MINNEAPOLIS, April 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 second quarter of fiscal 2020. 

Second quarter fiscal 2020 highlights include (with growth rates compared to second quarter fiscal 2019):  

  • Consolidated net sales decreased 0.6% to $13,234,000
  • ZERUST® industrial product net sales decreased 1.0% to $9,016,000
  • ZERUST® oil and gas net sales increased 198.6% to $1,067,000
  • NTIC China product net sales increased 0.6% to $3,024,000
  • Natur-Tec® product net sales increased 0.3% to $4,218,000
  • Joint venture operating income decreased 17.0% to $2,617,000
  • Net income attributable to NTIC decreased 87.2% to $180,000
  • Net income per diluted share attributable to NTIC decreased 86.7% to $0.02
  • Cash provided by operating activities increased $5,775,000 over the past three months to $4,208,000
  • Consolidated balance sheet at February 29, 2020 was strong with no debt, total cash and cash equivalents of $5,626,000 and available for sale securities of $6,512,000

“As the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting global supply chains this past February, demand for ZERUST® industrial products slowed substantially in North America, as well as at NTIC China.  Sales across our joint venture network also weakened, causing a 12.5% decline in joint venture sales for second quarter, along with a 17.0% decrease in joint venture operating income compared to the prior fiscal year second quarter.  Demand for Natur-Tec’s compostable bioplastics, however, remained comparable to the prior fiscal year quarter.  ZERUST® oil and gas sales increased significantly during the second quarter, as the result of several customers having delayed product shipments from our first quarter.” said G. Patrick Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of NTIC. “Aside from this, NTIC currently continues to receive and deliver customer orders, even with almost all of our employees currently working from home, since we’re considered to be in the ‘Critical Sector’ with respect to state and local governmental ‘Stay at Home’ orders issued due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

“With many of our global customers currently running at a fraction of their regular capacity or locked down altogether, we anticipate sales for our third quarter to be down significantly. Consequently, we are withdrawing and suspending specific full-year fiscal 2020 guidance at this time.”

“It is our intent to continue providing uninterrupted order fulfillment, while also safeguarding and supporting both our employees and our customers.  Overall, we are entering this period of uncertainty from a position of strength.  During the second quarter, we experienced a significant increase in cash provided by operating activities, primarily due to the timing of dividend payments from our joint ventures, which further bolstered our balance sheet.  We believe that our asset-light and highly profitable business model, combined with our experienced leadership team, and excellent capital structure will help NTIC successfully navigate the current crisis.  Additionally, NTIC is evaluating the availability of government support from the various stimulus packages that have been put in place in the past weeks,” concluded Mr. Lynch.  

NTIC’s consolidated net sales decreased 0.6% to $13,234,000 during the three months ended February 29, 2020, compared to $13,315,000 for the three months ended February 28, 2019.  This slight decrease was a result of lower ZERUST® industrial sales and ZERUST® sales to its joint ventures, partially offset by higher ZERUST® oil and gas sales and Natur-Tec® sales.  For the first half of fiscal 2020, consolidated net sales increased 1.7% to $27,865,000, compared to $27,410,000 for the same period last fiscal year. 

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales by product category for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020, and February 28, 2019, by segment:

 Three Months Ended
 February 29,
2020
 % of Net
Sales
 February 28,
2019
 % of Net
Sales
 %
Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales$7,703,575 58.2% $8,042,154 60.4% (4.2)%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales 245,629 1.9%  708,954 5.3% (65.4)%
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales 1,067,018 8.0%  357,287 2.7% 198.6%
Total ZERUST® net sales$9,016,222 68.1% $9,108,395 68.4% (1.0)%
Total Natur-Tec® sales 4,217,561 31.9%  4,207,009 31.6% 0.3%
Total net sales$13,233,783 100.0% $13,315,404 100.0% (0.6%)


 Six Months Ended
 February 29,
2020
 % of Net
Sales
 February 28,
2019
 % of Net
Sales
 %
Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales$16,546,627 59.4% $16,637,968 60.7% (0.6)%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales 831,245 3.0%  1,192,141 4.4% (30.3)%
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales 1,587,862 5.7%  1,343,460 4.9% 18.2%
Total ZERUST® net sales$18,965,734 68.1% $19,173,569 70.0% (1.1)%
Total Natur-Tec® sales 8,899,449 31.9%  8,235,887 30.0% 8.1%
Total net sales$27,865,183 100.0% $27,409,546 100.0% 1.7%

NTIC’s joint venture operating income was $2,617,000 during the three months ended February 29, 2020, compared to joint venture operating income of $3,152,000 during the three months ended February 28, 2019.  This $535,000 decrease was attributable to a decline in total net sales of the joint ventures as fees for services provided to joint ventures are primarily a function of the net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures, which were $24,289,000 during the three months ended February 29, 2020, compared to $27,750,000 for the three months ended February 28, 2019.  Year-to-date, NTIC’s joint venture operating income was $5,269,000, compared to joint venture operating income of $6,585,000 during the six months ended February 28, 2019.  Net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures were $49,750,000 during the six months ended February 29, 2020, compared to $58,230,000 for the six months ended February 28, 2019. 

Operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were 48.8%, compared to 40.5% for the same period last fiscal year.  This increase was primarily a result of higher general and administrative expenses.  Year-to-date, operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, were 44.4%, compared to 42.2% for the same period last fiscal year. 

Net income attributable to NTIC for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased to $180,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, from $1,402,000, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year.  Net income attributable to NTIC for the first half of fiscal 2020 decreased to $1,392,000, or $0.15 per diluted share, from $2,898,000, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year. 

NTIC’s consolidated balance sheet remains strong, with no debt, and working capital of $29,431,000 at February 29, 2020, including $5,626,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $6,512,000 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 February 29, 2020, the company had $21,297,000 of investments in joint ventures, of which over $10,400,000, or 48.7%, was cash, with the remaining balance mostly made up of other working capital. 

Outlook

As a result of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, NTIC does not have the ability to predict the level of impact on its business and financial results for the remainder of the fiscal year ending August 31, 2020 and therefore is withdrawing and suspending its full fiscal year sales, net income, and earnings per share guidance. 

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 second quarter of fiscal 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 8668829.

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 belief that third quarter sales will decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NTIC’s ability to continue to provide uninterrupted order fulfillment, while also safeguarding and supporting both its employees and customers NTIC’s belief that it will successfully navigate the current crisis; 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 effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on NTIC’s business and operating results; the ability of NTIC to 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 FEBRUARY 29, 2020 (UNAUDITED) 
AND AUGUST 31, 2019 (AUDITED)

 
 February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019
ASSETS   
CURRENT ASSETS:   
Cash and cash equivalents$5,626,410  $5,856,758 
Available for sale securities 6,512,166   3,565,258 
Receivables:   
Trade excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts   
of $65,000 at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019 9,810,545   9,779,518 
Trade joint ventures 539,175   824,473 
Fees for services provided to joint ventures 1,195,219   1,268,000 
Income taxes 56,819   457,018 
Inventories 11,424,384   10,488,728 
Prepaid expenses 949,893   1,062,609 
Total current assets 36,114,611   33,302,362 
    
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 7,227,524   7,358,159 
    
OTHER ASSETS:   
Investments in joint ventures 21,297,202   24,207,339 
Deferred income taxes 1,694,499   1,634,258 
Patents and trademarks, net 930,132   1,008,969 
Operating lease right of use asset 520,601   — 
Total other assets 24,442,434   26,850,566 
Total assets$67,784,569  $67,511,087 
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
Accounts payable$4,373,988  $4,505,531 
Income taxes payable 3,169   6,759 
Accrued liabilities:   
Payroll and related benefits 1,259,122   1,857,971 
Other 835,823   1,471,532 
Current portion of operating lease 211,495   — 
Total current liabilities 6,683,597   7,841,793 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:   
Operating lease, less current portion 309,106   — 
Total long-term liabilities 309,106   — 
    
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   
February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019; issued and outstanding 9,097,236 and 9,086,816, respectively 181,945   181,736 
Additional paid-in capital 16,707,207   16,013,338 
Retained earnings 45,202,903   44,992,719 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,602,349)  (4,593,178)
Stockholders’ equity 57,489,706   56,594,615 
Non-controlling interests 3,302,160   3,074,679 
Total equity 60,791,866   59,669,294 
Total liabilities and equity$67,784,569  $67,511,087 

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

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2020 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2019

 
 
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019
NET SALES:       
Net sales, excluding joint ventures$12,988,153  $12,606,449  $27,033,937  $26,217,314 
Net sales, to joint ventures 245,630   708,955   831,246   1,192,142 
Total net sales 13,233,783   13,315,404   27,865,183   27,409,456 
        
Cost of goods sold 8,687,301   9,284,099   18,492,385   18,745,236 
Gross profit 4,546,482   4,031,305   9,372,798   8,664,220 
        
JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:       
Equity in income from joint ventures 1,360,804   1,715,216   2,654,794   3,719,378 
Fees for services provided to joint ventures 1,256,213   1,436,774   2,614,538   2,865,209 
Total joint venture operations 2,617,017   3,151,990   5,269,332   6,584,587 
        
OPERATING EXPENSES:       
Selling expenses 3,110,240   2,505,081   5,997,532   5,316,175 
General and administrative expenses 2,345,113   1,963,537   4,394,800   4,459,334 
Research and development expenses 1,006,395   927,537   1,968,036   1,799,694 
Total operating expenses 6,461,748   5,396,155   12,360,368   11,575,203 
        
OPERATING INCOME 701,751   1,787,140   2,281,762   3,673,604 
        
INTEREST INCOME 55,042   15,122   104,080   27,909 
INTEREST EXPENSE (9,377)  (3,835)  (14,821)  (6,192)
        
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE 747,416   1,798,427   2,371,021   3,695,321 
        
INCOME TAX EXPENSE 463,594   246,371   727,660   502,074 
        
NET INCOME 283,822   1,552,056   1,643,361   3,193,247 
        
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-                
CONTROLLING INTERESTS 103,988   150,488   250,977   294,620 
        
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC$179,834  $1,401,568  $1,392,384  $2,898,627 
        
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC PER COMMON SHARE:       
Basic$0.02  $0.16  $0.15  $0.32 
Diluted$0.02  $0.15  $0.15  $0.31 
        
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES       
ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:       
Basic 9,097,236   9,084,354   9,095,604   9,084,350 
Diluted 9,461,727   9,447,860   9,383,867   9,463,216 
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE$0.065  $0.06  $0.13  $0.12 

*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 Contacts:
 Matthew Wolsfeld, CFO                                                       
NTIC                                                                          
(763) 225-6600  

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