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 28, 2017

 

☐   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 11, 2017, there were 4,524,970 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding.

 

 

 

 
 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

February 28, 2017

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Description Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2017 (unaudited) and
August 31, 2016 		3
  Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months
Ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 		4
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the Three and
Six Months Ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 		5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 		6
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations 		19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 32
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 33
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 34
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 34
Item 1A. Risk Factors 34
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 34
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 35
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 35
Item 5. Other Information 35
Item 6. Exhibits 35
SIGNATURES 36
EXHIBIT INDEX 37

 

_________________

 

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.”

 

  1  
 

 

_________________

 

As used in this report, references to “NTIC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us,” unless the context otherwise requires, refer to Northern Technologies International Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, all of which are consolidated on NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

 

As used in this report, references to: (1) “NTIC China” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; (2) “NTI Europe” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, NTIC Europe GmbH; (3) “Zerust Mexico” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico, ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V; (4) “Zerust Brazil” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A.; (5) “Natur-Tec India” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited; and (5) “NTI Asean” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned holding company 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, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  2  
 

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2017 (UNAUDITED)
AND AUGUST 31, 2016 (AUDITED)

 

    February 28, 2017   August 31, 2016
ASSETS                
CURRENT ASSETS:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,048,948     $ 3,395,274  
Available for sale securities     748,254       2,243,864  
Receivables:                
Trade excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $40,000 at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016     5,916,486       4,755,320  
Trade joint ventures     462,582       791,903  
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     1,242,569       1,406,587  
Income taxes     240,534       215,905  
Inventories     8,052,207       7,711,287  
Prepaid expenses     614,735       422,031  
Total current assets     20,326,315       20,942,171  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET     7,485,197       7,275,872  
                 
OTHER ASSETS:                
Investments in joint ventures     21,059,113       19,840,774  
Deferred income taxes     1,614,229       1,639,762  
Patents and trademarks, net     1,305,039       1,278,597  
Other     —       92,874  
Total other assets     23,978,381       22,852,007  
Total assets   $ 51,789,893     $ 51,070,050  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
Accounts payable   $ 3,565,903     $ 2,753,903  
Accrued liabilities:                
Payroll and related benefits     708,411       938,363  
Other     687,164       301,836  
Total current liabilities     4,961,478       3,994,102  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)                
                 
EQUITY:                
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and outstanding     —       —  
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,524,970 and 4,533,416, respectively     90,499       90,668  
Additional paid-in capital     13,879,361       13,798,567  
Retained earnings     34,339,958       33,655,357  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (4,015,577 )     (3,009,617 )
 Stockholders’ equity     44,294,241       44,534,975  
Non-controlling interest     2,534,174       2,540,973  
 Total equity     46,828,415       47,075,948  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 51,789,893     $ 51,070,050  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  3  
 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2017 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2016

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    February 28, 2017   February 29, 2016   February 28, 2017   February 29, 2016
NET SALES:                                
Net sales, excluding joint ventures   $ 8,309,586     $ 7,027,614     $ 17,191,551     $ 13,529,024  
Net sales, to joint ventures     433,317       677,320       1,253,375       1,200,347  
Total net sales     8,742,903       7,704,934       18,444,926       14,729,371  
                                 
Cost of goods sold     5,870,186       5,268,224       12,482,952       10,143,647  
Gross profit     2,872,717       2,436,710       5,961,974       4,585,724  
                                 
JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:                                
Equity in income of joint ventures     1,383,139       952,667       2,657,143       1,936,420  
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     1,184,028       971,042       2,499,619       2,456,471  
Total joint venture operations     2,567,167       1,923,709       5,156,762       4,392,891  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                                
Selling expenses     2,246,482       1,475,433       4,285,566       3,000,516  
General and administrative expenses     1,842,528       1,806,557       4,314,308       3,981,164  
Research and development expenses     742,037       1,113,525       1,384,559       2,117,622  
Total operating expenses     4,831,047       4,395,515       9,984,433       9,099,302  
                                 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)     608,837       (35,096 )     1,134,303       (120,687 )
                                 
INTEREST INCOME     4,516       14,384       8,079       28,557  
INTEREST EXPENSE     (3,470 )     (10,796 )     (8,093 )     (15,522 )
OTHER INCOME     —       961       —       961  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE     609,883       (30,547 )     1,134,289       (106,691 )
                                 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE     124,909       40,466       242,622       36,964  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     484,974       (71,013 )     891,667       (143,655 )
                                 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS     98,008       36,776       207,062       198,485  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC   $ 386,966     $ (107,789 )   $ 684,605     $ (342,140 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC PER COMMON SHARE:                                
Basic   $ 0.09     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.15     $ (0.08 )
Diluted   $ 0.09     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.15     $ (0.08 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:                                
Basic     4,525,091       4,537,429       4,527,555       4,536,995  
Diluted     4,562,024       4,537,429       4,559,485       4,536,995  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  4  
 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2017 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2016

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016 		  February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
NET INCOME (LOSS)   $ 484,974     $ (71,013 )   $ 891,667     $ (143,655 )
Other comprehensive income (LOSS) – foreign currency translation adjustment     230,991       380,398       (1,019,821 )     (484,730 )
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)     715,965       309,385       (128,154 )     (628,385 )
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON- CONTROLLING INTERESTS     132,829       21,377       193,200       186,152  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC   $ 583,136     $ 288,008     $ (321,354 )   $ (814,537 )

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

  5  
 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2017 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2016

 

    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Net income (loss)   $ 891,667     $ (143,655 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:                
Stock-based compensation     195,832       223,715  
Depreciation expense     385,583       321,437  
Amortization expense     59,517       59,517  
Equity in income from joint ventures     (2,657,143 )     (1,936,420 )
Deferred income taxes     24,987       —  
Dividends received from joint ventures     564,934       4,054,606  
Changes in current assets and liabilities:                
Receivables:                
Trade, excluding joint ventures     (1,177,496 )     (165,856 )
Trade, joint ventures     329,321       (118,640 )
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     164,018       242,537  
Income taxes     (16,484 )     (355,200 )
Inventories     (349,600 )     111,146  
Prepaid expenses and other     (103,671 )     (162,301 )
Accounts payable     915,538       (174,609 )
Income tax payable     (91,282 )     2,564  
Accrued liabilities     40,854       (710,031 )
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (823,425 )     1,248,810  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities     1,495,610       —  
Purchase of available for sale securities     —       (705,638 )
Additions to property and equipment     (599,063 )     (346,872 )
Additions to patents     (85,959 )     (28,057 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     810,588       (1,080,567 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Dividend received by non-controlling interest     (200,000 )     (200,000 )
Repurchase of common stock     (148,162 )     (70,549 )
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan     32,955       34,963  
Net cash used in financing activities     (315,207 )     (235,586 )
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH:     (18,282 )     (25,298 )
                 
                 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     (346,326 )     (92,641 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD     3,395,274       2,623,981  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD   $ 3,048,948     $ 2,531,340  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

1.       INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all necessary adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Northern Technologies International Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016 and the results of their operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 and their cash flows for the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).

 

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements also should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section appearing in this report.

 

Operating results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending August 31, 2016.

 

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

 

Certain amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements for the previous reporting period have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Expenses previously recorded as “Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures” have been reclassified as “General and administrative expenses” based on the reduction in direct costs associated with supporting the joint ventures.

 

2.         Recently Issued Accounting PronouncementS

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 (Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09), which provides a framework for the recognition of revenue, with the objective that recognized revenues properly reflect amounts an entity is entitled to receive in exchange for goods and services. This guidance, which includes additional disclosure requirements regarding revenue, cash flows and obligations related to contracts with customers, was originally to be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. In July 2015, the FASB confirmed a one year deferral of the effective date of the new revenue standard which also allows early adoption as of the original effective date. The updated guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements, but believes there will be no material impact.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “ Inventory ,” which modifies the subsequent measurement of inventories recorded under a first-in-first-out or average cost method. Under the new standard, such inventories are required to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new standard is effective for the Company’s fiscal year 2018, with prospective application. The Company does not expect the adoption of the provisions of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-17,  Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,  which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The amendment takes effect for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption available. The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 as of August 31, 2016; and there was no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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

 

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In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, “ Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting .” Among other things, the amendments in ASU 2016-07 eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The amendments require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-07 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation , which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions. The guidance will be effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that year. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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

 

3.       INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

    February 28, 2017   August 31, 2016
Production materials   $ 1,302,043     $ 1,452,396  
Finished goods     6,750,164       6,258,891  
    $ 8,052,207     $ 7,711,287  

 

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4.       PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

    February 28, 2017   August 31, 2016
Land   $ 310,365     $ 310,365  
Buildings and improvements     6,980,663       6,528,252  
Machinery and equipment     3,674,867       3,590,063  
      10,965,895       10,428,680  
Less accumulated depreciation     (3,480,698 )     (3,152,808 )
    $ 7,485,197     $ 7,275,872  

 

5.       PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS, NET

 

Patents and trademarks, net consisted of the following:

 

    February 28, 2017   August 31, 2016
Patents and trademarks   $ 2,661,393     $ 2,575,435  
Less accumulated amortization     (1,356,354 )     (1,296,838 )
    $ 1,305,039     $ 1,278,597  

 

Patent and trademark costs are amortized over seven years. Costs incurred related to patents and trademarks are capitalized until filed and approved, at which time the amounts capitalized to date are amortized and any further costs, including maintenance costs, are expensed as incurred. Amortization expense is estimated to approximate $120,000 in each of the next five fiscal years.

 

6.       INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

 

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

 

Financial information from the audited and unaudited financial statements of the Company’s joint ventures in Germany, Excor Korrosionsschutz – Technologien und Produkte GmbH (EXCOR), Harita-NTI LTD (INDIA), Zerust OY (FINLAND) and all the Company’s other joint ventures, are summarized as follows:

 

    As of February 28, 2017
    TOTAL   EXCOR   INDIA   FINLAND   All Other
Current assets   $ 51,803,644     $ 25,396,338     $ 4,342,356     $ 1,625,779     $ 20,439,171  
Total assets     55,467,386       27,220,507       4,674,322       1,905,434       21,667,123  
Current liabilities     13,028,897       3,027,106       1,485,452       484,988       8,031,351  
Noncurrent liabilities     107,511       —       3,684       —       103,827  
Joint ventures’ equity     42,330,978       24,193,401       3,185,186       1,420,446       13,531,945  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity     21,059,113       12,096,702       1,592,593       710,221       6,659,597  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ undistributed earnings   $ 18,984,898     $ 12,065,797     $ 727,771     $ 690,221     $ 5,501,109  

 

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    Six Months Ended February 28, 2017
    Total   EXCOR   INDIA   FINLAND   All Other
Net sales   $ 47,163,046     $ 18,285,432     $ 3,263,830     $ 1,726,555     $ 23,887,229  
Gross profit     20,858,536       9,761,696       1,518,122       1,032,318       8,546,400  
Net income     5,182,951       4,017,746       192,164       252,140       720,901  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income of joint ventures   $ 2,657,143     $ 2,006,441     $ 170,549     $ 126,361     $ 353,792  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s dividends received from joint ventures   $ 564,934     $ —     $ 206,701     $ 200,768     $ 157,465  

 

    As of August 31, 2016
    TOTAL   EXCOR   INDIA   FINLAND   All Other
Current assets   $ 48,922,924     $ 22,928,810     $ 4,027,016     $ 1,928,861     $ 20,038,237  
Total assets     52,407,026       24,733,340       4,352,573       2,211,392       21,109,721  
Current liabilities     12,433,700       3,485,213       1,097,231       546,506       7,304,730  
Noncurrent liabilities     100,783       —       6,382       —       94,401  
Joint ventures’ equity     39,872,543       21,248,109       3,248,960       1,664,886       13,710,588  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity     19,840,774       10,624,056       1,624,480       832,442       6,759,796  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ undistributed earnings   $ 17,779,912     $ 10,593,151     $ 759,658     $ 812,442     $ 5,614,661  
Northern Technologies International Corporation's dividends received from joint ventures   $ 5,503,314     $ 4,364,700     $ 326,023     $ 206,516     $ 606,075  

 

    Six Months Ended February 29, 2016
    Total   EXCOR   INDIA   FINLAND   All Other
Net sales   $ 42,000,424     $ 15,618,735     $ 3,036,404     $ 1,581,287     $ 21,763,999  
Gross profit     18,523,102       8,059,186       1,450,777       943,141       8,069,998  
Net income     3,872,728       2,960,951       316,292       207,973       387,512  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income of joint ventures     1,936,420       1,480,975       157,474       104,070       193,900  
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s dividends received from joint ventures   $ 4,054,605     $ 32,523,000     $ 326,023     $ 206,516     $ 269,766  

 

The Company did not make any joint venture investments during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016.

 

7. CHINA OPERATIONS

 

Effective December 31, 2014, the Company terminated its joint venture agreements with its previous joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust, began the process of liquidating the joint venture entity, and commenced operations in China through a wholly-owned subsidiary, NTIC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. on January 1, 2015. Effective December 31, 2014, the Company’s investment in Tianjin Zerust was reported at carrying value based on the Company’s decreased level of influence over the entity, and the Company has reclassified previously unrecognized gains on foreign currency translation from accumulated other comprehensive income. Since it began the process of liquidating the joint venture entity on December 31, 2014, the Company has not received any proceeds from the assets of Tianjin Zerust. In addition, the Company has not received financial information or cooperation from its joint venture partner in determining the investment value. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company obtained additional information regarding the financial position of the investment through the legal proceedings that have been ongoing (See Note 13). These circumstances resulted in the Company concluding an indication of impairment existed and that the fair value of the investment was $0 as of August 31, 2016 based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. See Note 13 regarding ongoing litigation involving Tianjin Zerust.

 

  10  
 

 

8.       CORPORATE DEBT

 

The Company has a revolving line of credit with PNC Bank of $3,000,000. No amounts were outstanding under the line of credit as of both February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016. At the option of the Company, outstanding advances under the line of credit bear interest at either (a) an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.15% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by the Company or (b) at the rate publicly announced by PNC Bank from time to time as its prime rate. Interest is payable in arrears (a) for the portion of advances bearing interest under the prime rate on the last day of each month during the term thereof and (b) for the portion of advances bearing interest under the LIBOR option on the last day of the respective LIBOR interest period selected for such advance. Any unpaid interest is payable on the maturity date. The revolving line of credit is secured by cash, receivables and inventory.

 

The revolving credit facility allows the Company to request that PNC Bank issue letters of credit up to $1,200,000. The Company did not have any letters of credit reserved against the available letters of credit balance as of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016 with PNC Bank. The availability of advances under the line of credit will be reduced by the face amount of any letter of credit issued and outstanding (whether or not drawn) under the revolving credit facility. 

 

On January 11, 2017, the Company and PNC Bank extended the maturity date of the line of credit to January 7, 2018. All other terms of the line of credit and the loan agreement and other documents evidencing the line of credit remain the same.

 

As of February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, the Company had $75,201 and $71,599, respectively, of letters of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank that are performance based and set to expire between 2020 and 2022.

 

9.       STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

During the six months ended February 28, 2017, the Company repurchased and retired 11,475 shares of its common stock at a price of $12.92 per share. No stock options to purchase shares of common stock were exercised during the six months ended February 28, 2017.

 

The Company granted stock options under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2007 Plan) to purchase an aggregate of 56,677 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors during the six months ended February 28, 2017. The weighted average per share exercise price of the stock options is $13.40, which was equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

During the six months ended February 29, 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 5,461 shares of its common stock at a price of $12.92 per share. No stock options to purchase shares of common stock were exercised during the six months ended February 29, 2016.

 

The Company granted stock options under the 2007 Plan to purchase an aggregate of 53,447 shares of its common stock to various employees and directors during the six months ended February 29, 2016. The weighted average per share exercise price of the stock options is $14.85, which is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

  11  
 

 

10.       NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

 

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

 

The following is a reconciliation of the earnings per share computation for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
Numerators:   February 28,
2017 		  February
29, 2016 		  February 28,
2017 		  February
29, 2016
Net income (loss) attributable to NTIC   $ 386,966     $ (107,789 )   $ 684,605     $ (342,140 )
                                 
Denominators:                                
Basic – weighted shares outstanding     4,525,091       4,537,429       4,527,555       4,536,995  
Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options     36,933       —       31,930       —  
Diluted – weighted shares outstanding     4,562,024       4,537,429       4,559,485       4,536,995  
Basic income (loss) per share:   $ 0.09     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.15     $ (0.08 )
Diluted income (loss) per share:   $ 0.09     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.15     $ (0.08 )

 

The dilutive impact summarized above relates to the periods when the average market price of the Company’s common stock exceeded the exercise price of the potentially dilutive option securities granted. Earnings per common share were based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods when computing the basic earnings per share. When dilutive, stock options are included as equivalents using the treasury stock market method when computing the diluted earnings per share. There were 275,791 options outstanding as of February 28, 2017 that were dilutive.

 

Excluded from the computation of diluted income per share for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 were options outstanding to purchase 48,067 shares of common stock. Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended February 29, 2016 were all options outstanding to purchase 283,181 shares of common stock, due to the Company’s net loss in the period.

 

11.       STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

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

 

The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock unit awards, performance awards and stock bonuses to eligible recipients to enable the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the achievement of the Company’s economic objectives. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2007 Plan, up to a maximum of 800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the 2007 Plan. Options granted under the 2007 Plan generally have a term of ten years and become exercisable over a three- or four-year period beginning on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant. Options are granted at per share exercise prices equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of options. As of February 28, 2017, only stock options and stock bonuses had been granted under the 2007 Plan.

 

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

 

  12  
 

 

The Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 56,677 and 53,447 shares of its common stock during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively. The fair value of option grants is determined at date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions listed below.  The Company recognized compensation expense of $195,832 and $223,715 during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively, related to the options that vested during such time period. As of February 28, 2017, the total compensation cost for non-vested options not yet recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations was $435,232, net of estimated forfeitures. Stock-based compensation expense of $195,832 is expected through the remainder of fiscal year 2017, and $159,600 and $79,800 is expected to be recognized during fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019, respectively, based on outstanding options as of February 28, 2017. Future option grants will impact the compensation expense recognized. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company currently estimates a ten percent forfeiture rate for stock options and continually reviews this estimate for future periods.

 

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

 

    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
Dividend yield     0.00 %     0.00 %
Expected volatility     46.4 %     46.0 %
Expected life of option (in years)     10       10  
Average risk-free interest rate     1.63 %     1.63 %

 

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 was $7.69 and $8.48, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding as of February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 was 6.91 years and 6.96 years, respectively.

 

12.       SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

Segment Information

 

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

 

  13  
 

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 by segment:

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016 		  February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
ZERUST® net sales   $ 7,228,027     $ 6,385,337     $ 15,312,705     $ 12,363,019  
Natur-Tec® net sales     1,514,876       1,319,597       3,132,221       2,366,352  
Total net sales   $ 8,742,903     $ 7,704,934     $ 18,444,926     $ 14,729,371  

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s cost of goods sold for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 by segment:

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  % of
Segment
Sales* 		  February 29,
2016 		  % of
Segment
Sales* 		  February 28,
2017 		  % of
Segment
Sales* 		  February 29,
2016 		  % of
Segment
Sales*
Direct cost of goods sold                                
ZERUST®   $ 4,254,524       58.9 %   $ 3,576,073       56.0 %   $ 8,954,061       58.5 %   $ 6,940,628       56.1 %
Natur-Tec®     1,068,231       70.5 %     984,938       74.6 %     2,281,399       72.8 %     1,819,197       76.9 %
Indirect cost of goods sold     547,431       —       707,213       —       1,247,492       —       1,383,822       —  
Total net cost of goods sold   $ 5,870,186             $ 5,268,224             $ 12,482,952             $ 10,143,647          

______________________

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

 

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

 

Geographic Information

 

Net sales by geographic location for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 were as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016 		  February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
Inside the U.S.A. to unaffiliated customers   $ 5,245,092     $ 4,683,208     $ 10,395,832     $ 9,522,987  
Outside the U.S.A to:                                
Joint ventures in which the Company is shareholder directly and indirectly     433,317       677,320       1,253,375       1,200,347  
Unaffiliated customers     3,064,494       2,344,406       6,795,719       4,006,037  
    $ 8,742,903     $ 7,704,934     $ 18,444,926     $ 14,729,371  

 

  14  
 

 

Net sales by geographic location are based on the location of the customer. Fees for services provided to joint ventures by geographic location as a percentage of total fees for services provided to joint ventures during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 were as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  % of Total Fees
for Services
Provided to
Joint Ventures 		  February 29,
2016 		  % of Total Fees
for Services
Provided to
Joint Ventures
Germany   $ 199,509       16.8 %   $ 192,869       19.9 %
Poland     153,453       13.0 %     145,765       15.0 %
Japan     145,722       12.3 %     137,476       14.2 %
Thailand     87,627       7.4 %     39,322       4.0 %
Korea     86,103       7.3 %     2,500       .3 %
France     83,112       7.0 %     73,112       7.5 %
Sweden     77,464       6.5 %     50,356       5.2 %
Czech Republic     73,286       6.2 %     64,381       6.6 %
Finland     66,946       5.7 %     52,896       5.5 %
United Kingdom     53,241       4.5 %     64,735       6.7 %
India     74,196       6.3 %     72,077       7.4 %
Other     83,369       7.0 %     75,553       7.7 %
    $ 1,184,028       100.0 %   $ 971,042       100.0 %

 

 

    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  % of Total Fees
for Services
Provided to
Joint Ventures 		  February 29,
2016 		  % of Total Fees
for Services
Provided to
Joint Ventures
Germany   $ 402,509       16.1 %   $ 422,654       17.2 %
Poland     302,657       12.1 %     285,023       11.6 %
Japan     291,759       11.7 %     268,149       10.9 %
Thailand     235,081       9.4 %     263,063       10.7 %
Korea     191,481       7.6 %     171,902       7.0 %
France     180,785       7.2 %     162,785       6.6 %
Sweden     164,525       6.6 %     123,317       5.0 %
Czech Republic     144,114       5.8 %     121,933       5.0 %
Finland     143,282       5.7 %     121,829       5.0 %
United Kingdom     139,372       5.6 %     173,646       7.1 %
India     138,731       5.6 %     152,527       6.2 %
Other     165,323       6.6 %     189,643       7.7 %
    $ 2,499,619       100.0 %   $ 2,456,471       100.0 %

 

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

 

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

 

    At February 28,
2017 		  At August 31,
2016
Brazil   $ 63,765     $ 66,938  
India     12,027       13,645  
Germany     15,512       —  
China     200,452       253,931  
United States     7,193,441       6,941,358  
Total long-lived assets   $ 7,485,197     $ 7,275,872  

 

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    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
Brazil   $ 1,118,166     $ 997,636  
India     733,581       549,402  
Germany     217,496       —  
China     3,296,299       1,439,754  
United States     13,079,384       11,742,579  
Total net sales   $ 18,444,926     $ 14,729,371  

 

Total long-lived assets located in Brazil, India, Germany and China primarily consist of property and equipment. These assets are periodically reviewed to assure the net realizable value from the estimated future production based on forecasted sales exceeds the carrying value of the assets. Total assets located in the United States include the Company’s investments in joint ventures.

 

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

 

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

 

13.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

On August 26, 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the material terms of an annual bonus plan for the Company’s executive officers as well as certain officers and employees for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017. For fiscal 2017 as in past years, the total amount available under the bonus plan for all plan participants, including executive officers, is dependent upon the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes and other income, as adjusted to consider amounts to be paid under the bonus plan and certain other adjustments (Adjusted EBITOI). Each plan participant’s percentage of the overall bonus pool is based upon the number of plan participants, the individual’s annual base salary and the individual’s position and level of responsibility within the company. In the case of each of the Company’s executive officer participants, 75% of the amount of their individual bonus payout will be determined based upon the Company’s actual EBITOI for fiscal 2017 compared to a pre-established target EBITOI for fiscal 2017 and 25% of the payout will be determined based upon such executive officer’s achievement of certain pre-established individual performance objectives. The payment of bonuses under the plan are discretionary and may be paid to executive officer participants in both cash and shares of NTIC common stock, the exact amount and percentages will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, after the completion of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2017. There was $185,000 accrued for management bonuses for the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to no accrual for management bonuses for the six months ended February 29, 2016.

 

Three joint ventures (consisting of the Company’s joint ventures in Korea, India and Thailand) accounted for 57.1% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at February 28, 2017 and accounted for 55.8% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at August 31, 2016.

 

On March 23, 2015, the Company and NTI Asean filed a lawsuit in Tianjin No 1 Intermediate People’s Court against two individuals, Tao Meng and Xu Hui, related to breaches of duties and contractual commitments owed to NTI Asean under certain agreements related to the Company’s former joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust Anti-Corrosion Technologies Ltd (Tianjin Zerust). The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Mr. Tao Meng and Xu Hui have engaged in self-dealing, usurped business opportunities, and received economic benefits that were required to go to Tianjin Zerust. As of February 28, 2017, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any recovery to NTI Asean, if any.

 

  16  
 

 

On April 21, 2015, the Company 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 the Company’s joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust. On November 23, 2017, NTIC and NTI Asean moved for partial summary judgment on their breach of contract claim. Cortec cross-moved for summary judgment on all NTIC’s and NTI Asean’s claims and moved to dismiss the amended supplemental complaint for failure to join an indispensable party. On February 16, 2017, the Court denied the parties’ cross-motions for dispositive relief and sua sponte dismissed the Company’s and NTI Asean’s claims based on a non-exclusive forum-selection clause contained in a settlement agreement between the parties. On March 9, 2017, the Court denied the Company’s and NTI Asean’s request to move for reconsideration of the Court’s February 16, 2017 Order. The Company and NTI Asean are currently evaluating their options related to this litigation. 

 

From time to time, the Company is subject to various other claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of its business. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for costs related to claims, including future legal costs, settlements and judgments, where the Company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the Company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The Company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that material loss may be have been incurred. In the opinion of management, as of February 28, 2017, the amount of liability, if any, with respect to these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

14.        Fair Value Measurements

 

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

 

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

 

        Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
    Fair Value as of
February 28, 2017 		  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
Available for sale securities   $ 748,254     $ 748,254     $ —     $ —  

 

 

        Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
    Fair Value as of
August 31, 2016 		  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
Available for sale securities   $ 2,243,864     $ 2,243,864     $ —     $ —  

 

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016.

 

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15.        SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information consist of:

 

    Three Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
Cash paid for interest   $ 3,470     $ 10,796  
Cash paid for income taxes     —       —  

 

    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
Cash paid for interest   $ 8,093     $ 15,522  
Cash paid for income taxes     —       —  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  18  
 

 

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, 2016. The following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of NTIC should be read in conjunction with NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included under the heading “ Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements .”

 

Business Overview

 

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

 

NTIC’s ZERUST ® rust and corrosion inhibiting products include plastic and paper packaging, liquids 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 network of independent distributors and agents supported by a direct sales force. Internationally, NTIC sells its ZERUST ® corrosion prevention solutions through its wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (NTIC China), its majority-owned joint venture holding company for NTIC’s joint venture investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, its majority-owned subsidiary in Brazil, Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A. (Zerust Brazil), and its wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico, ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V (Zerust Mexico), and joint venture arrangements in North America, Europe and Asia. NTIC also sells products directly to its joint venture partners through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, NTIC Europe GmbH (NTI Europe).

 

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

 

NTIC markets and sells its ZERUST ® rust and corrosion prevention solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry across several countries either directly, through its subsidiaries or through its joint venture partners and other strategic partners. The sale of ZERUST ® corrosion prevention solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry typically involves 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 resin compounds are certified to be fully biodegradable in a composting environment and are currently being used to produce finished products including can liners, shopping and grocery bags, lawn and leaf bags, pet waste collection bags, cutlery and coated paper products. In North America, NTIC markets its Natur-Tec ® resin compounds and finished products primarily through a network of regional and national distributors as well as independent agents. NTIC continues to see significant opportunities for finished bioplastic products and, therefore, continues to strengthen and expand its North American distribution network for finished Natur-Tec ® bioplastic products. Internationally, NTIC sells its Natur-Tec ® resin compounds and finished products both directly and through its majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited (Natur-Tec India), and through certain joint ventures.

 

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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 in China against Mr. Tao Meng, the former joint venture entity’s other shareholder, and his spouse, 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.

 

NTIC expects that its operating results may continue to be volatile as a result of its ongoing Chinese operations.

 

NTIC’s Subsidiaries and Joint Venture Network

 

NTIC has ownership interests in six subsidiaries in North America, Europe and Asia. The following table sets forth a list of NTIC’s operating subsidiaries as of February 28, 2017, the country in which the subsidiary is organized and NTIC’s ownership percentage in each subsidiary:

 

Joint Venture Name   Country   NTIC
Percent (%) Ownership
NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd   China     100 %
NTI Asean LLC   United States     60 %
Zerust Prevenção de Corrosão S.A.   Brazil     85 %
ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V   Mexico     100 %
Natur-Tec India Private Limited   India     90 %
NTIC Europe GmbH   Germany     100 %

 

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

 

NTIC participates in 20 active joint venture arrangements in North America, Europe and Asia. Each of these joint ventures generally manufactures and markets products in the geographic territory to which it is assigned. While most of NTIC’s joint ventures exclusively sell rust and corrosion inhibiting products, some of the joint ventures also sell NTIC’s Natur-Tec® resin compounds. NTIC has historically funded its investments in joint ventures with cash generated from operations.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

Financial Overview

 

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

 

NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 13.5% and 25.2% during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 29, 2016. These increases were primarily a result of an increase in sales of ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products, sales to joint ventures and sales of Natur-Tec® products.

 

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, 82.7% and 83.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which increased 13.2% and 23.9% to $7,228,027 and $15,312,705 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to $6,385,337 and $12,363,019 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. These increases were due to higher sales from existing customers for new and existing products as a result of increased demand. NTIC has expanded 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 28, 2017 included $952,240 of sales made to customers in the oil and gas industry compared to $717,570 for the six months ended February 29, 2016. 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 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 28, 2017, 17.3% and 17.0%, of NTIC’s consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products compared to 17.1% and 16.1% during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. Net sales of Natur-Tec® products increased 14.8% and 32.4% during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. These increases were primarily due to an increase in finished product sales in North America and finished product sales at NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India, Natur-Tec India Private Limited (Natur-Tec India).

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 67.1% during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to 68.4% during the three months ended February 29, 2016 and decreased to 67.7% during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to 68.9% during the prior fiscal year period. These decreases were primarily due to increased sales of ZERUST® products and services in the oil and gas industry which carry higher margins than NTIC’s ZERUST® industrial products and services.

 

NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures increased 45.2% and 37.2% to $1,383,139 and $2,657,143, respectively, during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $952,667 and $1,936,420 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. These increases were primarily due to increases in profitability at the joint ventures. Total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures increased 14.1% and 12.3% to $22,962,599 and $47,163,046 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to $20,129,215 and $42,000,424 for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. These increases were due primarily to higher sales from existing customers for new and existing products as a result of increased demand.

 

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NTIC’s total operating expenses increased 9.7%, or $885,131, to $9,984,433 during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the six months ended February 29, 2016. This increase was primarily due to an increase in legal expenses in North America related to the litigation against Cortec Corporation of $250,000 and an increase in operating expenses at NTIC China of $118,000. Such expenses consisted primarily of selling and personnel expense associated with the increase in sales in China. Additionally, there was a management bonus accrual of $185,000 made during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to no bonus accrual for the six months ended February 29, 2016.

 

NTIC spent $1,384,559 and $2,117,622 of expense during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively, in connection with its research and development activities. NTIC anticipates that it will spend between $2,200,000 and $2,800,000 in fiscal 2017 on research and development activities. This anticipated significant decrease from fiscal 2016 is due to the transition of efforts from research and development to selling, general and administrative areas, specifically as they relate to Natur-Tec ® and the ZERUST ® oil and gas business since most of the expenses related to these business units are no longer in the research and development phase of product development.

 

Net income attributable to NTIC increased $494,755 to $386,966, or $0.09, per diluted common share, for the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to net loss of $(107,789), or $(0.02) per diluted common share, for the three months ended February 29, 2016. Net income attributable to NTIC increased 300.1%, to $684,605, or $0.15 per diluted common share, for the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to net loss attributable to NTIC of $(342,140), or $(0.08) per diluted common share, for the six months ended February 29, 2016. These increases were primarily the result of the increase in gross profit, partially offset by the increase in operating expenses.

 

NTIC anticipates that its quarterly net income or loss will continue to remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the financial performance of its subsidiaries and joint ventures and sales of its ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec® bioplastics products, which sales fluctuate more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST® business. NTIC 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 $15,364,837 at February 28, 2017, including $3,048,948 in cash and cash equivalents and $748,254 in available for sale securities, compared to $16,948,069 at August 31, 2016, including $3,395,274 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,243,864 in available for sale securities.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following tables set forth NTIC’s results of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016.

 

    Three Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  % of
Net Sales 		  February 29,
2016 		  % of
Net Sales 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures   $ 8,309,586       95.0 %   $ 7,027,614       91.2 %   $ 1,281,972       16.6 %
Net sales, to joint ventures     433,317       5.0 %     677,320       8.8 %     (244,003 )     (36.0 %)
Cost of goods sold     5,870,186       67.1 %     5,268,224       68.4 %     601,962       11.4 %
Equity in income of joint ventures     1,383,139       15.8 %     952,667       12.4 %     430,472       45.2 %
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     1,184,028       13.5 %     971,042       12.6 %     212,986       21.9 %
Selling expenses     2,246,482       25.7 %     1,475,433       19.1 %     771,049       52.3 %
General and administrative expenses     1,842,528       21.1 %     1,806,557       23.5 %     35,971       2.0 %
Research and development expenses     742,037       8.5 %     1,113,525       14.5 %     (371,488 )     (33.4 %)

 

    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  % of
Net Sales 		  February 29,
2016 		  % of
Net Sales 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures   $ 17,191,551       93.2 %   $ 13,529,024       91.9 %   $ 3,662,527       27.1 %
Net sales, to joint ventures     1,253,375       6.8 %     1,200,347       8.1 %     53,028       4.4 %
Cost of goods sold     12,482,952       67.7 %     10,143,647       68.9 %     2,339,305       23.1 %
Equity in income of joint ventures     2,657,143       14.4 %     1,936,420       13.1 %     720,723       37.2 %
Fees for services provided to joint ventures     2,499,619       13.6 %     2,456,471       16.7 %     43,148       1.8 %
Selling expenses     4,285,566       23.2 %     3,000,516       20.4 %     1,285,050       42.8 %
General and administrative expenses     4,314,308       23.4 %     3,981,164       22.9 %     333,144       8.4 %
Research and development expenses     1,384,559       7.5 %     2,117,622       14.4 %     (733,063 )     (34.6 %)

 

Net Sales . NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 13.5% and 25.2% to $8,742,903 and $18,444,926, during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 29, 2016. These increases were primarily a result of an increase in sales of ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting packaging products, sales to joint ventures and sales of Natur-Tec® products. NTIC’s consolidated net sales to unaffiliated customers excluding NTIC’s joint ventures increased 16.6% and 27.1% to $8,309,586 and $17,191,551 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the same respective prior fiscal year periods. These increases were primarily a result of increased demand from the addition of new customers at NTI China and an increase in sale of our Natur-Tec® products. Net sales to joint ventures decreased 36.0% and increased 4.4% to $433,317 and $1,253,375 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the same respective prior fiscal year periods. These changes were primarily the result of the timing of shipments during the quarter and at quarter end.

 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 by segment:

 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016 		  February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016
Total ZERUST® sales   $ 7,228,027     $ 6,385,337     $ 15,312,705     $ 12,363,019  
Total Natur-Tec® sales     1,514,876       1,319,597       3,132,221       2,366,352  
Total net sales   $ 8,742,903     $ 7,704,934     $ 18,444,926     $ 14,729,371  

 

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, 82.7% and 83.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of ZERUST ® products and services, which increased 13.2% and 23.9% to $7,228,027 and $15,312,705 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to $6,385,337 and $12,363,019 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, 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.

 

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The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales of ZERUST ® products for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:

 

    Three Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales   $ 6,588,801     $ 5,330,686     $ 1,258,115       23.6 %
ZERUST® joint venture net sales     433,317       677,320       (244,003 )     (36.0 %)
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales     205,909       377,331       (171,422 )     (45.4 %)
Total ZERUST® net sales   $ 7,228,027     $ 6,385,337     $ 842,690       13.2 %

 

    Six Months Ended
    February 28,
2017 		  February 29,
2016 		  $
Change 		  %
Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales   $ 13,107,090     $ 10,445,102     $ 2,661,988       25.5 %
ZERUST® joint venture net sales     1,253,375       1,200,347       53,028       4.4 %
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales     952,240       717,570       234,670       32.7 %
Total ZERUST® net sales   $ 15,312,705     $ 12,363,019     $ 2,949,686       23.9 %

 

NTIC’s net sales to the oil and gas industry sector decreased during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the prior fiscal year period primarily as a result of volatility in that sector and the timing of projects. NTIC’s net sales to the oil and gas industry sector increased during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the prior fiscal year period primarily as a result of increased sales to India as a result of increased demand. NTIC anticipates that its sales of ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry will continue to remain subject to significant volatility from quarter to quarter as sales are recognized, specifically due to the volatility of oil prices.

 

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, 17.3% and 17.0% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products, which increased 14.8% and 32.4% to $1,514,876 and $3,132,221 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 29, 2016. Such increases were due to the addition of new customers in North America and India as well as increased sales by existing distributors. 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 11.4% and 23.1% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 29, 2016. These increases were primarily as a result of the corresponding increased sales levels. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 67.1% during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to 68.4% the three months ended February 29, 2016 and decreased to 67.7% during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to 68.9% during the six months ended February 29, 2016. These decreases were primarily as a result of increased net sales and cost reductions realized on the raw materials associated with NTIC’s ZERUST® industrial products.

 

Equity in Income of Joint Ventures. NTIC’s equity in income of joint ventures increased 45.2% and 37.2% to $1,383,139 and $2,657,143 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to equity in income of joint ventures of $952,667 and $1,936,420 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. These increases were primarily a result of improved sales and profitability at the joint ventures. Of the total equity in income of joint ventures, NTIC had equity in income of joint ventures of $2,006,441 attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $1,480,975 attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 29, 2016. NTIC had equity in income of joint ventures of $170,549 attributable to India during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $157,474 attributable to India during the six months ended February 29, 2016. NTIC had equity in income of joint ventures of $126,361 attributable to Finland during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $104,070 attributable to Finland during the six months ended February 29, 2016. NTIC had equity in income of all other joint ventures of $353,792 during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $193,900 during the six months ended February 29, 2016.

 

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Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures. NTIC recognized fee income for services provided to joint ventures of $1,184,028 and $2,499,619 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to $971,042 and $2,456,471 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, representing increases of 21.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Fee income for services provided to joint ventures is traditionally a function of sales made by NTIC’s joint ventures. Total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures increased to $22,962,599 and $47,163,046 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to $20,129,215 and $42,000,424 for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively.

 

Net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures are not included in NTIC’s net sales in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements or in any description of NTIC’s net sales. Of the total fee income for services provided to joint ventures, fees of $402,509 were attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $422,654 attributable to EXCOR during the six months ended February 29, 2016. Fees of $138,731 were attributable to India during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $152,527 attributable to India during the six months ended February 29, 2016. Fees of $143,282 were attributable to Finland during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $121,829 attributable to Finland during the six months ended February 29, 2016.

 

Selling Expenses . NTIC’s selling expenses increased 52.3% and 42.8% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2016 due to the transition of focus from research and development to selling, specifically as they relate to Natur-Tec ® and the ZERUST ® oil and gas business, since most of the expenses related to these business units are no longer in the research and development phase of product development. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 25.7% and 23.2% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, from 19.1% and 20.4% during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. The increases in selling expenses as a percentage of net sales were due primarily to the transition of expenses as noted above.

 

General and Administrative Expenses . NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased 2.0% and 8.4% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2016 due primarily to the transition of expenses that were previously focused on research and development efforts, but now relate to general and administrative focus, specifically as they relate to Natur-Tec ® and the ZERUST ® oil and gas business, since most of the expenses related to these business units are no longer in the research and development phase of product development. NTIC’s general and administrative expenses also increased due to an increase in legal expenses in North America related to the litigation against Cortec Corporation. NTIC incurred expense of $477,000 during the six months ended February 28, 2017, compared to $221,000 during the six months ended February 29, 2016. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 21.1% for the three months ended February 28, 2017, from 23.5% and to 23.4% for the six months ended February 28, 2017, from 27.0%. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three and six-month comparison was due primarily to the increase in net sales, partially offset by the increase in general and administrative expenses, as previously described.

 

Research and Development Expenses . NTIC’s research and development expenses decreased 33.4% and 34.6% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2016. These decreases were due primarily to the transition of resources that were previously devoted towards research and development to selling and general and administrative efforts, as previously described.

 

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Interest Income . NTIC’s interest income decreased to $4,516 during the three months ended February 28, 2017 and $8,079 during the six months ended February 28, 2017, compared to $14,384 and $28,557 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, due primarily to lower average cash balances.

 

Interest Expense . NTIC’s interest expense decreased to $3,470 during the three months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $10,796 during the three months ended February 29, 2016 and decreased to $8,093 during the six months ended February 28, 2017 compared to $15,522 during the six months ended February 29, 2016.

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense . NTIC incurred income before income tax expense of $609,883 and $1,134,289 for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to loss before income tax expense of $30,547 and $106,691 for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively.

 

Income Tax Expense . Income tax expense was $124,909 and $242,622 during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, compared income tax expense of $40,466 and $36,964 during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively. Income tax expense was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate.

 

NTIC considers the earnings of certain foreign joint ventures to be indefinitely invested outside the United States based on estimates that NTIC’s future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs. Thus, U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been recognized on the cumulative undistributed earnings of $18,984,898 and $17,779,912 at February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, 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 Income (Loss) - Foreign Currency Translations Adjustment. The significant changes in the foreign currency translations adjustment was 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 28, 2017 compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2016.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Cash and Working Capital . As of February 28, 2017, NTIC’s working capital was $15,364,837, including $3,048,948 in cash and cash equivalents and $748,254 in available for sale securities, compared to $16,948,069 at August 31, 2016, including $3,395,274 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,243,864 in available for sale securities.

 

As of February 28, 2017, 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 28, 2017, NTIC was in compliance with all debt covenants.

 

On January 11, 2017, NTIC and PNC Bank extended the maturity date of the line of credit retroactively from January 7, 2017 to January 7, 2018. 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 2017, NTIC expects to continue to invest in NTIC China, 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. 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.

 

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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 joint ventures. NTIC’s joint ventures traditionally have operated with little or no debt and have been self-financed with minimal initial capital investment and minimal additional capital investment from their respective owners. Therefore, NTIC believes it is not likely that there exists any exposure to debt by NTIC’s joint ventures that could materially impact their respective operations and/or liquidity.

 

Uses of Cash and Cash Flows . Net cash used in operating activities during the six months ended February 28, 2017 was $823,425, which resulted principally from NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures, dividends received from joint ventures, increases in trade receivables, inventory, prepaid expenses, accrued liabilities, and income tax payable, partially offset by NTIC’s net income, depreciation and amortization. Net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended February 29, 2016 was $1,248,810, which resulted principally from NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures, dividends from joint ventures, a decrease in accrued liabilities and increases in receivables and prepaid expenses, partially offset by depreciation and amortization.

 

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

 

NTIC experienced an increase in trade receivables and inventory as of February 28, 2017 compared to August 31, 2016. Trade receivables excluding joint ventures as of February 28, 2017 increased $1,161,166 compared to August 31, 2016, primarily related to the timing of collections and the increase in sales. Outstanding trade receivables excluding joint ventures balances as of February 28, 2017 increased 15 days to an average of 65 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2016. Outstanding trade receivables from joint ventures as of February 28, 2017 decreased $329,321 compared to August 31, 2016 primarily due to the timing of payments. Outstanding balances from trade receivables from joint ventures decreased as of February 28, 2017 by an average of 20 days from an average of 96 days from balances outstanding from these customers compared to August 31, 2016. The significant average days outstanding of trade receivables from joint ventures as of February 28, 2017 were primarily due to the receivables balances at NTIC’s joint venture in South Korea.

 

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Outstanding receivables for services provided to joint ventures as of February 28, 2017 decreased $164,018 compared to August 31, 2016, which resulted in a decrease of 3 days of fees receivable outstanding as of February 28, 2017 to an average of 95 days compared to August 31, 2016.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2017 was $810,588, which was primarily the result of the proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities, offset by additions to property and equipment and additions to patents. 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 used in financing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2017 was $315,207, 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 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.

 

Share Repurchase Plan . On January 15, 2015, NTIC’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 in shares of NTIC common stock through open market purchases or unsolicited or solicited privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by NTIC’s Board of Directors at any time. As of February 28, 2017, up to $2,688,605 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

 

Capital Expenditures and Commitments . NTIC spent $599,063 on capital expenditures during the six months ended February 28, 2017 and expects to spend an aggregate of approximately $700,000 to $800,000 on capital expenditures during fiscal 2017, which it expects will relate primarily to the purchase of new equipment.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

There has been no material change to NTIC’s contractual obligations as provided in “ Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations ,” included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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

 

Inflation and Seasonality

 

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

 

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Market Risk

 

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

 

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign joint ventures is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business. NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese yen, Indian Rupee, Chinese Renminbi, South Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar. NTIC’s fees for services provided to joint ventures and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies and thus fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income. Since NTIC’s investments in its joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change NTIC’s equity in income 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 28, 2017, 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, 2016.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

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

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

· NTIC’s ongoing litigation against Mr. Tao Meng, its former joint venture partner, and NTIC’s options relating to the recent dismissal of its litigation against Cortec Corporation, and the effect of these legal matters and the expense associated therewith on NTIC’s business and future operating results;

 

· The effect of current worldwide economic conditions and any turmoil and disruption in the global credit and financial markets on NTIC’s business;

 

· The variability in NTIC’s sales of ZERUST® products and services into oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec ® products and NTIC’s equity income of joint ventures, which variability in sales and equity in income 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 effect of the referendum vote of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union on NTIC’s operating results, including in particular future net sales of NTIC’s European and other joint ventures;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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· 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 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, 2016 under the heading “ Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors .”

 

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

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

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

 

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign joint ventures is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business. NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese yen, Indian Rupee, Chinese Renminbi, South Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar. NTIC’s fees for services provided to joint ventures and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies and thus fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income. Since NTIC’s investments in its joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change NTIC’s equity in income 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 28, 2017, NTIC had no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

 

 

 

 

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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 28, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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, Tao Meng and Xu Hui, related to breaches of duties and contractual commitments owed to NTI Asean under certain agreements related to NTIC’s former joint venture in China, Tianjin Zerust Anti-Corrosion Technologies Ltd. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Mr. Tao Meng and Xu Hui have engaged in self-dealing, usurped business opportunities, and received economic benefits that were required to go to Tianjin Zerust. 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 NTIC 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 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, which also did not result in a settlement. Fact discovery closed on September 23, 2016. On October 10, 2016, NTIC and NTI Asean moved the court for permission to amend their amended supplemental complaint to assert a claim for punitive damages. On November 23, 2017, NTIC and NTI Asean moved for partial summary judgment on their breach of contract claim. Cortec cross-moved for summary judgment on all of NTIC’s and NTI Asean’s claims and moved to dismiss the amended supplemental complaint for failure to join an indispensable party. On February 16, 2017, the Court denied the parties’ cross-motions for dispositive relief and sua sponte dismissed NTIC’s and NTI Asean’s claims based on a non-exclusive forum-selection clause contained in a settlement agreement between the parties. On March 9, 2017, the Court denied NTIC’s and NTI Asean’s request to move for reconsideration of the Court’s February 16, 2017 Order. NTIC and NTI Asean are currently evaluating their options related to this litigation. 

 

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 28, 2017, 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.

 

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table shows NTIC’s stock repurchase activity during the three months ended February 28, 2017.

 

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, 2016 through December 31, 2016     5,900     $ 12.96       0       (1 )
January 1, 2017 through January 31, 2017     0       N/A       0       (1 )
February 1, 2017 through February 28, 2017     0       N/A       0       (1 )(2)
Total     5,900     $ 12.96       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 28, 2017, up to $2,688,605 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   Letter Agreement effective as of January 11, 2017 between PNC Bank, National Association and Northern Technologies International Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2016 (File No. 001-11038))
10.2   Consulting Agreement dated January 11, 2017 by and among Northern Technologies International Corporation, BioPlastic Polymers LLC, and Ramani Narayan, Ph.D. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2016 (File No. 001-11038))
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 28, 2017, 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 Consolidated Financial Statements (filed herewith)

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL 
  CORPORATION  
     
   
Date:  April 11, 2017 Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA  
  Chief Financial Officer  
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and 
  Duly Authorized to Sign on Behalf of the Registrant)

 

 

 

 

  36  
 

 

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No. 		Description Method of Filing
10.1 Letter Agreement effective as of January 11, 2017 between PNC Bank, National Association and Northern Technologies International Corporation Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2016 (File No. 001-11038)
10.2 Consulting Agreement dated January 11, 2017 by and among Northern Technologies International Corporation, BioPlastic Polymers LLC, and Ramani Narayan, Ph.D. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2016 (File No. 001-11038)
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 28, 2017, 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 Consolidated Financial Statements Filed herewith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

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