Form 8-K Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 20, 2013 


Northern Technologies International Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-11038 41-0857886
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

4201 Woodland Road
P.O. Box 69
Circle Pines, Minnesota
55014
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (763) 225-6600

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

    [   ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
    [   ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
    [   ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
    [   ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 20, 2013, Northern Technologies International Corporation ("NTIC") publicly announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K and the information set forth therein is incorporated herein by reference and constitutes a part of this report.

The information contained in Item 2.02 of this report and the Exhibit 99.1 to this report shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filings made by NTIC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

Press Release issued November 20, 2013 (furnished herewith)


SIGNATURE

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

    Northern Technologies International Corporation
(Registrant)


November 20, 2013
(Date)
  /s/   MATTHEW C. WOLSFELD
Matthew C. Wolsfeld
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.

Description

Method of Filing

99.1

Press release issued November 20, 2013

Furnished herewith

Northern Technologies International Corporation Reports Sales and Earnings for Fiscal 2013

EXHIBIT 99.1

Northern Technologies International Corporation Reports Sales and Earnings for Fiscal 2013

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northern Technologies International Corporation (Nasdaq:NTIC) today reported its financial results for the three months ended August 31, 2013 and fiscal 2013.

NTIC's consolidated net sales increased 18% to $6.1 million during the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to $5.2 million during the same period in fiscal 2012 primarily due to an increase in demand for our ZERUST® corrosion solutions. Additionally, net income attributable to NTIC increased 276% to $1.6 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share, for the three months ended August 31, 2013 compared to $429,000, or $0.10 per diluted common share, for the same period in fiscal 2012. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in sales and correlating gross profit, as well as the receipt of $750,000 in life insurance proceeds as a result of the death of a former NTIC officer. Net income per diluted common share for the most recent period was benefited by $0.12 as a result of the receipt of the life insurance proceeds.

NTIC's consolidated net sales decreased 1.2% during fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 to $22.5 million due primarily to a $2.1 million dip in product sales in Brazil. Zerust Brazil recorded $537,000 in sales to Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) during fiscal 2013 compared to $2.5 million during fiscal 2012. As previously disclosed, during fiscal 2013, Zerust Brazil signed a Phase 3 contract with Petrobras to supply $3.7 million in ZERUST® products, $347,000 of which had been delivered through the end of fiscal 2013. NTIC believes that Petrobras intends to place more frequent orders during fiscal 2014 under this Phase 3 contract, rather than one large order as Petrobras did under a Phase 2 contract during fiscal 2012.

 "During fiscal 2013, despite a dip in our total net sales, we achieved several key objectives in all three of the market segments that NTIC serves. Our competitive position, operations and balance sheet are all stronger today than they were a year ago," said G. Patrick Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of NTIC. "The unexpected delay in the Petrobras contract was partially offset by strong demand for both our expanded range of ZERUST® corrosion solutions as well as for our Natur-Tec® bio-plastic products in North America.  In fact, we compared our fourth quarter net sales for fiscal 2013 to each of our prior four consecutive quarters and are pleased to report that our $6.1 million dollars in net sales for fourth quarter exceeded our consolidated net sales for each of our prior four consecutive quarters," continued Mr. Lynch. "Furthermore, sales by our joint ventures during fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were up 9.7% from third quarter in fiscal 2013 and up 6% from fourth quarter of fiscal 2012."

During fiscal 2013, 90.9% of NTIC's consolidated net sales were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which decreased 2.5% to $20.5 million during fiscal 2013 compared to $21.0 million during fiscal 2012 due primarily to a decrease in sales of ZERUST® products and services in Brazil as noted above. NTIC has strategically focused its sales efforts for ZERUST® products and services on customers with sizeable corrosion problems in industry sectors that offer sizable growth opportunities, including the oil and gas sector. NTIC's consolidated net sales for fiscal 2013 included $2.4 million of sales made by Zerust Brazil, and of those sales, $537,268 in sales were made to the oil and gas industry sector in Brazil. 

Mr. Lynch added, "Our Oil & Gas team continues to expand its range of industry specific corrosion solutions. The most recent target of these efforts has been focused on protecting the bottom plates of oil storage tanks, which are highly susceptible to aggressive corrosion and consequent leaks. Following a number of successful implementations of this new technology in the Middle East, our team has been systematically targeting North American oil terminal operators as well as refineries, and has recently completed a series of additional implementations. Having seen the need for and acceptance of our innovative solutions, we expect this to be a growth opportunity for us in fiscal 2014 and beyond.  We also are working with certain government agencies to finalize these ZERUST® solutions as industry requirements/standards. It's also important to mention that our sales of Natur-Tec® products to the garment industry in India as well as the surrounding region will, as of the second quarter of fiscal 2014, start to come through our majority-owned Chennai, India- based subsidiary that NTIC recently organized for this purpose."

During fiscal 2013, 9.1% of NTIC's consolidated net sales were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products compared to 7.9% during fiscal 2012. Net sales of Natur-Tec® products increased 12.9% during fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012. This increase was due primarily to increased sales to NTIC's Natur-Tec® distributors in the United States. 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales increased to 68.8% during fiscal 2013 compared to 63.8% during fiscal 2012 primarily as a result of higher sales during fiscal 2012 of ZERUST® products for the oil and gas industry which carry higher margins than other ZERUST® products and increased expenses during fiscal 2013 associated with the production and shipping of ZERUST® products to a new customer. The increase in production expenses was temporary and normalized during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

NTIC's equity in income of joint ventures decreased 5.1% to $5.2 million in fiscal 2013 compared to $5.5 million during fiscal 2012 and NTIC recognized a 59.1% increase in fees for services provided to joint ventures during fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012. The decrease in equity in income of joint ventures and the increase in fees for services provided to joint ventures were primarily a result of the consolidation of NTI ASEAN, LLC, which was consolidated in fiscal 2013, but not in fiscal 2012. Fees for services provided are a function of the net sales of NTIC's joint ventures which were $113.2 million during fiscal 2013 compared to $111.8 million during fiscal 2012. Total net sales of NTIC's joint ventures were adversely affected in part by the European economic slowdown, which NTIC believes adversely affected the net sales of NTIC's European joint ventures, as well as certain of NTIC's other non-European joint ventures, and the weakening of the Euro and other currencies compared to the U.S. dollar. 

NTIC's total operating expenses increased 6.0% during fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 primarily as a result of an increase in selling expenses and expenses incurred in support of joint ventures, and reflected NTIC's overall efforts to support its new business. NTIC incurred $3.8 million in research and development expense during fiscal 2013 as compared to $3.9 million during fiscal 2012.   NTIC anticipates that it will spend between $3.8 million and $4.0 million in total during fiscal 2014 on research and development activities related to its new technologies. This estimate is net of anticipated reimbursements related to certain research and development contracts.

Net income attributable to NTIC decreased 2.4% to $3.37 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share, for fiscal 2013 compared to $3.45 million, or $0.78 per diluted common share, for fiscal 2012. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in gross profit, partially offset by an increase in fees for services provided to joint ventures and NTIC's receipt of $750,000 in life insurance proceeds as a result of the death of a former NTIC officer. NTIC anticipates that its quarterly net income will remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the sales performance of its joint ventures and sales of its ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry. Each of these fluctuates more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST® business in North America. 

NTIC's working capital was $13.3 million at August 31, 2013, including $4.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $10.1 million at August 31, 2012, including $4.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. 

Outlook

For the fiscal year ending August 31, 2014, NTIC expects its net sales to range between $27.5 million and $29.0 million, inclusive of sales made by NTIC's majority-owned subsidiary in Brazil, and expects net income of between $4.1 million to $4.7 million, or between $0.95 and $1.05 per diluted share.

Conference Call and Webcast

NTIC will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Central Time to review its results of operations for fiscal 2013 and its future outlook, followed by a question and answer session. The conference call will be available to interested parties through a live audio webcast available through NTIC's website at www.ntic.com or http://ir.ntic.com/events.cfm where the webcast will be archived and accessible for at least 12 months. The dial-in number for the conference call is (877) 670-9779 and the confirmation code is 92528061.

About Northern Technologies International Corporation

Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary environmentally beneficial products and services in over 55 countries either directly or via a network of majority-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, independent distributors and agents. NTIC's primary business is corrosion prevention marketed primarily under the ZERUST® brand. NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets, for over 35 years, and in recent years has targeted and expanded into the oil and gas industry. NTIC offers worldwide on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. NTIC's technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC's products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements. NTIC also markets and sells a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds and finished products marketed under the Natur-Tec® brand.  

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical information are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include NTIC's expectations regarding its financial guidance for fiscal 2014, anticipated research and development expense for fiscal 2014, and the potential of NTIC's technology focused on protecting the bottom plates of oil storage tanksand other statements that can be identified by words such as "believes," "continues," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "potential," "outlook," "will," "would," "should," "guidance" or words of similar meaning, the use of future dates and any other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of NTIC's management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, in no particular order: NTIC's dependence on the success of its joint ventures and fees and dividend distributions that NTIC receives from them; NTIC's relationships with its joint ventures and its ability to maintain those relationships; risks related to the European sovereign debt crisis, economic slowdown and political unrest; risks associated with NTIC's international operations; exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the health of the U.S. and worldwide economies, including in particular the U.S. automotive industry; the level of growth in NTIC's markets; NTIC's investments in research and development efforts; acceptance of existing and new products; timing of NTIC's receipt of purchase orders under supply contracts; variability in sales to Petrobras and other customers and the effect on NTIC's quarterly financial results; increased competition; the costs and effects of complying with changes in tax, fiscal, government and other regulatory policies, including rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters; and NTIC's reliance on its intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. More detailed information on these and additional factors which could affect NTIC's operating and financial results is described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. NTIC urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many business and other risks that the company faces. Additionally, NTIC undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

     
NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - AUGUST 31, 2013 AND 2012
     
  August 31, 2013 August 31, 2012
ASSETS    
CURRENT ASSETS:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 4,314,258  $ 4,137,547
Receivables:    
Trade excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,000 at August 31, 2013 and 2012 3,329,995 2,516,961
Trade joint ventures 859,434 734,543
Fees for services provided to joint ventures 2,446,017 1,316,933
Income taxes 144,939 58,129
Inventories 5,111,549 4,151,197
Prepaid expenses 258,765 548,331
Deferred income taxes 467,548 596,085
Total current assets 16,932,505 14,059,726
     
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 5,323,612 4,288,618
     
OTHER ASSETS:    
Investments in joint ventures 24,702,981 21,461,492
Deferred income taxes 1,034,212 1,030,610
Patents and trademarks, net 1,060,639 961,181
Other 76,000
Total other assets 26,797,832 23,529,283
Total assets  $ 49,053,949  $ 41,877,627
     
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    
CURRENT LIABILITIES:    
Current portion of note payable   $ 76,119  $ 76,120
Accounts payable 1,830,729 1,818,309
Income tax payable
Accrued liabilities:    
Payroll and related benefits 1,277,942 1,565,866
Deferred joint venture royalties 288,000 288,000
Other 189,263 251,350
Total current liabilities 3,662,053 3,999,645
     
NOTE PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION 857,295 933,413
     
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES    
     
EQUITY:    
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,432,036 and 4,421,636, respectively 88,641 88,073
Additional paid-in capital 11,701,942 11,130,966
Retained earnings 28,626,928 25,260,034
Accumulated other comprehensive income  316,161 277,583
Stockholders' equity 40,733,672 36,756,656
Non-controlling interests 3,800,929 187,913
Total equity 44,534,601 36,944,569
Total liabilities and equity  $ 49,053,949  $ 41,877,627
     
         
NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2013 AND 2012
         
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  August 31, 2013 August 31, 2012 August 31, 2013 August 31, 2012
NET SALES:        
Net sales, excluding joint ventures  $5,427,519 $4,648,633 $19,724,205 $20,227,719
Net sales, to joint ventures  659,215 521,674 2,777,659 2,553,934
Total net sales 6,086,734 5,170,307 22,501,864 22,781,653
         
Cost of goods sold 4,093,963 3,695,713 15,473,212 14,528,785
Gross profit 1,992,771 1,474,594 7,028,652 8,252,868
         
JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:        
Equity in income of joint ventures  1,504,642 1,114,468 5,237,711 5,519,795
Fees for services provided to joint ventures 1,817,875 1,145,197 7,352,980 4,622,912
Total joint venture operations 3,322,517 2,259,665 12,590,691 10,142,707
         
OPERATING EXPENSES:        
Selling expenses 1,256,829 1,192,337 4,845,676 4,585,901
General and administrative expenses 1,107,586 790,841 4,605,979 4,309,410
Expenses incurred in support of joint ventures 360,922 324,924 1,387,197 1,054,914
Research and development expenses 962,265 1,019,045 3,815,515 3,875,581
Total operating expenses 3,687,602 3,327,147 14,654,367 13,825,806
         
OPERATING INCOME 1,627,686 407,112 4,964,976 4,569,769
         
INTEREST INCOME 16,004 18,235 34,614 54,652
INTEREST EXPENSE (12,233) (9,874) (52,215) (29,388)
OTHER INCOME 670,126 1,138 670,126 21,613
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE 2,294,041 416,611 5,617,501 4,616,646
         
INCOME TAX EXPENSE 332,000 21,000 864,000 1,041,000
         
NET INCOME 1,962,041 395,611 4,753,501 3,575,646
         
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON CONTROLLING INTEREST 346,291 (33,598) 1,386,607 127,450
         
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC $1,615,750 $429,209 $3,366,894 $3,448,196
         
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:        
Basic $0.36 $0.10 $0.76 $0.79
Diluted $0.36 $0.10 $0.75 $0.78
         
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:        
Basic 4,431,948 4,403,656 4,421,636 4,391,424
Diluted 4,501,017 4,436,444 4,475,895 4,451,594
         
CONTACT: Investor and Media Contacts:
         Matthew Wolsfeld, CFO
         NTIC
         (763) 225-6600