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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 CEO & CFO - Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.mfri32q32015.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 CEO - Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.mfri311q32015.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 CFO - Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.mfri312q32015.htm

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

FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2015

Commission File No. 0-18370

MFRI, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
36-3922969
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
7720 N. Lehigh Avenue, Niles, Illinois
60714
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(847) 966-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company x

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

On December 4, 2015, there were 7,288,425 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.





MFRI, Inc.
FORM 10-Q
For the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item
 
Page
 
 
 
Part I
 
 
 
 
1.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2015 and 2014
2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2015 and 2014
 
 
 
 
2.
 
 
 
4.
 
 
 
Part II
 
6.
18
 
 
 




PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

 
2015

2014

Net sales

$66,316


$43,819

 

$144,051


$156,713

Cost of sales
49,345

37,098

 
117,379

123,458

Gross profit
16,971

6,721

 
26,672

33,255

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
6,775

5,291

 
18,100
19,421

Selling expenses
2,836

2,666

 
8,487
7,566

Total operating expenses
9,611

7,957

 
26,587

26,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
7,360

(1,236
)
 
85

6,268

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from joint venture
408

903

 
524

1,114

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
211

293

 
457

793

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
7,557

(626
)
 
152

6,589

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
1,443

11

 
1,084

1,553

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
6,114

(637
)
 
(932
)
5,036

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

265

 

(217
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

$6,114


($372
)
 

($932
)
$4,819
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
7,290

7,290

 
7,273

7,238

Diluted
7,367

7,290

 
7,273

7,337

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Basic

$0.84


($0.09
)
 
($0.13)
$0.70
Diluted

$0.83


($0.09
)
 
($0.13)
$0.69
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted

$—


$0.04

 

$—


($0.03
)
Earnings (loss) per share
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$0.84

($0.05
)
 

($0.13
)

$0.67

Diluted
$0.83

($0.05
)
 
($0.13)

$0.66

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Note: Earnings per share calculations could be impacted by rounding.

1


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

 
2015

2014

Net income (loss)

$6,114


($372
)
 

($932
)

$4,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(148
)
(484
)
 
10

(654
)
Interest rate swap, net of tax
(1
)
(8
)
 
14

(30
)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax
196


 
196


Other comprehensive income (loss)
47

(492
)
 
220

(684
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)

$6,161


($864
)
 

($712
)

$4,135


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



2


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except per share data)
October 31, 2015

January 31, 2015

ASSETS
Unaudited

 
Current assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents

$10,882


$10,508

Restricted cash
433

428

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $585 at October 31, 2015 and $110 at January 31, 2015
58,967

41,847

Inventories, net
35,378

29,770

Assets held for sale
3,136


Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,955

4,349

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
2,814

700

Total current assets
114,565

87,602

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
39,954

41,486

Other assets
 
 
Note receivable from joint venture
2,036

3,931

Investment in joint venture
9,034

8,514

Cash surrender value on life insurance policies, net
3,258

3,256

Other assets
3,486

3,215

Assets held for sale long-term
441

534

Total other assets
18,255

19,450

Total assets

$172,774


$148,538

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
Trade accounts payable

$22,125


$11,072

Accrued compensation and payroll taxes
12,146

5,551

Commissions and management incentives payable
4,804

5,734

Revolving line domestic
18,735

11,353

Current maturities of long-term debt
16,314

5,679

Customers' deposits
6,017

7,341

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
2,207

681

Other accrued liabilities
2,154

2,486

Deferred tax liabilities - current
167

165

Income taxes payable
1,550

1,688

Total current liabilities
86,219

51,750

Long-term liabilities
 
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
8,930

12,603

Deferred compensation liabilities
436

6,560

Deferred tax liabilities - long-term
752

309

Other long-term liabilities
3,794

3,793

Total long-term liabilities
13,912

23,265

Stockholders' equity
 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000 shares; 7,288 issued and outstanding at October 31, 2015 and 7,291 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2015
73

73

Additional paid-in capital
52,777

52,655

Treasury Stock 45 shares at October 31, 2015 and none at January 31, 2015
(290
)

Retained earnings
24,392

25,324

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(4,309
)
(4,529
)
Total stockholders' equity
72,643

73,523

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$172,774


$148,538

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)

($ in thousands, except share data)
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Treasury Stock
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Total stockholders' equity at January 31, 2015
$73
$52,655
$25,324

$—

($4,529)
$73,523
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
 

($932
)
 
 
(932
)
Restricted shares vested and payroll taxes paid with shares

(15
)
 
 
 
(15
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
 
 
(290
)
 
(290
)
Stock-based compensation expense
 
137

 
 
 
137

Interest rate swap
 
 
 
 
26

26

Pension liability adjustment
 
 
 
 
333

333

Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 
(45
)
(45
)
Tax benefit/expense on above items
 
 
 
 
(94
)
(94
)
Total stockholders' equity at October 31, 2015
$73
$52,777
$24,392
($290)
($4,309)
$72,643

Shares
2015

2014

 
Balances at beginning of year
7,290,576

7,168,537

 
Shares issued (repurchased)
(2,151
)
122,039

 
Balances at period end
7,288,425

7,290,576

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



4


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

Operating activities
 
 
Net (loss) income

($932
)

$4,819

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
4,425

4,299

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

283

Deferred tax expense
479

420

Stock-based compensation expense (benefit)
137

(57
)
Income from joint venture
(524
)
(1,114
)
Cash surrender value on life insurance policies
(2
)
(153
)
Gain on disposal of fixed assets
1

4

Provision on uncollectible accounts
476

(592
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
Accounts receivable
(17,820
)
5,108

Inventories
(5,687
)
2,434

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
(589
)
(2,598
)
Accounts payable
11,206

(4,494
)
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes
5,686

(3,309
)
Customers' deposits
(1,326
)
416

Income taxes receivable and payable
(98
)
(1,311
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,356

805

Other assets and liabilities
(6,575
)
107

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(9,787
)
5,067

Investing activities
 
 
Capital expenditures
(5,971
)
(4,208
)
Payments on loan from joint venture
1,890


Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

8

Net cash used in investing activities
(4,081
)
(4,200
)
Financing activities
 
 
Proceeds from revolving lines
79,175

61,366

Proceeds from debt
783

1,510

Proceeds from borrowing against life insurance policies
1,916


Payments of debt on revolving lines of credit
(63,177
)
(61,053
)
Payments of other debt
(1,699
)
(2,059
)
Payments of borrowing against life insurance policies
(1,916
)

(Decrease) increase in drafts payable
(122
)
722

Payments on capitalized lease obligations
(659
)
(573
)
Payments for repurchase of common stock
(290
)

Stock options exercised and restricted shares issued
(15
)
388

Net cash provided by financing activities
13,996

301

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
246

(147
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
374

1,021

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
10,508

13,395

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

$10,882


$14,416

Supplemental cash flow information
 
 
Interest paid

$836


$1,165

Income taxes paid
849

2,503

Fixed assets acquired under capital leases
1,215

614

Funds held in escrow related to the sale of Thermal Care, Inc. assets

61

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
OCTOBER 31, 2015
(Tabular amounts presented in thousands, except per share amounts)

1.
Basis of presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements of MFRI, Inc. and subsidiaries ("MFRI," "Company," or "Registrant") are unaudited, but include all adjustments which the Company's management considers necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. These adjustments consist of normal recurring adjustments. Information and footnote disclosures have been omitted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations. The consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015 is derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results. Interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2015 and 2014 are for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

2.
Business segment reporting. The Company has two reportable segments: Piping Systems, which engineers, designs, manufactures and sells specialty piping, leak detection and location systems, and Filtration Products, which manufactures custom-designed industrial filtration products to remove particulates from air and other gas streams.

For the three months ended October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, no customer accounted for 10% of the Company's consolidated net sales. For the nine months ended October 31, 2015, no customer accounted for 10% of the Company's consolidated net sales, and for the nine months ended October 31, 2014, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 12.6% of the Company's consolidated net sales.

At October 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 17% of accounts receivable. At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 31% of accounts receivable.

 
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

 
2015

2014

Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
Piping Systems

$46,950


$26,540

 

$92,374


$102,683

Filtration Products
19,366

17,279

 
51,677

54,030

Total

$66,316


$43,819

 

$144,051


$156,713

Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
Piping Systems

$14,315


$4,609

 

$19,796


$25,913

Filtration Products
2,656

2,112

 
6,876

7,342

Total

$16,971


$6,721

 

$26,672


$33,255

Income (loss) from operations
 
 
 
 
 
Piping Systems

$9,721


$1,096

 

$7,470


$12,896

Filtration Products
(162
)
(726
)
 
(1,337
)
(1,300
)
Corporate
(2,199
)
(1,606
)
 
(6,048
)
(5,328
)
Total

$7,360


($1,236
)
 

$85


$6,268




6



3.
Income taxes. The determination of the consolidated provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances requires management to make judgments and estimates. As a company with subsidiaries in foreign jurisdictions, the process of calculating income taxes involves estimating current tax obligations and exposures in each jurisdiction as well as making judgments regarding the future recoverability of deferred tax assets. Income earned in the United Arab Emirates ("U.A.E.") is not subject to local country income tax. Additionally, the relative proportion of taxable income earned domestically versus internationally can fluctuate significantly from period to period. Changes in the estimated level of annual pre-tax income, tax laws and the results of tax audits can affect the overall effective income tax rate, which impacts the level of income tax expense and net income. Judgments and estimates related to the Company's projections and assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, actual results could differ materially from projections.

Changes in tax laws and rates may affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities and the Company's effective tax rate in the future. The Company periodically reviews the adequacy of its valuation allowance in all of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates and may make further adjustments based on management's outlook for continued profits in each jurisdiction.

The Company's consolidated effective tax rate ("ETR") from continuing operations was 713.2% and 23.6% for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in the ETR from the prior year to the current year is due to several factors. First, the domestic income is a year to date loss in 2015 while it was income in 2014 which increases the rate because the valuation allowance on the domestic deferred tax assets eliminates any tax benefit for the current period. Secondly, the favorable impact of the U.A.E. zero tax rate is diminished this year due to more of the total foreign income being earned elsewhere and taxed at a rate of 25%. The modest pre-tax profit realized year-to-date exaggerated the percentage impact of the Company's tax expense.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, at October 31, 2015, recorded in other long-term liabilities was $0.1 million of which $0.1 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.  The Company includes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, with $6 thousand included in expense for the current quarter.  The amount of accrued interest and penalties at October 31, 2015, associated with unrecognized tax benefits was $41 thousand.

As of October 31, 2015, open tax years in federal and some state jurisdictions date back to 2012. In addition, federal and state tax years January 31, 2002 through January 31, 2012 are subject to adjustment on audit, up to the amount of research tax credits generated in those years. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards expiring in various years beginning January 31, 2030. Additionally, the Company files income tax returns in Denmark, India and Saudi Arabia. As of October 31, 2015, open tax years in foreign jurisdictions vary from three to seven years from the date of filing the income tax returns.

The Company has not provided Federal tax on remaining unremitted earnings of its Denmark and Middle East subsidiaries. The Company does not believe that it will be necessary to repatriate earnings from these subsidiaries to fund domestic operations. The Company intends and has the ability to reinvest these earnings for the foreseeable future outside the U.S. If these amounts were distributed to the U.S., in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company could be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable, because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs. The net impact of recording a deferred tax liability on the unremitted earnings would be mitigated by the full valuation allowance maintained on the domestic deferred tax assets.

4.
Impairment of long-lived assets and assets held for sale. The Company evaluates long-lived assets (including intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flow the asset is expected to generate. There was no impairment of long-lived assets as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015.

7




The Company's headquarters in Niles, Illinois is presented as held for sale at fair market value as of October 31, 2015. In addition, the Company has an idle facility in Cicero, Illinois which is presented as held for sale. There are no indications of impairment related to these assets.

5.
Other intangible assets with definite lives. The Company owns several patents, including those covering features of its piping and electronic leak detection systems. Patents are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed the legal lives of the patents. The Company expenses costs incurred to renew or extend the term of intangible assets. Gross patents were $2.73 million and $2.68 million as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.32 million and $2.28 million as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $13,950 in 2016, $51,950 in 2017, $48,900 in 2018, $39,950 in 2019, $36,950 in 2020, and $214,700 thereafter. Patents are included in other assets in the balance sheet.
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014

Patent amortization expense

$14


$13


$40


$38


6.
Investment in joint venture. In October 2009, the Company invested $5.9 million, which consisted of $2 million for a 49% interest and $3.9 million for a note receivable, in a Canadian joint venture with The Bayou Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation. The joint venture operates in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, which provides the Company the opportunity to participate in the oil sands market. During the first six months of 2015, the Company received $1.9 million in principal repayments on the note receivable.

The Company accounts for the investment in the joint venture using the equity method. The financial results are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014

Share of income from joint venture

$408


$903


$524


$1,114


The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015, respectively:
 
October 31, 2015

January 31, 2015

Current assets
$11,008
$13,820
Noncurrent assets
13,366

14,023

Current liabilities
5,127

4,499

Noncurrent liabilities
4,220

9,013

Equity
15,027

14,331


 
Three Months Ended October 31,
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014

Revenue

$8,780


$11,886


$18,922


$28,666

Gross profit
1,603

3,310

3,082

5,426

Income from continuing operations
1,257

2,749

1,823

3,820

Net income
833

1,843

1,070

2,274


8




7.
Stock-based compensation. The Company has stock-based compensation awards that can be granted to eligible employees, officers or directors.
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014

Stock-based compensation expense (benefit)

$87


$74


$50


($217
)
Restricted stock based compensation expense

$79


$142


$337


$122


Stock-based compensation for 2014 was a benefit year-to-date due to cancellations. Most of these cancellations related to former employees from the discontinued operations.

Stock Options

The fair value of the outstanding option awards was estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
Fair value assumptions
2015
2014
Expected volatility
40.88% - 59.39%
40.88% - 59.39%
Risk free interest rate
.74% - 1.77%
.74% - 1.77%
Dividend yield
none
none
Expected life
4.9 - 5.1 years
4.9 - 5.1 years

Option activity
Options
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 31, 2015
764


$11.45

5.7

$—

Granted
51

6.38

 
 
Expired or forfeited
(62
)
10.11

 
 
Outstanding end of period
753

11.22

5.4
1

 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable end of period
567


$11.81

4.4

$—


Unvested option activity
Options
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 31, 2015
232


$10.11


$—

Granted
51

6.38

 
Vested
(87
)
 
 
Expired or forfeited
(10
)
10.55

 
Outstanding end of period
186


$9.40


$—


As of October 31, 2015, there was $0.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.4 years.


9



Restricted stock

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the year:
Restricted stock activity
Restricted Shares
Weighted Average Grant Price Per Share
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 31, 2015
33


$11.53


$186

Granted
92

6.38

 
Issued
(48
)
 
 
Outstanding end of period
77


$8.60


$436


As of October 31, 2015, there was $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock granted under the plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

8.
Treasury stock / share repurchase program. On February 5, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, which authorizes the Company to use up to $2 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock. Share repurchases may be executed through open market or privately negotiated transactions on or prior to December 31, 2015.

The following table sets forth information with respect to repurchases by the Company of its shares of common stock during the year:

Period
Total number of shares purchased (in thousands)
Average price paid per share
February
28
$6.64
March
17
6.27
April to October


10



9.
Earnings per share.
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
7,290

7,290

7,273

7,238

Dilutive effect of equity compensation plans
77



99

Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming full dilution
7,367

7,290

7,273

7,337

 
 
 
 
 
Stock options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because the option exercise prices exceeded the average market prices of the common shares
753

346

743

257

 
 
 
 
 
Stock options with an exercise price below the average market price

421

10

510


10.
Interest expense, net.
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2015

2014

2015

2014

Interest expense

$335


$432


$872


$1,175

Interest income
(124
)
(139
)
(415
)
(382
)
Interest expense, net

$211


$293


$457


$793


11.
Debt. Debt totaled $44.0 million at October 31, 2015, a net increase of $14.3 million since January 31, 2015. This increase was used to fund working capital expansion.

Revolving lines domestic. On September 24, 2014, the Company entered into a Credit and Security Agreement with a financial institution ("Credit Agreement"). Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, which matures on September 24, 2019, the Company can borrow up to $25.0 million, subject to borrowing base availability from secured domestic assets and other requirements, under a revolving line of credit. The Loan Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, and investments, and require attainment of specific levels of profitability and cash flows. At October 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with loan covenants. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2015 was included as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

Interest rates vary based on the average availability in the preceding fiscal quarter and are: (a) a margin in effect plus a base rate, if below certain availability limits; or (b) a margin in effect plus the Eurodollar rate for the corresponding interest period. As of October 31, 2015, the Company had borrowed $18.7 million at 3.25% and 1.71% and had $6.0 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.3 million of availability was used under the Credit Agreement primarily to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. Cash required for operations is provided by draw downs on the line of credit.

Revolving lines foreign. The Company also has credit arrangements used by its Danish and Middle Eastern subsidiaries. These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities and project financing at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. The lines are secured by certain equipment, certain assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, and a guarantee by the Company. Some credit arrangement covenants require a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained. At October 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the credit arrangements. At October 31, 2015, interest rates were 4.0% per annum below National Bank of Fujairah Base Rate, minimum 3.5% per annum, and Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate (EIBOR) plus 3.5% per annum. At October 31, 2015, the Company's interest

11



rates range from 3.5% to 6.0%. At October 31, 2015, the Company could have borrowed $44.9 million under these credit arrangements. In addition, $10.1 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. At October 31, 2015, borrowings under these credit arrangements totaled $10.6 million; an additional $24.2 million remained unused. The foreign revolving lines balance as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2015 were included as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

12.
Fair value of financial instruments. At October 31, 2015, an interest rate swap agreement that relates to a mortgage note in Denmark was in effect with a notional value of $1.3 million that matures December 2021. The Company entered into this interest swap agreement in 2012 to reduce its exposure to market risks from changing interest rates and exchange the variable rate to fixed interest rate payments of 2.47%. The exchange traded swap is valued on a recurring basis using quoted market prices and was classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, which includes significant other observable inputs because the exchange is not deemed an active market. The swap agreement is a cash flow hedge. The derivative mark to market was $0.1 million at both October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015. This was included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

13.
Recent accounting pronouncements. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The ASU requires entities to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of this guidance by the Company is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs will be presented as a reduction of the carrying amount of the debt liability. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2016 and will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. As of October 31, 2015, the Company had $0.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs. The Company does not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This new standard provides for a single comprehensive model and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance, and provides for enhanced disclosure requirements. The objective of the new guidance is to improve the consistency, comparability and usefulness to users of financial statements. On April 1, 2015, FASB decided to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. As a result, public entities would apply the new revenue standard for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2014-09 provides for two implementation methods (1) full retrospective application to each prior period or (2) modified retrospective application with the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. The Company is evaluating the financial statement impacts of the guidance in this ASU and determining which transition method will be utilized.

14.
Reclassifications. Reclassifications were made to the prior-year statement of cashflow to conform to the current-year presentations.


12



Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A")

The statements contained under the caption MD&A and other information contained elsewhere in this quarterly report, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "continue," "remains," "intend," "aim," "should," "prospects," "could," "future," "potential," "believes," "plans," "likely" and "probable" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, constitute "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 harbors created thereby. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those under the heading Item 1A. Risk Factors included in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated MFRI, Inc.

MFRI, Inc. is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in two reportable segments: Piping Systems and Filtration Products. The Company website is www.mfri.com. Since the Piping Systems segment is based on large discrete projects, operating results could be negatively impacted in the future as a result of large variations in the level of market demand in both geographies and reporting periods.

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, contained elsewhere in this report. An overview of the segment results is provided in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2 Business segment reporting" contained in Item 1 of this report.

For the three months ended October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, no customer accounted for 10% of the Company's consolidated net sales. For the nine months ended October 31, 2015, no customer accounted for 10% of the Company's consolidated net sales and for the nine months ended October 31, 2014, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 12.6% of the Company's consolidated net sales.

At October 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 17% of accounts receivable. At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 31% of accounts receivable.

Three months ended October 31, 2015 ("current quarter") vs. Three months ended October 31, 2014 ("prior-year quarter")

Net sales increased 51% to $66.3 million in the current quarter, from $43.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Piping Systems sales increased 77% or $20.4 million compared to the prior-year quarter due to higher domestic oil and gas projects and higher volume in Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. Filtration Product sales increased 12% to $19.4 million in the current quarter from $17.3 million in the prior-year quarter due to increased domestic volume and sales from the newly established factory in the Middle East.

Gross profit increased to $17.0 million in the current quarter from $6.7 million in the prior-year quarter, mainly due to the sales volume increase in Piping Systems. The gross margin increased to 25.6% of net sales in the current quarter from 15.3% in the prior-year quarter.

Operating expenses increased to $9.6 million in the current quarter from $8.0 million in the prior-year quarter due to higher management incentive compensation expense, increased professional service expenses and temporary staffing partially offset by a decrease in the deferred compensation expense.

Pretax income from continuing operations was $7.6 million in the current quarter versus a loss of $0.6 million in the prior-year quarter. The primary factor contributing to the 2015 results was higher volume in Piping Systems.


13



The current quarter net income was $6.1 million compared to net loss of $0.4 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase was due to higher sales volume and gross profit in Piping Systems and improved Filtration Products performance.

Nine months ended October 31, 2015 ("YTD") vs. Nine months ended October 31, 2014 ("prior-year YTD")

YTD net sales decreased 8.1% to $144.1 million from $156.7 million for the prior-year YTD. Filtration Products sales decreased 4.4% and were negatively impacted by foreign currency fluctuations of approximately $2.0 million in addition to lower domestic filter bags sales volume. Piping Systems sales decreased 10.0% or $10.3 million compared to the prior-year YTD due to lower volume in domestic oil and gas projects and lower volume in the Middle East.

Gross profit decreased to $26.7 million from $33.3 million in the prior-year YTD due to lower volume in Piping Systems. Operating expenses decreased to $26.6 million YTD from $27.0 million for the prior-year YTD due to lower management incentive compensation expense, partially offset by higher stock compensation expense and increased professional expenses. Operating expenses as a percent of net sales increased to 18.5% from 17.2%.

Pretax income from continuing operations was $0.2 million versus $6.6 million last year. The primary factor contributing to the 2015 results was lower volume in Piping Systems.

The Company's worldwide effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 713.2% and 23.6% for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in the ETR from the prior year to the current year is due to several factors. First, the domestic income is a year to date loss in 2015 while it was income in 2014, which increases the rate because the valuation allowance on the domestic deferred tax assets eliminates any tax benefit for the current period. Secondly, the favorable impact of the U.A.E. zero tax rate is diminished this year due to more of the total foreign income being earned elsewhere and taxed at a rate of 25%. The modest pre-tax profit realized year-to-date exaggerated the percentage impact of the Company's tax expense. See the Income Taxes on the following page.

Net loss was $0.9 million compared to net income of $4.8 million in the prior-year's YTD.

Piping Systems

As the Piping Systems segment is based on large discrete projects, revenues can be subject to large swings in both geographies and reporting periods.
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
($ in thousands)
2015

%
2014

%
% Increase
 
2015

%

2014
%

% Decrease
Net sales
$46,950
 
$26,540
 
77
%
 
$92,374
 
$102,683
 
(10
)%
Gross profit
14,315

30
%
4,609

17
%
211
%
 
19,796
21
%
25,913
25
%
(24
)%
Income from operations
9,721

21
%
1,096

4
%
787
%
 
7,470

8
%
12,896
13
%
(42
)%
Income from joint venture
408

 
903

 
 
 
524
 
1,114
 
 

Current quarter vs. prior-year quarter

Net sales increased 77% to $47.0 million in the current quarter from $26.5 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase was attributed to higher global volume.

Gross margin increased to 30% of net sales in the current quarter from 17% of net sales in the prior-year quarter. Gross margin and gross profit increased due to higher volume. Operating expenses increased to $4.6 million from $3.5 million due to higher management incentive compensation expense and lower professional costs partially offset by higher selling expenses.

14




YTD vs. prior-year YTD

YTD net sales decreased 10% to $92.4 million from $102.7 million in the prior-year YTD. The decrease was attributed to the timing of discrete projects in the Middle East and in domestic oil and gas projects.

Gross margin decreased to 21% of net sales YTD from 25% of net sales in the prior-year YTD. Gross profit decreased due to the lower volume in sales.

Operating expense decreased to $12.3 million from $13.0 million in the prior-year YTD. Operating expenses as a percent of net sales increased to 13.3% from 12.7%. The dollar decrease was due to lower management incentive compensation expense due to lower earnings in the period.

Filtration Products
 
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
($ in thousands)
2015

%
2014

%
% Increase
 
2015

%

2014

%

% Decrease
Net sales
$19,366
 
$17,279
 
12%
 
$51,677
 
$54,030
 
(4)%
Gross profit
2,656

14%
2,112

12%
26%
 
6,876
13.3
 %
7,342
13.6
 %
(6)%
Loss from operations
(162
)
(1)%
(726
)
(4)%
78%
 
(1,337
)
(3
)%
(1,300
)
(2
)%
(3)%

Current quarter vs. prior-year quarter

Net sales increased 12% to $19.4 million in the current quarter from $17.3 million in the prior-year quarter due to increased domestic volume and sales from the newly established factory in the Middle East. Gross profit increased to $2.7 million from $2.1 million. Gross profit rose due to higher volume and by improved mix. Gross margin increased to 14% in the current quarter from 12% in the prior-year quarter due to customer mix and lower costs related to product development.

Operating expenses remained consistent with the prior-year period.

YTD vs. prior-year YTD

YTD net sales decreased 4% to $51.7 million from $54 million in the prior-year YTD. Sales were negatively impacted by foreign currency fluctuations of approximately $2.0 million in addition to lower domestic filter bags sales volume. Gross profit decreased to $6.9 million from $7.3 million. The business continues to widen its geographic market coverage, expand its sales activities to increase revenue and improve its operating margin through expense controls. Startup costs for the new production facility in the U.A.E. had offset some of the cost reductions elsewhere.

YTD operating expenses decreased to $8.2 million from $8.6 million in the prior-year YTD. Decreased selling expense and lower professional costs contributed to the net decrease in expenses.

Corporate
Current quarter vs. prior-year quarter

Corporate operating expenses include general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to the segments. General and administrative expenses increased to $2.2 million in the current quarter from $1.6 million in the prior-year quarter. This increase was due to higher management incentive compensation expense, increased professional service expenses and temporary staffing costs partially offset by a decrease in deferred compensation expenses.


15



Net interest expense decreased to $211 thousand in the current quarter from $293 thousand in the prior-year quarter due to lower interest cost on lower borrowings overseas.

YTD vs. prior-year YTD

YTD general and administrative expenses increased to $6.1 million from $5.3 million in the prior-year YTD due to an increase in professional service expenses and increased stock compensation expense. The prior year included a stock compensation benefit which related to the cancellation of stock options from former employees from the discontinued operations. The increase in general and administrative expenses was also due to temporary staffing costs partially offset by lower management incentive compensation expense and lower deferred compensation expense.

YTD net interest expense was $0.5 million versus $0.8 million in the prior-year YTD, due to due to lower interest cost on lower borrowings overseas and increased interest income on cash holdings at a foreign subsidiary.

INCOME TAXES

The Company's consolidated effective tax rate from continuing operations was 713.2% for the nine months ended October 31, 2015. The Company's consolidated effective tax rate ("ETR") from continuing operations was 713.2% and 23.6% for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The change in the ETR from the prior year to the current year is due to several factors. First, the domestic income is a year to date loss in 2015 while it was income in 2014 which increases the rate because the valuation allowance on the domestic deferred tax assets eliminates any tax benefit for the current period. Secondly, the favorable impact of the U.A.E. zero tax rate is diminished this year due to more of the total foreign income being earned elsewhere and taxed at a rate of 25%. The modest pre-tax profit realized year-to-date exaggerated the percentage impact of the Company's tax expense. The Company remains in a domestic NOL carryforward position. For additional information, see "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3 Income taxes".

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2015 were $10.9 million compared to $10.5 million at January 31, 2015. At October 31, 2015, $0.7 million was held in the U.S., and $10.2 million was held at the foreign subsidiaries. The Company's working capital was $28.3 million on October 31, 2015 compared to $35.9 million on January 31, 2015. Of the working capital components, accounts receivable increased $17.8 million and inventory increased $5.7 million due to the sales volume expansion with accounts payable increasing $11.2 million. Net cash used in operating activities during the first nine months of 2015 was $9.8 million compared to $5.1 million of net cash provided by during the first nine months of 2014.

On April 10, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors terminated the Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, and the Supplemental Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan, pursuant to which key employees deferred compensation. All funds and Company stock remaining in participant accounts will be distributed not later than April 2016. Life insurance contracts have been purchased which can be used to fund a portion of the Company's obligation under these agreements. This is shown on the Statements of Cashflow as a movement from Other assets and liabilities to Accrued compensation and payroll taxes.

The Company has not provided Federal tax on unremitted earnings of its Denmark and Middle East subsidiaries. The Company does not believe that it will be necessary to repatriate investments from these subsidiaries.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 was $4.1 million. The Company expects to spend $7.9 million on capital expenditures for the year versus the $18.7 million budgeted at January 31, 2015. Capital spending was lowered because the Company does not need to expand the facilities in the Middle East in this fiscal year and other projects were delayed.


16



On February 5, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a $2 million share repurchase program.  Share repurchases may be executed through open market or in privately negotiated transactions on or prior to December 31, 2015. The specific number of shares that the Company will ultimately repurchase, and the actual timing and amount of share repurchases, will be dependent on then current market conditions and other business-related factors, as well as the applicable requirements of federal securities law. As of October 31, 2015, the Company has repurchased 45 thousand shares. For additional information, see "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 "Treasury stock/share repurchase program" contained in Item 1 of this report.

Debt totaled $44.0 million at October 31, 2015, a net increase of $14.3 million compared to the beginning of the current fiscal year. For additional information, see "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11 Debt" contained in Item 1 of this report. Net cash provided by financing activities was $14.0 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2015. The working capital expansion due to higher sales volume drove the increase of the credit lines for the period.

On September 24, 2014, the Company entered into a Credit and Security Agreement with a financial institution ("Credit Agreement"). Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, which matures on September 24, 2019, the Company can borrow up to $25.0 million, subject to borrowing base availability from secured domestic assets and other requirements, under a revolving line of credit. The Loan Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, and investments, and require attainment of specific levels of profitability and cash flows. At October 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with loan covenants. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2015 was included as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

Interest rates vary based on the average availability in the preceding fiscal quarter and are: (a) a margin in effect plus a base rate, if below certain availability limits; or (b) a margin in effect plus the Eurodollar rate for the corresponding interest period. As of October 31, 2015, the Company had borrowed $18.7 million at 3.25% and 1.71% and had $6.0 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.3 million of availability was used under the Credit Agreement primarily to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. Cash required for operations is provided by draw downs on the line of credit.

Revolving lines foreign. The Company also has credit arrangements used by its Danish and Middle Eastern subsidiaries. These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities and project financing at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. The lines are secured by certain equipment, certain assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, and a guarantee by the Company. Some credit arrangement covenants requires a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained. At October 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the credit arrangements. At October 31, 2015, interest rates were 4.0% per annum below National Bank of Fujairah Base Rate, minimum 3.5% per annum, and Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate (EIBOR) plus 3.5% per annum. At October 31, 2015, the Company's interest rates range from 3.5% to 6.0%. At October 31, 2015, the Company could have borrowed $44.9 million under these credit arrangements. In addition, $10.1 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. At October 31, 2015, borrowings under these credit arrangements totaled $10.6 million; an additional $24.2 million remained unused.

The Company believes its current cash and cash flow from operations, together with borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facilities, will be sufficient to fund anticipated operations, working capital and capital spending needs for at least the next 12 months.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Critical accounting policies are described in Item 7. MD&A and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended January 31, 2015 contained in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been discussed in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The application of critical accounting policies may require management to make assumptions,

17



judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments and different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of October 31, 2015. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 31, 2015 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including the principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There was no change in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended October 31, 2015 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.     Exhibits

31
 
Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certifications
(1) Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(2) Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32
 
Section 1350 Certifications (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation


18



SIGNATURES


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


MFRI, INC.

Date:
December 8, 2015
/s/ Bradley E. Mautner
 
 
Bradley E. Mautner
 
 
Director, President and
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
December 8, 2015
/s/ Karl J. Schmidt
 
 
Karl J. Schmidt
 
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



19