UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549


FORM 10-QSB

(Mark one)

x

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

 

 

For the quarterly period ended

 

May 31, 2007

 

o

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

For the transition period from ________________ to __________________.

Commission file number  1-11038



NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Name of small business issuer in its charter)


Delaware

 

41-0857886

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

 

 

4201 Woodland Rd
Circle Pines, Minnesota

 

55014

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

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

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   x

No   o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2) of the Exchange Act).

Yes   o

No   x

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

 

Outstanding as of July12, 2007


 


Common Stock, $0.02 par value

 

3,679,016

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):

Yes   o

No   x




NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-QSB
May 31, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Description

 

Page


 


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2007 (unaudited) and August 31, 2006 (audited)

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2007 and 2006

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2007 and 2006

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6-15

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

 

16-29

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Controls and Procedures

 

29-30

 

 

 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

31

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds and Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

31

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

31-32

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

32

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

33

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

34



This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB 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 or Plan of Operation  – Forward-Looking Statements.”

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

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 

May 31, 2007 (Unaudited) and August 31, 2006 (Audited)



 

 

May 31,
2007

 

August 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

536,246

 

$

299,117

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade excluding corporate joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,845 and $10,000 at May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006

 

 

1,418,727

 

 

1,772,568

 

Trade corporate joint ventures

 

 

650,777

 

 

598,162

 

Technical and other services, corporate joint ventures

 

 

1,425,215

 

 

1,357,754

 

Income taxes

 

 

340,415

 

 

333,819

 

Inventories

 

 

1,653,268

 

 

1,377,953

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

200,558

 

 

233,648

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

237,088

 

 

237,088

 

 

 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

6,462,294

 

 

6,210,109

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

 

 

3,822,142

 

 

3,430,573

 

OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in corporate joint ventures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial chemical

 

 

12,342,653

 

 

10,397,463

 

Industrial non-chemical

 

 

461,713

 

 

374,639

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

628,197

 

 

628,197

 

Notes receivable and foreign deposit

 

 

51,710

 

 

497,179

 

Note from employee

 

 

38,264

 

 

56,679

 

Industrial patents and trademarks, net

 

 

977,368

 

 

996,592

 

Goodwill

 

 

304,000

 

 

304,000

 

Other

 

 

416,370

 

 

375,199

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

15,220,275

 

 

13,629,948

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

25,504,711

 

$

23,270,630

 

 

 



 



 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts

 

$

173,100

 

$

328,804

 

Borrowings made on line of credit

 

 

884,000

 

 

610,000

 

Current portion of notes payable

 

 

28,727

 

 

27,310

 

Accounts payable

 

 

968,865

 

 

1,775,926

 

Payroll and related benefits

 

 

799,020

 

 

1,056,556

 

Deferred joint venture royalties

 

 

168,000

 

 

96,000

 

Other

 

 

187,337

 

 

94,179

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

3,209,049

 

 

3,988,775

 

NOTES PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION

 

 

1,218,952

 

 

1,240,848

 

MINORITY INTEREST

 

 

54,962

 

 

55,254

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ 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 3,679,016 and 3,618,993, respectively

 

 

73,580

 

 

72,380

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

4,735,323

 

 

4,272,635

 

Retained earnings

 

 

14,961,801

 

 

12,895,574

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

1,251,044

 

 

745,164

 

 

 



 



 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

21,021,748

 

 

17,985,753

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

25,504,711

 

$

23,270,630

 

 

 



 



 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES -
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED May 31, 2007 AND May 31, 2006



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

May 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2006

 

May 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2006

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

4,407,798

 

$

4,320,371

 

$

12,910,067

 

$

12,499,693

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

2,876,012

 

 

2,759,360

 

 

8,280,131

 

 

7,803,716

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Gross profit

 

 

1,531,786

 

 

1,561,011

 

 

4,629,936

 

 

4,695,977

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

 

887,014

 

 

871,828

 

 

2,466,218

 

 

2,444,017

 

General and administrative

 

 

608,104

 

 

638,484

 

 

2,235,276

 

 

1,888,954

 

Lab and technical support

 

 

46,941

 

 

65,411

 

 

177,316

 

 

213,837

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

1,542,059

 

 

1,575,723

 

 

4,878,810

 

 

4,546,808

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

NORTH AMERICAN OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME

 

 

(10,273

)

 

(14,712

)

 

(248,874

)

 

149,169

 

CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES AND HOLDING COMPANIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in income of industrial chemical corporate joint ventures and holding companies

 

 

722,075

 

 

793,378

 

 

2,318,009

 

 

2,084,042

 

Equity in income of industrial non-chemical corporate joint ventures and holding companies

 

 

32,211

 

 

8,908

 

 

66,011

 

 

33,570

 

Fees for technical support and other services provided to corporate joint ventures

 

 

1,162,974

 

 

1,123,978

 

 

3,508,977

 

 

3,258,027

 

Expenses incurred in support of corporate joint ventures

 

 

(1,161,702

)

 

(1,204,929

)

 

(3,819,003

)

 

(3,661,459

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

INCOME FROM ALL CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES AND HOLDING COMPANIES

 

 

755,558

 

 

721,335

 

 

2,073,994

 

 

1,714,180

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

667

 

 

2,129

 

 

2,368

 

 

30,108

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

(41,139

)

 

(19,886

)

 

(131,503

)

 

(55,392

)

OTHER INCOME

 

 

6,281

 

 

—  

 

 

14,655

 

 

—  

 

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS

 

 

100

 

 

—  

 

 

726,295

 

 

—  

 

MINORITY INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

7,606

 

 

(903

)

 

292

 

 

(8,389

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

 

718,800

 

 

687,963

 

 

2,437,227

 

 

1,829,676

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

 

 

91,000

 

 

(30,000

)

 

371,000

 

 

273,000

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

NET INCOME

 

$

627,800

 

$

717,963

 

$

2,066,227

 

$

1,556,676

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.43

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.43

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

3,679,016

 

 

3,610,993

 

 

3,674,635

 

 

3,599,677

 

Diluted

 

 

3,708,626

 

 

3,638,795

 

 

3,707,772

 

 

3,625,061

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND

SUBSIDIARIES - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2007 and MAY 31, 2006



 

 

May 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2006

 

 

 



 



 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,066,227

 

$

1,556,676

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expensing of fair value of stock options vested

 

 

60,786

 

 

—  

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

232,520

 

 

148,273

 

Amortization expense

 

 

113,773

 

 

121,694

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

 

(726,295

)

 

—  

 

Minority interest (income) expense

 

 

(292

)

 

8,389

 

Equity in income from corporate joint ventures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial chemical

 

 

(2,318,009

)

 

(2,083,986

)

Industrial non-chemical

 

 

(66,011

)

 

(33,570

)

Deferred joint venture royalties

 

 

72,000

 

 

(2,702

)

Change in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade excluding corporate joint ventures

 

 

353,841

 

 

(268,232

)

Trade corporate joint ventures

 

 

(52,615

)

 

44,934

 

Technical and other services receivables, corporate joint ventures

 

 

(67,461

)

 

(36,951

)

Income taxes

 

 

(6,596

)

 

(25,191

)

Inventories

 

 

(275,315

)

 

255,537

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

33,093

 

 

(134,737

)

Employee note receivable

 

 

18,415

 

 

18,931

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(807,061

)

 

21,025

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

133,952

 

 

376,280

 

 

 



 



 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(1,235,051

)

 

(33,630

)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 

 

850,367

 

 

—  

 

Investment in corporate joint ventures

 

 

(538,104

)

 

—  

 

Dividends received from corporate joint ventures

 

 

1,395,740

 

 

783,304

 

Loans made

 

 

—  

 

 

(20,029

)

Cash received from notes receivable and foreign deposit

 

 

445,469

 

 

403,998

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

 

(748,161

)

 

(1,592,476

)

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

 

(41,171

)

 

19,398

 

Disposal of industrial patents

 

 

—  

 

 

16,374

 

Additions to industrial patents

 

 

(94,549

)

 

(136,409

)

 

 



 



 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

1,269,591

 

 

(525,840

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings made on line of credit (repayments)

 

 

274,000

 

 

(152,000

)

(Repayment) borrowing of term loan

 

 

(20,479

)

 

1,275,000

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

104,772

 

 

95,340

 

Repayment of note payable

 

 

—  

 

 

(554,870

)

Bank overdrafts

 

 

(155,704

)

 

146,225

 

 

 



 



 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

202,589

 

 

809,695

 

 

 



 



 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

237,129

 

 

250,225

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

299,117

 

 

327,458

 

 

 



 



 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

536,246

 

$

577,683

 

 

 



 



 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

5


NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND

SUBSIDIARIES -  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


1.     INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all necessary adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Northern Technologies International Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of May 31, 2007 and the results of their operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 and May 31, 2006 and their cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and May 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

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-KSB for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006 and with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation section appearing in this quarterly report.  Operating results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending August 31, 2007.

2.     RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement 109,” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is required to be adopted by the Company on September 1, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its adoption of FIN 48 and has not yet determined the effect on its earnings or financial position.

3.     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In December 2004, FASB published FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment.  FAS 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in financial statements.  That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.  FAS 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.  FAS 123(R) is a replacement of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related interpretive guidance.  The effect of the Statement is to require entities to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and to recognize the cost over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award.   Compensation cost under SFAS 123(R) is recognized ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period, which is considered to be the requisite service period.  In addition, pursuant to SFAS 123(R), we are required to estimate the amount of expected forfeitures when calculating the compensation costs, instead of accounting for forfeitures as incurred, which was our previous method.    All of our options previously awarded were classified as equity instruments and continue to maintain their equity classification under SFAS 123(R). FAS 123(R) permits entities to use any option-pricing model that meets the fair value objective in the Statement.  The Company implemented FAS 123(R) on September 1, 2006, using the modified prospective transition method.

6


The Company granted options to purchase 15,167 shares of its common stock during nine months ended May 31, 2007.  No options were issued during the three months ended May 31, 2007. 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 volatility factor used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model is based on historical stock price fluctuations and risk free interest rate are based on U.S. treasury rates appropriate for expected term. Based on these valuations, the Company recognized compensation expense of $60,786 during the nine months ended May 31, 2007, related to the options that vested during such time period, which reduced net income per share by $0.02 for the nine month period. No compensation expense for stock options issued was recognized during the three months ended May 31, 2007. The Company estimates that there will be no additional compensation expense relating to option grants for the remainder of fiscal year 2007. As of May 31, 2007, the total compensation cost for nonvested options not yet recognized in the Company’s statements of operations was $65,856, net of estimated forfeitures.  Stock based compensation expense of $54,867 and $10,989 are expected to be recognized during the nine months ending May 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.  Future option grants will impact the compensation expense recognized.

The fair value of the options granted during the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

May 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2006

 

 

 



 



 

Dividend yield

 

 

2.00%

 

 

2.00%

 

Expected volatility

 

 

42.9%

 

 

42.8%

 

Expected life of option

 

 

5 years

 

 

5 years

 

Average risk-free interest rate

 

 

4.67%

 

 

4.45%

 

Dividend yield and expected volatility are estimated using historical amounts that are anticipated to be consistent with current values.  Expected life of option is based on the life of the option agreements.

Had compensation cost for stock options been determined based on the fair value methodology prescribed by SFAS 123(R), the Company’s net income and net income per common share for the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2006 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

 

3 Months Ended
May 31, 2006

 

9 Months Ended
May 31, 2006

 

 

 



 



 

Net income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

717,963

 

$

1,556,676

 

Pro forma

 

$

717,963

 

$

1,521,043

 

Basic net income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.43

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.42

 

Diluted net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.43

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.42

 

Stock-based compensation, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

Pro forma

 

$

0

 

$

35,633

 

7


4.     INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

August 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

Production materials

 

$

301,299

 

$

353,516

 

Finished goods

 

 

1,351,968

 

 

1,024,437

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

1,653,268

 

$

1,377,953

 

 

 



 



 

5.     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

August 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

Land

 

$

310,365

 

$

29,097

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

3,031,564

 

 

3,420,596

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

1,242,432

 

 

1,024,024

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

4,584,361

 

 

4,473,717

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(762,219

)

 

(1,043,144

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

3,822,142

 

$

3,430,573

 

 

 



 



 

NTIC recognized a gain on the sale of land, building and equipment that previously served as its corporate headquarters of $726,295 during the nine months ended May 31, 2007.  This was a one-time sale and no additional gain is anticipated to be recognized relating to the building in the future as the entire sale was received in cash and NTIC does not have any continued interest in the property sold.

6.     INDUSTRIAL PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS, NET

Industrial patents and trademarks, net consisted of the following:

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

August 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

Patents and trademarks

 

$

1,373,394

 

$

1,278,845

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

 

(396,026

)

 

(282,253

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

977,368

 

$

996,592

 

 

 



 



 

Patent and trademark costs are amortized over seven years once a patent or trademark application is filed and approved.  Amortization expense was $113,773 and $121,694, for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Amortization expense is estimated to approximate $175,000 in each of the next five fiscal years.

7.     NOTES RECEIVABLE AND FOREIGN DEPOSITS

Notes receivable and foreign deposits consisted of the following:

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

August 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

Notes receivable from corporate joint venture partners

 

$

51,710

 

$

51,710

 

Foreign deposits

 

 

—  

 

 

445,469

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

51,710

 

$

497,179

 

 

 



 



 

8


8.     INVESTMENTS IN CORPORATE JOINT VENTURES

Composite financial information from the audited and unaudited financial statements of the Company’s joint ventures carried on the equity basis is summarized as follows:

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

August 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

Current assets

 

$

36,481,058

 

$

33,954,156

 

Total assets

 

 

42,967,257

 

 

39,030,247

 

Current liabilities

 

 

13,733,953

 

 

14,323,903

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

3,522,544

 

 

1,496,557

 

Joint ventures’ equity

 

 

25,710,645

 

 

23,209,788

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of Corporate Joint Ventures’ equity

 

$

12,804,366

 

$

10,772,102

 


 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 


 

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

May 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 

Net sales

 

$

59,265,028

 

$

51,278,645

 

Gross profit

 

 

28,705,348

 

 

23,901,140

 

Net income

 

 

4,903,342

 

 

4,351,355

 

Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income of Corporate Joint Ventures

 

$

2,384,020

 

$

2,117,612

 

During the nine months ended May 31, 2007, the Company invested in corporate joint ventures as follows:

In November 2006, the Company invested $81,522, in a new industrial chemical corporate joint venture to develop operations in the United Arab Emirates in the oil and gas industry.  The Company has a 50% ownership interest in the new entity.  The new entity had no operations prior to the Company’s investment.  It is anticipated that this is the first of two installments towards the Company’s 50% capitalization of an estimated $200,000 over the next 12 months.  It is anticipated that the total capitalization by all owners of the joint venture will be $400,000.

In December 2006, the Company invested $143,000 to establish a new non-industrial chemical joint venture in Thailand. The Company has a 50% ownership interest in the new entity.  The new entity had no operations prior to the Company’s investment.   The total increase in capitalization by both owners of the joint venture was $286,000.

In February 2007, the Company invested $313,582 in its industrial chemical corporate joint venture in India for a capital intensive expansion.  As result of the investment by both the Company and the other owner, the total increase in capitalization of the joint venture was $647,686.

9.     GOODWILL

The Company tests goodwill annually for impairment and in interim periods if certain events occur indicating that the carrying value of goodwill may be impaired.  Goodwill at each of May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006 was $304,000.

10.    CORPORATE DEBT

The Company has a revolving credit facility of $1,500,000 that expires on January 31, 2008. Outstanding amounts under the revolving credit facility bear interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.25%.  As of May 31, 2007, the interest rate was 7.57%, the weighted average interest rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 was 7.58%.  Amounts borrowed under the facility are collateralized by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets, excluding its corporate joint venture interests and intellectual property rights.  The credit documents contain other terms and provisions (including representations, covenants and conditions) customary for transactions of this type. Significant financial covenants include the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility.  Outstanding balances were $884,000 and $610,000 as of May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006, respectively.  The Company expects the line of credit to be extended under substantially similar terms in the near future.

9


The Company has a term loan in the principal amount of $1,275,000 that matures on May 1, 2011, bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.01% and is payable in 59 monthly payments equal to approximately $10,776 (inclusive of principal and interest) which commenced June 1, 2006.  All of the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest is due and payable on the maturity date.  The term loan note is secured by a first lien on the Company’s Circle Pines facility pursuant to a Mortgage dated as of May 3, 2006 between Northern Technologies Holding Company LLC and National City Bank and is guaranteed by the Company. 

11.     STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

During the nine months ended May 31, 2007, the Company did not purchase or retire any shares of its common stock.  During the nine months ended May 31, 2007, the Company issued 22,778 shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options, as detailed below.  The Company granted 37,245 shares of its common stock to various employees with a value of $298,330 under its 2000 Stock Incentive Plan during the nine months ended May 31, 2007. 

Options Exercised

 

Exercise Price


 


22,000

 

$  4.56

111

 

$  5.56

667

 

$  5.75

During the nine months ended May 31, 2006, the Company did not purchase or retire any shares of common stock.  The following stock options to purchase shares of common stock were exercised:

Options Exercised

 

Exercise Price


 


16,000

 

$  4.56

1,000

 

$  5.70

2,000

 

$  5.00

2,000

 

$  3.34

12.     SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The Company did not declare or pay any cash dividends during fiscal 2006 and as of July 12, 2007 had not declared or paid any cash dividends during fiscal 2007.

The Company issued 37,245 shares of unrestricted common stock to satisfy $298,330 of accrued payroll liability during the nine months ended May 31, 2007.

10


13.     TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The Company’s total comprehensive income was as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

May 31,
2007

 

May 31,
2006

 

May 31,
2007

 

May 31,
2006

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

627,800

 

$

717,963

 

$

2,066,227

 

$

1,556,676

 

Other comprehensive income – foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

202,075

 

 

501,810

 

 

505,880

 

 

313,484

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

$

829,875

 

$

1,219,773

 

$

2,572,107

 

$

1,870,160

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

14.     NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

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

No options to purchase shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of common share equivalents as of May 31, 2007 and May 31, 2006, as all stock option exercise prices were less than the average market price of a share of common stock. 

15.     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In January 2007, the Company’s stockholders approved a new 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and a new Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers both of the plans.  The newly approved 2007 Stock Incentive Plan replaced the Company’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, which is now terminated with respect to future grants.

The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of up to a total of 400,000 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.  Options granted under the Plan generally have a term of five years and become exercisable over a three- or four-year period beginning on the one-year anniversary date of the 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 Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides for purchase of up to 100,000 common shares for employees of the Company to purchase on a periodic basis through payroll deductions at a 10% discount to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at May 31, 2007:

Option Grant
Date

 

Per Share
Exercise
 Prices

 

Remaining
Contractual Life
(years)

 

Number of
Options
Outstanding (#)

 

Number of
Options
Exercisable (#)

 


 



 



 



 



 

9/1/2003

 

$

5.30

 

 

1.3

 

 

4,000

 

 

4,000

 

9/1/2004

 

$

5.25

 

 

2.3

 

 

6,000

 

 

4,002

 

11/12/2004

 

$

6.15

 

 

2.5

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,000

 

9/1/2005

 

$

5.75

 

 

3.3

 

 

10,000

 

 

3,335

 

11/4/2005

 

$

5.38

 

 

3.4

 

 

56,000

 

 

18,669

 

9/1/2006

 

$

8.01

 

 

4.3

 

 

10,000

 

 

0

 

1/23/07

 

$

7.51

 

 

4.7

 

 

1,167

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90,167

 

 

32,006

 

11


The weighted average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006 was $2.95 and $2.00, respectively.

16.     SEGMENT INFORMATION

Net sales by geographic location as a percentage of total net sales were as follows:

 

 

May 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2006

 

 

 



 



 

Inside the U.S.A. to unaffiliated customers

 

 

80.7

%

 

82.0

%

Outside the U.S.A. to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Joint Ventures in which the Company is a shareholder directly and  indirectly

 

 

12.0

%

 

8.4

%

Unaffiliated customers

 

 

7.3

%

 

9.6

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

 



 



 

One of the Company’s North American customers accounted for in the aggregate approximately 30.8% and 29.2% of the Company’s net sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006 respectively, and $36,629 and $207,630 of the Company’s receivables at May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006, respectively.

17.     RETIREMENT PLAN

The Company has a 401(k) employee savings plan.  Employees who meet certain age and service requirements may elect to contribute up to 15% of their salaries.  The Company contributes the lesser of 50% of the participant’s contributions or 3.5% of the employee’s salary.  The Company recognized expense for the savings plan of $74,517 and $72,121, for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

18.     RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On May 18, 2006, the Company and Emeritushnic Facilities Company, Inc. (“EFC”), an entity owned by the Company’s former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman Emeritus, Philip M. Lynch, and certain of his family members, excluding G. Patrick Lynch, the Company’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, entered into a Consulting Agreement, effective as of May 1, 2006.  Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, the Company has engaged EFC to perform certain consulting services to the Company, including maintaining communications and relations between the Company and its joint venture partners.  In consideration for such services, the Company paid EFC consulting fees totaling $225,000 in the nine months ended May 31, 2007, and reimbursed EFC for out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in the course of providing such services in an aggregate amount of $159,610 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007.  The Consulting Agreement provides for fees of $25,000 per month and up to $180,000 in expense reimbursement in a given fiscal year.  Additionally, it may be terminated by either party for any reason upon at least 90 days prior written notice to the other party and may be terminated upon the occurrence of other certain events, as set forth in the Consulting Agreement.  The Consulting Agreement also contains other standard and customary terms, including provisions regarding confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation.

On May 1, 2006, the Company and Inter Alia Holding Co. (“Inter Alia”) entered into a termination agreement pursuant to which they mutually agreed to terminate that certain Manufacturer’s Representative Agreement dated as of October 1, 1976 and as subsequently amended thereafter.  Inter Alia beneficially owns approximately 25.4% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, and Philip M. Lynch, the Company’s former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman Emeritus, and G. Patrick Lynch, the Company’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, are shareholders of Inter Alia.  Prior to terminating the agreement, the Company reimbursed Inter Alia for travel and related expenses in the aggregate amount of $80,000 and $320,000 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2006.  The Company paid Inter Alia commissions on royalties paid by corporate joint ventures and net proceeds of sales of the Company’s products of approximately $0 and $65,001, for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2006.  In addition, the Company paid health insurance premiums of $0 and $6,623 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2006, related to policies that insure Philip M. Lynch, the Company’s former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman Emeritus. 

12


The Company made consulting payments to Dr. Ramani Narayan, a director of the Company, of $25,000 on each of November 8, 2005, February 1, 2006, May 1, 2006, August 1, 2006, November 2, 2006, February 1, 2007 and May 1, 2007.  The consulting services rendered by Dr. Narayan related to research and development associated with various new technologies and are contracted on a quarter to quarter basis cancellable by NTIC at anytime. 

The Company made consulting payments to Dr. Sunggyu Lee, a director of the Company, of $25,000 on each of November 8, 2005, February 1, 2006, May 1, 2006, August 1, 2006, November 28, 2006 and February 1, 2007.  The consulting services rendered by Dr. Lee related to research and development associated with various new technologies and are contracted on a quarter to quarter basis cancellable by NTIC at anytime. 

The Company pays rent for its Beachwood office and lab location to a related party.  See Note 19.

19.     INCOME TAXES

Reconciliations of the expected federal income tax at the statutory rate with the provisions for income taxes for the nine months ended May 31 are as follows:

 

 

May 31, 2007

 

May 31, 2006

 

 

 



 



 

Tax computed at statutory rates

 

$

819,000

 

$

615,000

 

Tax effect on equity in income of international joint ventures

 

 

(801,000

)

 

(712,000

)

Tax effect on dividends received from corporate joint ventures

 

 

352,000

 

 

263,000

 

Research and development credit

 

 

(100,000

)

 

(75,000

)

Other

 

 

101,000

 

 

182,000

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

371,000

 

$

273,000

 

 

 



 



 

20.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In April 2007 REACT-NTI, LLC (“REACT”), a company that is 75% owned by NTIC was served with a summons and complaint that was filed by Shamrock Technologies, Inc. (“Shamrock”) in state court in New York.  This case has been removed to the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The lawsuit seeks payment from REACT of commissions in the approximate amount of $314,500 owed by REACT under a license agreement between REACT and Shamrock.  The complaint alleges breach of the license agreement by REACT and seeks damages in an unspecified amount for such breach as well as damages of approximately $300,000 for the alleged failure of REACT to purchase from Shamrock certain inventory manufactured for sale to a customer.  REACT, acknowledges that the commissions are owed, but denies all of the claims of breach of the license agreement by it.  REACT intends to appropriately defend itself against the allegations of breach and also intends to file counter-claim for a breach of the license agreement by Shamrock and to pursue injunctive relieve against Shamrock to protect its licensed Technology and Confidential Information disclosed to Shamrock under the license agreement.

13


In February 2007, NTIC was served with a summons and complaint that was originally filed by Evelyna Cantwell and Jack Cantwell, individually and also doing business as Byrd-Walsh International, LLC in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida.  The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, breach of implied contract, promissory estoppels, equitable estoppels, negligence, wrongful conversion, fraud, constructive fraud, misappropriation, and violation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. The suit seeks total damages in excess of $45 million.  Based on the allegations in the complaint and our understanding of relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the claims made by the Cantwell’s and Byrd-Walsh in this lawsuit are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend against them.   The amounts claimed in this lawsuit are substantial, however, and there can be no assurances as to the outcome of this pending action. Likewise, there can be no assurances regarding the impact that this matter may have on our financial results or financial condition.

The Company is involved in a legal action in Finland whereby the Company sued a Finnish company for trademark infringement.  The Company won the initial case, but has subsequently lost on appeal.  The Company is currently appealing the latest court decision.  The outcome of the appeal is unknown and any potential loss cannot be estimated at this time; however, the potential judgment or settlement resulting from the case could have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.  The Company has put up a $600,000 Stand-by Letter of Credit to potentially fund NTIC’s obligations related to the courts in Finland against the defendant’s products that were seized as contraband pending the outcome of the lawsuit.  Advances made under the demand letter of credit will be made at the sole discretion of National City Bank and will be due and payable on demand.  Any outstanding unpaid principal balance under the demand letter of credit bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.25%.  Interest is payable in arrears beginning on January 15, 2007 and on the 15th day of each month thereafter and on demand.

There are no other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business that management is of the opinion that any judgment or settlement therefrom would have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

In June 2007, the Internal Revenue Service concluded its audit of the Company for fiscal 2004 and 2005.  They have assessed taxes and penalties based on their findings, however  the company feels that they have adequate defenses to counter the assessed taxes and have started the appeals process.  They intend to vigorously defend their position.  It has been determined that any resulting loss is not likely and not reasonably estimateable at this time, therefore, no provision has been made in the financial statements.

In fiscal 1999, a subsidiary of the Company, NTI Facilities, Inc., acquired a one-third ownership of Omni-Northern Ltd., an Ohio limited liability company and entered into a lease agreement with Omni-Northern Ltd. for approximately 50% of the net rental space in a building owned by Omni-Northern Ltd.  Omni-Northern Ltd. owns and operates a rental property located at 23205 Mercantile Road, Beachwood, Ohio, comprising approximately two acres of land and a building of approximately 34,000 square feet.  NTI Facilities consolidates its ownership in Omni-Northern LTD utilizing the equity method of consolidation.    The property has an approximate value of $2,205,000, based upon the cash-to-mortgage acquisition price of the property paid in fiscal 2000.  The Company has guaranteed up to $329,082 of the Omni-Northern Ltd.’s $1,903,571 mortgage obligation with National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio.  NTI Facilities, Inc. entered into a 15-year lease agreement with Omni-Northern Ltd. for approximately 17,000 square feet of office, manufacturing, laboratory and warehouse space, requiring monthly rental payments of $17,500, which are adjusted annually according to the annual consumer price index, through November 2014.  By its ownership interest in Omni-Northern Ltd., NTI Facilities Inc. is entitled to one-third of the operating profits (losses) of Omni-Northern Ltd.  Omni-Northern has leased the remaining 50% of the net rental space to other third parties.

On November 16, 2006, the “independent directors” of the Company approved the material terms of an annual bonus plan for executive officers and certain employees of the Company for fiscal year ending August 31, 2007, the purpose of which is to align the interests of the Company and its subsidiaries, executive officers and stockholders by providing an incentive for the achievement of key corporate and individual performance measures that are critical to the success of the Company and linking a significant portion of each executive officer’s annual compensation to the achievement of such measures.  The following is a brief summary of the material terms approved by the Board:

14


 

The total amount available under the bonus plan will be up to 25% of the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes and other income (EBITOI);

 

 

 

 

The total amount available under the cash bonus plan will be $0 if EBITOI, as adjusted to take into account amounts to be paid under the bonus plan, fall below 70% of target EBITOI; and

 

 

 

 

The payment of bonuses under the plan will be made in both cash and stock, the exact amount and percentages of which will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

15


ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

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 captions “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this report.  The following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of NTIC should be read in conjunction with NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included under Part I, Item 1 entitled “Financial Statements” of this report. 

Overview

NTIC focuses on developing, marketing and selling proprietary environmentally responsible materials science based products and technical services directly and via a network of independent distributors, manufacturer sales representatives and joint ventures in over 50 countries.  NTIC manufactures, markets and sells primarily rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services for automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical and military applications, sold under the brand names Zerust® and EXCOR®.  NTIC also offers direct, worldwide on-site technical support on rust and corrosion issues.  In North America, NTIC markets its technical service and Zerust® products principally to industrial users by a direct sales force and through a network of independent distributors and sales representatives.  NTIC’s technical service representatives work directly with the end users of NTIC’s products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements.

NTIC participates, either directly or indirectly through holding companies, in approximately 30 corporate joint venture arrangements in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Each of these joint ventures manufactures, markets and sells finished products generally in the countries to which it is assigned.  NTIC’s joint venture partners are knowledgeable in the applicable environmental, labor, tax and other requisite regulations and laws of the respective foreign countries in which they operate, as well as the local customs and business practices. While most of NTIC’s joint ventures currently sell rust and corrosion inhibiting products and custom packaging systems, NTIC also has joint ventures that manufacture, market and sell bio-based additives with both industrial and personal care applications, plastic recycling technology and electronic sensing instruments.

React-NTI LLC is an industrial chemical corporate joint venture of NTIC that focuses on the development, manufacture and marketing of proprietary lines of bio-based additives with both industrial and personal care applications.  Based on cotton, soy, corn and other renewable resources, React-NTI products outperform many synthetically derived competing alternatives.  React-NTI’s target market includes NTIC’s existing industrial customer base, as well as the personal care and cosmetics industry.  As of February 28, 2005, NTIC began fully consolidating this 75% owned subsidiary, which was previously accounted for using the equity method. 

NTIC conducts all foreign transactions based on the U.S. dollar, except for its investments in various foreign corporate joint ventures.  The exchange rate differential relating to investments in foreign corporate joint ventures is accounted for under the requirements of SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation.

The Company’s net sales increased 2.0% and 3.3% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of the increase of React-NTI products to new and existing customers in North America offset by a slight decrease in net sales of Zerust® products.  Net sales of Zerust® products decreased $35,933 to $8,833,283 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2006.  Net sales of React-NTI products increased $446,307 to $4,076,784 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2006. 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales increased slightly to 65.3% and 64.1% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to 63.9% and 62.4% during the same periods in fiscal 2006, primarily as a result of the increase in raw material prices and a change in the product mix.

16


Total net sales of all of the Company’s joint ventures increased 15.6% to $59,265,028 during the nine months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to $51,278,645 during the same period in fiscal 2006.  The Company receives fees for technical and other support services it provides to its joint ventures based on the revenues of the individual joint ventures.  The Company recognized increased fee income of $250,950 for such technical and support services during the nine months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2006 due to the increase in total net sales of the joint ventures.  The Company incurs direct expenses related to its corporate joint ventures and holding companies.  Such expenses include consulting, travel, technical and marketing services to existing joint ventures, legal fees incurred in the establishment of new joint ventures, registration and promotion and legal defense of worldwide trademarks, and legal fees incurred in connection with the filing of patent applications.  The Company incurred increased direct joint venture expenses of $157,544 during the nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to the same period in fiscal 2006.

NTIC’s net income for the three months ended May 31, 2007 decreased $90,164 to $627,800 compared to $717,963 for the three months ended May 31, 2006.  Net income for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 increased $509,551 to $2,066,227 compared to $1,556,676 for the nine months ended May 31, 2006.

NTIC’s working capital was $3,253,245 at May 31, 2007, including $536,246 in cash and cash equivalents.  In August 2006, NTIC increased its existing $1,000,000 revolving credit facility with National City Bank to $1,500,000.  As of May 31, 2007, NTIC had $884,000 outstanding under the revolving credit facility.  The revolving credit facility expires on January 31, 2008 although NTIC expects to renew it on substantially the same terms before it expires. 

NTIC elected not to pay a cash dividend in fiscal 2006, based on fiscal 2005 results, or thus far in fiscal 2007, based on fiscal 2006 results, in order to preserve cash and make investments in future operations.  NTIC expects to meet its future liquidity requirements during at least the next twelve months by using its existing cash and cash equivalents, forecasted cash flows from future operations, distributions of earnings and technical assistance fees to NTIC from its joint venture investments and funds available through existing financing arrangements.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our year to date results of operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006.     

 

 

May 31, 2007

 

% of Net
Sales

 

May 31, 2006

 

% of Net
Sales

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net sales

 

$

12,910,067

 

 

100

%

$

12,499,693

 

 

100

%

$

410,374

 

 

3.3

%

Cost of goods sold

 

 

8,280,131

 

 

64.1

%

 

7,803,716

 

 

62.4

%

 

476,415

 

 

6.1

%

Selling expenses

 

 

2,466,218

 

 

19.1

%

 

2,444,017

 

 

19.6

%

 

22,201

 

 

0.9

%

General and administrative expenses

 

 

2,235,276

 

 

17.3

%

 

1,888,954

 

 

15.1

%

 

346,322

 

 

18.3

%

Lab and technical support expenses

 

$

177,316

 

 

1.4

%

$

213,837

 

 

1.7

%

$

(36,521

)

 

(17.1

)%

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the third quarter (three months) ended May 31, 2007 and 2006.     

 

 

May 31, 2007

 

% of Net
Sales

 

May 31, 2006

 

% of Net
Sales

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net sales

 

$

4,407,798

 

 

100

%

$

4,320,371

 

 

100

%

$

87,427

 

 

2.0

%

Cost of goods sold

 

 

2,876,012

 

 

65.3

%

 

2,759,360

 

 

63.9

%

 

116,652

 

 

4.2

%

Selling expenses

 

 

887,014

 

 

20.1

%

 

871,828

 

 

20.2

%

 

15,186

 

 

1.7

%

General and administrative expenses

 

 

608,104

 

 

13.8

%

 

638,484

 

 

14.8

%

 

(30,380

)

 

(4.8

)%

Lab and technical support expenses

 

$

46,941

 

 

1.1

%

$

65,411

 

 

1.5

%

$

(18,470

)

 

(28.2

)%

Net Sales and Cost of Goods Sold. NTIC’s net sales originating in the United States increased during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in the demand for React-NTI products sold to an existing customer in North America offset by a small decrease in demand for Zerust® products sold to existing customers.  Cost of goods sold increased as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to the same period in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in petroleum based raw material prices.

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Selling Expenses.  NTIC’s selling expenses increased a negligible amount for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared the same period in fiscal 2006.  Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales increased by a negligible amount for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and decreased by a negligible amount for the three months ended May 31, 2007 compared to same period in fiscal 2006. 

General and Administrative Expenses.  NTIC’s general and administrative expenses increased for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to same period in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of increases in (i) information technology expenses of $34,000, (ii) insurance expense of $18,000, (iii) legal expenses of $72,000, (iv) audit and tax expense of $61,000, (v) salary and benefits expenses of $70,000,  and (vi) depreciation expense of $66,000.  General and Administrative Expenses decreased for the three months ended May 31, 2007 compared to same period in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result decreases in travel and related expenses of $32,000.  As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses changed slightly for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to same period in fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of the changes in spending as described above. 

The Company includes expenses in General and Administrative that provide benefit to the various joint ventures and in additional to providing benefit to North American operations.  Specifically, expenses associated with Information technology, general insurance, building expenses, audit and tax and directors fees. 

Lab and Technical Support Expenses.  NTIC’s lab and technical support expenses decreased slightly for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2006.  As a percentage of net sales, lab and technical support expenses decreased by a negligible amount for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to same period in fiscal 2006. 

International Corporate Joint Ventures and Holding Companies.  NTIC continues its business program of establishing corporate joint venture arrangements in international markets directly or indirectly through holding companies. NTIC and/or an existing corporate joint venture manufactures and supplies proprietary ingredients, which make the finished products functional and enable manufacturing of the finished products to take place in the foreign countries.  NTIC’s corporate joint ventures then market the finished products in their territories, and NTIC’s corporate joint ventures’ profits are shared by the corporate joint venture shareholders in accordance with their ownership percentages of the joint venture entity.

The Company had equity in income of industrial chemical corporate joint ventures and holding companies of $2,384,020 and $2,117,612 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $754,286 and $802,286 for the three months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The increase in equity in income for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 was due to the increase in revenue and profitability due to the growth of corporate joint ventures as a whole. The decrease during the three months ended May 31, 2007 was attributable to equity losses in one of the joint ventures that is currently in startup mode.

The Company receives fees for technical and other support to the Company’s corporate joint ventures based on the revenues of the individual corporate joint ventures.  The Company recognized fee income for such support in the amounts of $3,508,977 and $3,258,027 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $1,162,974 and $1,123,978 for the three months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.   The increase in fees for technical and other support to its corporate joint ventures was due to the increase in revenues and profitability from the corporate joint ventures as a whole.

The Company sponsors a worldwide corporate joint venture conference approximately every three to four years in which all of its corporate joint ventures are invited to participate.  The Company defers a portion of its technical and other support fees received from its corporate joint ventures in each accounting period leading up to the next conference, reflecting that the Company has not fully earned the payments received during that period.  The next corporate joint venture conference is scheduled to be held in 2008.  There was $168,000 of deferred income recorded within other accrued liabilities at May 31, 2007, related to this future conference.  The costs associated with these joint venture conferences are offset against the deferral as incurred, generally in the period in which the conference is held and immediately before.

18


The Company incurred direct expenses related to its corporate joint ventures and the holding companies of $1,161,702 and $3,819,003 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to $1,204,929 and $3,661,459 for the same periods in 2006.  These expenses include: product and business development, consulting, travel, technical and marketing services to existing joint ventures, legal fees regarding the establishment of new joint ventures, registration and promotion and legal defense of worldwide trademarks and legal fees incurred in the filing of patent applications for new technologies to which the Company acquired certain rights.  The increases in direct expenses incurred relating to the Company’s corporate joint ventures and holding companies for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to the same period in fiscal 2006 was attributable to increases of (i) salary, wages and associated benefits of $226,000, (ii) legal expenses of $90,000 and (iii) travel related expenses of $85,000 offset by decreases in expenses related to consulting fees of $57,000 and technical service expenses of $140,000. The decrease for the three months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to May 31, 2006 was minimal. As a percentage of net sales, direct expenses incurred relating to NTIC’s corporate joint ventures and holding companies increased for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to the same respective period in fiscal 2006, primarily as a result of the changes in spending as described above. 

Interest Income.  NTIC’s interest income decreased to $2,368 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to $30,108 for the same period in fiscal 2006 due to a lower average invested cash balances during the most recent period.

Interest Expense.  NTIC’s interest expense increased to $131,503 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to $55,392 for the same period in fiscal 2006 due to a higher average outstanding debt and an increase in interest rates during the most recent period.

Gain on sale of assets.  NTIC recognized a gain on the sale of land, building and equipment that previously served as NTIC’s corporate headquarters of $726,295 during the nine months ended May 31, 2007.  This was a one-time sale and no additional gain is anticipated to be recognized relating to the building in the future.

Income Before Income Tax Expense.  Income before income taxes increased $607,551 to $2,437,227 for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 compared to $1,829,676 for the same period in fiscal 2006. 

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006 was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate.  NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 2006 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to NTIC’s equity in income of corporate joint ventures being recognized based on after-tax earnings of these entities.  To the extent joint ventures’ undistributed earnings are distributed to NTIC, it is not expected to result in any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Cash and Working Capital.  As of May 31, 2007, NTIC’s working capital was $3,253,245 with $536,246  in cash and cash equivalents, compared to working capital of $2,221,334, including $299,117 in cash and cash equivalents, as of August 31, 2006. 

NTIC has a revolving credit facility that expires on January 31, 2008.  Outstanding amounts under the revolving credit facility bear interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.25%.  As of May 31, 2007, the interest rate was 7.60%.  Amounts borrowed under the facility are collateralized by a lien on substantially all of NTIC’s assets, excluding its corporate joint venture interests and intellectual property rights.  The credit documents contain other terms and provisions (including representations, covenants and conditions) customary for transactions of this type. Significant financial covenants include minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.  Other covenants include a prohibition on any merger or consolidation without prior consent of the lender and restrictions on future credit extensions and non-equity investments and the incurrence of additional indebtedness without the lender’s prior consent. NTIC is in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility.  The facility contains customary events of default, including nonpayment of principal or other amounts when due; breach of covenants; inaccuracy of representations and warranties; cross-default and/or cross-acceleration to other indebtedness; non-compliance with laws; certain voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy events; judgments entered against NTIC; and a sale of material assets. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the lender may, among other things, terminate its obligations thereunder and require NTIC to repay all amounts thereunder.  Outstanding balances under the revolving credit facility were $884,000 and $610,000 as of May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006, respectively.  The increase in the utilization of the line of credit is a result of the cash needed to finance the renovations to the new corporate headquarters.  The line of credit is subject to a borrowing base calculation and at May 31, 2007, NTIC had $616,000 in available credit under the line.

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The Company has put up a $600,000 Stand-by Letter of Credit to potentially fund NTIC’s obligations related to the courts in Finland against the defendant’s products that were seized as contraband pending the outcome of the lawsuit.  Advances made under the demand letter of credit will be made at the sole discretion of National City Bank and will be due and payable on demand.  Any outstanding unpaid principal balance under the demand letter of credit bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.25%.  Interest is payable in arrears beginning on January 15, 2007 and on the 15th day of each month thereafter and on demand.

NTIC believes that a combination of its existing cash and cash equivalents, funds available through existing financing arrangements and forecasted cash flows, will continue to be adequate to fund its operations, capital expenditures, debt repayments and stock repurchases for at least the next twelve months. 

Uses of Cash and Cash Flows.  Cash flows used in operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 was $1,235,051, which resulted principally from equity income of corporate joint ventures, decreases in accounts payable, increases in inventories, gain on sale of assets being offset by net income, depreciation and amortization expense, and decreases in trade receivables.  Cash flows used in operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 was $33,630, which resulted principally from net income, depreciation and amortization expense, inventories and accrued liabilities being offset by equity income of corporate joint ventures, trade excluding corporate joint ventures and prepaid expenses.  

Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 was $1,269,591 which resulted from proceeds from the sale of assets, cash received from loans and deposits and dividends received from corporate joint ventures, offset by additions to property and equipment and investments in joint ventures.  The Company received back its required deposit of $445,469 from the courts in Finland and replaced it with a stand-by Letter of Credit.  Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 was $525,840, which resulted from additions to property and equipment and industrial patents, offset by dividends received from corporate joint ventures and cash received on loans.    

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 was $202,589, which resulted primarily from the borrowings on the line of credit and cash generated from the exercising of stock options, offset by bank overdrafts.  Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 was $809,695, which resulted primarily from the borrowings on a term loan and bank overdrafts, offset by the payoff of the note payable and repayments on the line of credit. 

Capital Expenditures and Commitments.  NTIC has no material lease commitments as of May 31, 2007, except a lease agreement entered into by NTI Facilities, Inc., a subsidiary of NTIC, for approximately 16,994 square feet of office, manufacturing, laboratory and warehouse space in Beachwood, Ohio, requiring monthly payments of $17,500, which are adjusted annually according to the annual consumer price index, through November 2014.  NTIC has no postretirement benefit plan and does not anticipate establishing any postretirement benefit program.

NTIC recently moved its corporate headquarters.  NTIC purchased the real estate and 40,000 square feet building in which its new corporate headquarters is located pursuant to a like-kind exchange transaction within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for a purchase price of $1,475,000. To finance the transaction, NTIC obtained a secured term loan in the principal amount of $1,275,000.  The term loan matures on May 1, 2011, bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.01% and is payable in 59 monthly installments equal to approximately $10,776 (inclusive of principal and interest) commencing June 1, 2006.  All of the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest is due and payable on the maturity date.  The loan is secured by a first lien on the real estate and building.

20


NTIC sold the real property and building in which NTIC’s former Lino Lakes corporate headquarters was located for a purchase price of $870,000 on September 8, 2006.  The net book value of the building held for sale was $89,636 and the closing costs and fees associated with the sale of the property was $46,571.  The gain on sale of the property was $726,295 and is reflected in NTIC’s fiscal 2007 financial results.

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.

In fiscal 1999, a subsidiary of NTIC, NTI Facilities, Inc., acquired a one-third ownership of Omni-Northern Ltd., which owns and operates a rental property located at 23205 Mercantile Road, Beachwood, Ohio.  The property has an approximate value of $2,205,000, based upon the cash-to-mortgage acquisition price of the property paid in fiscal 2000.  NTIC has guaranteed up to $329,082 of Omni-Northern Ltd.’s $1,903,571 mortgage obligation with National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio.  The building is fully leased at present.

Inflation and Seasonality

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

Market Risk

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

NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from its investments in its foreign corporate joint ventures and holding companies since NTIC’s fees for technical support and other services and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies.  NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese yen, Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar.  NTIC does not hedge against its foreign currency exchange rate risk.  Since NTIC’s investments in its corporate joint ventures and holding companies 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 the equity in income of joint ventures and holding companies reflected in the consolidated statement of income. 

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. 

NTIC’s revolving credit facility bears interest at a rate based on LIBOR and thus may subject NTIC to some market risk on interest rates. $884,000 was outstanding under this facility as of May 31, 2007.

Related Party Transactions

See note 17 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for disclosure regarding related party transactions.

21


Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of NTIC’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Securities and Exchange Commission has defined a company’s most critical accounting policies as those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, NTIC has identified the following critical accounting policies. Although NTIC believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Investments in Corporate Joint Ventures

NTIC’s investments in corporate joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, except for React-NTI LLC which has been fully consolidated, due to the adoption of FIN 46R. Periodically, NTIC evaluates the investments for any impairment and assesses the future cash flow projections to determine if there are any going concern issues.  If an investment were determined to be impaired, then a reserve would be created to reflect the impairment on the financial results of NTIC.  NTIC’s evaluation of its investments in corporate joint ventures requires NTIC to make assumptions about future cash flows of its corporate joint ventures.  These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed or estimated amounts.  NTIC’s investments in corporate joint ventures were $12,804,366 and $10,772,102 as of May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006, respectively.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

NTIC values accounts and notes receivable, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Each quarter, NTIC prepares an analysis of its ability to collect outstanding receivables that provides a basis for an allowance estimate for doubtful accounts.  In doing so, NTIC evaluates the age of its receivables, past collection history, current financial conditions of key customers, and economic conditions. Based on this evaluation, NTIC establishes a reserve for specific accounts and notes receivable that it believes are uncollectible, as well as an estimate of uncollectible receivables not specifically known.  A deterioration in the financial condition of any key customer or a significant slow down in the economy could have a material negative impact on NTIC’s ability to collect a portion or all of the accounts and notes receivable. NTIC believes that an analysis of historical trends and its current knowledge of potential collection problems provide NTIC with sufficient information to establish a reasonable estimate for an allowance for doubtful accounts. However, since NTIC cannot predict with certainty future changes in the financial stability of its customers, NTIC’s actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from its estimates. In the event NTIC determined that a smaller or larger uncollectible accounts reserve is appropriate, NTIC would record a credit or charge to selling expense in the period that it made such a determination. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $13,845 and $10,000 at May 31, 2007 and August 31, 2006, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

In recognizing revenue, NTIC applies the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition.  NTIC recognizes revenue from the sale of its products when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the price is fixed and determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.  These criteria are met at the time of shipment when risk of loss and title pass to the customer or distributor

Foreign Currency Translation (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income)

The functional currency of each international corporate joint venture is the applicable local currency.  The translation of the applicable foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average monthly exchange rate.  Translation gains or losses are reported as an element of accumulated other comprehensive income.

22


Stock-Based Compensation

In December 2004, FASB published FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment.  FAS 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in financial statements.  That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.  FAS 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.  FAS 123(R) is a replacement of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related interpretive guidance.  The effect of the Statement is to require entities to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and to recognize the cost over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award.  FAS 123(R) permits entities to use any option-pricing model that meets the fair value objective in the Statement.  NTIC implemented FAS 123(R) on September 1, 2006, using the modified prospective transition method.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  In addition, NTIC or others on NTIC’s behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences, in press releases or reports, on NTIC’s Internet web site or otherwise.  Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations and assumptions.  NTIC tries to identify forward-looking statements in this report and elsewhere by using words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these or similar terms.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  These uncertainties include factors that affect all businesses as well as matters specific to NTIC.  NTIC cautions 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 risks and uncertainties described below under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as others that NTIC may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this time.  The risks and uncertainties described below under the heading “Risk Factors” 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 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 it may make on related subjects in its future quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and current reports on Form 8-K it files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Risk Factors

The following are the most significant factors known to NTIC that could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or operating results.

Over 19% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, not including sales made at the various corporate joint venture, are generated outside of the U.S. and NTIC intends to continue to expand its international operations.  NTIC’s international operations require management attention and financial resources and expose NTIC to difficulties presented by international economic, political, legal, accounting and business factors.

NTIC offers direct on-site technical support on rust and corrosion issues in over 50 countries, and operates a marketing, distribution, and technical network through joint ventures in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  NTIC’s consolidated net sales, not including the corporate joint venture sales, outside the United States were 19.3% of its total consolidated net sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 20.3% of its total consolidated net sales for fiscal 2006.  One of NTIC’s strategic objectives is to expand its international operations.  NTIC has recently entered into joint ventures in Australia, the Ukraine, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.  The expansion of NTIC’s existing international operations and entry into additional international markets requires management attention and financial resources. Many of the countries in which NTIC sells its products directly or indirectly through its corporate joint ventures, are, to some degree, subject to political, economic and/or social instability.  NTIC’s international operations expose NTIC and its joint venture partners, representatives, agents and distributors to risks inherent in operating in foreign jurisdictions.  These risks include:

23


 

difficulties in managing and staffing international operations and the required infrastructure costs including legal, tax, accounting, information technology;

 

 

 

 

the imposition of additional U.S. and foreign governmental controls or regulations, new trade restrictions and restrictions on the activities of foreign agents, representatives and distributors, the imposition of costly and lengthy export licensing requirements and changes in duties and tariffs, license obligations and other non-tariff barriers to trade;

 

 

 

 

the imposition of U.S. and/or international sanctions against a country, company, person or entity with whom NTIC does business that would restrict or prohibit continued business with the sanctioned country, company, person or entity;

 

 

 

 

pricing pressure that NTIC or its corporate joint ventures may experience internationally;

 

 

 

 

laws and business practices favoring local companies;

 

 

 

 

currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

 

 

 

longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;

 

 

 

 

difficulties in enforcing or defending intellectual property rights; and

 

 

 

 

multiple, changing and often inconsistent enforcement of laws and regulations.

NTIC cannot assure you that one or more of the factors listed above will not harm its business.  Any material decrease in NTIC’s international sales could adversely influence NTIC’s operating results. 

NTIC’s liquidity and financial position rely on dividend distributions from its corporate joint ventures, which if such dividends cease or are reduced could adversely affect NTIC’s liquidity and financial position.

NTIC’s liquidity and financial position rely on dividend distributions from its corporate joint ventures.  Because NTIC typically owns only 50% or less of its joint venture entities, NTIC does not control the decisions of these entities regarding whether to pay dividends and how much in dividends should be paid in any given year.  Thus, NTIC cannot guarantee that any of its joint ventures will pay dividends in any given year.  The failure of NTIC’s joint ventures to declare dividends in amounts typically expected by NTIC could adversely affect NTIC’s liquidity and financial position.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in our reported consolidated net sales and net earnings.

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign corporate joint ventures and holding companies is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business since NTIC’s fees for technical support and other services and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies.  NTIC’s reported consolidated net sales and net income are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.  NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese yen, Korean won and the English pound against the U.S. dollar.  NTIC does not hedge against its foreign currency exchange rate risk.  Since NTIC’s investments in its corporate joint ventures and holding companies 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 the equity in income of joint ventures and holding companies reflected in NTIC’s consolidated statements of income.

24


Approximately 30.8% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 26.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006 were dependent upon a single customer, the loss of which would adversely affect NTIC’s financial condition and consolidated operating results.

One of NTIC’s North American customers accounted for, in the aggregate, approximately 30.8% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2007 and 26.6% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006.  If NTIC were to lose this customer or if this customer were to substantially decrease its purchases of NTIC’s products, NTIC’s financial condition and consolidated operating results would be adversely affected.

NTIC’s compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and any changes in such principles might adversely affect NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.  Any requirement to consolidate NTIC’s corporate joint ventures or subject them to compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results and financial condition.

NTIC adopted accounting policy FASB Interpretation No. 46R (FIN 46R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, a revision of FIN 46” effective as of February 28, 2005.  As a result of FIN 46R, NTIC consolidated React-NTI LLC, one of its corporate joint ventures that is 75% owned by NTIC.  If the interpretation of FIN 46R were to change and NTIC were required to fully consolidate all of its corporate joint ventures or if NTIC’s corporate joint ventures otherwise would be required to be Sarbanes-Oxley compliant, NTIC would incur significant additional costs.  NTIC estimates that the costs for each of its corporate joint ventures to become Sarbanes-Oxley compliant would range between $150,000 to $500,000 and that annual maintenance expenses would range from $50,000 to $100,000 per year per corporate joint venture thereafter.  In addition, other accounting pronouncements issued in the future could have a material cost associated with NTIC’s implementation of such new accounting pronouncements.

One of NTIC’s principal stockholders beneficially owns 25.2% of NTIC’s outstanding common stock and is affiliated with NTIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer and thus may be able influence matters requiring stockholder approval and could discourage or otherwise impede a transaction in which a third party wishes to purchase NTIC’s outstanding shares at a premium.

Inter Alia Holding Company beneficially owned approximately 25.2% of NTIC’s outstanding common stock.  Inter Alia is an entity owned by, among others, G. Patrick Lynch, NTIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director, and Philip M. Lynch, NTIC’s former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman Emeritus.  Messrs. G.P. Lynch and P.M. Lynch share voting and dispositive power of shares of NTIC’s common stock held by Inter Alia Holding Company.  As a result of his share ownership through Inter Alia and his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of NTIC, Mr. G.P. Lynch may be able to influence the affairs and actions of NTIC, including matters requiring stockholder approval, such as the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions.  The interests of Messrs. G.P. Lynch and Inter Alia may differ from the interests of NTIC’s other stockholders.  This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of NTIC, could deprive NTIC’s stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale or merger of NTIC and may negatively affect the market price of NTIC’s common stock.  Transactions that could be affected by this concentration of ownership include proxy contests, tender offers, mergers or other purchases of common stock that could give stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for shares of NTIC’s common stock.

25


NTIC is currently involved in litigation over its trademark on the use of the color Yellow in corrosion inhibiting packaging, the loss of which could adversely affect NTIC’s business.

One of NTIC’s important trademarks for its business is the trademark for the color Yellow.  NTIC is currently involved in litigation against a competitor over this trademark.  NTIC has also in the past successfully prosecuted infringement claims against other competitors and third parties for their use of the color Yellow.  If NTIC were to lose any future litigation over this trademark, NTIC could be in a more difficult position to enforce its rights to this trademark in other countries and against other third parties.  NTIC believes that the loss of its trademark for the color Yellow could have an adverse affect on NTIC’s business.

NTIC’s business, properties, and products are subject to governmental regulation and taxes with which compliance may require NTIC to incur expenses or modify its products or operations and may expose NTIC to penalties for non-compliance. Governmental regulation may also adversely affect the demand for some of NTIC’s products and its operating results.

NTIC’s business, properties, and products are subject to a wide variety of international, federal, state and local laws, rules, taxes and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, natural resources, and worker health and safety and the use, management, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances, wastes, and other regulated materials. These laws, rules, and regulations may affect the way NTIC conducts its operations, and the failure to comply with these regulations could lead to fines and other penalties. Because NTIC owns and operates real property, various environmental laws also may impose liability on NTIC for the costs of cleaning up and responding to hazardous substances that may have been released on NTIC’s property, including releases unknown to NTIC. These environmental laws and regulations also could require NTIC to pay for environmental remediation and response costs at third-party locations where NTIC disposed of or recycled hazardous substances. NTIC’s future costs of complying with the various environmental requirements, as they now exist or may be altered in the future, could adversely affect its financial condition and operating results. NTIC is also subject to other international, federal and state laws, rules and regulations, the future non-compliance of which may harm NTIC’s business or may adversely affect the demand for some of its products.  Changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards and taxation changes, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, revised tax law interpretations, also may adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.

NTIC intends to grow its business through additional joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions, which could be risky and could harm its business.

One of NTIC’s growth strategies is to expand its business by entering into additional joint ventures and alliances and acquiring businesses, technologies and products that complement or augment NTIC’s existing products.  The benefits of a joint venture, alliance or acquisition may take more time than expected to develop, and NTIC cannot guarantee that any future joint ventures, alliances or acquisitions will in fact produce the intended benefits. In addition, joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions involve a number of risks, including:

 

diversion of management’s attention;

 

 

 

 

difficulties in assimilating the operations and products of an acquired business or in realizing projected efficiencies, cost savings and revenue synergies;

 

 

 

 

potential loss of key employees or customers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;

 

 

 

 

adverse impact on overall profitability if acquired businesses do not achieve the financial results projected in NTIC’s valuation models;

 

 

 

 

reallocation of amounts of capital from other operating initiatives and/or an increase in NTIC’s leverage and debt service requirements to pay the acquisition purchase prices, which could in turn restrict our ability to access additional capital when needed or to pursue other important elements of NTIC’s business strategy;

 

 

 

 

inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities or problems and unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition; and

 

 

 

 

incorrect estimates made in the accounting for acquisitions, incurrence of non-recurring charges and write-off of significant amounts of goodwill that could adversely affect NTIC’s operating results.

26


NTIC’s ability to grow through joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable opportunities at an acceptable cost, NTIC’s ability to compete effectively for these opportunities and the availability of capital to complete such transactions.

NTIC relies on its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and corporate joint ventures to market and sell its products.

In addition to its direct sales force, NTIC relies on its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and corporate joint ventures to market and sell its products in the United States and internationally.  NTIC’s independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint venture partners might terminate their relationship with NTIC, or devote insufficient sales efforts to NTIC’s products.  NTIC does not control its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint ventures and they may not be successful in implementing NTIC’s marketing plans. NTIC’s failure to maintain its existing relationships with its independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint ventures, or its failure to recruit and retain additional skilled independent distributors, manufacturer’s sales representatives and joint venture partners could have an adverse effect on NTIC’s operations. 

NTIC has very limited staffing and will continue to be dependent upon key employees.

NTIC’s success is dependent upon the efforts of a small management team and staff.  NTIC’s future success will also depend in large part on its ability to identify, attract and retain other highly qualified managerial, technical, sales and marketing and customer service personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, especially in the markets in which NTIC operates.  NTIC may not succeed in identifying, attracting and retaining these personnel.  The current management, other than the President and Chief Executive Officer, do not have any material stock ownership in NTIC or any contractual obligation to maintain employment.  The loss or interruption of services of any of NTIC’s key personnel, the inability to identify, attract or retain qualified personnel in the future, delays in hiring qualified personnel, or any employee slowdowns, strikes or similar actions could make it difficult for NTIC to manage its business and meet key objectives, which could harm NTIC’s business, financial condition and operating results.

NTIC relies on its management information systems for inventory management, distribution and other functions.  If these information systems fail to adequately perform these functions or if NTIC experiences an interruption in their operation, NTIC’s business and operating results could be adversely affected.

The efficient operation of NTIC’s business is dependent on its management information systems.  NTIC relies on its management information systems to effectively manage accounting and financial functions; manage order entry, order fulfillment and inventory replenishment processes; and to maintain its research and development data.  The failure of management information systems to perform as anticipated could disrupt NTIC’s business and product development and could result in decreased sales, causing NTIC’s business and operating results to suffer.  In addition, NTIC’s management information systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks and attacks by computer viruses or hackers, or power loss or computer systems, Internet, telecommunications or data network failure.  Any such interruption could adversely affect NTIC’s business and operating results.

NTIC’s reliance upon patents, trademark laws, trade secrets and contractual provisions to protect its proprietary rights may not be sufficient to protect its intellectual property from others who may sell similar products.

NTIC holds patents relating to various aspects of its products and believes that proprietary technical know-how is critical to many of its products.  Proprietary rights relating to NTIC’s products are protected from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that they are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are maintained in confidence as trade secrets.  NTIC cannot be certain that it will be issued any patents from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to NTIC or that the claims allowed under any issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect its technology.  In the absence of patent protection, NTIC may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy NTIC’s products or gain access to its trade secrets and know-how.  NTIC’s competitors may initiate litigation to challenge the validity of NTIC’s patents, or they may use their resources to design comparable products that do not infringe NTIC’s patents.  NTIC may incur substantial costs if its competitors initiate litigation to challenge the validity of is patents or if it initiates any proceedings to protect its proprietary rights and if the outcome of any such litigation is unfavorable to NTIC, its business and operating results could be materially adversely affected. 

27


In addition, NTIC relies on trade secrets and proprietary know-how that it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with its employees, and consultants.  These agreements may be breached and NTIC may not have adequate remedies for any such breach.  Even if these confidentiality agreements are not breached, NTIC’s trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors.

If NTIC is unable to continue to enhance existing products and develop and market new products that respond to customer needs and achieve market acceptance, NTIC may experience a decrease in demand for its products, and its business could suffer.

One of NTIC’s strategies is to enhance its existing products and develop and market new products that respond to customer needs.  NTIC may not be able to compete effectively with its competitors unless NTIC can keep up with existing or new products in the markets in which it competes.  Product development requires significant financial and other resources. Although in the past NTIC has implemented lean manufacturing and other productivity improvement initiatives to provide investment funding for new products, NTIC cannot assure you that it will be able to continue to do so in the future.  Products improvements and new product introductions also require significant planning, design, development and testing at the technological, product, and manufacturing process levels and NTIC may not be able to timely develop product improvements or new products.  NTIC’s competitors’ new products may beat NTIC’s products to market, may be more effective or less expensive than NTIC’s products or render NTIC’s products obsolete.  Any new products that NTIC may develop may not receive market acceptance or otherwise generate any meaningful net sales or profits for NTIC relative to its expectations, based on, among other things, existing and anticipated investments in manufacturing capacity and commitments to fund advertising, marketing, promotional programs, and research and development.   

NTIC faces intense competition in all of its product lines, including from competitors that have substantially greater resources than NTIC does.  NTIC cannot assure you it will be able to compete effectively, which would harm its business and operating results.

NTIC’s products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world.  The principal competitive factors in NTIC’s markets are pricing, product innovation, quality and reliability, product support and customer service and reputation.  NTIC competes in all of its products with numerous manufacturers, many of who have substantially greater financial, marketing, and other resources than NTIC does. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products than NTIC can.  In addition, competition could increase if new companies enter the market or if existing competitors expand their product lines or intensify efforts within existing product lines.  NTIC’s current products, products under development and its ability to develop new and improved products may be insufficient to enable NTIC to compete effectively with its competitors. NTIC cannot assure you that it will be able to compete effectively, which would harm its business and operating results.

Recently enacted and future changes in securities laws and regulations have increased and are likely to continue to increase our costs.

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) rules and regulations, Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations and American Stock Exchange rules, create challenges and compliance requirements for publicly held companies, including NTIC.  NTIC’s efforts to comply with evolving laws, rules, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.  In particular, NTIC’s efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding its assessment of its internal control over financial reporting and its independent registered public accounting firm’s report on that assessment will require the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. 

28


NTIC is exposed to risks relating to evaluations of internal control over financial reporting required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related regulations implemented by the SEC and the American Stock Exchange, are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming.  NTIC will be evaluating its internal controls systems to allow management to report on, and its independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.  NTIC will be performing the system and process evaluation and testing (and any necessary remediation) required to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  NTIC cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of its evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact of the same on its operations since there is presently no precedent available by which to measure compliance adequacy.  If NTIC is not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, NTIC may be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, including the SEC or the American Stock Exchange.  This type of action could adversely affect NTIC’s financial results or investors’ confidence in NTIC, and could cause NTIC’s stock price to decline.  In addition, the controls and procedures that NTIC may implement may not comply with all of the relevant rules and regulations of the SEC and the American Stock Exchange.  If NTIC fails to develop and maintain effective controls and procedures, it may be unable to provide the required financial information in a timely and reliable manner.

ITEM 3 – 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 reasonably ensure 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 and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating NTIC’s disclosure controls and procedures, NTIC recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and NTIC necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  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 NTIC’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that material information relating to NTIC and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to management, including NTIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, particularly during the period when NTIC’s periodic reports are being prepared.

29


NTIC’s management is aware, however, that there is a lack of segregation of duties due to the small number of employees of NTIC dealing with general administrative and financial matters. However, NTIC’s management has decided that considering the employees involved and the control procedures in place, risks associated with such lack of segregation are insignificant and the potential benefits of adding employees to clearly segregate duties do not at this time justify the expenses associated with such increases.

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 May 31, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.

30


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

A description of NTIC’s legal proceedings in the first paragraph under Note 19 of NTIC’s consolidated financial statements included within this report is incorporated herein by reference.

In April 2007 REACT-NTI, LLC, a company that is 75% owned by NTIC (“REACT”), was served with a summons and complaint that was filed by Shamrock Technologies, Inc. (“Shamrock”) in state court in New York.  This case has been removed to the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The lawsuit seeks payment from REACT of commissions in the approximate amount of $314,500 owed by REACT under a license agreement between REACT and Shamrock.  The complaint alleges breach of the license agreement by REACT and seeks damages in an unspecified amount for such breach as well as damages of approximately $300,000 for the alleged failure of REACT to purchase from Shamrock certain inventory manufactured for sale to a customer.  REACT, acknowledges that the commissions are owed, but denies all of the claims of breach of the license agreement by it.  REACT intends to appropriately defend itself against the allegations of breach and also intends to file counter-claim for a breach of the license agreement by Shamrock and to pursue injunctive relieve against Shamrock to protect its licensed Technology and Confidential Information disclosed to Shamrock under the license agreement.

In February 2007, NTIC was served with a summons and complaint that was originally filed by Evelyna Cantwell and Jack Cantwell, individually and also doing business as Byrd-Walsh International, LLC in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida.  The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, breach of implied contract, promissory estoppels, equitable estoppels, negligence, wrongful conversion, fraud, constructive fraud, misappropriation, and violation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. The suit seeks total damages in excess of $45 million.  Based on the allegations in the complaint and our understanding of relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the claims made by the Cantwell’s and Byrd-Walsh in this lawsuit are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend against them.   The amounts claimed in this lawsuit are substantial, however, and there can be no assurances as to the outcome of this pending action. Likewise, there can be no assurances regarding the impact that this matter may have on our financial results or financial condition.

In June 2007, the Internal Revenue Service concluded its audit of the Company for fiscal 2004 and 2005.  They have assessed taxes and penalties based on their findings, the company feels that they have adequate defenses to counter the assessed taxes and have started the appeals process.  They intend to vigorously defend their position.  It has been determined that any resulting loss is not likely and not reasonably estimateable at this time, therefore, no provision has been made in the financial statements.

ITEM 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

During the three months ended May 31, 2007, 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.

Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the three months ended May 31, 2007, NTIC did not purchase any shares of its common stock or other equity securities of NTIC.

On November 13, 2003, the Board of Directors of NTIC authorized Matthew Wolsfeld, Chief Financial Officer of NTIC, to repurchase on behalf of NTIC, up to 100,000 shares of NTIC’s common stock from time to time in accordance with applicable rules governing issuer stock repurchases.  Since being authorized, NTIC has repurchased and retired an aggregate of 44,200 shares of its common stock.

31


ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION

On December 10, 2006, NTIC obtained a demand line of credit of up to the principal amount of $600,000 from National City Bank to fund NTIC’s obligations related to a required deposit of $445,469 with the courts in Finland in connection with NTIC’s legal action in Finland.  Refer to Note 20 of NTIC’s consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for more information regarding the legal action.  Advances made under the demand letter of credit will be made at the sole discretion of National City Bank and will be due and payable on demand.  Any outstanding unpaid principal balance under the demand letter of credit bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 2.25%.  Interest is payable in arrears on January 15, 2007 and on the 15th day of each month thereafter and on demand.

On February 15, 2007, NTIC received a comment letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The letter inquires as to the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.   NTIC has had various correspondences with the SEC regarding the letter and fully intends to investigate the matter and provide a response to the SEC in accordance with the time frame requested. 

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS

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

Exhibit No.

 

Description


 


31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

32


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message

 

 


Date:  July 12, 2007

 

Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized to Sign on Behalf of the Registrant)

33


NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-QSB
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

Method of Filing


 


 


31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed herewith

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer 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

34

Exhibit 31.1

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

I, G. Patrick Lynch, certify that:

1.

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

 

 

2.

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

 

 

3.

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

 

 

4.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the small business issuer and have:

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(c)     Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer’s fourth quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, to the small business issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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


Date:  July 12, 2007

 

Message

 

 


 

 

G. Patrick Lynch

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

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

I, Matthew C. Wolsfeld, certify that:

1.

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

 

 

2.

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

 

 

3.

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

 

 

4.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the small business issuer and have:

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(c)     Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer’s fourth quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, to the small business issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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


 

 

Message

 

 


Date:  July 12, 2007

 

Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 32.1

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

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Northern Technologies International Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-QSB for the period ending May 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, G. Patrick Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge and belief:

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

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

 

Message

 


 

G. Patrick. Lynch

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

(principal executive officer)

 

Circle Pines, Minnesota
July 12, 2007

Exhibit 32.2

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

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Northern Technologies International Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-QSB for the period ending May 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Matthew C. Wolsfeld, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge and belief:

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

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

Message

 


 

Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA

 

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

 

Circle Pines, Minnesota
July 12, 2007