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): January 7, 2020  

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware001-1103841-0857886
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)(Commission File Number)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

4201 Woodland Road
P.O. Box 69, Circle Pines, Minnesota 
55014
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

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

Not Applicable
(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))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.02 per shareNTICNasdaq Global Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). 

 

Emerging growth company [   ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [   ]

 
 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 7, 2020, Northern Technologies International Corporation (“NTIC”) announced its consolidated financial results for the three months ended November 30, 2019.  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 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 (the “Exchange Act”), 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 January 7, 2020 (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
   
  
Date: January 7, 2020By: /s/ Matthew C. Wolsfeld        
  Matthew C. Wolsfeld
  Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
  

EdgarFiling

EXHIBIT 99.1

Northern Technologies International Corporation Reports Financial Results for First Quarter Fiscal 2020

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northern Technologies International Corporation (NASDAQ: NTIC), a leading developer of corrosion inhibiting products and services, as well as bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds, today reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

First quarter fiscal 2020 financial and operating highlights include (with growth rates compared to first quarter of fiscal 2019):  

“Consolidated net sales set a new first quarter record, despite continued challenges for our ZERUST® industrial products across our global joint venture network,” said G. Patrick Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of NTIC. “Over the past three months, demand appears to have stabilized in both North America and China, allowing ZERUST® industrial net sales to increase 9.0% and 18.0% in North America and China, respectively, compared to fiscal 2019 fourth quarter.  In addition, we continued to benefit from year-over-year sales growth for Natur-Tec.  The timing of several ZERUST® oil & gas projects impacted first quarter performance.  However, based on expected shipments and installations for the second quarter, we believe we will see a year-over-year increase in ZERUST® oil & gas net sales for both the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2020.” 

NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 3.8% to $14,631,000 during the three months ended November 30, 2019, compared to $14,094,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2018.  The increase in consolidated net sales was primarily a result of higher ZERUST® industrial sales and sales of Natur-Tec® products. 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales by product category for the three months ended November 30, 2019 and 2018, by segment:

 Three Months Ended
 November 30,
2019
 % of Net
Sales
   November 30,
2018
 % of Net
Sales
  
Change
 
ZERUST® industrial net sales$  8,843,052 60.4% $  8,595,814 61.0% 2.9%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales   585,616 4.0%    483,187 3.4% 21.2%
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales   520,843 3.6%    986,173 7.0% (47.2)%
  Total ZERUST® net sales$  9,949,511 68.0% $  10,065,174 71.4% (1.1)%
Total Natur-Tec® net sales   4,681,889 32.0%    4,028,878 28.6% 16.2%
  Total net sales$  14,631,400 100.0% $  14,094,052 100.0% 3.8%

NTIC’s joint venture operating income decreased 22.7% to $2,652,000 during the three months ended November 30, 2019, compared to joint venture operating income of $3,433,000 during the three months ended November 30, 2018.  The decrease was attributable to the corresponding decrease in total sales of the joint ventures, as fees for services provided to joint ventures are a function of the net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures, which were $25,460,000 during the three months ended November 30, 2019, compared to $30,480,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2018. 

Operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were 40.3%, compared to 43.8% for the same period last fiscal year.  This reduction was primarily a result of lower general and administrative expenses, combined with operating leverage on increased net sales. 

The company reported net income attributable to NTIC for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 of $1,213,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to NTIC of $1,497,000, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year.  

NTIC’s balance sheet remains strong, with no debt, and working capital of $25,253,000 at November 30, 2019, including $4,107,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,987,000 in available for sale securities, compared to $25,461,000 at August 31, 2019, including $5,857,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $3,565,000 in available for sale securities. 

At November 30, 2019, the company had $25,403,000 of investments in joint ventures, of which over $14,200,000 or 56% is cash, with the remaining balance mostly made up of other working capital. 

Mr. Lynch added, “Customer demand remained soft at many of our global joint ventures, and this had a material impact on first quarter profitability. Based on current market feedback, we believe global ZERUST® industrial sales will remain challenging during the second quarter.  Despite the effect of lower joint venture operating income, we believe we are still well positioned to increase profitability overall this fiscal year as a result of continued growth at NTIC China and Natur-Tec, as well as improving demand for ZERUST® oil & gas products and services.”

Outlook

For the fiscal year ending August 31, 2020, NTIC continues to expect net sales to be in the range of $62 million and $66 million.  The company also continues to anticipate net income attributable to NTIC to be in the range of $5.6 million to $7.5 million, or $0.60 and $0.80 per diluted share.

These estimates are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those described below under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.”

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 the first quarter of 2020 and its 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 https://ntic.gcs-web.com/events-presentations where the webcast will be archived and accessible for at least 12 months.  The dial-in number for the conference call is (877) 670-9776 and the confirmation code is 8647749.

About Northern Technologies International Corporation

Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary, environmentally beneficial products and services in over 60 countries either directly or via a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, independent distributors and agents.  NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention marketed 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 40 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 resins and finished products marketed under the Natur-Tec® brand.  

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release that are not historical information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include NTIC’s expectations regarding its financial guidance for fiscal 2020, its belief that ZERUST® oil & gas sales will increase for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year periods and anticipated continued growth at NTIC China and Natur-Tec, as well as improving demand for ZERUST® oil & gas products and services, and other statements that can be identified by words such as “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “potential,” “outlook,” “will,” “may,” “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: the ability of NTIC to achieve its annual financial guidance and continue to pay dividends; the effect of economic uncertainty and trade disputes; 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; NTIC’s dependence on its joint venture in Germany in particular due to its significance and the effect of a termination of this or its other joint ventures on NTIC’s business and operating results; the ability of NTIC China to achieve significant sales; costs and expenses incurred by NTIC in connection with its ongoing litigation against its former Chinese joint venture partner; the effect of the United Kingdom’s proposed exit from the European Union, economic slowdown and political unrest; risks associated with NTIC’s international operations; exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and tariffs, including in particular the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar; 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 customers in the oil and gas industry 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 the new tax reform law, which could result in a write-down of our deferred tax assets, and rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters; pending and potential litigation; 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 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 and subsequent quarterly report 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 AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2019 (UNAUDITED) AND AUGUST 31, 2019 (AUDITED)
 
  November 30, 2019 August 31, 2019
ASSETS   
  CURRENT ASSETS:   
 Cash and cash equivalents$4,106,796  $  5,856,758 
 Available for sale securities2,987,095     3,565,258 
 Receivables:   
 Trade excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts   
           of $65,000 as of November 30, 2019 and August 31, 201910,360,766   9,779,518 
 Trade joint ventures641,675   824,473 
 Fees for services provided to joint ventures1,365,864   1,268,000 
 Income taxes68,085   457,018 
 Inventories11,259,449   10,488,728 
 Prepaid expenses1,170,026   1,062,609 
 Total current assets31,959,756   33,302,362 
     
  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET7,346,478   7,358,159 
 
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT OF USE ASSET
598,784   - 
 
OTHER ASSETS:
   
 Investments in joint ventures25,402,933   24,207,339 
 Deferred income taxes1,646,900   1,634,258 
 Patents and trademarks, net972,514   1,008,969 
   Total other assets 28,022,347   26,850,566 
 Total assets$  67,927,365  $  67,511,087 
     
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
  CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
 Accounts payable$  4,118,636  $  4,505,531 
 Income taxes payable 60,307   6,759 
 Accrued liabilities:   
 Payroll and related benefits 1,130,175   1,857,971 
 Other 1,101,408   1,471,532 
 Current portion of operating lease 295,856    
 Total current liabilities 6,706,382   7,841,793 
    
  LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:   
 Operating lease, less current portion 302,928    
 

 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
   
 
EQUITY:
   
 Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and
  outstanding
     
 Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 15,000,000   
 shares as of November 30, 2019 and August 31, 2019;
issued and outstanding 9,097,236 and 9,086,816, respectively
 181,945   181,736 
 Additional paid-in capital 16,367,555   16,013,338 
 Retained earnings 45,614,390   44,992,719 
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,490,364)  (4,593,178)
   Stockholders’ equity 57,673,526   56,594,615 
 Non-controlling interests 3,244,529   3,074,679 
   Total equity 60,918,055   59,669,294 
   Total liabilities and equity$  67,927,365  $  67,511,087 
 
 
        


NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2019 AND 2018
 
 Three Months Ended
 November 30, 2019 November 30, 2018
NET SALES:   
  Net sales, excluding joint ventures$  14,045,784  $  13,610,865 
  Net sales, to joint ventures 585,616   483,187 
  Total net sales 14,631,400   14,094,052 
    
  Cost of goods sold 9,805,084   9,461,137 
   Gross profit 4,826,316   4,632,915 
    
JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:   
  Equity in income from joint ventures 1,293,990   2,004,162 
  Fees for services provided to joint ventures 1,358,325   1,428,435 
Total joint venture operations 2,652,315   3,432,597 
    
OPERATING EXPENSES:   
  Selling expenses 2,887,292   2,811,094 
  General and administrative expenses 2,049,687   2,495,797 
  Research and development expenses 961,641   872,157 
  Total operating expenses 5,898,620   6,179,048 
    
OPERATING INCOME 1,580,011   1,886,464 
    
INTEREST INCOME 49,038   12,787 
INTEREST EXPENSE (5,444)  (2,357)
    
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE 1,623,605   1,896,894 
    
INCOME TAX EXPENSE 264,066   255,703 
    
NET INCOME 1,359,539   1,641,191 
    
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS 146,989   144,132 
    
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC$  1,212,550  $  1,497,059 
    
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC PER COMMON SHARE:    
  Basic$  0.13  $  0.16 
  Diluted$  0.13  $  0.16 
    
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:   
  Basic   9,095,607     9,084,350 
  Diluted   9,407,642     9,478,576 
        
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE$  0.065  $  0.060 

*Share and per share data have been adjusted for all periods presented to reflect the two-for-one stock split effective June 28, 2019.


Investor and Media Contact:
Matthew Wolsfeld, CFO                                                                   
NTIC                                                                                                     
(763) 225-6600