31, 2017

   

December 31, 201 6

 
           

Weighted Avg.

           

Weighted Avg.

 
   

Shares

   

Exercise Price

   

Shares

   

Exercise Price

 

Exercisable, beginning of period

    83,275     $ 5.20       63,800     $ 5.26  

Vested

    37,138       5.70       30,381       5.22  

Exercised

    -       -       4,906       5.15  

Cancelled /Expired

    (16,950 )     5.17       (6,000 )     5.96  

Exercisable at the end of period

    103,463     $ 5.38       83,275     $ 5.20  

 

   

December 31, 201 7

   

December 31, 201 6

 
           

Weighted Avg.

           

Weighted Avg.

 
   

Shares

   

Exercise Price

   

Shares

   

Exercise Price

 

Outstanding, beginning of period

    143,094     $ 5.22       154,000     $ 5.25  

Granted

    350,000       3.52       -       -  

Exercised

    -       -       4,906       5.15  

Cancelled /Expired

    (16,950 )     5.17       (6,000 )     5.96  

Outstanding at the end of period

    476,144     $ 3.97       143,094     $ 5.22  

 

On December 1, 2017, pursuant to his offer of employment with the Company as President, Mr. Jeffrey Hyland was granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock (vesting over four years), 65,000 incentive stock options (vesting over five years) and 260,000 non-qualified options (vesting over five years).

 

At December 31, 201 7, there were fewer than 50,000 options available to grant. The above represents instruments broadly referred to as options which include non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, grants of restricted common stock, and similar instruments.

 

Warrants

 

On July 17, 2012, the Company issued detachable warrants in connection with the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with BMO Equity (see Note 8 ). The warrants were exercisable at any time after July 17, 2012 and until July 17, 2022, or 18 months after full payment of the related $5,000,000 note payable, whichever was earlier, for up to 4% of the outstanding units of the Company (on a fully diluted basis) on the date of exercise. The warrants are exercisable at the purchase price of $0.01 per unit. At inception, the fair value allocated to the warrants of $703,000 was separately reflected as a noncurrent liability in the consolidated balance sheet.  At the time of the December 31, 2017 payout, this warrant note had a principle balance of $831,000.

 

 

The fair value of the detachable warrants was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model use d the assumptions listed in the table below as of July 17, 2012 ( initial valuation date of the warrants). In the valuation of the warrants, it was determined that the warrants were required to be carried as a derivative liability at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the warrants were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. These warrants were converted into notes and fully repaid during December 2017.

 

   

Dec 31,

2017

   

Dec 31,

2016

   

Dec 31,

2015

 

Weighted average fair value per warrant

    -     $ 5.85     $ 5.11  

Risk-free interest rate

    -       1.47 %     1.76 %

Expected lives (yrs.)

    -       3.0       4.0  

Expected volatility

    -       34.03 %     28.99 %

 

 

 

17 .

  Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period.

 

Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and equivalents (stock options and warrants), unless anti-dilutive, during each period.

 

Consolidated Earnings per Share

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Basic

               

Average shares outstanding:

               

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period

    3,568,885       3,566,400  
                 

Earnings:

               

Net (loss)/income attributable to CTI Industries Corporation

  $ (1,603,103 )   $ 652,538  
                 

Amount for per share Computation

  $ (1,603,103 )   $ 652,538  
                 

Net (loss)/income per share applicable to Common Shares

  $ (0.45 )   $ 0.18  
                 

Diluted

               

Average shares outstanding:

    3,568,885       3,566,400  

Weighted averages shares Outstanding Common stock equivalents (options, warrants)

    47,359       161,154  
                 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period

    3,616,244       3,727,554  
                 

Earnings:

               

Net (loss)/income attributable to CTI Industries Corporation

  $ (1,603,103 )   $ 652,538  
                 

Amount for per share computation

  $ (1,603,103 )   $ 652,538  
                 

Net (loss)/income per share applicable to Common Shares

  $ (0.44 )   $ 0.18  

 

 

 

18 .

Geographic Segment Data

 

The Company ’s operations consist of a single business segment which designs, manufactures, and distributes film products. Transfers between geographic areas were primarily at cost plus a standard markup. The Company’s subsidiaries have assets consisting primarily of trade accounts receivable, inventory and machinery and equipment. Sales and selected financial information by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are:

 

   

United States

   

United Kingdom

(UK)

   

Europe

(Excluding

UK)

   

Mexico

   

Consolidated

 

Year ended 12/31/1 7

                                       

Sales to outside customers

  $ 41,165,000     $ 1,908,000     $ 4,142,000     $ 9,022,000     $ 56,237,000  

Total Assets

  $ 27,784,000     $ 923,000     $ 2,989,000     $ 8,288,000     $ 39,984,000  

 

 

   

United States

   

United Kingdom

(UK)

   

Europe

(Excluding

UK)

   

Mexico

   

Consolidated

 

Year ended 12/31/1 6

                                       

Sales to outside customers

  $ 51,792,000     $ 2,427,000     $ 2,590,000     $ 7,459,000     $ 64,268,000  

Total Assets

  $ 33,108,000     $ 1,324,000     $ 2,418,000     $ 7,064,000     $ 43,914,000  

 

 

 

19 .

Contingencies

 

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are from time to time subject to lawsuits, investigations and claims, including environmental claims and employee-related matters. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, including civil penalties or other enforcement actions, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceeding or proceedings to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts:

 

The following is a summary of the allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable for the years e nded December 31:

 

   

201 7

   

201 6

 

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 137,000     $ 126,000  

Charged to expenses

    6,000       26,000  

Uncollectible accounts written off

    (29,000 )     (15,000 )

Balance at end of year

  $ 114,000     $ 137,000  

 

The following is a summary of the allowance for excess inventory for the years ended December 31:

 

   

201 7

   

2016

 

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 794,000     $ 823,000  

Charged to expenses

    -       (11,000 )

Excess inventory written off

    (294,000 )     (18,000 )

Balance at end of year

  $ 500,000     $ 794,000  

 

 

The following is a summary of property and equipment and the related accounts of accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 3 1:

 

   

201 7

   

201 6

 

Cost Basis

               

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 38,250,000     $ 39,025,000  

Additions

    813,697       -  

Disposals

    (7,620,697 )     (775,000 )

Balance at end of year

  $ 31,443,000     $ 38,250,000  
                 

Accumulated depreciation

               

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 32,938,000     $ 32,472,000  

Depreciation

    1,568,697       466,000  

Disposals

    (7,620,697 )     -  

Balance at end of year

  $ 26,886,000     $ 32,938,000  

 

The following is a summary of the valuation allowance for income taxes for the years ended December 31:

 

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance   2017   2016
          Beginning Balance $ 45,000 $ 45,000
          Additions charged (credited) to expense   586,706   -
          Balance at end of year $ 631,706 $ 45,000

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

Number Document 
   

3.1

Restated Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Registrant ’s Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy Statement filed April 29, 2015).

3.2

Amended and Restated By-Laws of CTI Industries Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2017).

4.1

Form of CTI Industries Corporation ’s common stock certificate  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 2017).

10.1

CTI Industries Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A contained in Registrant ’s Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy Statement, as filed with the Commission on May 15, 2002).

10.2

CTI Industries Corporation 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Schedule A contained in Registrant ’s Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy Statement, as filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009).

10.3

Credit Agreement between Harris N.A. and CTI Industries Corporation dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.4

Mortgage and Security Agreement between Harris N.A. and the Company dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.5

Security Agreement between Harris N.A. and the Company dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.6

Pledge Agreement between Harris N.A. and the Company dated April 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 14, 2010).

10.7

Trademark License Agreement between S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. and the Company dated December 14, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 29, 2012).

10.8

Third Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.9

Replacement Revolving Note between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.10

Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity, Inc. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.11

Warrant Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

10.12

Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated July 17, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012).

 

 

10.13

Lease Agreement between Schultz Bros. Co. and the Company dated September 19, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2012).

10.14

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated April 12, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 2013).

10.15

First Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated April 12, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 2013).

10.16

Consignment and Pay by Scan Agreement between Food Lion L.L.C. and CTI Supply, Inc. dated December 10, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 30, 2015).

10.17

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated December 23, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 30, 2015).

10.18

Second Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated December 23, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-K dated March 30, 2015).

10.19

Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated October 13, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2015).

10.20

Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated August 8, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.21

Replacement Revolving Note between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated August 8, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.22

Third Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated August 8, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.23

Securities Purchase Agreement between [Purchaser] and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.24

Stock Purchase Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of CTI Industries Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

 

 

10.25

Registration Rights Agreement between [Purchaser] and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 contained in Registrant ’s Report on Form 10-Q dated August 22, 2016).

10.26

Promissory Note between CTI Industries and Stephen M. Merrick dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.27

Promissory Note between CTI Industries and John H. Schwan dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.28

Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.29

Fourth Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. and the Company dated September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.30

Subordination Agreement between CTI Industries, Stephen M. Merrick, John H. Schwan and BMO Harris Bank, N.A. effective September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.31

Subordination Agreement between CTI Industries, Stephen M. Merrick, John H. Schwan and BMO Private Equity (U.S.), Inc. effective September 30, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 contained in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2016).

10.32 Amendment No. 10 to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A., BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated July 28, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017).
10.33 Consent and Acknowledgment among BMO Harris Bank, N.A. and the Company dated July 28, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017).
10.34 Amendment No. 5 to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated July 28, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2017).
10.35 Senior Secured Subordinated Warrant Conversion Note between BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated August 17, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017).
10.36 Amendment No. 11 to Credit Agreement between BMO Harris Bank, N.A., BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated October 17, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017).
10.37 Amendment No. 6 to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement between BMO Private Equity (U.S.) Inc. and the Company dated October 17, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, contained in Registrant ’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017).
10.38 Employment Agreement between Jeffrey S. Hyland and the Company dated December 1, 2017 (filed herewith).
10.39 Revolving Credit, Term Loan, and Security Agreement dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.40 Revolving Credit Note dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.41 Term Note dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.42 Promissory Note dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.43 Real Property Mortgage dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).
10.44 Subordination Agreement dated December 14, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6, contained in Registrant ’s Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017).

14

Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit contained in the Registrant ’s Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2, as filed with the Commission on October 13, 2004).

21

Subsidiaries (description incorporated in Form 10-K under Item No. 1).

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Plante & Moran, PLLC.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (filed herewith).

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (filed herewith).

32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

99

Audited financial statements of the Company ’s subsidiary, Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V. for the year ended December 31, 2017.

101

Interactive Data Files, including the following materials from the Company ’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-31

 

EXHIBIT 10.38

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the " Agreement ") is made and entered into as of this 1 st day of December, 2017, by and between Jeffrey Hyland (the " Executive ") and CTI Industries Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the " Company ").

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises and obligations set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.      Term . The Executive's employment hereunder shall be effective as of December 1, 2017, (the " Effective Date ") and shall continue until the third anniversary thereof, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement; provided that, on such third anniversary of the Effective Date and each annual anniversary thereafter (such date and each annual anniversary thereof, a " Renewal Date "), the Agreement shall be deemed to be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one year, unless either party provides written notice of its intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least 90 days' prior to the applicable Renewal Date. The period during which the Company employs the Executive hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the " Employment Term ".

 

2.      Position and Duties .

 

2.1      Position . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as the President, reporting to the Board of Directors of the Company (“ Board ”). In such position, the Executive shall have such duties, authority and responsibility as shall be determined from time to time by the Board, which duties, authority and responsibility shall be consistent with the Executive's position. Any change in the title, duties or reporting of Executive and any action not to renew or extend the Employment Term or to terminate the employment of Executive hereunder, other than by Executive, shall be taken by action of the Board. During the Employment Term, the Company agrees to nominate Executive for Board membership on each such occasion that nominations are accepted and/or put before the Shareholders for approval.

 

1

 

 

2.2      Duties . The Company recognizes that Executive has several outside, non-competitive business interests, which shall not be prohibited by this Agreement. During the Employment Term, however, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder and will not engage in any other business, profession or occupation for compensation or otherwise that would conflict or materially interfere with the performance of such services, either directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Board.

 

3.      Place of Performance . The principal place of Executive's employment shall be the Company's principal executive office currently located at 22160 N. Pepper Road, Lake Barrington, Illinois; provided that, the Executive may be required to travel on Company business during the Employment Term.

 

4.      Compensation .

 

4.1      Base Salary . The Company shall pay the Executive an annual rate of base salary of $243,000 in periodic installments in accordance with the Company's customary payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly. The Board shall review Executive's base salary at least annually and the Board may, but shall not be required to, increase the base salary during the Employment Term. The Executive's annual base salary, as in effect from time to time, is hereinafter referred to as " Base Salary ".

 

4.2      Signing Bonus . The Company shall pay the Executive a signing bonus of $75,000, less applicable withholdings, in 2018, but in no event later than February 28, 2018, whether in periodic installments in an amount to be determined by the Company in its discretion or in one lump sum.

 

4.3      Incentive Compensation .  

 

(a)     The Company presently has in effect an Incentive Compensation Plan for certain executives of the Company. The Executive shall be a participant in the Company ’s Incentive Compensation Plan during the Employment Term in Pool I.

 

(b)     The amount of any incentive compensation payable under the Incentive Compensation Plan, if any, for any period during the Employment Term and the level or amount of Executive ’s participation in the Incentive Compensation Plan shall be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board in their sole discretion. The initial Award Amount shall be a high award level of Pool I.

 

4.4      Equity Awards .

 

(a)     Pursuant to the Company ’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) or any successor plan, the Company shall award the Executive, concurrently with the Effective Date:

 

 

(i)

25,000 shares of Restricted Stock (“RS”), subject to the following conditions:

 

 

(A)

5,000 shares of RS will vest immediately upon the Award Date;

 

2

 

 

 

(B)

an additional 5,000 shares of RS will vest one years after the Award Date, provided that Executive is then employed by the Company;

 

 

(C)

an additional 5,000 shares of RS will vest two years after the Award Date, provided that Executive is then employed by the Company;

 

 

(D)

an additional 5,000 shares of RS will vest three years after the Award Date, provided that Executive is then employed by the Company;

 

 

(E)

An additional 5,000 shares of RS will vest four years after the Award Date, provided that Executive is then employed by the Company.

 

 

(F)

notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a (1) Change in Control as defined by Section 13 of the Plan (2) Termination Without Cause as defined below in paragraph 5, or (3) Death or Disability as defined below in paragraph 5, any and all unvested shares of RS awarded hereunder shall immediately vest.

 

 

(ii)

the option to purchase 65,000 shares of the authorized and unissued Common Stock of the Company, Incentive Stock Options as that term is defined in the Plan, subject to the following conditions:

 

 

(A)

Executive must, subject to subparagraph 4.4(a)(ii)(D) below, be employed full-time by the Company as of the Vesting Dates set forth below and the entirety of the period before, if any, to vest in said Incentive Stock Options;

 

 

(B)

during the term of such Options (as fixed by the Committee identified in Section 2 of the Plan) the Executive shall have the right to exercise only those Incentive Stock Options deemed vested according to the following schedule:

 

3

 

 

Vesting Date             Vesting Amount                                     

 

5/1/2018                    10,834 shares    
5/1/2019                   10,834 shares                    
5/1/2020                   10,834 shares                    
5/1/2021                   10,834 shares                    
5/1/2022                   10,834 shares                    
12/1/2022                 10,830 shares                    

 

 

  (C ) such Options, once vested, shall not be forfeitable; and
     
 

(D)

notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a (1) Change in Control as defined by Section 13 of the Plan (2) Termination Without Cause as defined below in paragraph 5, or (3) Death or Disability as defined below in paragraph 5, any and all unvested Options awarded hereunder shall immediately vest .

 

(b)     as an additional inducement for the Executive to enter its employ, the Company shall also award the Executive, concurrently with the Effective Date and outside of the Plan, the option to obtain an additional 26 0,000 shares of Company stock, for investment purposes only and not for re-sale (the “ Non-Qualified Stock Options ”). The Non-Qualified Stock Options shall be exercisable when vested in accordance with the following schedule:                                  

 

Vesting Date                     Vesting Amount
5/1/2018                             43,342 shares
5/1/2019                             43,342 shares
5/1/2020                             43,342 shares
5/1/2021                             43,342 shares
5/1/2022                             43,342 shares
12/1/2022                           43,290 shares

 

 

(i)

The Non-Qualified Stock Options shall be subject to the same non-forfeiture and acceleration/immediate vesting terms set forth for the Restricted Stock and Incentive Stock Options referenced above in subsections 4.4 (a)(ii)(C) and (D).

 

4

 

 

(c)      The Company shall issue any such additional documentation (e.g. award or grant agreements) required by the Plan and consistent with the terms of subparagraph 4.4(a).

 

4.5      Fringe Benefits and Perquisites . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to health insurance, as well as such additional fringe benefits and perquisites provided by the Company to other similarly situated executives of the Company.

 

4.6      Employee Benefits . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices and programs maintained by the Company, as in effect from time to time (collectively, " Employee Benefit Plans "), on a basis which is no less favorable than is provided to other similarly situated executives of the Company, to the extent consistent with applicable law and the terms of the applicable Employee Benefit Plans. The Company reserves the right to amend or cancel any Employee Benefit Plans at any time in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of such Employee Benefit Plan and applicable law.

 

4.7      Vacation; Paid Time-off . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to 21 paid vacation days per calendar year (prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company's vacation policies, as in effect from time to time. The Executive shall receive other paid time-off in accordance with the Company's policies for executive officers as such policies may exist from time to time.

 

4.8      Business Expenses . The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business, entertainment and travel expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies and procedures.

 

4.9      Indemnification .  

 

(a)     In the event that the Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a " Proceeding "), other than any Proceeding initiated by the Executive or the Company related to any contest or dispute between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the Executive's employment hereunder, by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, at any time between September 1, 2017 and the end of the Employment Term, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent applicable to any other officer or director of the Company/to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Company's bylaws from and against any liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys' fees). Costs and expenses incurred by the Executive in defense of such Proceeding (including attorneys' fees) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of the Executive to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement.

 

5

 

 

(b)     During the Employment Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company or any successor to the Company shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors' and officers' liability insurance providing coverage to the Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated executives of the Company.

 

5.      Termination of Employment . The Employment Term and the Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by either the Company or the Executive at any time and for any reason; provided that, unless otherwise provided herein, either party shall be required to give the other party at least sixty (60) days advance written notice of any termination of the Executive's employment. Upon termination of the Executive's employment during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits described in this Section 5 and shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

5.1      Expiration of the Term, for Cause or Without Good Reason .  

 

(a)     The Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated upon either party's failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 1 , by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason. If the Executive's employment is terminated upon either party's failure to renew the Agreement, by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive:

 

 

(i)

any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation time, both of which shall be paid on the Termination Date in accordance with the Company's customary payroll procedures;

 

 

(ii)

any earned but unpaid Incentive Compensation with respect to any completed fiscal year immediately preceding the Termination Date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date;

 

6

 

 

 

(iii)

reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy; and

 

 

(iv)

such employee benefits (including equity compensation), if any, to which the Executive may be entitled under the Company's employee benefit plans as of the Termination Date; provided that, in no event shall the Executive be entitled to any payments in the nature of severance or termination payments except as specifically provided herein.

 

Items 5.1(a)(i) through 5.1(a)(iv) are referred to herein collectively as the " Accrued Amounts ".

 

(b)     For purposes of this Agreement, " Cause " shall mean:

 

 

(i)

the Executive's failure to perform his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness);

 

 

(ii)

the Executive's failure to comply with any valid and legal directive of the person to whom the Executive reports hereunder;

 

 

(iii)

the Executive's engagement in dishonesty, illegal conduct or gross misconduct, which is, in each case, injurious to the Company or its affiliates;

 

 

(iv)

the Executive's embezzlement, misappropriation or fraud, whether or not related to the Executive's employment with the Company;

 

 

(v)

the Executive's conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes a felony (or state law equivalent) or a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

 

 

(vi)

the Executive's willful unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information (as defined below);

 

 

(vii)

the Executive's material breach of any material obligation under this Agreement or any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company; or

 

 

(viii)

any material failure by the Executive to comply with the Company's written policies or rules, as they may be in effect from time to time during the Employment Term.

 

7

 

 

Except for acts falling within the ambit of subsections 5.1(b)(iv) and (v), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days from the delivery of written notice by the Company within which to cure any acts constituting Cause; provided however, that, if the Company reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of thirty (30) days, the Company may give the Executive notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances. The Company may place the Executive on paid leave for up to 60 days while it is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Executive's employment for Cause. This will not constitute Good Reason.

 

(c)     For purposes of this Agreement, " Good Reason " shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Employment Term without the Executive's written consent:

 

 

(i)

a material reduction in the Executive's Base Salary other than a general reduction in Base Salary that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions;

 

 

(ii)

a relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment by more than 50 miles;

 

 

(iii)

any material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement or any material provision of any other agreement between the Executive and the Company;

 

 

(iv)

the Company's failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law;

 

 

(v)

a material, adverse change in the Executive's title, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company's size, status as a public company and capitalization as of the date of this Agreement; or

 

 

(vi)

a material adverse change in the reporting structure applicable to the Executive.

 

The Executive cannot terminate his employment for Good Reason unless he has provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the circumstances providing grounds for termination for Good Reason within 30 days of the initial existence of such grounds and the Company has had at least 30 days from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances. If the Executive does not terminate his employment for Good Reason within 60 days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds, then the Executive will be deemed to have waived his right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.

 

8

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs during the Employment Term, the Executive may terminate his employment for any reason during the 60-day period following the Change in Control and such termination shall be deemed to be for Good Reason.

 

5.2      Non-renewal by the Company, Without Cause or for Good Reason . The Employment Term and the Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause or on account of the Company's failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 1 . In the event of such termination, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and, subject to the Executive's compliance with Section 6 , Section 7 , Section 8 and Section 9 of this Agreement and his execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form provided by the Company (the " Release ") and such Release becoming effective within 30 days following the Termination Date (such 30-day period, the " Release Execution Period "), the following additional payments:

 

(a)      severance payment equal to the Executive’s Base Salary for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (the “ Severance Payments ”). The Severance Payments shall be paid in equal installments consistent with the Company's normal payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and shall begin within 30 days following the Termination Date;

 

(b)      If the Executive timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (" COBRA "), the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for himself and his dependents. Such reimbursement shall be paid to the Executive on the 10th of the month immediately following the month in which the Executive pays the premium payment. The Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (i) the eighteen-month anniversary of the Termination Date; (ii) the date the Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which the Executive receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source.

 

5.3      Death or Disability .  

 

(a)     The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Term, and the Company may terminate the Executive's employment on account of the Executive's Disability.

 

9

 

 

(b)     If the Executive's employment is terminated during the Employment Term on account of the Executive's death or Disability, the Executive (or the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and the Severance Payments; and

 

(c)     For purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall mean the Executive's inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period, after taking into consideration any reasonable accommodation that may be required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or the Illinois Human Rights Act. Any question as to the existence of the Executive's Disability as to which the Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined in writing by a qualified independent physician mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree as to a qualified independent physician, each shall appoint such a physician and those two physicians shall select a third who shall make such determination in writing. The determination of Disability made in writing to the Company and the Executive shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

5.4      Change in Control Termination .  

 

(a)     Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company on account of its failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 1 or without Cause (other than on account of the Executive's death or Disability), in each case within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and, subject to the Executive's compliance with Section 6 , Section 7 , Section 8 and Section 9 of this Agreement and his execution of a Release which becomes effective within the Release Execution Period, severance payments equal to the Executive’s Base salary for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or if greater, the year immediately preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurs). Such severance payments shall be paid in a single lump sum within 60 days following the Termination Date;

 

(b)     If the Executive timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for himself and his dependents. Such reimbursement shall be paid to the Executive on the 10th of the month immediately following the month in which the Executive pays the premium payment. The Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (i) the eighteen-month anniversary of the Termination Date; (ii) the date the Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which the Executive receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source.

 

10

 

 

(c)     For purposes of this Agreement, " Change in Control " shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

 

 

(i)

one person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of such corporation; provided that, a Change in Control shall not occur if any person (or more than one person acting as a group) owns more than 35% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company's stock and acquires additional stock;

 

 

(ii)

one person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) ownership of the Company's stock possessing 35% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation; provided that, a Change in Control shall not occur if any person (or more than one person acting as a group) owns more than 35% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company's stock and acquires additional stock;

 

 

(iii)

a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election; or

 

 

(iv)

the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, or a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur unless such transaction constitutes a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's assets under Section 409A.

 

5.5      Notice of Termination . Any termination of the Executive's employment hereunder by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment Term (other than termination pursuant to Section 5.3(a) on account of the Executive's death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (" Notice of Termination ") to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 23 . The Notice of Termination shall specify:

 

(a)     The termination provision of this Agreement relied upon;

 

(b)     To the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated; and

 

11

 

 

(c)     The applicable Termination Date.

 

5.6      Termination Date . The Executive's " Termination Date " shall be:

 

(a)     If the Executive's employment hereunder terminates on account of the Executive's death, the date of the Executive's death;

 

(b)     If the Executive's employment hereunder is terminated on account of the Executive's Disability, the date that it is determined that the Executive has a Disability;

 

(c)     If the Company terminates the Executive's employment hereunder for Cause, the date the Notice of Termination is delivered to the Executive, but in no event shall the Notice of Termination be delivered prior to the expiration of any applicable cure period set forth in Section 5.1(b) above;

 

(d)     If the Company terminates the Executive's employment hereunder without Cause, the effective date of termination specified in the Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than 30 days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered;

 

(e)     If the Executive terminates his employment hereunder with or without Good Reason, the effective date of termination specified in the Executive's Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than 30 days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered; and

 

(f)     If the Executive's employment hereunder terminates because either party provides notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1 , the Renewal Date immediately following the date on which the applicable party delivers notice of non-renewal.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Termination Date shall not occur until the date on which the Executive incurs a "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

5.7      Resignation of All Other Positions . Upon termination of the Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions that the Executive holds as an officer or member of the Board (or a committee thereof) of the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

6.      Cooperation . The parties agree that certain matters in which the Executive will be involved during the Employment Term may necessitate the Executive's cooperation in the future. Accordingly, following the termination of the Executive's employment for any reason, to the extent reasonably requested by the Board, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in connection with matters arising out of the Executive's service to the Company; provided that, the Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption of the Executive's other activities. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation and, to the extent that the Executive is required to spend substantial time on such matters, the Company shall compensate the Executive at an hourly rate.

 

12

 

 

7.      Confidential Information . The Executive understands and acknowledges that during the Employment Term, he will have access to and learn about Confidential Information, as defined below.

 

7.1      Confidential Information Defined .  

 

(a)      Definition .

 

For purposes of this Agreement, " Confidential Information " includes, but is not limited to, all information not generally known to the public, in spoken, printed, electronic or any other form or medium, relating directly or indirectly to: business processes, practices, methods, policies, plans, publications, documents, research, operations, services, strategies, techniques, agreements, contracts, terms of agreements, transactions, potential transactions, negotiations, pending negotiations, know-how, trade secrets, computer programs, computer software, applications, operating systems, software design, web design, work-in-process, databases, manuals, records, articles, systems, material, sources of material, supplier information, vendor information, financial information, results, accounting information, accounting records, legal information, marketing information, advertising information, pricing information, credit information, design information, payroll information, staffing information, personnel information, employee lists, supplier lists, vendor lists, developments, reports, internal controls, security procedures, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, sales information, revenue, costs, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, designs, styles, models, ideas, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, customer lists, client information, client lists, manufacturing information, factory lists, distributor lists, and buyer lists of the Company or its businesses or any existing or prospective customer, supplier, investor or other associated third party, or of any other person or entity that has entrusted information to the Company in confidence.

 

The Executive understands that the above list is not exhaustive, and that Confidential Information also includes other information that is marked or otherwise identified as confidential or proprietary, or that would otherwise appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary in the context and circumstances in which the information is known or used.

 

The Executive understands and agrees that Confidential Information includes information developed by him in the course of his employment by the Company as if the Company furnished the same Confidential Information to the Executive in the first instance. Confidential Information shall not include information that is generally available to and known by the public at the time of disclosure to the Executive; provided that, such disclosure is through no direct or indirect fault of the Executive or person(s) acting on the Executive's behalf. Furthermore, Confidential Information shall not be deemed to include information that  previously was or hereafter is lawfully and in good faith obtained by Executive from an independent third party without obligations of confidentiality.

 

13

 

 

(b)      Company Creation and Use of Confidential Information .

 

The Executive understands and acknowledges that the Company has invested, and continues to invest, substantial time, money and specialized knowledge into developing its resources, creating a customer base, generating customer and potential customer lists, training its employees, and improving its offerings in the fields of foil and latex balloons, vacuum sealing systems, commercial films and home organization and container products (“Company Fields”). The Executive understands and acknowledges that as a result of these efforts, the Company has created, and continues to use and create Confidential Information. This Confidential Information provides the Company with a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace.

 

(c)      Disclosure and Use Restrictions .

 

The Executive agrees and covenants: (i) to treat all Confidential Information as strictly confidential; (ii) not to directly or indirectly disclose, publish, communicate or make available Confidential Information, or allow it to be disclosed, published, communicated or made available, in whole or part, to any entity or person whatsoever (including other employees of the Company) not having a need to know and authority to know and use the Confidential Information in connection with the business of the Company and, in any event, not to anyone outside of the direct employ of the Company except as required in the performance of the Executive's authorized employment duties to the Company or with the prior consent of the Board acting on behalf of the Company in each instance (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such duties or consent); and (iii) not to access or use any Confidential Information, and not to copy any documents, records, files, media or other resources containing any Confidential Information, or remove any such documents, records, files, media or other resources from the premises or control of the Company, except as required in the performance of the Executive's authorized employment duties to the Company or with the prior consent of the Board acting on behalf of the Company in each instance (and then, such disclosure shall be made only within the limits and to the extent of such duties or consent). Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent disclosure of Confidential Information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to the valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that the disclosure does not exceed the extent of disclosure required by such law, regulation or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Board.

 

14

 

 

The Executive understands and acknowledges that his obligations under this Agreement with regard to any particular Confidential Information shall commence immediately upon the Executive first having access to such Confidential Information (whether before or after he begins employment by the Company) and shall continue during and after his employment by the Company until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of the Executive's breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with the Executive or on the Executive's behalf.

 

8.      Restrictive Covenants .

 

8.1      Acknowledgement . The Executive understands that the nature of the Executive's position gives his access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and places him in a position of trust and confidence with the Company. The Executive understands and acknowledges that the services he provides to the Company are unique, special and extraordinary.

 

The Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company's ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company, and that improper use or disclosure by the Executive is likely to result in unfair or unlawful competitive activity.

 

8.2      Non-competition . Because of the Company's legitimate business interest as described herein and the good and valuable consideration offered to the Executive, during the Employment Term and for the period of 24 months, to run consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Executive's employment with the Company (the “ Restricted Period ”), the Executive agrees and covenants not to engage in Prohibited Activity within the United States with respect to Company Fields.

 

For purposes of this Section 8 , " Prohibited Activity " is activity in which the Executive contributes his knowledge, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, as an employee, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, agent, employee, partner, director, stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern or any other similar capacity to an entity engaged in the business of the Company Fields. Prohibited Activity also includes activity that may require or inevitably requires disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary information or Confidential Information.

 

Nothing herein shall prohibit the Executive from purchasing or owning less than five percent (5%) of the publicly traded securities of any corporation engaged in the business of the Company Fields, provided that such ownership represents a passive investment and that the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation.

 

15

 

 

This Section 8 does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Board.

 

8.3      Non-solicitation of Employees . The Executive agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, attempt to hire or recruit, or induce the termination of employment of any employee of the Company during the Restricted Period.

 

8.4      Non-solicitation of Customers . The Executive understands and acknowledges that because of the Executive's experience with and relationship to the Company, he will have access to and learn about much or all of the Company's customer information. " Customer Information " includes, but is not limited to, names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, order history, order preferences, chain of command, pricing information and other information identifying facts and circumstances specific to the customer and relevant to sales.

 

The Executive understands and acknowledges that loss of its customer relationships and/or goodwill will cause the Company significant and irreparable harm.

 

The Executive therefore agrees and covenants, during the Restricted Period, not to directly or indirectly solicit, contact (including but not limited to e-mail, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, and instant message), attempt to contact or meet with the Company's current, former or prospective customers for purposes of offering or accepting goods or services similar to or competitive with the Company Fields.

 

9.      Non-Disparagement . The Executive agrees and covenants that he will not at any time make, publish or communicate to any person or entity or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements concerning the Company or its businesses, products, services, officers, directors, investors or affiliate companies.

 

This Section 9 does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from giving truthful testimony in court or administrative proceedings or exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Board.

 

16

 

 

10.      Acknowledgement . The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the services to be rendered by him to the Company are of a special and unique character; that the Executive will obtain knowledge and skill relevant to the Company Fields, methods of doing business and marketing strategies by virtue of the Executive's employment; and that the restrictive covenants and other terms and conditions of this Agreement are reasonable and reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interest of the Company.

 

The Executive further acknowledges that the amount of his compensation reflects, in part, his obligations and the Company's rights under Section 7 , Section 8 and Section 9 of this Agreement; that he has no expectation of any additional compensation, royalties or other payment of any kind not otherwise referenced herein in connection herewith; that he will not be subject to undue hardship by reason of his full compliance with the terms and conditions of Section 7 , Section 8 and Section 9 of this Agreement or the Company's enforcement thereof.

 

11.      Remedies . In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of Section 7 , Section 8 or Section 9 of this Agreement, the Executive hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief.

 

12.      Proprietary Rights .

 

12.1      Work Product . The Executive acknowledges and agrees that all right, title and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived or reduced to practice by the Executive individually or jointly with others during the period of his employment by the Company and relate in any way to the business or contemplated business, products, activities, research or development of the Company or result from any work performed by the Executive for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same) all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, " Work Product "), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (a) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (c) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), [mask works,] and rights in data and databases, (d) trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information, and (e) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, " Intellectual Property Rights "), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company.

 

17

 

 

For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, techniques, agreements, documents, contracts, terms of agreements, negotiations, know-how, computer programs, computer applications, software design, web design, work in process, databases, manuals, results, developments, reports, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, product designs, styles, models, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, client information, customer lists, client lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information.

 

12.2      Work Made for Hire; Assignment . The Executive acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is "work made for hire" as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, the Executive hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, the Executive's entire right, title and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim and recover for all past, present and future infringement, misappropriation or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company's rights, title or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights so as to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.

 

12.3      Further Assurances; Power of Attorney . During and after his employment, the Executive agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (a) apply for, obtain, perfect and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (b) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits, waivers, assignments and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. The Executive hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on the Executive's behalf in his name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if the Executive does not promptly cooperate with the Company's request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be effected by the Executive's subsequent incapacity.

 

18

 

 

12.4      No License . The Executive understands that this Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to grant the Executive any license or right of any nature with respect to any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights or any Confidential Information, materials, software or other tools made available to him by the Company, other than the right to use such information during the Term for the Company’s business purposes.

 

13.      Security .

 

13.1      Security and Access . The Executive agrees and covenants (a) to comply with all Company security policies and procedures as in force from time to time including without limitation those regarding computer equipment, telephone systems, voicemail systems, facilities access, monitoring, key cards, access codes, Company intranet, internet, social media and instant messaging systems, computer systems, e-mail systems, computer networks, document storage systems, software, data security, encryption, firewalls, passwords and any and all other Company facilities, IT resources and communication technologies (" Facilities and Information Technology Resources "); (b) not to access or use any Facilities and Information Technology Resources except as authorized by the Company; and (iii) not to access or use any Facilities and Information Technology Resources in any manner after the termination of the Executive's employment by the Company, whether termination is voluntary or involuntary. The Executive agrees to notify the Company promptly in the event he learns of any violation of the foregoing by others, or of any other misappropriation or unauthorized access, use, reproduction or reverse engineering of, or tampering with any Facilities and Information Technology Resources or other Company property or materials by others.

 

13.2      Exit Obligations . Upon (a) voluntary or involuntary termination of the Executive's employment or (b) the Company's request at any time during the Executive's employment, the Executive shall (i) provide or return to the Company any and all Company property, including keys, key cards, access cards, identification cards, security devices, employer credit cards, network access devices, computers, cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, pagers, fax machines, equipment, speakers, webcams, manuals, reports, files, books, compilations, work product, e-mail messages, recordings, tapes, disks, thumb drives or other removable information storage devices, hard drives, negatives and data and all Company documents and materials belonging to the Company and stored in any fashion, including but not limited to those that constitute or contain any Confidential Information or Work Product, that are in the possession or control of the Executive, whether they were provided to the Executive by the Company or any of its business associates or created by the Executive in connection with his employment by the Company; and (ii) delete or destroy all copies of any such documents and materials not returned to the Company that remain in the Executive's possession or control, including those stored on any non-Company devices, networks, storage locations and media in the Executive's possession or control.

 

19

 

 

14.      Publicity . The Executive hereby irrevocably consents to any and all uses and displays, by the Company and its agents, representatives and licensees, of the Executive's name, voice, likeness, image, appearance and biographical information in, on or in connection with any pictures, photographs, audio and video recordings, digital images, websites, television programs and advertising, other advertising and publicity, sales and marketing brochures, books, magazines, other publications, CDs, DVDs, tapes and all other printed and electronic forms and media throughout the world, at any time during the period of his employment by the Company and any period in which he is receiving Severance Payments, for all legitimate commercial and business purposes of the Company (" Permitted Uses ") without further consent from or royalty, payment or other compensation to the Executive. The Executive hereby forever waives and releases the Company and its directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all claims, actions, damages, losses, costs, expenses and liability of any kind, arising under any legal or equitable theory whatsoever at any time during or after the period of his employment by the Company, arising directly or indirectly from the Company's and its agents', representatives' and licensees' exercise of their rights in connection with any Permitted Uses.

 

15.      Governing Law: Jurisdiction and Venue . This Agreement, for all purposes, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Illinois without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any action or proceeding by either of the parties to enforce this Agreement shall be brought only in a state or federal court located in the state of Illinois, counties of Cook or Lake. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.

 

16.      Entire Agreement . Unless specifically provided herein, this Agreement contains all of the understandings and representations between the Executive and the Company pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. The parties mutually agree that the Agreement can be specifically enforced in court and can be cited as evidence in legal proceedings alleging breach of the Agreement.

 

17.      Modification and Waiver . No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by the Company. No waiver by either of the parties of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either of the parties in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

20

 

 

18.      Severability . Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, or if any portion of this Agreement shall be held as unenforceable and thus stricken, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties with any such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement.

 

The parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth herein.

 

19.      Captions . Captions and headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the caption or heading of any section or paragraph.

 

20.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

21

 

 

21.      Section 409A .

 

21.1      General Compliance . This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments under this Agreement that may be exempt from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. To the extent that a payment under this Agreement to be made upon a termination of employment constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, such payment shall only be made upon a "separation from service" under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

21.2      Specified Employees . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any payment or benefit provided to the Executive in connection with his termination of employment is determined to constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A and the Executive is determined to be a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i), then such payment or benefit shall not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the Termination Date or, if earlier, on the Executive's death (the " Specified Employee Payment Date ") . The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment Date shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date and thereafter, any remaining payments shall be paid without delay in accordance with their original schedule.

 

21.3      Reimbursements . To the extent required by Section 409A, each reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided under this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the following:

 

(a)     the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during each calendar year cannot affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year;

 

(b)     any reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be paid to the Executive on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and

 

(c)     any right to reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

22.      Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is personal to the Executive and shall not be assigned by the Executive. Any purported assignment by the Executive shall be null and void from the initial date of the purported assignment. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and permitted successors and assigns.

 

22

 

 

23.      Notices . Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight carrier to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or such other addresses as specified by the parties by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

 

CTI Industries Corporation

22160 N. Pepper Road

Lake Barrington, Illinois 60010

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

If to the Executive:

 

To the Executive at Executive ’s address on the records of the Company.

 

24.      Representations of the Executive . The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

24.1     The Executive's acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement or understanding to which he is a party or is otherwise bound.

 

24.2     The Executive's acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not violate any non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer.

 

25.      Withholding . The Company shall have the right to withhold from any amount payable hereunder any Federal, state and local taxes in order for the Company to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under any applicable law or regulation.

 

26.      Survival . Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive such expiration or other termination to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.

 

27.      Acknowledgement of Full Understanding . THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT HE HAS FULLY READ, UNDERSTANDS AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

23

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

24

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

CTI INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

   
 

By : /s/ Stephen M. Merrick

 

Name: Stephen M. Merrick

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

EXECUTIVE

   
 

Signature: /s/ Jeffrey S. Hyland

 

Print Name: Jeffrey S. Hyland

 

 

25

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

The Board of Directors

CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries:

 

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-76006, 333-76008 and 333-169442 on Form S-8 of CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries of our report dated April 2, 2018, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017, which report appears in or is incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K of CTI Industries Corporation and Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC

Chicago, Illinois

April 2, 2018

 

 

 

 Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Stephen Merrick, certify that:

 

1.            I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of CTI Industries 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 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 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: April 2, 2018

  /s/ Stephen Merrick
  Stephen Merrick, Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Frank J. Cesario, certify that:

 

1.            I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of CTI Industries 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 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 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: April 2, 2018

  /s/ Frank J. Cesario
  Frank J. Cesario
  Chief Financial Officer

                        

Exhibit 32

 

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 Annual Report on Form 10-K of CTI Industries Corporation (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 201 7, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Stephen Merrick, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Frank J. Cesario, as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(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.

 

/s/ Stephen Merrick  
Stephen Merrick  
Chief Executive Officer  
   
Date: April 2 , 2018  
   
/s/ Frank J. Cesario  
Frank J. Cesario  
Chief Financial Officer  

 

Date: April 2 , 2018

 

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and is not being “filed” as part of the Form 10-K or as a separate disclosure document for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liability under that section. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except to the extent that this Exhibit 32 is expressly and specifically incorporated by reference in any such filing.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

EXHIBIT 99

 

Vargas Graf y Cía., S.C.

C o n t a d o r e s  P ú b l i c o s  y  C o n s u l t o r e s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR ’S REPORT

AS OF DECEMBER 31 2017 AND 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Rita Nº1110 Col. Chapalita Oriente, Zapopan Jalisco, México C.P. 45040

Teléfonos: +3647-2715, 3647-2732, 36472752 Facsímile: +3647-2728 E-mail vghlbgdl@vinet.com.mx

HLB Vargas Graf y Cía., S.C. is a member of HLB International. A world-wide organization of accounting firms and business advisers

 

1

 

 

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

 

 

I N D E X

 

 

 

 

1.-

Independent Auditors’ Report.

 

 

2.-

Balance Sheet.

 

 

3.-

Statement of (Loss) Income.

 

 

4.-

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity.

 

 

5.-

Statement of Cash Flow.

 

 

6.-

Notes to the financial statements.

 

2

 

 

 

Vargas Graf y Cía., S.C.

C o n t a d o r e s  P ú b l i c o s  y  C o n s u l t o r e s

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

Flexo Universal, S. de R.L de C.V.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Flexo Universal, S de R.L. de C.V. as of December 31 2017 and 2016, and the related statement of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company ’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

We draw attention to Note 2 of the financial statements, which describe s the basis of accounting. The financial statements are prepared according to Financial Reporting Standards Applicable Mexico (FRS), which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our opinions are not modified with respect to this matter.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V ., as of December 31 2017 and 2016 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with the basis of accounting described above.

 

HLB Vargas Graf y Cía., S.C

Zapopan, Jalisco, México C. Cp, 45040

 

 

C.P.C. Antonio Vargas Aceves

Certified Public Accountant

Partner

 

March 10 , 2018

 

 

Santa Rita Nº1110 Col. Chapalita Oriente, Zapopan Jalisco, México C.P. 45040

Teléfonos: +3647-2715, 3647-2732, 36472752 Facsímile: +3647-2728 E-mail vghlbgdl@vinet.com.mx

HLB Vargas Graf y Cía., S.C. is a member of HLB International. A world-wide organization of accounting firms and business advisers

 

3

 

 

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

( In Mexican pesos )

(Notes 1 & 2)

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

               
                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 2,003,060     $ 2,547,910  

Accounts receivables

    54,676,979       50,151,684  

Other accounts receivables (Note 3)

    14,217,622       7,342,727  

Related parties (Note 4)

    8,449,815       24,194,424  

Inventories (Note 5)

    91,057,607       81,369,237  

Total current assets

    170,405,083       165,605,982  
                 

NON CURRENT ASSETS:

               
                 

Machinery and equipment (Note 6)

    8,720,226       5,177,005  

Warranty deposits

    5,606,407       7,553,011  

Other assets

    603,854       1,427,526  

Deferred income tax (Note 14)

    240,032       370,828  

Other deferred assets (Note 10 )

    4,724,583       6,679,583  

Total non current assets

    19,895,102       21,207,953  
                 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 190,300,185     $ 186,813,935  
                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

               
                 

Accounts payable to suppliers, accrued expenses and other accounts payable (Note 7)

  $ 47,737,049     $ 47,588,267  

ISR payable

    759,831       636,463  

PTU reserve

    -       62,641  

Current portion of long term liabilities to related parties (Note 8)

    12,350,881       12,609,416  

Total current liabilities

    60,847,761       60,896,787  
                 

LONG TERM LIABILITIES

               
                 

Long term liabilities to related parties (Note 8)

    801,461       969,916  

Total long term liabilities

    801,461       969,916  
                 

DEFERRED LIABILITIES

               

Deferred Sales (Note 10 )

    8,333,333       11,781,609  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    69,982,555       73,648,312  
                 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               
                 

Capital stock (Note 11 )

    47,410,945       47,410,945  

Legal Reserve

    3,469,959       3,070,607  

Accumulated results

    62,284,719       54,697,026  

Period's net (loss) profit

    7,152,007       7,987,045  

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    120,317,630       113,165,623  
                 

Contingencies (Note 13)

    -       -  
                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUTIY

  $ 190,300,185     $ 186,813,935  

 

The enclosed notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

4

 

 

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

( In Mexican pesos )

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Net sales

  $ 194,580,035     $ 171,958,227  

Cost of products sold

    (158,759,837 )     (136,572,984 )

GROSS PROFIT

    35,820,198       35,385,243  
                 

Operating expenses

               

Administration and sales expenses

    (23,792,888 )     (21,625,400 )

Other income, (expenses) - net

    432,950       (162,252 )
      (23,359,938 )     (21,787,652 )
                 

OPERATION NET PROFIT

    12,460,260       13,597,591  
                 

INTEGRAL FINANCING RESULTS

               

Exchange rate fluctuations - net

    (517 )     2,294,504  

interest - net

    (2,032,237 )     (1,446,363 )
      (2,032,754 )     848,141  
                 

PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EPS

    10,427,506       14,445,732  
                 
                 

Income tax

    (3,144,703 )     (6,062,120 )

Deferred income tax

    (130,796 )     (396,567 )
      (3,275,499 )     (6,458,687 )
                 

NET PROFIT

  $ 7,152,007     $ 7,987,045  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

5

 

 

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

( In Mexican pesos )

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

CAPITAL STOCK

               
                 

Initial and final period balance

    47,410,945       47,410,945  
                 

LEGAL RESERVE

               
                 

Initial period balance

    3,070,607       2,199,375  

Transfer from accumulated results (Note 12)

    399,352       871,232  

Final period balance

    3,469,959       3,070,607  
                 

ACCUMULATED RESULTS

               
                 

Initial period balance

    54,697,026       38,143,641  

Transfer from net profit (loss)

    7,987,045       17,424,617  

Transfer of 5% over profit period 2012, to legal reserve

    (399,352 )     (871,232 )
                 

Final period balance

    62,284,719       54,697,026  
                 

NET PROFIT (LOSS)

               
                 

Initial period balance

    7,987,045       17,424,615  

Transfer to accumulated results

    (7,987,045 )     (17,424,615 )

Net profit

    7,152,007       7,987,045  

Final period balance

    7,152,007       7,987,045  
                 

TOTAL

  $ 120,317,630     $ 113,165,623  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

6

 

 

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

( In Mexican pesos )

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

               
                 

Net profit

  $ 7,152,007     $ 7,987,045  
                 

Items related with investment activities

               

Depreciation

    1,672,849       1,685,901  

Items related with financing activities

               

Interest

    2,032,237       1,446,363  
      10,857,093       11,119,309  
                 

Trade debtors and other receivables (increase) decrease

    4,344,419       1,895,469  

Inventories increase

    (9,688,370 )     (23,261,657 )

Other assets (increase) decrease

    4,856,072       (10,803,331 )

Assets, Liabilities to related parties increase (decrease)

    (258,535 )     565,134  

Suppliers and other liabilities (decrease) increase

    86,141       10,759,659  

Deferred Sales

    (3,448,276 )     11,781,609  

Taxes paid

    123,366       3,136  
                 

Net cash flow from financial activities

    6,871,910       2,059,328  
                 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               
                 

Machinery and equipment acquisition (net)

    (5,216,070 )     (287,950 )
                 
      (5,216,070 )     (287,950 )

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               
                 

Long term liabilities to related parties

    (168,455 )     (149,865 )

Paid interest

    (2,032,237 )     (1,446,363 )
      (2,200,692 )     (1,596,228 )
                 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  $ (544,852 )   $ 175,150  
                 
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  $ 2,547,910     $ 2,372,760  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $ 2,003,058     $ 2,547,910  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

7

 

 

NOTES TO FINACIAL STATEMENTS

FLEXO UNIVERSAL, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

As of December 31 st , 2017 and 2016

In Mexican pesos.

 

NOTE 1 – COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

 

Flexo Universal S. de R.L. de C.V., (FLEXO) was constituted on 2002. Subsidiary of CTI Industries INC, a North American company that owns 99.8269% of its capital stock.

 

Its main activity is the production of latex and mylar balloons; this operation is performed under the shelter of its parent company that finances its operations.

 

On August 28, 2015 by unanimous vote of shareholders, Flexo Universal was transformed to a Limited Liability Company with Variable Capital (S de RL de CV).

 

NOTE 2 – MAIN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

a.

Basis for presentation

 

The significant accounting policies adopted by the company are in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards in Mexico (FRS) and Interpretations to the Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

 

Those Standards (FRS), may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). However, under an analysis of similarities, convergences and important differences between the two standards with respect to the operations recorded that generate the financial information of the Company, we can conclude that there are no differences that could lead to material adjustments and alter that information

 

 

b.

Estimates and assumptions

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with Mexican financial reporting standards requires the company's management to make certain estimates and provisions that may affect the value of some assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheet, as well as the value and measurement of revenues, costs and expenses during the reported period. Even if the final result of these estimates and provisions may differ from the calculated, management believes that those were appropriate used to the circumstances.

 

 

c.

Monetary unit

 

Per Mexican laws, Financial Statements are prepared in Mexican pesos ($).

 

 

d.

Cash and equivalents

 

Mainly represented by deposits in bank accounts.

 

 

e.

Accounts receivable and estimation for allowance for doubtful accounts

 

Represent collection right originated from inventory sales. Accounts in foreign currency are valuated at the year closing exchange rate.

 

Estimates for doubtful collection accounts represent the inherent probable loss of all receivables due to the behaviour of historic tendencies of the accounts receivable. Since 2009 the company has issued a provision to absorb the uncollectible accounts.

 

8

 

 

 

f.

Inventories

 

Inventories of finished goods, production in process and raw materials, are re corded at its historic acquisition and production cost using the absorbing cost system. The acquisition cost includes all associated expenses to get the inventories ready to be sold. Inventories are valued at the average cost method net from the estimates which does not exceed their realization value.

 

 

g.

Machinery and equipment

 

Fixed Assets acquired from the fusion, were re corded at the historic cost of the absorbed company, adding the difference from the valuation determined by an independent appraiser on 17 th , 1996. Fixed assets acquisitions after the fusion are recorded at its acquisition cost.

 

Acquisition costs include all associated expenses to get the fixed assets ready to be used.

 

Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method, beginning the year in which assets are used, and according to the following rates:

 

   

Rates %

 

Leasehold improvements

    10.00  

Molds

    20.00  

Computer equipment

    30.00  

Machinery and office equipment

    10.00  

Tools and medical equipment

    35.00  

Transport equipment

    25.00  

Forklift

    25.00  

 

 

 

h.

Long lived assets evaluation

 

Impairment of long term assets – As of January 1°, 2004 The C-15 Bulletin “Impairment in the value of long lasting assets and its disposal” became effective. This bulletin requires that companies evaluate the effect of impairment in long lasting assets in use. In opinion of the Company’s management, there are no traces of impairment that could have an effect in the results, in accordance with the Bulletin.

 

 

i.

Income tax

 

The current income tax is determined according to current tax legislation. The deferred income tax is recorded in accordance with the asset and liability method, which compares its accounting and tax values of them. Deferred tax are recognized (assets and liabilities) for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the values reflected in the financial statements of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for tax loss carry forwards and tax credits not used. The assets and liabilities of deferred tax are calculated using the rates established in the law that will be applied to taxable income in years when it is estimated that the temporary differences will reverse. The effect of changes in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in the results of the period in which those changes are approved. The deferred tax asset is recorded only when there is a high probability of recovery. As of January 1°, 2008 this FRS was modified. The main changes are:

 

 

Caused and deferred Employee Profit Sharing (PTU).- This is now considered an ordinary expense based on the benefits to employees. That is the reason why it is now classified in the results statement in other income and expenses.

 

9

 

 

 

Cumulative Effect of Income Tax -- The previous bulletin stated that this component will be presented separately in equity . The change consists to reclassify this concept to cumulative results.

 

 

j .

Liabilities

 

The Company applies the dispositions of FRS C-9 “Liabilities, provisions, contingent assets and liabilities and commitments”. Bulletin C-9 establishes the valuation, presentation and disclosure , general rules of liabilities provisions, contingent assets and liabilities.

 

 

k.

Labor liabilities

 

As of February 2014, the Company ’s management decided to outsource payroll services through the figure "Outsourcing".

 

 

l.

Recognition of revenue

 

Revenue is recognized in the period in which the risks and benefits of inventory are transferred to customers who acquire them, which generally occurs when these inventories are delivered and the corresponding invoice is prepared

 

 

m.

Foreign currency operations

 

Foreign currency operations are accounted at the exchange rate of the day of their occurrence. Assets and liabilities in foreign currency are registered in Mexican pesos at the exchange rate published by the Central Bank (Banco de Mexico) at the date of the financial statements. Exchange rate differences in assets and liabilities in foreign currency are registered in the year ’s result.

 

 

n.

Leasing

 

The company classifies as operati ng leases the operations where the use or possession of the leased assets is granted without assuming the risks or benefits of such assets. These rents are applied to the results in the period of the lease. Variable rents are applied to results as they are accrued.

 

 

o.

Income statement

 

Income statements are classified by its operative activities . According to the company’s opinion; this classification allows evaluating the result of its operations identifying the cost of goods sold and administrative and sales expenses.

 

 

p.

Integral Financial Result (RIF)

 

The RIF includes net accrued interests, exchange rate profit (loss), monetary position gain (loss) and derivate financial instruments profit (loss).

 

Exchange rate profit (loss) originated by transactions in foreign currency, is the result of exchange rates fluctuations at the date of the operation registry, at the date of realization or at the period end valuation.

 

10

 

 

NOTE 3 – OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

As of December 31 st , 2017 and 2016, the other accounts receivable are integrated as follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Sundry debtors

  $ -     $ 728,913  

Other Collective taxes

    5,016,275       1,067,014  

Creditable VAT

    9,201,347       5,546,801  
    $ 14,217,622     $ 7,342,728  

 

NOTE 4 – RELATED PARTIES

 

Following a summary of the operations with related parties which originate the balances with related parties as of December 31 st , 2017 and 2016 is presented:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Goods Sold:

               

CTI Industries Corporation

  $ 17,409,694     $ 18,598,078  

CtTI Balloons Limited

    1,845,589       11,227,994  

CTI Europe BMBH

    442,895       289,646  
                 

Inventory Purchases:

               

CTI Industries Corporation

  $ 9,593,816     $ 8,356,587  
                 
                 

Interest paid

               

CTI Industries Corporation

  $ 269,287     $ 268,012  

 

Accounts receivable and (payable) to related parties are:

 

   

Receivable- (Payable)

 
   

Net balances

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

CTI Industries Corporation

  $ 8,850,467     $ 15,801,426  

Pablo Gortazar de Oyarzabal

    (102,946 )     258  

CTI Balloons Limited

    1,170,672       9,588,450  

CTI Europe GMBH

    -       353,360  

Venture Leasing, S. de R.L. de C.V.

    (1,468,378 )     (1,549,071 )
    $ 8,449,815     $ 24,194,424  

 

For the year 2017 the company has with transfer pricing study for transactions with related parties where such operations must be comparable to those used in/or arm's-length transactions.

 

NOTE 5 – INVENTORIES

 

The balance of this account is integrated as follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Finished goods

  $ 76,599,997     $ 67,776,881  

Packing material

    4,480,841       2,974,084  

Production in process

    3,018,840       4,401,300  

Raw materials

    6,957,929       6,216,972  
    $ 91,057,607     $ 81,369,237  

 

11

 

 

NOTE 6 – MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

 

This item is analysed follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Machinery

  $ 27,668,134     $ 26,233,044  

Leasehold improvements

    3,003,934       3,003,934  

Molds

    5,678,140       5,678,140  

Computer equipment and softwere

    1,016,014       896,000  

Transport equipment

    297,273       297,273  

Furniture and office equipment

    547,984       547,984  
      3,686,573       -  
      41,898,052       36,656,375  

Depreciations and amortizations

    (33,177,826 )     (31,479,370 )

Total Machinery and equipment

  $ 8,720,226     $ 5,177,005  

 

The depreciation and amortization method s and the annual rates are stated in note 2g. The charge to results amounted $1’672,849. and $1,685,901. for the periods ended on December 31 st , 2017 and 2016 respectively.

 

Leasehold agreement

 

The company celebrated a leasehold agreement with Cuauhtemoc Inmobiliaria S.A. de C.V., for the building and facilities where it is located, both plant and administrative offices. This agreement establishes that the term of the leasehold is of mandatory 5 years. This agreement takes place since March 1st, 2017 and ends on February 28th, 2022.

 

The charge to results amounted $ 5’544,473. and $5,037,536. for the years ended on December 31 st , 2017 and 2016 respectively.

 

 

NOTE 7 – OTHER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

 

 

Some items presented in the Balance Sheet are analysed as follows, as of December 31 st .

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Accounts payable to suppliers, accrued expenses and other accounts payable:

               

Suppliers

  $ 39,519,686     $ 42,733,682  

Sundry creditors

    7,240,759       4,253,689  

Rated reserves

    940,631       539,862  

Taxes payable

    35,973       61,033  
                 
    $ 47,737,049     $ 47,588,267  

 

12

 

 

NOTE 8 – LONG TERM LIABILITIES TO RELATED PARTIES

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
CTI Industries                

 

               

Term promissory note

               

The note issued in favor of CTI Industries Corporation that redocuments the amounts that Flexo Universal, S. de R.L., of C.V., owed on December 31, 2013 to CTI Industries Corporation, which includes $ 68,669. US dollars for principal and interest accrued $ 502,545. as of December 31, 2013 and $ 516,827 as of December 31, 2014. Such document will be payable as of March 31, 2014 and subsequently on the first day of each calendar quarter until the debt is fully settled. The stipulated interest rate is 2.5% per annum, in case of default, a rate of 8% per annum will be established at the creditor's discretion.

    12,401,139       12,661,926  

Current portion of long term liabilities

    (12,401,139 )     (12,661,926 )
                 

Loans current account 2014

               
                 
Undocumented loans current account totaling $ 55.817 US dollars, without interest and agreed term     1,101,571       1,150,913  

Current portion of long term liabilities

    (1,101,571 )     (1,150,913 )
                 

Loans current account 2015

               

 

 
Undocumented loans current account totaling $ 39,000. US dollars, without interest and agreed term     769,681       804,157  

Current portion of long term liabilities

    (769,681 )     (804,157 )
                 

Loans current account 2016

               
                 
Undocumented loans current account totaling $ 97,363. US dollars, without interest and agreed term     (1,921,510 )     (2,007,579 )

Current portion of long term liabilities

    1,921,510       2,007,579  
                 

Pablo Gortazar

               
                 
Loan made by PABLO GORTAZAR to liquidate CTF INTERNATIONAL's financing amounted $980,704 Mexican Pesos.     801,461       969,916  
Loan made by PABLO GORTAZAR to liquidate CREDIT UNION's fiancincing amounted $776,070 Mexican pesos, with an interest annual rate LIBOR +.25 points                
      13,152,342       13,579,333  

Total long term liabilities to related parties

    (12,350,881 )     (12,609,417 )

Total current portion of long term liabilities

  $ 801,461     $ 969,916  

 

 

NOTE 9 – POSITION AND TRANSACTION IN FOREING CURRENCY

 

As of December 31 st , 2017 and 2016, the company had rights and (obligations) in foreign currency as follows:

   

US Dollars

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Assets

  $ 1,492,747     $ 2,094,585  

Liabilities

    (1,807,644 )     (1,785,669 )
                 
Excess of assets over (liabilities), assets in foreign currency   $ (314,897 )   $ 308,916  

 

13

 

 

Assets where translated and adjusted using the exchange rate $ 19.7354 and $ 20.6194 pesos per US dollar, as of December 31 st , 2017 and 2016 respectively. As of march 08 the exchange rate is $18.7922 pesos per dollar.

 

 

NOTE 10 – DEFERRED ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

In June 3rd, 2016 Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V., sold a latex machine to Unifin Financiera SAB de CV SOFOM de ENR in $13´793,103.45 MXN pesos plus VAT. It is cost of sales was $7,500,000.00 MXN pesos.

 

Unifin leases the same machine to Flexo. The te rm of the leasing agreement is 4 years, becoming effective on July, 2016 and concluding on June, 2020.

 

The profit generated in this transaction was deferred according to the terms of the leasing agreement in 48 months since June, 2016. Monthly amounts are:

 

Income

  $ 287,356.32  

Cost of sale

  $ 156,250.00  

Profit

  $ 131,106.32  

 

During fiscal year 2017 and 2016, twelve and seven months were recognized respectively in the results of those years, with the following balances as of December 31, 2017 to be applied to income and future costs:

 

 

   

Income deferred

   

Cost deferred

   

Profit deferred

 
                         

Initial balance

    13,793,103.45       - 7,500,000.00       6,293,103.45  

Applied in 2016

    - 2,011,494.25       1,093,750.00       - 917,744.25  

Applied in 2017

    - 3,448,275.84       1,875,000.00       - 1,573,275.84  

Final balance

    8,333,333.36       - 4,531,250.00       3,802,083.36  

 

 

NOTE 11 – CONTRIBUTED CAPITAL

 

The company ’s capital stock integrated as follows as of December 31 st , 2017 and 2016:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Fixed capital stock

  $ 50,000     $ 50,000  

Variable capital stock

    47,360,945       47,360,945  
                 

Total capital stock

  $ 47,410,945     $ 47,410,945  

 

The company ’s capital stock is variable, with a fixed minimum of $50,000 without the possibility of retirement. The variable part has not limit.

 

14

 

 

Until August 31, 2015, the share capital was represented by common, nominative shares since the transformation of society in a Limited Liability Company with Variable Capital (1 September 2015). The capital is represented by Social Parties integrated and valued as follows:

 

Social Parties

 

Class I

   

Class II

 

Number of parts

   

Value

   

Number of parts

   

Value

 
                           
1     $ 49,999       1     $ 47,278,870  
1       1       1       61,154  
                1       20,921  
2     $ 50,000       3     $ 47,360,945  

 

NOTE 12 – EARNED (LOSS) SURPLUS:

 

Legal reserve

 

According to the General Law of Mercantile Societies, 5% of the fiscal year’s net profits should be kept to form the legal reserve until it     reaches 20% of the capital stock. The legal reserve may be capitalized but not distributed unless the society is dissolved, and must be replenished when it decreases for any reason.

 

 

NOTE 13 – CONTINGENCIES:

 

Transfer pricing. - For related party transactions, tax differences could arise if the tax authority when reviewing such operations considers that the prices and amounts used by the company are not comparable to those used with or between independent parties in comparable operations.

 

Review by the tax authorities.- According to current tax legislation, the authorities are entitled to examine up to five fiscal years prior to the last income tax return submitted.

 

 

NOTE 14 - INCOME TAX (IT), CORPORATE FLAT TAX RATE :

 

Cost (benefit) of the tax applied to result is integrated as follows:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

ISR payable

  $ 3,144,703     $ 6,062,120  

Deferred ISR

    130,796       396,567  

Net

  $ 3,275,499     $ 6,458,687  

 

15

 

 

 

a.

IT . - The main differences between the accounting profit and the tax result are:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Net (Loss) profit

  $ 7,152,007     $ 6,191,227  

Plus (minus)

               
Excess of accounting depreciation net over the fiscal depreciation     263,217       584,886  
Excess of accounting deductions net over the fiscal deductions     3,067,118       13,430,955  

Fiscal (loss) profit

    10,482,342       20,207,068  

Minus employee profit sharing (PTU) paid in 2015 and 2014

    -       -  

Tax basis to IT

    10,482,342       20,207,068  

Rate

    0.30       0.30  

IT payable (ISR)

  $ 3,144,703     $ 6,062,120  

 

As December 31 st , 2017 and 2016 temporary differences and fiscal losses carry forward recognized by the company on the deferred IT calculations are:

 

   

2017

   

2016

 

Year effect calculation:

               

Deferred expenses

  $ 4,475,836     $ 7,863,805  

Guarranty deposits

    2,586,210       3,620,690  

Net machinary and equipment

    471,182       (876,337 )

Deferred liabilities

    (8,333,334 )     (11,781,609 )

Liabilities

    -       (62,641 )

Base

    (800,106 )     (1,236,092 )

Tax Rate

    0.30       0.30  
      (240,032 )     (370,828 )

Recognized

    (370,828 )     (767,395 )

Complement

  $ 130,796       396,567  

 

NOTE 15 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS.

 

The Mexican Council for Research and Development of Financial Reporting Standards (CINIF), an independent body in charge of the development of the Mexican Accounting Standards, has made public the submission of the following FRS (Financial Reporting Standards) listed below:

 

Standards and Interpretation of Standards 2018

 

 

Improvements to FRS 2018

 

Clarifications to FRS D-1, Revenues from contracts with Clients

 

Clarifications to FRS D-2, Costs from contracts with Clients

 

The clarifications will be effective as of January 1, 2018, as part of the indicated standards.

 

Standards on following years

 

 

D-5, Leasings

 

This FRS, will become effective on January 1°, 2019, allowing its advanced application in the terms established in each FRS.

 

Is important to note that the use of FRS increases the quality of the financial information contained in the financial statements, thus ensuring their greater acceptance, not only nationally, but also internationally.

 

16

 

 

NOTE 16 -.APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

The financial statements were authorized for issue , by Pablo Gortazar de Oyarzabal, General Manager and Legal Representative, and subject to the approval of the general assembly of partners of the Company who may decide its modification in accordance with the provisions of the General Law of Commercial Societies.

 

 

The accompanying explanatory notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

 

Flexo Universal, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

 

 

______________________ _______

Lic. Pablo Gortazar de Oyarzabal

Legal Representative

 

 

17