UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

☒

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

 

For the quarterly period ended February 29, 2016

 

☐

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

 

For the transition period from ________________ to __________________.

 

Commission File Number: 001-11038

____________________

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	41-0857886 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4201 Woodland Road P.O. Box 69 Circle Pines, Minnesota 55014 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) ☐	Smaller reporting company ☒

 

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

 

As of April 8, 2016, there were 4,536,022 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

February 29, 2016

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Description		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 29, 2016 (unaudited) and August 31, 2015	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months Ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (unaudited) for the Three and  Six Months Ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six Months Ended  February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015	6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	7-17
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18-31
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	31
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	32
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	33
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	33
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	33–34
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	34
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	34
Item 5.	Other Information	34
Item 6.	Exhibits	34
SIGNATURE PAGE		35
EXHIBIT INDEX		36

_________________

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. For more information, see “Part I. Financial Information – Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

_________________

 

As used in this report, references to “NTIC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us,” unless the context otherwise requires, refer to Northern Technologies International Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., NTI Facilities, Inc. and Northern Technologies Holding Company, LLC, and its majority-owned subsidiaries, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A., NTI Asean LLC and Natur-Tec India Private Limited, all of which are consolidated on NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

 

NTIC’s consolidated financial statements do not include the accounts of any of its joint ventures. Except as otherwise indicated, references in this report to NTIC’s joint ventures do not include: (1) NTIC’s majority-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A.; (2) NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary, NTI Asean LLC, which is a holding company that holds investments in eight entities that operate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, including the following countries: China (although the joint venture agreements for the Chinese joint venture were terminated as of December 31, 2014 and liquidation of this joint venture is anticipated), Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand; or (3) NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary, Natur-Tec India Private Limited, in India.

 

As used in this report, references to “Zerust Brazil” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A.

 

As used in this report, references to “NTI Asean” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned holding company subsidiary, NTI Asean LLC.

 

As used in this report, references to “Natur-Tec India” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited.

 

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

 

As used in this report, references to “NTIC China” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

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

 

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

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2016 (UNAUDITED)

AND AUGUST 31, 2015 (AUDITED)

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2015

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2015

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2015

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides material historical and prospective disclosures intended to enable investors and other users to assess NTIC’s financial condition and results of operations. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements” in this report and under “Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 and “Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report. The following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of NTIC should be read in conjunction with NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included under the heading “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements.”

 

Business Overview

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Natur-Tec® biobased and compostable plastics are manufactured using NTIC’s patented and/or proprietary technologies and are intended to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. The Natur-Tec® biopolymer resin compound portfolio includes formulations that have been optimized for a variety of applications including blown-film extrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding, and engineered plastics. These resins are fully biodegradable in a composting environment and are currently being used to produce finished products including can liners, shopping and grocery bags, lawn and leaf bags, pet waste collection bags, cutlery, packaging foam and coated paper products. In North America, NTIC markets its Natur-Tec® resins and finished products primarily through a network of regional and national distributors as well as independent agents. NTIC continues to see significant opportunities for finished bioplastic products and, therefore, continues to strengthen and expand its North American distribution network for finished Natur-Tec® bioplastic products. Internationally, NTIC sells its Natur-Tec® resins and finished products both directly and through its majority- owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited (Natur-Tec India), and through certain joint ventures. In November 2014, NTIC entered into an agreement with NatureWorks LLC for joint marketing and sales of Ingeo® based packaging solutions to customers in India. With recent Indian government mandates banning use of non-biodegradable plastics in certain types of food and consumer packaging, NTIC expects the market in India for bioplastic packaging solutions to grow substantially.

 

Termination of Chinese Joint Venture

 

On January 2, 2015, NTIC announced that, effective as of December 31, 2014, it is selling its ZERUST® products and services in China through a wholly-owned subsidiary, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and has terminated its joint venture agreements with Tianjin-Zerust Anticorrosion Co., Ltd. (Tianjin Zerust). NTIC and NTI Asean LLC have filed a lawsuit against Mr. Tao Meng, a Chinese national and the former joint venture entity’s other shareholder, and his spouse in the Chinese court of Tianjin, seeking, among other things, an orderly liquidation of Tianjin Zerust.

 

NTIC indirectly has a 30% ownership interest in Tianjin Zerust through its 60% owned holding company subsidiary, NTI Asean LLC. Commencing during the second quarter of fiscal 2015, NTIC’s consolidated financial statements include the financial results of NTIC China.

 

NTIC anticipates that it may take several quarters to transition many of the previous customers of Tianjin Zerust to NTIC China and no assurance can be provided that NTIC China will be able to achieve the net sales and income levels previously achieved by Tianjin Zerust. For fiscal 2014, Tianjin Zerust had net sales of $15.9 million and net income of $1.3 million. The operating income of the joint venture before paying royalties in an aggregate amount of $4.2 million to all shareholders was over $5.5 million; NTIC’s indirect ownership of Tianjin Zerust is 30%.

 

During fiscal 2015, NTIC incurred approximately $1,640,000 and during the first two quarters of fiscal 2016, NTIC incurred approximately $1,418,000 in expenses related either directly or indirectly to the establishment and initial business operations of NTIC China, the termination of the joint venture agreements with Tianjin Zerust, its pending litigation against Mr. Tao Meng and his spouse and Cortec Corporation, and the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust. These expenses are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses and expenses incurred in support of joint ventures on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

NTIC expects that its operating results may be volatile over the next few quarters as a result of NTIC’s Chinese operations.

 

NTIC’s Joint Venture Network

 

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

 

NTIC’s receipt of funds from its joint ventures is dependent upon fees for services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures, based primarily on the net sales of the individual joint ventures, and NTIC’s receipt of dividend distributions from the joint ventures. The fees for services provided to joint ventures are determined based on either a flat fee or a percentage of sales depending on local laws and tax regulations. With respect to NTIC’s joint venture in Germany (EXCOR), NTIC recognizes an agreed upon quarterly fee for such services. NTIC recognizes equity income from its joint ventures based on the overall profitability of its joint ventures. Such profitability is subject to variability from quarter to quarter which, in turn, subjects NTIC’s earnings to variability from quarter to quarter. The profits of NTIC’s joint ventures are shared by the respective joint venture owners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages. NTIC typically directly or indirectly owns 50% or less of each of its joint venture entities and thus does not control the decisions of these entities regarding whether to pay dividends and, if paid, how much they should be in a given year. The payment of a dividend by an entity is determined by a joint vote of the owners and is not at the sole discretion of NTIC.

 

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

 

The results of Zerust Brazil, NTI Asean and Natur-Tec India, and as of December 31, 2014, NTIC China, are fully consolidated in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements. NTIC holds 85% of the equity and 85% of the voting rights of Zerust Brazil. NTIC holds 60% of the equity and 60% of the voting rights of NTI Asean. NTI Asean holds investments in eight entities that operate in the following eight territories located in the ASEAN region: China (although liquidation was initiated December 31, 2014), Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. NTIC holds 90% of the equity and 90% of the voting rights of Natur-Tec India. NTIC China is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTIC.

 

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

 

Financial Overview

 

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

 

NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 14.5% and 5.6% during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2015. These increases were primarily a result of increased demand for ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services and Natur-Tec® products. During the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, 82.9% and 83.9% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which increased 10.4% and 2.8% to $6,385,337 and $12,363,019 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to $5,783,985 and $12,022,056 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively, due to increased demand from both new and existing customers for new and existing products.

 

NTIC has focused its sales efforts of ZERUST® products and services by strategically targeting customers with specific corrosion issues in new market areas, including the oil and gas industry and other industrial sectors that offer sizable growth opportunities. NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the six months ended February 29, 2016 included $717,570 of sales made to customers in the oil and gas industry compared to $878,582 for the six months ended February 28, 2015. Overall demand for ZERUST® products and services depends heavily on the overall health of the markets in which NTIC sells its products, including the automotive, oil and gas, agriculture, and mining markets in particular. In addition, we believe demand for ZERUST® products and services in the oil and gas industry may be dependent upon oil prices, with low oil prices causing existing or potential customers to delay purchases and installations.

 

During the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, 17.1% and 16.1%, of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products compared to 14.0% and 13.8% during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. Net sales of Natur-Tec® products increased 39.7% and 23.2% during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. These increases were primarily due to increases in finished product sales in North America and finished product sales at NTIC’s majority owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited (Natur-Tec India).

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased slightly to 68.4% during the three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to 69.2% during the three months ended February 28, 2015 and increased slightly to 68.9% during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to 67.9% during the prior fiscal year period. These small variances were primarily as a result of small variances in raw material prices during the various periods.

 

NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures decreased 35.4% and 37.2% to $952,667 and $1,936,420, respectively, during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $1,474,649 and $3,081,332 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015. These decreases were primarily a result of decreases in profitability at the joint ventures, decreases associated with the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and adverse effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, including in particular the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar. Equity in income provided by Tianjin Zerust was $0 for the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $132,824 for the six months ended February 28, 2015. NTIC recognized a 2.4% and 21.5% decrease in fees for services provided to joint ventures during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. These decreases were primarily a result of the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and decreases in sales at the joint ventures. Fees for services provided to Tianjin Zerust were $0 for the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $516,139 for the six months ended February 28, 2015. Additionally, there was a decrease in sales at the joint ventures, which were $20,129,215 and $42,000,424 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to $23,057,386 and $52,178,238 for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. These decreases in the net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures were primarily the result of adverse effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and resulted in corresponding decreases in fees for services provided to joint ventures as such fees are a function of net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures.

 

NTIC’s total operating expenses increased 2.1%, or $186,438, to $9,099,302 during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the six months ended February 28, 2015. This increase was primarily the result of the expenses related to the formation and establishment of NTIC China and the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust. Such expenses consisted primarily of legal and personnel expenses associated with the establishment of the subsidiary, the hiring of new personnel and initial operations.

 

NTIC expenses all costs related to product research and development as incurred. NTIC incurred $2,117,622 and $1,904,169 of expense during the six months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, in connection with its research and development activities. NTIC anticipates that it will spend between $4,000,000 and $4,400,000 in total during fiscal 2016 on research and development activities related to its new technologies.

 

Net loss attributable to NTIC was $(107,789), or $(0.02) per diluted common share, for the three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to net loss attributable to NTIC of $(128,644), or $(0.03) per diluted common share, for the three months ended February 28, 2015. Net income attributable to NTIC decreased 138.9%, to a net loss attributable to NTIC of $(342,140), or $(0.07) per diluted common share, for the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to net income attributable to NTIC of $879,621, or $0.19 per diluted common share, for the six months ended February 28, 2015.

 

NTIC anticipates that its quarterly net income or loss will continue to remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the financial performance of its subsidiaries and joint ventures and sales of its ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec® bioplastics products, which sales fluctuate more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST® business. NTIC also anticipates that its operating results during the next few quarters will be particularly volatile as a result of the changes in its Chinese operations.

 

NTIC’s working capital was $17,481,057 at February 29, 2016, including $2,531,340 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,733,079 in available for sale securities, compared to $15,603,771 at August 31, 2015, including $2,623,981 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,027,441 in available for sale securities.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following tables set forth NTIC’s results of operations for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015.

 

		Three Months Ended
		February 29, 2016				% of Net Sales				February 28, 2015				% of Net Sales				$ Change				% Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures		$	7,027,614				91.2	%		$	5,995,543				89.1	%		$	1,032,071				17.2	%
Net sales, to joint ventures			677,320				8.8	%			733,166				10.9	%			(55,846	)			(7.6	%)
Cost of goods sold			5,268,224				68.4	%			4,657,740				69.2	%			610,484				13.1	%
Equity in income of joint ventures			952,667				12.4	%			1,474,649				21.9	%			(521,982	)			(35.4	%)
Fees for services provided to joint ventures			971,042				12.6	%			994,860				14.8	%			(23,818	)			(2.4	%)
Selling expenses			1,475,433				19.1	%			1,339,441				19.9	%			135,992				10.2	%
General and administrative expenses			1,509,087				19.6	%			1,552,861				23.1	%			(43,774	)			(2.8	%)
Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures			297,470				3.9	%			656,127				9.8	%			(358,657	)			(54.7	%)
Research and development expenses			1,113,525				14.5	%			854,256				12.7	%			259,269				30.4	%

 

		Six Months Ended
		February 29, 2016				% of Net Sales				February 28, 2015				% of Net Sales				$ Change				% Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures		$	13,529,024				91.9	%		$	12,476,534				89.5	%		$	1,052,490				8.4	%
Net sales, to joint ventures			1,200,347				8.1	%			1,466,270				10.5	%			(265,923	)			(18.1	%)
Cost of goods sold			10,143,647				68.9	%			9,464,351				67.9	%			679,296				7.2	%
Equity in income of joint ventures			1,936,420				13.1	%			3,081,332				22.1	%			(1,144,912	)			(37.2	%)
Fees for services provided to joint ventures			2,456,471				16.7	%			3,128,530				22.4	%			(672,059	)			(21.5	%)
Selling expenses			3,000,516				20.4	%			2,734,328				19.6	%			266,188				9.7	%
General and administrative expenses			3,366,700				22.9	%			3,091,123				22.2	%			275,577				8.9	%
Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures			614,464				4.2	%			1,183,244				8.5	%			(568,780	)			(48.1	%)
Research and development expenses			2,117,622				14.4	%			1,904,169				13.7	%			213,453				11.2	%

 

Net Sales. NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 14.5% and 5.6% to $7,704,934 and $14,729,371, respectively, during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2015. NTIC’s consolidated net sales excluding NTIC’s joint ventures increased 17.2% and 8.4% to $7,027,614 and $13,529,024, respectively, during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the same respective prior fiscal year periods. These increases were primarily a result of increased demand and sales of ZERUST^® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products and services and Natur-Tec® products. Net sales to joint ventures decreased 7.6% and 18.1% to $677,320 and $1,200,347 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to the same respective prior fiscal year periods.

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 by segment:

 

		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		February 29, 2016				February 28, 2015				February 29, 2016				February 28, 2015
ZERUST® sales		$	6,385,337			$	5,783,985			$	12,363,019			$	12,022,056
Natur-Tec® sales			1,319,597				944,724				2,366,352				1,920,748
Total net sales		$	7,704,934			$	6,728,709			$	14,729,371			$	13,942,804

 

During the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, 82.9% and 83.9% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of ZERUST^® products and services, which increased 10.4% and 2.8% to $6,385,337 and $12,363,019 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to $5,783,985 and $12,022,056 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. These increases were due to increased demand from existing customers and the addition of new customers. NTIC has strategically focused its sales efforts for ZERUST^® products and services on customers with sizeable corrosion problems in industry sectors that offer sizable growth opportunities, including the oil and gas sector. Overall demand for ZERUST^® products and services depends heavily on the overall health of the market segments to which NTIC sells its products, including the automotive, oil and gas, agriculture, and mining markets in particular. In addition, we believe demand for ZERUST® products and services in the oil and gas industry may be dependent upon oil prices, with low oil prices causing existing or potential customers to delay purchases and installations.

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales of ZERUST^® products for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015:

 

		Three Months Ended
		February 29, 2016				February 28, 2015				$ Change				% Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales		$	5,220,614			$	4,674,429			$	546,185				11.7	%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales			787,392				733,166				54,226				7.4	%
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales			377,331				376,390				941				0.3	%
Total ZERUST® net sales		$	6,385,337			$	5,783,985			$	601,352				10.4	%

 

		Six Months Ended
		February 29, 2016				February 28, 2015				$ Change				% Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales		$	10,339,707			$	9,677,204			$	662,503				6.8	%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales			1,305,742				1,466,270				(160,528	)			(10.9	%)
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales			717,570				878,582				(161,012	)			(18.3	%)
Total ZERUST® net sales		$	12,363,019			$	12,022,056			$	340,963				2.8	%

 

NTIC’s net sales to the oil and gas industry sector were flat for the three-month comparison and decreased for the six-month comparison. NTIC believes its sales of ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 may have been adversely affected by low oil prices. NTIC anticipates that its sales of ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry will continue to remain subject to significant volatility from quarter to quarter as sales are recognized.

 

During the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, 17.1% and 16.1% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products, which increased 39.7% and 23.2% to $1,319,597 and $2,366,352 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2015. These increases were due to increased demand from Natur-Tec customers in North America and India. Demand for Natur-Tec® products around the world depends primarily on market acceptance and the reach of NTIC’s distribution network. Because of the typical size of individual orders and overall size of NTIC’s net sales derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products, the timing of one or more orders can materially affect NTIC’s quarterly sales of Natur-Tec® products and the comparisons to prior fiscal year quarters.

 

Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased 13.1% and 7.2% for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 primarily as a result of increased net sales as described above. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 68.4% during the three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to 69.2% the three months ended February 28, 2015 and increased to 68.9% during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to 67.9% during the six months ended February 28, 2015. These increases in cost of goods sold were primarily the result of variances in raw material costs.

 

Equity in Income of Joint Ventures. NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures decreased 35.4% and 37.2% to $952,667 and $1,936,420 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to equity in income of joint ventures of $1,474,649 and $3,081,332 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively, primarily a result of decreases in the profitability at the joint ventures, a decrease in profitability associated with the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and adverse effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, including in particular the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar. Equity in income provided by Tianjin Zerust was $0 for the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $132,824 for the six months ended February 28, 2015. Of the total equity in income of joint ventures, NTIC had equity in income of joint ventures of $1,480,975 attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $1,962,047 attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 28, 2015. NTIC had equity in income of all other joint ventures of $455,445 during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $1,119,284 during the six months ended February 28, 2015.

 

Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures. NTIC recognized fee income for services provided to joint ventures of $971,042 and $2,456,471 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to $994,860 and $3,128,530 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively, representing a decrease of 2.4% and 21.5%, respectively. These decreases were primarily a result of the anticipated liquidation Tianjin Zerust as fees for services provided to joint ventures from Tianjin Zerust were $0 for the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $516,139 for the six months ended February 28, 2015. Additionally, in total, there was a decrease in total sales at all joint ventures as fees for services provided to joint ventures are a function of the net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures, which were $20,129,215 and $42,000,424 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to $23,057,386 and $52,178,238 for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. Net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures decreased due primarily to the adverse effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Net sales of NTIC’s European joint ventures were adversely affected by a downturn in European manufacturing. Sales of NTIC’s joint ventures are not included in NTIC’s product sales and are not combined with NTIC’s sales in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements or in any description of NTIC’s sales. Of the total fee income for services provided to joint ventures, fees of $422,654 were attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $440,954 attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 28, 2015.

 

Selling Expenses. NTIC’s selling expenses increased 10.2% and 9.7% for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2015 due to increases in compensation and employee benefits, lab testing related expenses, commission expenses, travel and related expenses, and consulting expenses, each due in part to NTIC’s Chinese operations. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 19.1% and increased to 20.4% for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, from 19.9% and 19.6% and during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. The decrease in selling expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-month comparison was due primarily to the increase in net sales partially offset by the increase in selling expenses as previously described. The increase for the six-month comparison was due primarily to the increase in selling expenses as previously described, partially offset by the increase in net sales.

 

General and Administrative Expenses. NTIC’s general and administrative expenses decreased 2.8% and increased 8.9% for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2015 due primarily to expenses incurred in connection with NTIC’s Chinese operations. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 19.6% and increased to 22.9% for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, from 23.1% and 22.2% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-month comparison was due primarily to the decrease in general and administrative expenses as previously described. The increase for the six-month comparison was due primarily to the increase in general and administrative expenses, including certain fixed costs as previously described, partially offset by the increase in net sales.

 

Expenses Incurred in Support of Joint Ventures. Expenses incurred in support of NTIC’s joint ventures were $297,470 and $614,464 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to $656,127 and $1,183,244 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively, representing a decrease of 54.7% and 48.1%, respectively. These decreases were primarily due to expenses incurred by NTIC’s Chinese operations being classified as selling expenses and general and administrative expenses upon the formation of NTIC’s subsidiary in January 2015.

 

Research and Development Expenses. NTIC’s research and development expenses increased 30.4% for the three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the same period in fiscal 2015 and increased 11.2% for the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the same period in fiscal 2015. These increases were due primarily to increases in personnel and consulting expenses.

 

Interest Income. NTIC’s interest income increased to $14,384 during the three months ended February 29, 2016, and $28,557 during the six months ended February 29, 2016, compared to $2,434 and $17,561 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively.

 

Interest Expense. NTIC’s interest expense increased to $10,796 during the three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $3,223 during the three months ended February 28, 2015 and increased to $15,522 during the six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to $8,228 during the six months ended February 28, 2015.

 

(Loss) Income Before Income Tax Expense. NTIC incurred loss before income tax expense of $30,547 and $106,691 for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared to income before income tax expense of $139,149 and $1,786,929 for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively.

 

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $40,466 and $36,964 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, compared income tax expense of $197,614 and $381,298 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively. Income tax expense was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate. NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures being recognized based on after-tax earnings of these entities. To the extent undistributed earnings of NTIC’s joint ventures are distributed to NTIC, any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits is not expected. NTIC records a tax valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. NTIC determined based on all available evidence, including historical data and projections of future results, that it is more likely than not that all of its deferred tax assets, except for its foreign tax credit carryforwards and Minnesota state research and development credit carryforwards, will be fully realized. In addition, NTIC determined based upon all available evidence, including new IRS guidance, historical results, projected future taxable income and foreign tax credit utilization, that it was not more likely than not that the federal research and development credits would be utilized during the carryforward period and as a result, a valuation allowance was recorded against all of NTIC’s federal research and development credits. In addition, NTIC continues to believe that its deferred tax asset related to foreign tax credit carryforwards will not be realized due to insufficient federal taxable income within the carryforward period and the fact that for ordering purposes the foreign tax credit carryforwards are not allowed to be used until after any current year foreign tax credits are utilized.

 

NTIC considers the earnings of certain foreign joint ventures to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that NTIC’s future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet its future domestic cash needs. As a result, U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been recognized on the cumulative undistributed earnings of $15,892,135 and $18,483,377 at February 29, 2016 and August 31, 2015, respectively. To the extent undistributed earnings of NTIC’s joint ventures are distributed in the future, they are not expected to result in any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Foreign Currency Translations Adjustment. The significant changes in the foreign currency translations adjustment were due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to the Euro and other foreign currencies during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2015.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Cash and Working Capital. As of February 29, 2016, NTIC’s working capital was $17,481,057, including $2,531,340 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,733,079 in available for sale securities, compared to $15,603,771 at August 31, 2015, including $2,623,981 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,027,441 in available for sale securities.

 

As of February 29, 2016, NTIC had a revolving line of credit with PNC Bank of $3,000,000, with no amounts outstanding. The line of credit is evidenced by an amended and restated committed line of credit note in the principal amount of up to $3,000,000. The line of credit has a $1,200,000 standby letter of credit sub-facility, with any standby letters of credit issued thereunder being at the sole discretion of PNC Bank. The line of credit is subject to standard covenants, including affirmative financial covenants, such as the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, and negative covenants, which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, loans and equity investments, disposition of assets, mergers and consolidations and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Under the loan agreement, NTIC is subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10:1.00. As of February 29, 2016, NTIC was in compliance with all debt covenants. On January 6, 2016, PNC Bank extended the maturity date of the line of credit from January 7, 2016 to January 7, 2017. All other terms of the line of credit and the loan agreement and other documents evidencing the line of credit remain the same. It is anticipated that, as historically has been the practice, the line of credit will be renewed each year for one additional year for the immediate foreseeable future.

 

NTIC believes that a combination of its existing cash and cash equivalents, forecasted cash flows from future operations, anticipated distributions of earnings, anticipated fees to NTIC for services provided to its joint ventures, and funds available through existing or anticipated financing arrangements, will be adequate to fund its existing operations, investments in new or existing joint ventures or subsidiaries, capital expenditures, debt repayments and any stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months. During the remainder of fiscal 2016, NTIC expects to continue to invest its Chinese operations, research and development and in marketing efforts and resources into the application of its corrosion prevention technology into the oil and gas industry and its Natur-Tec® bio-plastics business. In order to take advantage of such new product and market opportunities to expand its business and increase its revenues, NTIC may decide to finance such opportunities by borrowing under its revolving line of credit or raising additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities. There is no assurance that any financing transaction will be available on terms acceptable to NTIC or at all, or that any financing transaction will not be dilutive to NTIC’s current stockholders.

 

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

 

Uses of Cash and Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended February 29, 2016 was $1,248,810, which resulted principally from dividends received from NTIC’s joint ventures, the expensing of fair value of stock options vested, and depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by NTIC’s net loss and equity income from NTIC’s joint ventures, and a decrease in accrued liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended February 28, 2015 was $392,041, which resulted principally from NTIC’s joint ventures, the expensing of fair value of stock options vested, and depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by NTIC’s net income and decreases in income taxes payable.

 

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

 

NTIC experienced an increase in receivables and a decrease in inventory as of February 29, 2016 compared to August 31, 2015 due to the increase in net sales and a desire to stock more products to shorten lead times and anticipate customer demand. Trade receivables excluding joint ventures as of February 29, 2016 increased $112,369 compared to August 31, 2015, primarily related to the increase in NTIC’s net sales. Outstanding trade receivables excluding joint ventures balances as of February 29, 2016 increased four days to an average of 54 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2015. Outstanding trade receivables from joint ventures as of February 29, 2016 increased $118,640 compared to August 31, 2015 primarily due to the timing of payments. There was an increase of outstanding balances from trade receivables from joint ventures as of February 29, 2016 of an average of 10 days from an average of 93 days from balances outstanding from these customers compared to August 31, 2015. The significant average days outstanding of trade receivables from joint ventures as of February 29, 2016 were primarily due to the receivable balance at NTIC’s joint venture in in South Korea and Tianjin Zerust. Because of the lack of financial and other information received from Tianjin Zerust, it is possible that if and when financial and other information is received from Tianjin Zerust that NTIC may need to recognize an impairment charge on its receivable from Tianjin Zerust. NTIC estimates that its maximum exposure in terms of an impairment charge on this receivable would be approximately $114,000.

 

Outstanding receivables for services provided to joint ventures as of February 29, 2016 decreased $242,537 compared to August 31, 2015, which resulted in an increase of 9 days of fees receivable outstanding as of February 29, 2016 to an average of 113 days compared to August 31, 2015.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended February 29, 2016 was $1,080,567, which was primarily the result of cash used in the purchase of available for sale securities, additions to property and equipment and additions to patents. Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2015 was $990,492, which was primarily the result of cash proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities, partially offset by additions to property and equipment and additions to patents.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended February 29, 2016 was $235,586, which resulted from a dividend paid to a non-controlling interest and the repurchase of common stock, partially offset by proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan. Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2015 was $437,930, which resulted from a dividend paid to a non-controlling interest, partially offset by proceeds from stock option exercises and NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan.

 

Stock Repurchase Program. On January 15, 2015, NTIC’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 in shares of NTIC common stock through open market purchases or unsolicited or solicited privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by NTIC’s Board of Directors at any time. During the six months ended February 29, 2016, NTIC repurchased an aggregate of 5,461 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $70,549. As of February 29, 2016, up to $2,905,099 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

 

Capital Expenditures and Commitments. NTIC spent $346,872 on capital expenditures during the six months ended February 29, 2016 and expects to spend an aggregate of approximately $400,000 to $450,000 on capital expenditures during the remainder of fiscal 2016. Anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 relate primarily to the purchase of new equipment.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

There has been no material change to NTIC’s contractual obligations as provided in “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations,” included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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

 

Inflation and Seasonality

 

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

 

Market Risk

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

At the option of NTIC, outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at either (a) an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.15% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by NTIC or (b) at the rate publicly announced by PNC Bank from time to time as its prime rate, and thus may subject NTIC to some market risk on interest rates. As of February 29, 2016, NTIC had no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

There have been no material changes to NTIC’s critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies”, included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

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

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. In addition, NTIC or others on NTIC’s behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or web casts open to the public, in press releases or reports, on NTIC’s Internet web site or otherwise. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report or expressed by NTIC orally from time to time that address activities, events or developments that NTIC expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, the statements about NTIC’s plans, objectives, strategies and prospects regarding, among other things, NTIC’s financial condition, results of operations and business, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings and the effect of the liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and the establishment of NTIC China. NTIC has identified some of these forward-looking statements in this report with words like “believe,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “forecast,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate” “outlook” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other words and terms of similar meaning. The use of future dates is also an indication of a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements may be contained in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and elsewhere in this report, including under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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

 

·

NTIC’s operations in China, the termination of the joint venture agreements with Tianjin Zerust, the pending litigation against Mr. Tao Meng and Cortec Corporation and the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and the effect on NTIC’s business and future operating results, including possible future impairment charges on NTIC’s investment in Tianjin Zerust and a receivable from Tianjin Zerust;

 

·

The effect of current worldwide economic conditions, the European sovereign debt crisis and turmoil and disruption in the global credit and financial markets on NTIC’s business;

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

NTIC’s dependence upon sales by Zerust Brazil to Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), an oil company located in Brazil, and the effect of such sales on NTIC’s quarterly operating results, including in particular its net sales and margins;

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

NTIC’s reliance upon suppliers;

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

Loss of or changes in executive management or key employees;

 

·

Ability of management to manage around unplanned events;

 

·

Pending and future litigation;

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

·

Fluctuations in NTIC’s effective tax rate; and

 

·

NTIC’s reliance upon its management information systems.

 

For more information regarding these and other uncertainties and factors that could cause NTIC’s actual results to differ materially from what NTIC has anticipated in its forward-looking statements or otherwise could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or operating results, see NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 under the heading “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

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

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

At the option of NTIC, outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at either (a) an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.15% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by NTIC or (b) at the rate publicly announced by PNC Bank from time to time as its prime rate, and thus may subject NTIC to some market risk on interest rates. As of February 29, 2016, NTIC had no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended February 29, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On March 23, 2015, NTIC and NTI Asean LLC, a majority-owned subsidiary of NTIC, filed a lawsuit in Tianjin No 1 Intermediate People’s Court against two individuals, Meng Tao and Xu Hui, related to breaches of duties and contractual commitments owed to NTI Asean under certain agreements related to NTIC’s former joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust Anti-Corrosion Technologies Ltd. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Mr. Meng Tao and Xu Hui have engaged in self-dealing, usurped business opportunities, and received economic benefits that were required to go to Tianjin Zerust. At this point it is too early in the lawsuit to reasonably estimate the amount of any recovery to NTI Asean.

 

On April 21, 2015, NTIC and NTI Asean initiated a lawsuit in the District Court for the Second Judicial District, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota against Cortec Corporation alleging, among other things, that Cortec Corporation aided and abetted breaches of duties and contractual commitments owed to the Company and NTI Asean related to NTIC’s joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust. On November 4, 2015, NTIC and NTI Asean were permitted to file an amended complaint adding new counts, including, but not limited to, one for breach of contract, arising out of Cortec’s breach of a 2005 Settlement Agreement and Consent Order. The case was subsequently assigned to the complex civil jury trial calendar, extending deadlines for discovery and trial. The current discovery deadline is September 23, 2016 and the trial will be scheduled during the March 27-April 14, 2017 jury trial block in Ramsey County. The parties attended a court ordered mediation on September 24, 2015 which did not result in a settlement. A second mediation deadline of August 12, 2016 was set by the court in the amended scheduling order.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

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

 

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

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

 

During the three months ended February 29, 2016, NTIC did not issue any shares of its common stock or other equity securities of NTIC that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table shows NTIC’s stock repurchase activity during the three months ended February 29, 2016.

 

Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
December 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015	0	N/A	0	(1)
January 1, 2016 through January 31, 2016	1,995	$9.98	1,995	(1)
February 1, 2016 through February 29, 2016	300	$10.15	300	(1)(2)
Total	2,295	$10.01	0	(1)(2)

 

(1)

On January 15, 2015, NTIC’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 in shares of NTIC common stock through open market purchases or unsolicited or solicited privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by NTIC’s Board of Directors at any time.

 

(2)

As of February 29, 2016, up to $2,905,099 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

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

 

Exhibit No.		Description
10.1		Amendment to Loan Documents dated as of January 6, 2016 between Northern Technologies International Corporation from PNC Bank, National Association (filed herewith)
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
101		The following materials from NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 29, 2016, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (filed herewith)

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

	NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Date: April 11, 2016	Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and
	Duly Authorized to Sign on Behalf of the Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.	Description	Method of Filing
10.1	Amendment to Loan Documents dated as of January 6, 2016 between Northern Technologies International Corporation from PNC Bank, National Association	Filed herewith
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished herewith
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished herewith
101	The following materials from Northern Technologies International Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 29, 2016, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Financial Statements	Filed herewith