10-K 1 mfri10k1-31x15.htm 10-K MFRI 10K 1-31-15


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 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)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 per share
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.         Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.         Yes o No x
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 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 the 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 Act) Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant (the exclusion of the market value of the shares owned by any person shall not be deemed an admission by the registrant that such person is an affiliate of the registrant) was $69,518,913 based on the closing sale price of $11.01 per share as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on July 31, 2014.
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding at April 7, 2015 was 7,246,010.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.



MFRI, Inc.
FORM 10-K
For the fiscal period ended January 31, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item
 
Page
 
 
1.
1
 
1
 
3
 
4
 
4
 
5
1A.
5
1B.
8
2.
8
3.
9
4.
9
 
 
 
 
 
5.
9
6.
10
7.
10
7A.
18
8.
18
9.
18
9A.
18
9B.
19
 
 
 
 
 
10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
19
11.
Executive Compensation
19
12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
19
13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
19
14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
19
 
 
 
 
 
15.
20
 
 
 
21
54




PART I

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this Form 10-K that are not historical facts, so-called "forward-looking statements," are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in MFRI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). See "Risk Factors" in Item 1A.

Available Information

The Company files with and furnishes to the SEC, reports including annual meeting materials, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as amendments thereto. The Company maintains a website, www.mfri.com, where these reports and related materials are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically delivers such material to the SEC. The information on the Company's website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated into this or any other filings by the Company with the SEC.

Item 1. BUSINESS

MFRI, Inc., collectively with its subsidiaries ("MFRI", "Company" or "Registrant"), is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in two reportable segments: Piping Systems and Filtration Products. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2014 and 2013 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 11.2% of the Company's net sales. At January 31, 2014, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 10.6% of the Company's net sales. At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 30.7% of accounts receivable. At January 31, 2014 one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 24.5% of accounts receivable.

MFRI, Inc.'s Operating Units
Piping Systems
Filtration Products
Perma-Pipe, Inc.
Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc.
Niles, IL
Winchester, VA
New Iberia, LA
TDC Filter Manufacturing, Inc.
Lebanon, TN
Bolingbrook, IL
Perma-Pipe Middle East FZC
Nordic Air Filtration A/S
Fujarah, United Arab Emirates
Nakskov, Denmark
Perma-Pipe Saudi Arabia, LLC
 
Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 
Perma-Pipe India Pvt. Ltd
 
Gandidham, India
 
Bayou Perma-Pipe Canada, Ltd.
 
Alberta, Canada
 

All operating units shown are, directly or indirectly, wholly owned by MFRI except Bayou Perma-Pipe Canada, Ltd., which is owned 49% by MFRI and 51% by an unrelated party.
 
Piping Systems

Products and services. The Company engineers, designs, manufactures and sells specialty piping and leak detection and location systems. Piping Systems include (i) industrial and secondary containment piping systems for

1


transporting chemicals, hazardous fluids and petroleum products, (ii) insulated and jacketed district heating and cooling ("DHC") piping systems for efficient energy distribution to multiple locations from central energy plants, (iii) subsea oil and gas gathering flow and (iv) above ground long lines for oil and mineral transportation. The leak detection and location systems are sold with some of its piping systems and also on a stand-alone basis to monitor areas where fluid intrusion may contaminate the environment, endanger personal safety, cause a fire hazard, impair essential services or damage equipment or property.

Piping Systems frequently engineers and custom fabricates to job site dimensions and incorporates provisions for thermal expansion due to varying temperatures. This custom fabrication helps to minimize the amount of field labor required by the installation contractor. Most of the piping systems are produced for underground installations and, therefore, require trenching, which is done by unaffiliated installation contractors.

The Piping Systems segment is based on large discrete projects, and domestic Piping Systems is seasonal. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") - Piping Systems."

Customers. The customer base is industrially and geographically diverse. In the United States of America ("U.S."), the Company employs national and regional sales managers who use and assist a network of independent manufacturers' representatives, none of whom sells products that are competitive with the Company's Piping Systems. The Company employs a direct sales force as well as an exclusive agent network for several countries in the Middle and Far East to market and sell products and services.

Intellectual property. The Company owns several patents covering its piping and electronic leak detection systems. The patents are not material either individually or in the aggregate overall because the Company believes sales would not be materially reduced if patent protection were not available. The Company owns numerous trademarks connected with its piping and leak detection systems including the following U.S. trademarks: Perma-Pipe®, Chil-Gard®, Double Quik®, Escon-A®, FluidWatch®, Galva-Gard®, Polytherm®, Pal-AT®, Stereo-Heat®, LiquidWatch®, PalCom®, Xtru-therm®, Auto-Therm®, Pex-Gard®, Multi-Therm®, Ultra-Therm®, Cryo-Gard®
, Sleeve-Gard®, Electro-Gard® and Sulphur-Therm™. The Company also owns a number of trademarks throughout the world. Some of the Company's more significant trademarks include: Auto-Therm®, Cryo-Gard®, Electro-Gard®, Sleeve-Gard®, Permalert®, Pal-AT®, , Perma-Pipe®, Polytherm®, Ric-Wil®, and Xtru-therm®.

Raw materials. Basic raw materials used in production are pipes and tubes made of carbon steel, alloy, copper, ductile iron, plastics and various chemicals such as polyols, isocyanate, urethane resin, polyethylene and fiberglass, mostly purchased in bulk quantities. The Company believes there are currently adequate supplies and sources of availability of these needed raw materials.

The sensor cables used in the leak detection and location systems are manufactured to the Company's specifications by companies regularly engaged in manufacturing such cables. The Company owns patents for some of the features of its sensor cables. The Company assembles the monitoring component of the leak detection and location systems from components purchased from many sources.

Competition. Piping Systems is highly competitive and believes its principal competition consists of between ten and twenty major competitors and more small competitors. The Company believes quality, service, a comprehensive product line and price are key competitive factors. The Company also believes it has a more comprehensive line for DHC than any competitor. Some competitors have greater financial resources and cost advantages as a result of manufacturing a limited range of products.

Government regulation. The demand for the Company's leak detection and location systems and secondary containment piping systems, a small percentage of the total annual piping sales, is driven by federal and state environmental regulation with respect to hazardous waste. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requires, in some cases, that the storage, handling and transportation of fluids through underground pipelines feature secondary containment and leak detection. The National Emission Standard for hydrocarbon airborne particulates requires reduction of airborne volatile organic compounds and fugitive emissions. Under this regulation, many

2


major refineries are required to recover fugitive vapors and dispose of the recovered material in a process sewer system, which then becomes a hazardous secondary waste system that must be contained. Although there can be no assurances as to the ultimate effects of these governmental regulations, the Company believes such regulations may increase the demand for its Piping Systems products.

Filtration Products

Products and services. The Company manufactures and sells a wide variety of filter elements for cartridge collectors and baghouse air filtration and particulate collection systems. The principal types of industrial air filtration and particulate collection systems in use are baghouses, cartridge collectors, electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers and mechanical collectors. This equipment is used to eliminate particulates from the air by passing particulate laden gases through fabric filters (filter bags) or pleated media filter elements, in the case of baghouses or cartridge collectors, between electrically charged collector plates, in the case of electrostatic precipitators and contact with liquid reagents (scrubbers). The Company manufactures filter elements in standard industry sizes, shapes and filtration media and to custom specifications, maintaining manufacturing standards for more than 10,000 styles of filter elements to suit substantially all industrial applications. Filter elements are manufactured from industrial yarn, fabric and paper purchased in bulk. Most filter elements are produced from cellulose, acrylic, fiberglass, polyester, aramid, laminated membranes, or polypropylene fibers. The Company also manufactures filter elements from more specialized materials, sometimes using special finishes.

The Company markets numerous filter related products and accessories used during the installation, operation and maintenance of cartridge collectors and baghouses, including wire cages used to support filter bags, spring assemblies for proper tensioning of filter bags and clamps and hanger assemblies for attaching filter elements. In addition, the Company markets hardware items used in the operation and maintenance of cartridge collectors and baghouses. The Company also provides maintenance services, consisting primarily of air filtration system inspection and filter element replacement, using a network of independent contractors.

Over the past three years, Filtration Products supplied filter elements to more than 4,000 user locations. The Company has particular expertise in supplying filter bags for use with electric arc furnaces in the steel industry. The Company believes its production capacity and quality control procedures make it a leading supplier of filter bags to large users in the electric power industry. Orders from the electric power industry tend to be substantial in size, but are usually at lower margins than other industries.

Customers. The customer base is industrially and geographically diverse. These products and services are used primarily by operators of utility and industrial coal-fired boilers, incinerators and cogeneration plants and by producers of metals, cement, chemicals and other industrial products.

Filtration Products have an integrated sales program, which consists of field-based sales personnel, manufacturers' representatives, a telemarketing operation and computer-based customer information systems. The Company believes the computer-based information systems are instrumental in increasing sales of filter-related products and accessories and maintenance services, as well as sales of filter elements. Filtration Products are marketed domestically under the names Midwesco Filter and TDC Filter Manufacturing.

The Company markets its U.S. manufactured Filtration Products internationally using domestically based sales resources to target major users in foreign countries. The Denmark filtration facility markets pleated filter elements under the name Nordic Filtration throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East, primarily to original equipment manufacturers.

Intellectual property. The Company owns the following trademarks covering Filtration Products: Seamless Tube®, Leak Seeker®, Prekote®, We Take the Dust Out of Industry®, Pleatkeeper®, Pleat Plus® and EFC®. The trademarks are not material either individually or in the aggregate overall because the Company believes sales would not be materially reduced if trademark protection were not available.


3


Raw materials. The basic raw materials used are industrial fibers and media supplied by leading producers of such materials. The majority of raw materials purchased are woven fiberglass fabric, yarns for manufacturing Seamless Tube® products and other woven, felted, spun bond, laminated membranes and cellulose media. Only a limited number of suppliers are available for some of these materials. The Company believes supplies of all materials are adequate to meet current demand.

Competition. The filtration products industry is highly competitive. In addition, new installations of cartridge collectors and baghouses are subject to competition from alternative technologies including electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers and mechanical collectors described above under Products and Services. The Company believes, based on domestic sales that its chief competitors consist of approximately five major and at least 50 smaller businesses, most of which are doing business on a regional or local basis. In Europe, several companies supply filtration products, and the Company is a relatively small participant in that market. Some of the Company's competitors have greater financial resources than the Company.

The Company believes quality, service and price are the most important competitive factors in filtration products. Often, a manufacturer has a competitive advantage when its products have performed successfully for a particular customer in the past. Additional effort is required by a competitor to market products to such a customer. In certain applications, the Company believes its proprietary Seamless Tube® product and customer support provide the Company with a competitive advantage. Some competitors may have a competitive advantage with respect to their own proprietary products and processes, such as specialized fabrics and fabric finishes. In addition, some competitors may have cost advantages with respect to products as a result of lower wage rates and/or greater vertical integration.

Government regulation. The sale of filtration products is influenced by governmental regulation of air pollution at the federal and state levels. The regulatory standards are implemented by each state individually. Emission standards are continually becoming more stringent, and this drives the requirements for product performance. End users' success in securing delay in implementing required regulation reduces demand for fabric products.

Employees

As of January 31, 2015, the Company had 1,040 employees, of whom 53% worked outside the U.S.

International

The Company's international operations as of January 31, 2015 include subsidiaries and a joint venture in five foreign countries on three continents. The Company's international operations contributed approximately 37.6% of revenue in 2014 and 49.6% of revenue in 2013.

Refer to the Business descriptions on pages 1 through 4 above and Note 1 - Business and segment information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on international activities. International operations are subject to risks inherent in conducting business in foreign countries, including price controls, exchange controls, limitations on participation in local enterprises, nationalization, expropriation and other governmental action, and changes in currency exchange rates.


4


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of the Company as of April 1, 2014:
Name
Offices and positions, if any, held with the Company; age
Executive officer of the Company or its predecessor since
Bradley E. Mautner
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer; Age 59
1994
 
 
 
Karl J. Schmidt
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Age 61
2013
 
 
 
Wayne Bosch
Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer; Age 58
2013
 
 
 
Fati A. Elgendy
President and Chief Operating Officer, Perma-Pipe; Age 66
1990
 
 
 
Stephen C. Buck
President, Midwesco Filter; Age 66
2007
All of the executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Bradley E. Mautner, Chief Executive Officer since February 2013. President since December 2004; Chief Operating Officer from December 2004 to January 2013; Executive Vice President from December 2002 to December 2004;Vice President from December 1996 through December 2002; Director since 1994.

Karl J. Schmidt, Appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 2013. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Schmidt served as the Chief Financial Officer of Atkore International (previously Tyco Electrical and Metal Products), a manufacturer of steel pipe and tube products, electrical conduits, cable, and cable management systems. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Schmidt served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sauer-Danfoss, Inc., a global manufacturer of hydraulic, electrical, and electronic components and solutions for off-road vehicles.

Wayne Bosch, Appointed Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer in December 2013. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Bosch was Vice President of Human Resources at Pactiv, a $4 billion global manufacturer and distributor of food packaging products. Prior to Pactiv, he lead the human resource activities at the North American segment of Barilla America, a $6.3 billion global pasta, sauces and bakery manufacturer and was the Chief Human Resources Officer for water filtration leader Culligan International.

Fati A. Elgendy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Perma-Pipe since March 1995.

Stephen C. Buck, President of Midwesco Filter since May 2013. President of Thermal Care Inc., ("Thermal Care") a subsidiary of the Company whose assets were sold in April 2013, from October 2007 to April 2013.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to those set forth below, which could cause actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results. These risk factors should be considered together with information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Economic factors. If the economy experienced a severe and prolonged downturn, it could adversely impact all of the Company's businesses, directly or indirectly. Downturns in such general economic conditions can significantly affect the business of our customers, which in turn affects demand, volume, pricing, and operating margin for our services and products. A downturn in one or more of our significant markets could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition. Because economic and market conditions

5


vary within the Company's segments, the Company's performance by segment will also vary. In addition, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Failure to successfully manage any of these risks could have an adverse impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flow.

Project Cycles. 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.

Customer access to capital funds. Uncertainty about economic market conditions poses risks that the Company's customers may postpone spending for capital improvement and maintenance projects in response to tighter credit markets or negative financial news, which could have a material negative effect on the demand for the Company's products. The continuing decrease in federal and state spending on projects using the Company's products has significantly decelerated government funded construction activity in the U.S., negatively impacting sales volume at the Company's domestic facilities.

Risks related to international business. International sales represent a significant portion of the Company's total sales. During 2014, the Company's international sales decreased from 49.6% to 37.6% and included sales to one customer for 11.2%. The Company's anticipated growth and profitability may require maintaining current international sales volume and may necessitate further international expansion. The Company's financial results could be affected by changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations, or other activities of U.S. and non U.S. governments, agencies and similar organizations. These conditions include, but are not limited to, changes in a country's or region's economic or political conditions, trade regulations affecting production, pricing and marketing of products, local labor conditions and regulations, reduced protection of intellectual property rights in some countries, changes in the regulatory or legal environment, restrictions on currency exchange activities, burdensome taxes and tariffs and other trade barriers. International risks and uncertainties, including changing social and economic conditions as well as terrorism, political hostilities and war, could lead to reduced international sales and reduced profitability associated with such sales.

Government regulation. Demand for the Company's leak and location detection products and secondary containment piping systems is driven by government regulation with respect to hazardous waste. Laws such as the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and standards such as the National Emission Standard for Hydrocarbon Airborne Particulates have increased the demand for the Company's leak and location detection products and secondary containment piping systems. Filtration products, to a large extent, are dependent on governmental regulation of air pollution at the federal and state levels. The Company believes that continuing growth in the sale of filtration products and services will be materially dependent on continuing enforcement of environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act. Although changes in such environmental regulations could significantly alter the demand for the Company's products and services, the Company does not believe such a change is likely to decrease demand in the foreseeable future.

Financing. If there were an event of default under the Company's current revolving credit facilities, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to be due and payable immediately. The Company cannot assure that the assets or cash flow would be sufficient to fully repay amounts due under any of the financing arrangements, if accelerated upon an event of default, or, that the Company would be able to repay, refinance or restructure the payments under any such arrangements. Complying with the covenants under the Company's revolving credit facility may limit management's discretion by restricting options such as:
·
incurring additional debt;
·
entering into transactions with affiliates;
·
making investments or other restricted payments;
·
paying dividends or making other distributions; and
·
creating liens.
Any additional financing the Company may obtain could contain similar or more restrictive covenants. The Company's ability to comply with any covenants may be adversely affected by general economic conditions, political decisions, industry conditions and other events beyond management's control.

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Competition. The businesses in which the Company is engaged are highly competitive. Many of the competitors are larger and have more resources than the Company. Additionally, many of the Company's products are also subject to competition from alternative technologies and alternative products. In periods of declining demand, the Company's fixed cost structure may limit ability to cut costs, which may be a competitive disadvantage compared to firms with lower cost structures, or may result in reduced operating margins and operating losses.

Suppliers. To the extent the Company relies upon a single source for key components of several of its products, the Company believes there are alternate sources available for such components; however, there can be no assurance that the interruption of supplies of such components would not have an adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company and that the Company, if required to do so, would be able to negotiate agreements with alternative sources on acceptable terms.

Backlog. The Company defines backlog as the revenue value in dollars resulting from confirmed customer purchase orders that have not yet been recognized as revenue. However, by industry practice, orders may be canceled or modified at any time. If a customer cancels an order, the customer is normally responsible for all finished goods, all direct and indirect costs incurred and also for a reasonable allowance for anticipated profits. No assurance can be given that these amounts will be recovered after cancellation. Any cancellation or delay in orders may result in lower than expected revenue.

Attracting and retaining senior management and key personnel. The Company's ability to meet strategic and financial goals will depend to a significant extent on the continued contributions of senior management. Future success will also depend in large part on the ability to identify, attract, motivate, effectively utilize and retain highly qualified managerial, sales, marketing and technical personnel. The loss of senior management or other key personnel or the inability to identify, attract and retain qualified personnel in the future could make it more difficult to manage the business and could adversely affect operations and financial results.

Rapid growth of business. Expansion may result in unanticipated adverse consequences, including significant strain on management, operations and financial systems as well as on the Company's ability to attract and retain competent employees. In the future, the Company may seek to grow the business by investing in new or existing facilities, making acquisitions, entering into partnerships and joint ventures, or constructing new facilities, which could entail a number of additional risks, including:

•
strain on working capital;
•
diversion of management from other activities, which could impair the operation of existing businesses;
•
failure to successfully integrate the acquired businesses or facilities into existing operations;
•
inability to maintain key pre-acquisition business relationships;
•
loss of key personnel of the acquired business or facility;
•
exposure to unanticipated liabilities; and
•
failure to realize efficiencies, synergies and cost savings.

As a result of these and other factors, including the general economic risk, the Company may not be able to realize the expected benefits from any recent or future acquisitions, new facility developments, partnerships, joint ventures or other investments.

Percentage-of-completion revenue recognition. All divisions recognize revenues under the stated revenue recognition policy except for sizable domestic complex contracts that require periodic recognition of income. For these contracts, the Company uses the "percentage of completion" accounting method. This methodology allows revenue and profits to be recognized proportionally over the life of a contract by comparing the amount of the cost incurred to date against the total amount of cost expected to be incurred. The effect of revisions to revenue and total estimated cost is recorded when the amounts are known or can be reasonably estimated. These revisions can occur at any time and could be material. On a historical basis, management believes that reasonably reliable estimates of the progress towards completion on long-term contracts have been made. However, given the uncertainties associated with these types of contracts, it is possible for actual cost to vary from estimates previously made, which may result in reductions or reversals of previously recorded revenue and profits.

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Income Taxes. Changes in, or interpretations of, tax rules and regulations may adversely affect our effective tax rates. The Company is a United States-based multinational company subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. A significant portion of earnings for the current fiscal year were earned by foreign subsidiaries. In addition to providing for U.S. income taxes on earnings from the U.S., the Company provides for U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries’ earnings are considered permanently reinvested outside the U.S.. If certain foreign earnings previously treated as permanently reinvested are repatriated, the related U.S. tax liability may be reduced by any foreign income taxes paid on these earnings.

Regulatory and legal requirements. As a public company, the Company is required to comply with the reporting obligations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). Keeping informed of and in compliance with, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance, public disclosure and accounting standards, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Dodd-Frank Act, as well as new and proposed SEC regulations and accounting standards, has required an increased amount of management attention and external resources. Compliance with such requirements has resulted in increased general and administrative expenses and an increased allocation of management time and attention to compliance activities.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS - None.

Item 2.    PROPERTIES     Principal properties at January 31, 2015:
Piping Systems
Illinois
Owned production facilities and office space
16,800 square feet
Louisiana
Owned production facilities and leased land
30,000 square feet on approximately 8 acres
Tennessee
Owned production facilities and office space
131,800 square feet on approximately 23.5 acres
Canada
Joint venture owned production facilities and office space
87,160 square feet on approximately 128 acres
India
Leased production facilities, office space and land
33,700 square feet on approximately 1.2 acres
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Owned production facilities on leased land
91,000 square feet on approximately 21 acres
United Arab Emirates
Leased office space and production facilities on leased land
133,600 square feet on approximately 23 acres

Filtration Products
Illinois
Bolingbrook - owned production facilities and office space
101,500 square feet on 5.5 acres
 
Cicero - owned production facilities and office space, currently idle
130,700 square feet on 2.8 acres
Virginia
Owned production facilities
97,500 square feet on 5.0 acres
 
Leased office space
6,000 square feet
Denmark
Owned production facilities and office space
69,800 square feet on 3.5 acres

The Company's principal executive offices, which occupy approximately 23,400 square feet of space in Niles, Illinois, are owned by the Company. The Company believes its properties and equipment are well maintained and in good operating condition and that productive capacities will be adequate for present and currently anticipated needs.

The Company has several significant operating lease agreements as follows:

•
Nine acres of land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leased through 2030 and an additional ten acres of land is leased through 2031.


8


•
Land for production facilities in the United Arab Emirates, ("U.A.E.") of approximately 80,200 square feet is leased until June 30, 2030. Office space and land for production facilities of approximately 37,700 square feet in the U.A.E. is leased until July 2032.

•
Office space of approximately 6,000 square feet in Virginia is leased through August 31, 2015.

For further information, see Note 7 - Lease information, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - The Company had no material pending litigation.

Item 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES - Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2014 and 2013 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MFRI". The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low Common Stock sale prices as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market for 2014 and 2013.
 
High

Low

Fiscal 2014
 
 
Fourth Quarter
$9.03
$5.46
Third Quarter
13.40

8.62

Second Quarter
12.57

9.62

First Quarter
16.80

9.19

Fiscal 2013
 
 
Fourth Quarter
16.45

11.19

Third Quarter
12.08

9.87

Second Quarter
11.39

6.99

First Quarter
7.55

6.02


As of March 18, 2015, there were 69 stockholders of record and other additional stockholders for whom securities firms acted as nominees.

The Company has never declared or paid a cash dividend and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Management presently intends to retain all available funds for the development of the business and for use as working capital. Future dividend policy will depend upon the Company's earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other relevant factors. The Company's line of credit agreement does not permit the payment of dividends. For further information, see "Financing" in Item 7 and Note 6 - Debt, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Neither the Company nor any "affiliated purchaser" as defined in Rule 10b-18 purchased any shares of the Company's Common Stock during the period covered by this report. See Note 14 - Subsequent events, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of the Company's share repurchase program. The Company has not made any sale of unregistered securities during the preceding three years.

The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Shares is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, New York, New York 10004, (212) 509-4000.

9



Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information regarding the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights under the Company's equity compensation plans and the weighted average exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under those plans as of January 31, 2015.
 
Number of shares to be issued upon exercise of  outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding shares reflected in column (a))
Plan Category
(a)(1)
(b)(1)
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
763,825
$11.45
333,569

(1) The amounts shown in columns (a) and (b) of the above table do not include 33,396 outstanding deferred stock units granted under the Company's Deferred Stock Purchase Plan and the 2013 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan as amended June 14, 2013 ("Omnibus Plan").


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - Not applicable.

Item 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The statements contained under the caption MD&A and other information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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 Exchange Act 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.


10


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
January 31,
Consolidated Backlog ($ in thousands):
2015
2014
Piping Systems
$30,715
$60,555
Filtration Products
16,383
22,938
Total
$47,098
$83,493

MFRI, Inc. is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in two reportable segments: Piping Systems and Filtration Products. 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.

The analysis presented below and discussed in more detail throughout the MD&A was organized to provide instructive information for understanding the business going forward. However, this discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report, including the notes thereto and the risk factors contained herein. An overview of the segment results is provided in Note 1 - Business and segment information, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

For the year ended January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 11.2% of the Company's net sales, and for the year ended January 31, 2014, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 10.6% of the Company's net sales.

At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 30.7% of accounts receivable. At January 31, 2014 one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 24.5% of accounts receivable.

In October 2013, the Company decided to sell its remaining industrial process cooling business in Denmark. This business was sold on February 28, 2014 and was previously reported as Industrial Process Cooling. This business is reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Loss from discontinued operations net of tax was $0.3 million and income from discontinued operations net of tax was $8.2 million for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For further information, see Note 3 - Discontinued operations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2014 Compared to 2013

Net sales were $194.9 million in 2014, a decrease of 14% from $226.8 million in 2013. Piping Systems sales decreased 20% or $31.5 million compared to the prior year due to lower volume in Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.. The first phases of major projects expanding the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah are largely complete. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in domestic oil and gas projects.

Gross profit decreased 26% to $38.5 million in 2014 from $52.2 million in 2013 due to the sales volume decrease in Piping Systems. Filtration Products gross profit decreased 12.2% to $7.9 million in 2014 from $8.9 million in 2013 resulting from costs associated with the introduction of new products as well as overall product mix.

Operating expenses decreased 7.2% to $36.3 million from $39.1 million due to lower management incentive and deferred compensation expenses and a decrease in stock compensation expense. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in professional fees related to compliance. Operating expenses as a percent of net sales increased to 18.6% from 17.3%.

Pretax income from continuing operations was $3.3 million versus $12.3 million in the prior year. Factors contributing to the 2014 results were lower volume in the Middle East partially offset by a profitable performance by the Canadian joint venture and lower interest expense.

The Company's worldwide effective income tax rates on continuing operations for 2014 and 2013 were 97.5% and negative 4.0%, respectively. The 2014 effective income tax rate was affected primarily by the impact of the full valuation allowance maintained against domestic deferred tax assets and anticipated repatriation of foreign earnings. See the Income Taxes paragraphs later in the MD&A.

Net loss was $0.3 million in 2014 compared to net income of $21.0 million in 2013. The prior-year's net income included the sale of most of Thermal Care's domestic assets.

Piping Systems

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.
($ in thousands)
2014

2013

% Increase (Decrease)

Net sales
$126,923
$158,422
(19.9
)%
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
30,676
43,273
(29.1
)%
Percentage of net sales
24
%
27
%
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
12,665
24,213
(47.7
)%
Percentage of net sales
10.0
%
15.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Income from joint venture
1,960

528

271.2
 %
 
 
 
 

Net sales of $126.9 million decreased 20% from $158.4 million in the prior year. The decrease was attributed to lower volume related to the aforementioned projects being largely complete in Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E., offset by an increase in domestic oil and gas projects.

Gross margin decreased to 24% of net sales from 27% of net sales in the prior year. Gross profit decreased due to the lower volume produced at the Saudi Arabian and U.A.E. piping facilities, partially offset by the domestic oil and gas projects.

General and administrative expenses decreased to $12.3 million in 2014 from $14.0 million in 2013 due to lower management incentive compensation expense due to lower earnings in the period, as well as lower bank fees. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 9.7% in 2014 from 8.8% in the prior year.

Selling expenses increased to $5.7 million from $5.1 million due to additional staffing, advertising and travel costs. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased to 4.5% in 2014 from 3.2% in the prior year.

Income from the joint venture in 2014 was $2.0 million, an increase of $1.4 million over prior year, driven by growth in revenues.

Filtration Products

The timing of large orders can have a material effect on net sales and gross profit from period to period. Pricing on large orders was extremely competitive and therefore resulted in comparatively low gross margins in all periods.

Filtration Products' demand is partially impacted by government regulation of air quality at the federal and state levels. The Company believes that growth in the domestic sales of its filtration products and services will be materially dependent on continued enforcement of environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act. Although there can be no assurance what the ultimate effect of the Clean Air Act will be on filtration products, the Company believes the Clean Air Act is likely to have a positive long-term effect on demand for the Company's filtration products and services.
($ in thousands)
2014

2013

% Increase (Decrease)

Net sales
$67,934
$68,413
(0.7
)%
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
7,854
8,942
(12.2
)%
Percentage of net sales
11.6
 %
13.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from operations
(3,565)
(1,629)
118.8
 %
Percentage of net sales
(5.2
)%
(2.4
)%
 

Net sales of $67.9 million in 2014 decreased 0.7% from $68.4 million in 2013. Sales declines were the result of generally weaker demand from international markets.

Gross margin decreased to 11.6% of net sales in 2014 from 13.1% of net sales in 2013. Gross profit decreased due to product mix and costs associated with the introduction of new products. Over the past year, the Company has implemented many initiatives to resize the fabric filter business and lower manufacturing costs in all plants. The Company continues to expand its geographic market coverage and improve its margin through expense controls to strengthen this segment.

General and administrative expense increased to $5.0 million in 2014 from $4.6 million in 2013. The net increase in expenses was the result of the addition of allocated expenses previously carried as corporate expenses. The prior year also included foreign exchange gain. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 7.4% in 2014 from 6.8% in 2013.

Selling expense increased to $6.4 million in 2014 from $5.9 million in 2013. Increased sales staffing was the primary contributor to the net increase in expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling expense increased to 9.4% in 2014 from 8.6% in 2013.

Corporate

Corporate expenses include interest expense and general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to the segments. General and administrative expenses decreased 27% to $6.9 million in 2014 from $9.5 million in 2013. As a percentage of sales, it decreased to 3.5% from 4.2%. The spending decreased due to lower management incentive and deferred compensation expenses and a decrease in stock compensation expense. The stock compensation benefit is related to the cancellation of stock options from former employees of the discontinued operations. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was also due to rental income related to the space occupied by the divested operations. Allocating expenses previously carried as corporate expenses to the segments

11


contributed to the net decrease in expenses. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in professional fees related to compliance. The prior year included a $0.1 million loss on an interest rate swap.

Interest expense decreased to $1.4 million in 2014 from $1.9 million in 2013 due to a reduction in interest rates and lower borrowing volume on the domestic borrowings relative to the prior year.

INCOME TAXES

The Company's worldwide effective tax rates ("ETR") were 97.5% and negative 4.0% in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The ETR in 2014 was higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the impact of the full valuation allowance maintained against domestic deferred tax assets and repatriation of foreign earnings. Although the domestic deferred tax assets had a full valuation allowance in both years, there was no impact last year due to the intraperiod allocation rules and the tax expense allocated to discontinued operations. This had the effect of fully benefiting the continuing operation domestic loss last year, versus no benefit this year. The Company remains in an NOL carryforward position.

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company received a distribution of foreign earnings of $0.8 million from a Denmark subsidiary. These foreign earnings were previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. The repatriation by the Denmark subsidiary was a one-time nonrecurring event. 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. 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.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company has concluded that not all of the undistributed earnings of Perma-Pipe India Ltd, will remain permanently reinvested outside the U.S. and are now available for use in the U.S. or in entities in other foreign countries. As a result of that position, the Company has provided deferred taxes on a portion of the outside basis differences in the stock of this subsidiary. In the fourth quarter of 2014, MFRI recorded $0.8 million in tax expense related to withholding tax that would be paid to the Indian government in the event that a dividend of up to $4.2 million is paid to its foreign parent company. Future earnings related to this subsidiary will not be deemed permanently reinvested. No U.S. cash tax payments will be made upon distribution of these foreign earnings as long as the Company is in a net loss operating position.

A reconciliation of the ETR to the U.S. Statutory tax rate is as follows:
 
2014

2013

Statutory tax rate
34.0
 %
34.0
 %
Valuation allowance for domestic deferred tax assets
53.5
 %
—
 %
Repatriation
25.5
 %
—
 %
Foreign tax credit
(23.9
)%
—
 %
Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture
(20.1
)%
(1.5
)%
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets
3.6
 %
—
 %
Differences in foreign tax rate
13.7
 %
(24.8
)%
Research tax credit
(0.9
)%
—
 %
Valuation allowance for foreign NOLs
0.5
 %
(9.8
)%
State taxes, net of federal benefit
(1.9
)%
(1.6
)%
All other, net expense
13.5
 %
(0.3
)%
Effective income tax rate
97.5
 %
(4.0
)%

For further information, see Note 8 - Income taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

12



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents as of January 31, 2015 were $10.5 million, compared to $13.4 million at January 31, 2014. At January 31, 2015, $0.7 million was held in the U.S. and $9.8 million was held in the foreign subsidiaries. The Company's working capital was $35.9 million at January 31, 2015 compared to $47.6 million at January 31, 2014. Cash provided by operations in 2014 was $4.1 million compared to $6.4 million in 2013.

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company received a distribution of foreign earnings of $0.8 million from a Denmark subsidiary. These foreign earnings were previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. The repatriation by the Denmark subsidiary was a one-time nonrecurring event. 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.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company has concluded that not all of the undistributed earnings of Perma-Pipe India Ltd, will remain permanently reinvested outside the U.S. and are now available for use in the U.S. or in entities in other foreign countries. As a result of that conclusion, the Company has provided deferred taxes on a portion of the outside basis differences in the stock of this subsidiary. In the fourth quarter of 2014, MFRI recorded $0.8 million in tax expense related to withholding tax that would be paid to the Indian government in the event that a dividend of up to $4.2 million is paid to its foreign parent company. No U.S. cash tax payments will be made upon distribution of these foreign earnings as long as the Company is in a net loss operating position.

Net cash provided by investing activities in 2014 was $5.7 million. The Company estimates that capital expenditures for 2015 could be as high as $18.7 million, and the Company may finance capital expenditures through real estate mortgages, term loans, equipment financing loans, internally generated funds and its revolving line of credit. The majority of such expenditures relates to expected capacity expansion for Piping Systems in the Middle East.

Debt totaled $18.3 million at January 31, 2015, a decrease of $13.5 million since January 31, 2014. Net cash used in financing activities was $0.5 million. For additional information, see Note 6 - Debt, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Other long-term liabilities of $3.8 million were composed primarily of accrued pension cost and deferred revenue.

The following table summarizes the Company's estimated contractual obligations at January 31, 2015.
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ending January 31,
 
Contractual obligations
Total

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Revolving line domestic (1)
$11,353

$11,353


$—


$—


$—


$—


$—

Mortgages (2)
13,826

875

876

4,033

602

600

6,840

Revolving line foreign (3)
2,875

2,875

—

—

—

—

—

Term loans (2)
3,180

1,904

719

557

—

—

—

Subtotal
31,234

17,007

1,595

4,590

602

600

6,840

Capitalized lease obligations
2,041

783

746

254

120

124

14

Operating lease obligations (4)
20,327

1,707

1,389

1,287

1,247

1,187

13,510

Projected pension contributions (5)
3,659

352

349

371

368

382

1,837

Deferred compensation (6)
6,749

189

6,560

—

—

—

—

Employment agreements (7)
101

—

—

—

—

—

101

Contractual obligations of discontinued operations (8)
61

61

—

—

—

—

—

Uncertain tax position obligations (9)
116

—

—

—

—

—

116

Total
$64,288
$20,099
$10,639
$6,502
$2,337
$2,293
$22,418


13


Notes to contractual obligations table
(1)
Interest obligations exclude floating rate interest on debt payable under the domestic revolving line of credit. Based on the amount of such debt at January 31, 2015, and the weighted average interest rate of 2.95% on that debt, such interest was being incurred at an annual rate of approximately $0.3 million.
(2)
Scheduled maturities, including interest.
(3)
Scheduled maturities of foreign revolver line, including interest.
(4)
Minimum contractual amounts, assuming no changes in variable expenses.
(5)
Includes estimated future benefit payments.
(6)
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan - The Company had a Supplemental Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan ("Supplemental Plan"), pursuant to which key employees deferred compensation, that was terminated on April 10, 2014. Refer to Note 9 - Retirement plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(7)
Refer to the proxy statement for a description of compensation plans for Named Executive Officers.
(8) Included payments for other liabilities.
(9) Refer to Note 8 - Income taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the uncertain tax position obligations.

Financing

On September 24, 2014, the Company entered into a credit and security agreement with a financial institution (as amended, "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 and other requirements, under a revolving line of credit. The Credit Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, and certain investments, and require attainment of specific levels of profitability and cash flows when reaching certain levels of availability when reaching certain levels of availability. Interest rates are based on options selected by the Company as follows: (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 January 31, 2015, the Company had borrowed $11.4 million at 3.25% and 1.7% and had $8.2 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.1 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. The Credit Agreement replaces a secured loan and security agreement with a bank originally signed on July 11, 2002, as amended, which provided a revolving line of credit up to $25.0 million ("Prior Loan Agreement"). The outstanding amount under the Prior Loan Agreement was paid off in full.

At January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. Subsequent to January 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with the specific level of Borrowing Base availability for the period ended March 31, 2015. While not a covenant violation, the financial institution has the right in the Credit Agreement to have all domestic receipts deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to serve the revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement. However, the financial institution has not exercised that right. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying financial statements.

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. Some credit arrangement covenants requires a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained. At January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the credit arrangement. Interest rates are 4.0% per annum below National Bank of Fujairah Base Rate, minimum 3.5% per annum and Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate (EIBOR) plus 3.50% per annum. The Company's interest rates range from 3.5% to 6.0%. At January 31, 2015, the Company can borrow $36.3 million under these credit arrangements. The Company borrowed $2.8 million and had $24.0 million available under these credit arrangements as of January 31, 2015. In addition, $9.5 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. For further information, see Note 6 - Debt, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

14



On April 1, 2015, the Company obtained a loan with no maturity date in the amount of $1.9 million, sourced from the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies. The loan carries interest at a rate of approximately 5% and requires interest only payments annually.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

The Company's significant accounting policies are discussed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The application of certain of these policies requires significant judgments or a historical based estimation process that can affect the results of operations and financial position of the Company as well as the related footnote disclosures. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable. If actual amounts ultimately differ from previous estimates, the revisions are included in the Company's results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known.

Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes revenues, including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, when all the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. All subsidiaries of the Company, except as noted below, recognize revenues upon shipment or delivery of goods or services when title and risk of loss pass to customers.

Percentage of completion revenue recognition. All divisions recognize revenues under the above stated revenue recognition policy except for sizable domestic complex contracts that require periodic recognition of income. For these contracts, the Company uses the "percentage of completion" accounting method. Under this approach, income is recognized in each reporting period based on the status of the uncompleted contracts and the current estimates of costs to complete. The choice of accounting method is made at the time the contract is received based on the expected length and complexity of the project. The percentage of completion is determined by the relationship of costs incurred to the total estimated costs of the contract. Provisions are made for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income. Such revisions are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Claims for additional compensation due to the Company are recognized in contract revenues when realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method for all inventories.

Income taxes. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences arising from differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes on temporary differences have been recorded at the current tax rate. The Company assesses its deferred tax assets for realizability at each reporting period.

The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

Equity-based compensation. Stock compensation expense for employee equity awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of the award. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is utilized to estimate the fair value of option awards. Determining the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model requires judgment, including estimates for (1) risk-free interest rate - an estimate based on the yield of zero-coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2) expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of the Company's Common Stock; and (3) expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations.

15



Fair value of financial instruments. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are based upon reasonable estimates of their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies approximated fair value and was based on the market value of the underlying investments, which may increase or decrease due to fluctuations in the overall financial markets. The carrying amount of the Company's short-term debt, revolving line of credit and long-term debt approximate fair value because the majority of the amounts outstanding accrue interest at variable rates.

The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to reduce its exposure to market risks from changing interest rates under the revolving credit agreement. Any differences paid or received on the interest rate swap agreements are recognized as adjustments to interest expense over the life of the swap, thereby adjusting the effective interest rate on the underlying obligation.

New accounting pronouncements. See Recent accounting pronouncements in Note 2 - Significant accounting policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK - Not applicable.

Item 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the two years in the periods ended as of January 31, 2015 and 2014 and the notes thereto are set forth as an exhibit hereto.

Item 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE - None.

Item 9A.    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 Exchange Act as of January 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 January 31, 2015 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act 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.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. As required by Rule 13a-15(c) under the Exchange Act, MFRI's management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the last fiscal year. The framework on which such evaluation was based is contained in the report entitled "Internal Control-Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the "COSO 2013 Framework").

The Company's system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based on its assessment, management has concluded that the Company has maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2015, based on criteria in the COSO 2013 Framework.

16



Item 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION - None.

PART III

Item 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

Information with respect to executive officers of the Company is included in Part I Item 1, hereof under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant".

Item 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTING FEES AND SERVICES

Information with respect to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.


17


PART IV

Item 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

a.    List of documents filed as part of this report:
(1)
Financial Statements - Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company
Refer to Part II, Item 8 of this report.
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

b.
Exhibits: The exhibits, as listed in the Exhibit Index included herein, are submitted as a separate section of this report.

c.    The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted under 15a(2) above.


18


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Board of Directors and Shareholders
MFRI Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MFRI Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the Company) as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2015. Our audits of the basic consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MFRI Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Chicago, Illinois
April 16, 2015


19


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 
Twelve months ended January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
2015

2014

 
 
 
Net sales
$194,857
$226,835
Cost of sales
156,327

174,620

Gross profit
38,530

52,215

 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
General and administrative expense
24,202

28,116

Selling expense
12,122

11,016

Total operating expenses
36,324

39,132

 
 
 
Income from operations
2,206

13,083

 
 
 
Income from joint venture
1,960

528

 
 
 
Interest expense, net
843

1,311

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
3,323

12,300

 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
3,241

(493
)
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
82

12,793

 
 
 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax
(338
)
8,234

 
 
 
Net (loss) income
($256)
$21,027
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
 
Basic
7,251

7,028

Diluted
7,251

7,096

 
 
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations
 
 
Basic
$0.01
$1.82
Diluted
$0.01
$1.80
(Loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations
 
 
Basic
($0.05)
$1.17
Diluted
($0.05)
$1.16
Earnings per share
 
 
Basic
($0.04)
$2.99
Diluted
($0.04)
$2.96

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note: Earnings per share calculations could be impacted by rounding.


20


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

 
Twelve months ended January 31,
 
2015

2014

 
 
 
Net (loss) income
($256)
$21,027
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(1,718
)
(1,268
)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax
(1,611
)
682

Interest rate swap, net of tax
(40
)
151

Other comprehensive loss
(3,369
)
(435
)
 
 
 
Comprehensive (loss) income
($3,625)
$20,592
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


21


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
2015
2014
ASSETS
 
 
Current assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$10,508
$13,395
Restricted cash
428

439

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $110 at January 31, 2015 and $194 at January 31, 2014
41,847

45,659

Inventories, net
29,770

33,547

Assets held for sale
—

1,223

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4,349

5,353

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
700

1,476

Total current assets
87,602

101,092

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
42,020

42,541

Other assets
 
 
Deferred tax assets - long-term
—

1,667

Note receivable from joint venture
3,931

4,659

Investment in joint venture
8,514

6,550

Cash surrender value on life insurance policies
3,256

3,110

Other assets
3,215

2,736

Assets held for sale long-term
—

914

Total other assets
18,916

19,636

Total assets
$148,538
$163,269
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$11,072
$15,276
Commissions and management incentives payable
5,734

9,235

Accrued compensation and payroll taxes
5,551

5,254

Revolving line domestic
11,353

—

Current maturities of long-term debt
5,679

8,274

Customers' deposits
7,341

7,372

Liabilities held for sale
—

527

Other accrued liabilities
2,486

1,842

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
681

2,222

Deferred tax liabilities - current
165

889

Income tax payable
1,688

2,593

Total current liabilities
51,750

53,484

Long-term liabilities
 
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
12,603

23,469

Deferred compensation liabilities
6,560

6,509

Liabilities held for sale long-term
—

968

Deferred tax liabilities - long-term
309

—

Other long-term liabilities
3,793

2,203

Total long-term liabilities
23,265

33,149

Stockholders' equity
 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000 shares; 7,291 issued and outstanding January 31, 2015 and 7,169 issued and outstanding January 31, 2014
73

72

Additional paid-in capital
52,655

52,144

Retained earnings
25,324

25,580

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(4,529
)
(1,160
)
Total stockholders' equity
73,523

76,636

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$148,538
$163,269
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

22


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
($ in thousands, except share data)
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Total stockholders' equity at January 31, 2013
$69
$50,358
$4,553
($725)
$54,255
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
 
21,027

 
21,027

Stock options exercised
3

1,585

 
 
1,588

Stock-based compensation
 
196

 
 
196

Deferred shares converted to common stock
 
5

 
 
5

Interest rate swap
 
 
 
151

151

Pension liability adjustment
 
 
 
966

966

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
(1,269
)
(1,269
)
Tax expense on above items
 
 
 
(283
)
(283
)
Total stockholders' equity at January 31, 2014
$72
$52,144
$25,580
($1,160)
$76,636
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
 
(256
)
 
(256
)
Stock options exercised

330

 
 
330

Stock-based compensation expense
 
124

 
 
124

Deferred shares converted to common stock
1

57

 
 
58

Interest rate swap
 
 
 
(51
)
(51
)
Pension liability adjustment
 
 
 
(1,611
)
(1,611
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
(1,631
)
(1,631
)
Tax expense on above items
 
 
 
(76)
(76)
Total stockholders' equity at January 31, 2015
$73
$52,655
$25,324
($4,529)
$73,523


Common stock shares
2014

2013

Balance beginning of year
7,168,537

6,924,084

Shares issued
122,039

244,453

Balance end of year
7,290,576

7,168,537


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


23


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Twelve months ended January 31,
($ in thousands)
2015
2014
Operating activities
 
 
Net (loss) income
($256)
$21,027
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows provided by operating activities
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
5,897

5,785

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
(188
)
(11,449
)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
1,439

(3,190
)
Income from joint venture
(1,960
)
(528
)
Stock-based compensation expense
124

196

Cash surrender value on life insurance policies
(145
)
(164
)
Provision on uncollectible accounts
(80
)
(158
)
(Gain) Loss on disposal of fixed assets
(17
)
328

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
Accounts payable
(4,612
)
(4,438
)
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes
(3,055
)
6,026

Inventories
3,348

8,608

Customers' deposits
(28
)
(198
)
Income taxes receivable and payable
(687
)
2,564

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
977

(619
)
Accounts receivable
3,314

(18,015
)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
(765
)
1,110

Notes receivable
849

331

Other assets and liabilities
(49
)
(816
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
4,106

6,400

Investing activities
 
 
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations
109

15,172

Capital expenditures
(5,878
)
(2,761
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
24

16

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(5,745
)
12,427

Financing activities
 
 
Proceeds from revolving lines
85,270

102,344

Proceeds from debt
661

5,197

Payments of debt on revolving lines
(83,150
)
(109,501
)
Payments of other debt
(3,641
)
(7,643
)
Increase (decrease) in drafts payable
629

(3,125
)
Payments on capitalized lease obligations
(704
)
(603
)
Stock options exercised and deferred shares issued
389

1,592

Net cash used in financing activities
(546
)
(11,739
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(702
)
(727
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(2,887
)
6,361

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
13,395

7,034

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

$10,508


$13,395

Supplemental cash flow information
 
 
Interest paid
$1,288
$1,958
Income taxes paid
2,988

409

Fixed assets acquired under capital leases
680

107

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

1,125

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

24


MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED January 31, 2015 and 2014
(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 - Business and segment information

MFRI, Inc. ("MFRI", the "Company", or the "Registrant") was incorporated in Delaware on October 12, 1993. MFRI is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in two distinct segments: Piping Systems and Filtration Products.

Fiscal year. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2014 and 2013 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Nature of business. Piping Systems engineers, designs, manufactures and sells specialty piping and leak detection and location systems. This segment's specialty piping systems include (i) industrial and secondary containment piping systems for transporting chemicals, hazardous fluids and petroleum products, (ii) insulated and jacketed district heating and cooling piping systems for efficient energy distribution to multiple locations from central energy plants, and (iii) oil and gas gathering flow and long lines for oil and mineral transportation. Piping Systems' leak detection and location systems are sold with many of its piping systems and on a stand-alone basis, to monitor areas where fluid intrusion may contaminate the environment, endanger personal safety, cause a fire hazard, impair essential services or damage equipment or property. Filtration Products manufactures and sells a wide variety of filter elements for use in industrial air filtration systems and particulate collection systems. Air filtration systems are used in a wide variety of industries to limit particulate emissions, primarily to comply with environmental regulations. Filtration Products markets air filtration related products and accessories, and provides maintenance services, consisting primarily of dust collector inspection, filter cleaning and filter replacement.

MFRI's reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services. Each is managed separately based on fundamental operating differences. Each strategic business was acquired as a unit and management at the time of acquisition was retained. The Company evaluates performance based on gross profit and income or loss from operations.



25


Segment information was as follows:
 
2014
2013
Net sales
 
 
Piping Systems
$126,923
$158,422
Filtration Products
67,934
68,413
Total net sales
$194,857
$226,835
Gross profit
 
 
Piping Systems
$30,676
$43,273
Filtration Products
7,854
8,942
Total gross profit
$38,530
$52,215
Income (loss) from operations
 
 
Piping Systems
$12,665
$24,213
Filtration Products
(3,565)
(1,629)
Corporate
(6,894)
(9,501)
Total income (loss) from operations
$2,206
$13,083
 
 
 
Segment assets
 
 
Piping Systems
$99,993
$109,154
Filtration Products
42,335
41,765
Corporate
6,210
12,350
Total segment assets
$148,538
$163,269
Capital expenditures
 
 
Piping Systems
$3,953
$2,425
Filtration Products
1,440
294
Corporate
485
42
Total capital expenditures
$5,878
$2,761
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
Piping Systems
$3,635
$3,489
Filtration Products
1,710
1,729
Corporate
552
567
Total depreciation and amortization
$5,897
$5,785
 
 
 


26


Geographic information. Net sales are attributed to a geographic area based on the destination of the product shipment. Sales to foreign customers was 44% in 2014 compared to 57% in 2013. Long-lived assets are based on the physical location of the assets and consist of property, plant and equipment used in the generation of revenues in the geographic area.
 
2014
2013
Net sales
 
 
  United States
$109,257
$97,311
  Middle East
52,292
94,500
  Europe
14,482
14,933
  Canada
4,160
7,591
  India
5,469
773
  Other Americas
5,627
6,915
  Other
3,570
4,812
Total net sales
$194,857
$226,835
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
 
 
  United States
$26,747
$25,260
  Middle East
11,608
12,751
  Denmark
3,274
4,020
  India
391
510
Total
$42,020
$42,541

Note 2 - Significant accounting policies

Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes revenues including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, when all the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. All subsidiaries of the Company, except as noted below, recognize revenues upon shipment or delivery of goods or services when title and risk of loss pass to customers.

Percentage of completion revenue recognition. All divisions recognize revenues under the above stated revenue recognition policy except for sizable domestic complex contracts that require periodic recognition of income. For these contracts, the Company uses the "percentage of completion" accounting method. Under this approach, income is recognized in each reporting period based on the status of the uncompleted contracts and the current estimates of costs to complete. The choice of accounting method is made at the time the contract is received based on the expected length and complexity of the project. The percentage of completion is determined by the relationship of costs incurred to the total estimated costs of the contract. Provisions are made for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income. Such revisions are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Claims for additional compensation due the Company are recognized in contract revenues when realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Shipping and handling. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales, and the amounts invoiced to customers relating to shipping and handling are included in net sales.


27


Sales tax. Sales tax is reported on a net basis in the consolidated financial statements.

Operating cycle. The length of piping systems contracts vary, but are typically less than one year. The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable and payable in the normal course of contract completion unless completion of such contracts extends significantly beyond one year. The Company's other businesses do not have an operating cycle beyond one year.

Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Translation of foreign currency. Assets and liabilities of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at year-end. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and the related tax effects are reflected in net income. The resulting translation adjustments are included in stockholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Contingencies. The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, including those involving environmental, tax, product liability and general liability claims. The Company accrues for such liabilities when it is probable that future costs will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are based on developments to date, the Company's estimates of the outcomes of these matters, and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling other similar matters. The Company does not currently anticipate the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to these matters will materially affect the Company's financial position, liquidity or future operations.

Cash and cash equivalents. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents were $10.5 million and $13.4 million as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At January 31, 2015, $0.7 million was held in the U.S. and $9.8 million was held in the foreign subsidiaries.

Accounts payable included drafts payable of $0.8 million and $0.2 million as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Restricted cash. At January 31, 2015, $428 thousand of restricted cash was held by a foreign subsidiary. At January 31, 2014, the amount of restricted cash was $439 thousand of which $393 thousand of restricted cash was held by a foreign subsidiary.

Accounts receivable. The majority of the Company's accounts receivable are due from geographically dispersed contractors and manufacturing companies. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition, including the availability of credit insurance. In the U.S. collateral is not generally required. In the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, letters of credit are obtained for substantially all material orders. Accounts receivable are due within various time periods specified in the terms applicable to the specific customer and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for claims and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated using a percentage of sales method based upon collection history and an estimate of uncollectible accounts. Management may exercise its judgment in adjusting the provision as a consequence of known items, such as current economic factors and credit trends. Past due trade accounts receivable balances are written off when the Company's collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due. Accounts receivable adjustments are recorded against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Concentration of credit risk. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts at financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Cash balances may exceed FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company has a broad customer base doing business in all regions of the U.S. as well as other areas in the world. At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping

28


Systems accounted for 11.2% of the Company's net sales. At January 31, 2014, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 10.6% of the Company's net sales.

At January 31, 2015, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 30.7% of accounts receivable. At January 31, 2014, one customer in Piping Systems accounted for 24.5% of accounts receivable.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Represents the change in equity from non-owner transactions and consisted of foreign currency translation, minimum pension liability and interest rate swaps.
 
2014

2013

Equity adjustment foreign currency

($1,721
)

($90
)
Minimum pension liability, gross
(3,124)
(1,513)
Interest rate swap, gross
(119)
(68)
Subtotal excluding tax effect
(4,964)
(1,671)
Tax effect of foreign exchange
(74)
12
Tax effect of minimum pension liability
481
482
Tax effect of interest rate swap
28
17
Total other comprehensive loss
($4,529)
($1,160)

Pension plan. The defined benefit plan that covered Winchester filtration hourly rated employees was frozen on June 30, 2013. The benefits are based on fixed amounts multiplied by years of service of retired participants. The Company engages outside actuaries to calculate its obligations and costs. The funding policy is to contribute such amounts as are necessary to provide for benefits attributed to service to date. The amounts contributed to the plan are sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method for all inventories.
 
2014
2013
Raw materials
$22,887
$27,330
Work in process
1,254
2,855
Finished goods
6,550
4,311
Subtotal
30,691
34,496
Less allowances
921
949
Inventories, net
$29,770
$33,547

Long-lived assets. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Interest is capitalized in connection with the construction of facilities and amortized over the asset's estimated useful life. Long-lived assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If such a review indicates impairment, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to an estimated fair value.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to 30 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease or its useful life whichever is shorter. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense was approximately $5.9 million in 2014 and $5.8 million in 2013.


29


 
2014
2013
Land, buildings and improvements
$36,493
$36,535
Machinery and equipment
54,277
50,793
Furniture, office equipment and computer systems
10,426
9,723
Transportation equipment
192
206
Subtotal
101,388
97,257
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
59,368
54,716
Property, plant and equipment, net
$42,020
$42,541

Impairment of long-lived assets. 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.

The Company has an idle facility in Cicero, Illinois that has not yet been sold and does not meet the criteria to be presented as held for sale as of January 31, 2015. Subsequently, on March 16, 2015,the Company signed a letter of intent to sell its idle facility in Cicero, Illinois to an unaffiliated third party. The Company does not anticipate that it will recognize a material gain or loss from sale upon closing the transaction. In 2014, management performed the required impairment analysis on the idle facility to determine if its carrying value was recoverable. Management determined that the carrying value of the idle facility was fully recoverable.

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 $2.7 million and $2.6 million as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.3 million and $2.2 million as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $52,029 in 2015, $48,201 in 2016, $45,176 in 2017, $36,189 in 2018, $33,193 in 2019, and $183,410 thereafter.

Investment in joint venture. In October 2009, the Company invested $5.9 million, which consisted of $2.0 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 completed an acquisition of Garneau, Inc.'s pipe coating and insulation facility and associated assets located in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, which provides the Company the opportunity to participate in the growing oil sands market. In February 2012, the Company loaned $1.0 million to its Canadian joint venture to be used for capital expenditures.

The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. The financial results are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
2014
2013
Share of income from joint venture
$1,960
$528


30


The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data:
 
2014
2013
Current assets
$13,820
$13,034
Noncurrent assets
14,023
17,093
Current liabilities
4,499
2,921
Noncurrent liabilities
9,013
14,837
Equity
14,331
12,369
Revenue
40,397
29,110
Gross profit
8,451
4,748
Income from continuing operations
6,397
2,619
Net income
4,000
1,078

Research and development. Research and development expenses consist of materials, salaries and related expenses of engineering personnel and outside services for product development projects. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expense was approximately $1.3 million in 2014 and $0.7 million in 2013.

Income taxes. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences arising from differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes on temporary differences have been recorded at the current tax rate. The Company assesses its deferred tax assets for realizability at each reporting period.

The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. For further information, see Note 8 - Income taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net (loss) income per common share. Earnings per share ("EPS") are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic). The year 2014 had net losses; therefore, the diluted loss per share was identical to the basic loss per share rather than assuming conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share. The year 2013 had net earnings.
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
2014

2013

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
7,251

7,028

Dilutive effect of stock options
—

68

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming full dilution
7,251

7,096

 
 
 
Weighted average number of stock options not included in the computation of diluted EPS of common stock because the option exercise prices exceeded the average market prices
261

301

Canceled options during the year
(64
)
(73
)
Stock options with an exercise price below the average stock price
503

475


Equity-based compensation. The Company issues various types of stock-based awards to employees and directors: restricted stock, deferred stock and stock options. Compensation expense associated with restricted and deferred stock is based on the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock compensation expense for stock options is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of the award. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is utilized to estimate the fair value of option awards. Determining the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model requires judgment, including estimates for (1) risk-free interest rate - an estimate based on the

31


yield of zero-coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2) expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock; and (3) expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations. If any of these assumptions differ significantly from actual, stock-based compensation expense could be impacted.

Fair value of financial instruments. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of the Company's short-term debt, revolving line of credit and long-term debt approximate fair value because the majority of the amounts outstanding accrue interest at variable rates.

The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement in 2012 to reduce its exposure to market risks from changing interest rates. Any differences paid or received on the interest rate swap agreements are recognized as adjustments to interest expense over the life of the swap, thereby adjusting the effective interest rate on the underlying obligation.

Reclassifications. Reclassifications were made to prior-year financial statements to conform to the current-year presentations.

Recent accounting pronouncements. In August 2014, the the Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB"), issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) - Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. Early application is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the financial statement impacts of the guidance in this ASU and determining which transition method will be utilized.

In April 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in a company's operations and financial results should be reported as discontinued operations, with expanded disclosures. In addition, disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify as a discontinued operation is required. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2016. The guidance applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups held for sale after the effective date. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, the guidance will have upon adoption.

The Company evaluated other recent accounting pronouncements and does not expect them to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 - Discontinued operations

On April 30, 2013, the Company sold most of the domestic assets of its industrial process cooling subsidiary, Thermal Care, Inc., to a subsidiary of IPEG, Inc. for $16.3 million cash. On June 26, 2013, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of the HVAC business previously included in Corporate and Other. In October 2013,

32


the Company decided to sell its remaining industrial process cooling business in Denmark. This business was sold on February 28, 2014 for $0.1 million cash. From October 2013 until it was sold, the business was operational and selling product. These businesses are reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and the notes to consolidated financial statements have been revised to conform to the current year reporting. The $0.3 million of tax expense for the period ended January 31, 2015 relates to the reversal of deferred tax assets on the books of the Denmark subsidiary upon the sale of that subsidiary. Loss from discontinued operations net of tax was $0.3 million and income from discontinued operations net of tax was $8.2 million for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Results of the discontinued operations were as follows:
 
2014

2013

Net sales

$176


$14,063

 
 
 
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

$188


$11,082

(Loss) income from discontinued operations
(202
)
(28
)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes
(14
)
11,054

Income tax expense
324

2,820

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

($338
)

$8,234

 
 
 


Note 4 - Retention

Retention receivable is the amount withheld by a customer until a contract is completed. Retention receivables of $5.7 million and $5.0 million were included in the balance of trade accounts receivable as of January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


Note 5 - Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
 
2014
2013
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts
$66,547
$52,064
Estimated earnings
31,082
18,915
Earned revenue
97,629
70,979
Less billings to date
97,610
71,725
Costs in excess of billings, net
$19
($746)
Balance sheet classification
 
 
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
$700
$1,476
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
(681)
(2,222)
Costs in excess of billings, net
$19
($746)


33


Note 6 - Debt
 
2014

2013

Revolving line domestic
$11,353
$6,951
Mortgage notes
10,567

11,172

Revolving lines foreign
2,774

5,059

Term loans
3,036

6,494

Capitalized lease obligations (See Note 7 - Lease information)
1,906

2,067

Total debt
29,636

31,743

Less current maturities
17,033

8,274

Total long-term debt
$12,603
$23,469

The following table summarizes the Company's scheduled maturities at January 31,:
 
Total
2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Revolving line domestic
$11,353

$11,353


$—

$0

$—


$—


$—

Mortgages
10,567
384
401
3,576
365
379
5,462
Revolving line foreign
2,774
2,774
—

—

—

—

—

Term loans
3,036
1,820
699
517
—

—

—

Capitalized lease obligations
1,906
702
708
244
116
122
14

Total
$29,636
$17,033
$1,808
$4,337
$481
$501
$5,476

On September 24, 2014, the Company entered into a credit and security agreement with a financial institution (as amended, "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 and other requirements, under a revolving line of credit. The Credit Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, and certain investments, and require attainment of specific levels of profitability and cash flows when reaching certain levels of availability. Interest rates are based on options selected by the Company as follows: (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. At January 31, 2015, the Company had borrowed $11.4 million at 3.25% and 1.7%, and had $8.2 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.1 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. The Credit Agreement replaces a secured loan and security agreement with a bank originally signed on July 11, 2002, as amended, which provided a revolving line of credit up to $25.0 million ("Prior Loan Agreement"). The outstanding amount under the Prior Loan Agreement was paid off in full.

At January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. Subsequent to January 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with the specific level of Borrowing Base availability for the period ended March 31, 2015. While not a covenant violation, the financial institution has the right in the Credit Agreement to have all domestic receipts deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to serve the revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying financial statements.

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 January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenant under the credit arrangement. Interest rates are 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. The Company's interest rates range from 3.5% to 6.0% at January 31, 2015. At January 31, 2015, the

34


Company can borrow $36.3 million under these credit arrangements. The Company borrowed $2.8 million and had $24.0 million available under these credit arrangements as of January 31, 2015. In addition, $9.5 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases.

The Company has a revolving line for 50 million Saudi Riyal (approximately $13.3 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Saudi Arabian bank. The loan has an interest rate of approximately 6% and matures September 2015.

The Company has a revolving line for 40 million Dirhams (approximately $10.9 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a bank in the U.A.E. The loan has an interest rate of approximately 6% and matures June 2015.

The Company has a revolving line for 35.3 million Dirhams (approximately $9.6 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a bank in the U.A.E. The loan has an interest rate of approximately 6% and matures November 2015.

The Company guarantees the subsidiaries' debt including all foreign debt.

Mortgages. On June 19, 2012, Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $1.8 million under a mortgage note secured by its manufacturing facility in Lebanon, Tennessee. The proceeds were used for payment of amounts borrowed. The loan bears interest at 4.5% with monthly payments of $13 thousand for both principal and interest and matures July 1, 2027. On June 19, 2022, and on the same day of each year thereafter, the interest rate shall adjust to the prime rate provided the applicable interest rate shall not adjust more than 2.0% per annum and shall be subject to ceiling of 18.0% and a floor of 4.5%.

On March 27, 2012, the Company obtained a loan in the amount of 7.9 million Danish Kroners ("DKK") (approximately $1.4 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank under a mortgage note secured by its Filtration Products manufacturing facility in Denmark. The loan has an interest rate of 2.2%, monthly payments of approximately $7.5 thousand for both principal and interest and matures March 2032.

On March 4, 2008, the Company borrowed $5.4 million under a mortgage note secured by the Filtration Products manufacturing facility located in Bolingbrook, Illinois that matures March 2033. The 25 year mortgage resets its interest rate every five years based on a published index. The interest rate is 4.04% with monthly payments of $30 thousand for principal and interest combined.

On January 18, 2008, the Company borrowed $3.7 million under a mortgage note secured by its manufacturing and office facility in Niles, Illinois. The loan bears interest at 6.3% with monthly payments of $23 thousand for both principal and interest based on an amortization schedule of thirty years with a balloon payment at maturity in January 2018.

Term loans. On December 10, 2012, the Company obtained a loan in the amount of 1.4 million Euros (approximately $1.8 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank by its Filtration Products manufacturing facility in Denmark. The loan is secured by equipment. The interest rate at January 31, 2015 was 3.7%. The loan has a variable interest rate plus margin, quarterly payments of approximately $108 thousand for both principal and interest and matures December 2017.

From November 2013 to October 2014, the Company obtained loans in the amount of 1.0 million Dirhams (approximately $284 thousand U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the transaction dates). The loans bears interest at 3.4% and 5.75% with monthly payments of $12 thousand for both principal and interest and matures between November 1, 2015 and November 30, 2016.


35


On April 10, 2012, the Company obtained a loan from a U.A.E. bank to purchase equipment and office furniture for a building for the Piping System's facility in Saudi Arabia, in the amount of 22.2 million Dirhams (approximately $5.9 million U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the transaction date). The loan is secured by the equipment and office furniture purchased and bears interest at 5.5% with quarterly payments of approximately $408 thousand for both principal and interest and matures April 2016.

Capital leases. In August 2014, Filtration Products' obtained a capital lease in the amount of $0.4 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 1.5% with monthly payments of $15 thousand for both principal and interest commencing April 1, 2015 and matures March 31, 2020.

On November 28, 2013, Filtration Products' Denmark location obtained a capital lease in the amount of 0.5 million DKK (approximately $79 thousand U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank to finance capital expenditures. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.7% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $2 thousand and matures December 2018.

On July 13, 2012, Filtration Products' Denmark location obtained a capital lease in the amount of 1.5 million DKK (approximately $0.3 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank to finance capital expenditures. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.2% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $4 thousand and matures August 2017.

On May 1, 2012, Piping Systems and Filtration Products borrowed $1.1 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 6.5% with monthly payments of $21 thousand for both principal and interest and matures June 2017.

On January 31, 2012, Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $1.2 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 6.7% with monthly payments of $24 thousand for both principal and interest and matures January 2017.

On July 1, 2011, Filtration Products' Denmark location obtained a capital lease in the amount of 2.2 million DKK (approximately $0.4 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank to finance capital expenditures. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.4% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $6 thousand and matures June 2016.

In 2013 and 2014, Piping Systems obtained two capital leases totaling 1.5 million Indian Rupees (approximately $24 thousand U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) to finance vehicle equipment. The interest rate for these capital leases range from 12.8% to 18.2% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $1 thousand and matures in 2016 and 2017.

On April 23, 2010, Filtration Products' Denmark location obtained a capital lease in the amount of 1.0 million DKK (approximately $0.2 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank to finance capital expenditures. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 9.7% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $2.5 thousand and matures June 2015.


36


Note 7 - Lease information
Property under capitalized leases
2014

2013

Machinery and equipment
$3,854
$3,328
Transportation equipment
24

31

Computer equipment
92

92

Subtotal
3,970

3,451

Less accumulated amortization
1,193

871

Total
$2,777
$2,580
 
 
 
Fixed assets acquired under capital leases
$680
$107

The Company has several significant operating lease agreements as follows:
•
Nine acres of land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leased through 2030 and an additional ten acres of land is leased through 2031.
•
Land for production facilities in the U.A.E. of approximately 80,200 square feet is leased until June 30, 2030. Office space and land for production facilities of approximately 37,700 square feet in the U.A.E. is leased until July 2032.
•
Office space of approximately 6,000 square feet in Virginia is leased through August 31, 2015.

At January 31, 2015, future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable lease obligations were as follows:
 
Operating Leases
Capital Leases
2015
$1,707
$783
2016
1,389

746

2017
1,287

254

2018
1,247

120

2019
1,187

124

Thereafter
13,510

14

Subtotal
20,327

2,041

Less Amount representing interest
 
135

Future minimum lease payments
$20,327
$1,906

Rental expense for operating leases was $1.1 million and $1.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Note 8 - Income taxes
Income (loss) from continuing operations
2014

2013

Domestic
($2,226)
($7,485)
Foreign
5,549

19,785

Total
$3,323
$12,300


37


Components of income tax expense (benefit)
 
 
Current
 
 
Federal
$45
($245)
Foreign
1,834

3,024

State and other
(77
)
(82
)
Subtotal
1,802

2,697

Deferred
 
 
Federal
—

(2,715
)
Foreign
1,439

(475
)
State and other
—

—

Subtotal
1,439

(3,190
)
Total
$3,241
$(493)

The determination of the consolidated provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the related valuation allowances requires management to make judgments and estimates. As a company with subsidiaries in foreign jurisdictions, the Company is required to calculate and provide for estimated income tax expense for each of the tax 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. Changes in the estimated level of annual pre-tax income, in tax laws, and resulting from tax audits can affect the overall effective tax rate ("ETR"), 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.

The ETR in 2014 was higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the impact of the full valuation allowance maintained against domestic deferred tax assets and repatriation of foreign earnings. Although the domestic deferred tax assets had a full valuation allowance in both years, there was no impact last year due to the intraperiod allocation rules and the tax expense allocated to discontinued operations. This had the effect of fully benefiting the continuing operation domestic loss last year, versus no benefit this year. The Company remains in an NOL carryforward position.

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company received a distribution of foreign earnings of $0.8 million from a Denmark subsidiary. These foreign earnings were previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. The repatriation by the Denmark subsidiary was a one-time nonrecurring event. 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. 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 would 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.

During the fourth quarter, the Company has concluded that not all of the undistributed earnings of Perma-Pipe India Ltd, will remain permanently reinvested outside the U.S. and are now available for use in the U.S. or in entities in other foreign countries. As a result of that conclusion, the Company has provided deferred taxes on the basis differences in the stock of this subsidiary. In the fourth quarter of 2014, MFRI recorded $0.8 million in tax expense related to withholding tax that would be paid to the Indian government in the event that a dividend of up to $4.2 million is paid to its foreign parent company. Future earnings related to this subsidiary will not be deemed permanently reinvested. No U.S. cash tax payments will be made upon distribution of these foreign earnings as long as the Company is in a net loss operating position.


38


The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the Federal ETR of 34% was as follows:
 
2014

2013

Tax benefit at federal statutory rate
$1,130
$4,182
Domestic valuation allowance
1,778

—

Valuation allowance for state NOLs
119

—

Differences in foreign tax rate
455

(3,049
)
Foreign tax credit
(793
)
—

Research tax credit
(29
)
—

Repatriation
847

—

Valuation allowance for foreign NOLs
15

(1,209
)
Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture
(666
)
(179
)
State taxes, net of federal benefit
(62
)
(192
)
All other, net expense
447

(46
)
Total

$3,241


($493
)

The Company has a Federal operating loss carryforward of $11.8 million that will begin to expire in the year ending January 31, 2030. In addition, there are suspended excess tax benefits of $0.3 million.

The deferred tax asset ("DTA") for state NOL carryforwards of $1.3 million relates to amounts that expire at various times from 2015 to 2031. The amount that expired in 2014 is approximately $3 thousand.

The Company has a DTA for foreign NOL carryforwards of $0.5 million that can be carried forward indefinitely and does not have a valuation allowance recorded against it. The ultimate realization of this tax benefit is dependent upon the generation of sufficient operating income in the foreign tax jurisdictions. The Company has a DTA foreign NOL carryforward of $0.4 million for its subsidiary in Saudi Arabia that can be carried forward indefinitely and does not have a valuation allowance recorded against it.

The Company periodically reviews the adequacy of its valuation allowance in all of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates, evaluates future sources of taxable income and tax planning strategies and may make further adjustments based on management's outlook for continued profits in each jurisdiction

For the year ending January 31, 2015, the Company has determined that there is not a greater than 50% likelihood that all of the domestic DTAs will be realized based on the available evidence. The Company recorded a full valuation allowance against the remaining domestic net DTAs as of January 31, 2013 net of uncertain tax positions ("UTP"). The Company continues to have a valuation allowance on its domestic DTAs since domestic losses continue to being generated.

The Company has a deferred tax asset of $2.1 million for U.S. foreign tax credits attributed to repatriated foreign earnings. The excess foreign tax credits are subject to a ten-year carryforward and will expire in January 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2015, we have not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $55.3 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S., mainly in the Middle East.


39


Components of deferred income tax assets
2014

2013

U.S. Federal NOL carryforward
$3,156
$2,298
Non-qualified deferred compensation
2,363

2,358

Research tax credit
2,032

1,965

Foreign NOL carryforward
483

1,004

Foreign tax credit
2,088

1,294

Stock compensation
1,033

1,162

Other accruals not yet deducted
901

581

State NOL carryforward
1,291

1,173

Accrued commissions and incentives
584

814

Accrued pension
735

182

Inventory valuation allowance
430

413

Other
561

217

Inventory uniform capitalization
94

102

  Deferred tax assets, gross
15,751

13,563

Valuation allowance
(14,201
)
(11,591
)
  Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances
$1,550
$1,972
 
 
 
Components of the deferred income tax liability
 
 
Depreciation
$851
$963
Foreign subsidiaries unremitted earnings
863

—

Prepaid
310

231

  Total deferred tax liabilities
$2,024
$1,194
 
 
 
Deferred tax asset, net
$(474)
$778
 
 
 
Balance sheet classification
 
 
Long-term assets
$0
$1,667
Long-term liability
309

—

Current liabilities
165

889

  Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances
$(474)
$778

The following table summarizes UTP activity, excluding the related accrual for interest and penalties:
 
2014

2013

Balance at beginning of the year
$1,358
$1,373
Increases in positions taken in a prior period
17

—

Increases in positions taken in a current period
—

11

Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations
(42
)
(26
)
Decreases due to settlements
(45
)
—

Balance at end of the year
$1,288
$1,358

Included in the total UTP liability at January 31, 2015 were estimated accrued interest of $17 thousand and penalties of $15 thousand and at January 31, 2014, accrued interest was $18 thousand and penalties were $25 thousand. These non-current income tax liabilities are recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company's policy is to include interest and penalties in income tax expense. At January 31, 2015, the Company did not anticipate any significant adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits caused by the settlement of the ongoing tax examinations detailed above, or other factors, within the next twelve months. Included in the balance at January 31, 2015 were amounts offset by deferred taxes (i.e., temporary differences) or amounts that

40


could be offset by refunds in other taxing jurisdictions (i.e., corollary adjustments). Thus, $1.3 million of the amount accrued at January 31, 2015 would impact the ETR, if reversed.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. In July 2014, the Company received a notice from the Internal Revenue Service that it had concluded the tax audit for the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2013. No changes were made to the reported tax. Tax years back to January 31, 2011 are open for federal and state tax purposes. In addition, federal and state tax years January 31, 2002 through January 31, 2009 are subject to adjustment on audit, up to the amount of research tax credit generated in those years.

The Company's management periodically estimates the probable tax obligations of the Company using historical experience in tax jurisdictions and informed judgments. There are inherent uncertainties related to the interpretation of tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company transacts business. The judgments and estimates made at a point in time may change based on the outcome of tax audits, as well as changes to or further interpretations of regulations. If such changes take place, there is a risk that the tax rate may increase or decrease in any period. Tax accruals for tax liabilities related to potential changes in judgments and estimates for federal, foreign and state tax issues are included in current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Note 9 - Retirement plans

Pension plan

The defined benefit plan that covered Winchester filtration hourly rated employees was frozen on June 30, 2013 per the third Amendment to the Plan dated May 15, 2013. Per the third amendment, the accrued benefit of each participant was frozen as of the freeze date and no further benefits shall accrue with respect to any service or hours of service after the freeze date. The benefits are based on fixed amounts multiplied by years of service of participants. The Company engages outside actuaries to calculate its obligations and costs. The funding policy is to contribute such amounts as are necessary to provide for benefits attributed to service to date. The amounts contributed to the plan are sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Asset allocation

The plans hold no securities of MFRI, Inc.; 100% of the assets are held for benefits under the plan. The fair value of the major categories of the pension plans' investments are presented below. The FASB has established a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

41


Level 1 market value of plan assets
2014

2013
Equity securities
$3,795
$3,340
U.S. bond market
2,033
2,453
Real estate securities
—

149
Subtotal
5,828
5,942
Level 2 significant other observable inputs
 
 
Money market fund
340
409
Total
$6,168
$6,351

At January 31, 2015, plan assets were held 62% in equity, 33% in debt and 5% in other. The investment policy is to invest all funds not needed to pay benefits and investment expenses for the year, with target asset allocations of 55% equities (with a range of 40% - 65%),  25% fixed income (with a range of 20% - 35%) and 20% Alternative Investments (with a range of 15% - 25%), diversified across a variety of sub-asset classes and investment styles, following a flexible asset allocation approach that will allow the plan to participate in market opportunities as they become available. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on historical long-term rates of equity and fixed income investments and the asset mix objective of the funds.

Investment market conditions in 2014 resulted in $63 thousand actual return on plan assets as presented below, which increased the fair value of plan assets at year end. The Company did not change its 8% expected return on plan assets used in determining cost and benefit obligations, which is the return that the Company has assumed during every profitable and unprofitable investment year since 1991. The plan's investments are intended to earn long-term returns to fund long-term obligations, and investment portfolios with asset allocations similar to those of the plan's investment policy have attained such returns over several decades. Future contributions that may be necessary to maintain funding requirements are not expected to materially affect the Company's liquidity.


42



Reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of plan
2014

2013

Accumulated benefit obligations
 
 
Vested benefits
$7,626
$6,243
Accumulated benefits
$8,129
$6,827
 
 
 
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
Benefit obligation - beginning of year
$6,827
$7,240
Service cost
—

78

Interest cost
299

293

Actuarial (gain) loss
1,249

(539
)
Benefits paid
(246
)
(245
)
Benefit obligation - end of year
$8,129
$6,827
 
 
 
Change in plan assets
 
 
Fair value of plan assets - beginning of year
$6,351
$6,065
Actual gain on plan assets
63

531

Benefits paid
(246
)
(245
)
Fair value of plan assets - end of year
$6,168
$6,351
 
 
 
Unfunded status
$(1,961)
$(476)
 
 
 
Balance sheet classification
 
 
Current assets
$352
$335
Other assets
1,163

1,038

Other long-term liabilities
(3,476
)
(1,849
)
Net amount recognized
$(1,961)
$(476)
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
Unrecognized actuarial loss
$3,124
$1,513
Net amount recognized
$3,124
$1,513

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost and benefit obligations
2014

2013

End of year benefit obligation
3.35
%
4.50
%
Service cost discount rate *
4.50
%
4.50
%
Expected return on plan assets
8.00
%
8.00
%
Rate of compensation increase
N/A

N/A

*4.00% prior to the re-measurement on June 30, 2013 due to the plan freeze and 4.50% after the re-measurement.

The discount rate was based on a Citigroup pension discount curve of high quality fixed income investments with cash flows matching the plans' expected benefit payments. The Company determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by performing a detailed analysis of historical and expected returns based on the strategic asset allocation approved by the Board of Directors and the underlying return fundamentals of each asset class. The Company's historical experience with the pension fund asset performance is also considered.

43


Components of net periodic benefit cost
2014

2013
Service cost

$—

$78
Interest cost
299

293
Expected return on plan assets
(494)
(483)
Amortization of prior service cost
—

21
Recognized actuarial loss
69
105
Curtailment cost
—

252
  Net periodic benefit (income) cost
($126)
$266
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income
 
 
Actuarial (loss) gain on obligation
($1,249)
$539
Actual (loss) gain on plan assets
(362
)
153

Reclassify prior service cost
—

21

Total in other comprehensive (loss) income
($1,611)
$713
  Other comprehensive income is also affected by the tax effect of the valuation allowance recorded on the domestic deferred tax assets.
 
 

Cash flows
 
 
Expected employer contributions for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016
 

$—

Expected employee contributions for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016
 
—

Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the fiscal year(s) ending January 31,:
 
 
2016
 
352

2017
 
349

2018
 
371

2019
 
368

2020
 
382

2021 - 2025
 
$1,837

401(k) plan

The domestic employees of the Company participate in the MFRI, Inc. Employee Savings and Protection Plan, which is applicable to all employees except employees covered by collective bargaining agreement benefits. The plan allows employee pretax payroll contributions of up to 16% of total compensation. The Company matches 50% of each participant's contribution, up to a maximum of 3% of each participant's salary. Effective January 1, 2015, the employee match was increased to a maximum of 3.5% of each participant's salary.

For employees covered by the Winchester Bargaining Unit Savings Plan, the Company matches 15% of each participant's contribution, up to a maximum of 6% of each participant's salary.

Contributions to the 401(k) plan were $439 thousand and $430 thousand for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Deferred compensation plan

The Company had a Supplemental Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan ("Supplemental Plan"), pursuant to which key employees deferred compensation. Participants receive distributions from the plan at the later of age 65 or six months after separation from service. Life insurance contracts have been purchased which may be used to fund the Company's obligation under these agreements.


44


Deferred compensation liability
2014

2013

Current
$189
$189
Long-term
6,560

6,509

Total
$6,749
$6,698
 
 
 
Deferred compensation expense
$619
$519

On April 10, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors terminated the Supplemental Plan and its Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, adopted on December 5, 2012 (collectively, the "Plans"), effective April 10, 2014 ("Termination Date"). No additional contributions will be made by the Company or participants under the Plans after the Termination Date. All funds and Company stock remaining in participant accounts will be distributed not later than 24 months after the Termination Date. The Company is obligated to deliver 9,991 shares of Company common stock under the Deferred Stock Purchase Plan.

Multi-employer plans

The Company contributes to a multi-employer plan for certain collective bargaining U.S. employees and for foreign employees according to their countries' requirements. The risks of participating in this multi-employer plan are different from a single employer plan in the following aspects:
•
Assets contributed to the multi-employer plans by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
•
If a participating employer ceases contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be inherited by the remaining participating employers.
•
If the Company chooses to stop participating in the multi-employer plan, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

The Company has assessed and determined that the multi-employer plans to which it contributes are not significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect to incur a withdrawal liability or expect to significantly increase its contribution over the remainder of the contract period. The Company made contributions to the bargaining unit supported multi-employer pension plans.
 
 
 
Funded Zone Status
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented
Contribution
 
 
Plan Name
EIN
Plan #
2014
2013
Surcharge Imposed
Collective Bargaining Expiration Date
Pipe Fitters Retirement Fund, Local 597
626105084
001
Green
No
—

275

No
6/1/2014
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 572 Pension Fund
626102837
001
Green
No
236

192

No
3/31/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plans for which financial information is not publicly available outside MFRI's financial statements
 
 
Denmark
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

$296


$350

N/A
 

Note 10 - Stock-based compensation

The Company has stock-based compensation awards that can be granted to eligible employees, officers or directors.

 
2014

2013

Stock-based compensation (benefit) expense

($114
)

$127

Restricted stock based compensation expense

$82


$386


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

45



Stock options

On June 20, 2013, the stockholders approved the 2013 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan ("Omnibus Plan"). Under the Omnibus Plan, 350,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees, officers, and directors of, and other individuals providing bona fide services to or for, the Company and its affiliates. In addition, on January 31, 2014 and each January 31 thereafter until January 31, 2023, the aggregate number of shares that may be issued with respect to Awards pursuant to the terms of this Plan will be increased by the number equal to 2% of the aggregate amount of common stock outstanding as of such date, provided, however, the maximum number of additional shares that may be issued pursuant to this sentence will not exceed 400,000. The Omnibus Plan permits the granting of stock options (including incentive stock options qualifying under Code section 422 and nonstatutory stock options), stock appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, deferred stock awards, other stock-based awards, or any combination of the foregoing. Awards will be valued at the Company's closing stock price on the date of grant.

Options vest ratably over four years and are exercisable for up to ten years from the date of grant. To cover the exercise of vested options, the Company issues new shares from its authorized but unissued share pool. The Company calculates all stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the option and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting period of the option.

The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that used the assumptions noted in the following table. The principal variable assumptions utilized in valuing options and the methodology for estimating such model inputs include:

1.
risk-free interest rate - an estimate based on the "Market yield on U.S. Treasury securities at the rate for the period described in assumption 3 below, quoted on investment basis" for the end of week closest to the stock option grant date, from the Federal Reserve website;
2.
expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of MFRI common stock's weekly closing stock price for the expected life ; and
3.
expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations.
 
 
2014

2013

1.
Risk-free interest rate
.74%-1.77%

.74%-2.82%

2.
Expected volatility
40.88%-59.39%

42.12%-65.54%

3.
Expected life in years
4.9 to 5.1

4.9 to 5.7

4.
Dividend yield
—

—


46


The following summarizes the activity related to options outstanding under all plans for the years ended January 31, 2014 and 2015:
 
Options

Weighted average exercise price

Weighted average remaining contractual term
Aggregate intrinsic value

Outstanding at January 31, 2013
969

$10.77
6.6
$40
 
 
 
 
 
Granted
103

10.55

 
 
Exercised
(223
)
7.11

 
1,082

Expired or forfeited
(73
)
11.90

 
 
Outstanding at January 31, 2014
776

11.69

6.1
3,859

 
 
 
 
 
Options exercisable at January 31, 2014
513

$13.43
4.8
2,226

 
 
 
 
 
Granted
97

12.41

 
 
Exercised
(45
)
7.27

 
194

Expired or forfeited
(64
)
18.92

 
 
Outstanding at January 31, 2015
764

11.45

5.7
—

 
 
 
 
 
Options exercisable at January 31, 2015
532

$12.04
4.5
$0

The weighted average fair value of options granted, net of options surrendered, during 2014 and 2013 are estimated at $4.73 and $4.78, per share, respectively, on the date of grant.
Unvested options outstanding
Options

Weighted-average grant date fair value

Aggregate intrinsic value
Outstanding at January 31, 2014
263

$6.91
$4
Granted
97

12.41

 
Vested
(115
)
 
 
Expired or forfeited
(13
)
8.59

 
Outstanding at January 31, 2015
232

$10.11
$0
Based on historical experience the Company expects 85% of these options to vest.

As of January 31, 2015, there was $0.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Deferred stock

On April 10, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors terminated the Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, adopted on December 5, 2012, effective April 10, 2014 ("Termination Date"). No additional contributions will be made by the Company or participants under the Plan after the Termination Date. All Company stock remaining in participant accounts will be distributed not later than 24 months after the Termination Date. The Company is obligated to deliver 9,991 shares of Company common stock under this Plan. Refer to "Deferred compensation plan" in Note 9 - Retirement plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In June 2013 and June 2014 under the Omnibus Plan described above, the Company granted deferred stock units to each non-employee director at the time of the annual meeting of stockholders equal to the result of dividing $30,000 by the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The stock will be distributed to the directors upon their separation from service.


47


As of January 31, 2015, there were approximately 33,396 deferred stock units outstanding included in restricted stock activity below.

Restricted stock

In June 2014 under the Omnibus Plan described above, the Company granted restricted stock to Tier I and Tier II executive officers. A portion of the restricted stock vest ratably over time and a portion vests in three years based on performance measures. Until restricted stock becomes vested and nonforfeitable, it may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or disposed of in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise), except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. The Company issues new shares from its treasury stock or authorized but unissued share pool. The Company calculates restricted stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the two-year vesting period. The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
 
Restricted shares

Weighted average grant price

Aggregate intrinsic value

Outstanding at January 31, 2013
—


$—


$—

Granted
52

11.24

 
Issued
(21
)
 
 
Forfeited
(2
)
11.25

 
Outstanding at January 31, 2014
29


$14.52


$419

 
 
 
 
Granted
12


 
Issued
(8
)
 
 
Forfeited
—


 
Outstanding at January 31, 2015
33


$10.00


$334


As of January 31, 2015, there was $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

Note 11 - Stock rights

On September 15, 2009, the Company entered into the Amendment ("Amendment") to Rights Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999. Among other things, the Amendment extends the term of the Rights Agreement until September 15, 2019 and amends definitions to include positions in derivative instruments related to the Company's common stock as constituting beneficial ownership of such stock.

On September 15, 1999, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of one common stock purchase right (a "Right") for each share of MFRI's common stock outstanding at the close of business on September 22, 1999. The stock issued after September 22, 1999 and before the redemption or expiration of the Rights is also entitled to one Right for each such additional share. Each Right entitles the registered holders, under certain circumstances, to purchase from the Company one share of MFRI's common stock at $25, subject to adjustment. At no time will the Rights have any voting power.

The Rights may not be exercised until 10 days after a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company's common stock, or announces a tender offer that, if consummated, would result in 15% or more ownership of the Company's common stock. Separate Rights certificates will not be issued and the Rights will not be traded separately from the stock until then. Should an acquirer become the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company's common stock, Rights holders other than the acquirer would have the right to buy common stock in MFRI, or in the surviving enterprise if MFRI is acquired, having a value of two times the exercise price then in

48


effect. Also, MFRI's Board of Directors may exchange the Rights (other than those of the acquirer which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of MFRI common stock (and/or other securities, cash or other assets having equal value) per Right subject to adjustment. The Rights described in this paragraph and the preceding paragraph shall not apply to an acquisition, merger or consolidation approved by the Company's Board of Directors.

The Rights will expire on September 15, 2019, unless exchanged or redeemed prior to that date. The redemption price is $0.01 per Right. MFRI's Board of Directors may redeem the Rights by a majority vote at any time prior to the 20th day following public announcement that a person or group has acquired 15% of MFRI's common stock. Under certain circumstances, the decision to redeem requires the concurrence of a majority of the independent directors.

Note 12 - Interest expense, net
 
2014

2013

Interest expense
$1,372
$1,855
Interest income
(529
)
(544
)
Interest expense, net
$843
$1,311

Note 13 - Fair value of financial instruments

At January 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 an interest rate swap agreement in 2012 to reduce its exposure to market risks from changing interest rates, exchanges 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 fair value hedge. The derivative mark to market was $0.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2014, respectively. This was included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Note 14 - Subsequent events

The Company has evaluated the period after the balance sheet date up through April 16, 2015, which is the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined that other than noted below, there were no subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

On February 5, 2015, MFRI, Inc. executed the First Amendment ("Amendment") to the Credit and Security Agreement by and among BMO Harris Bank, N.A., the Registrant, and its subsidiaries. The Amendment allows the Company to use up to $2 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock on or prior to December 31, 2015.

On February 5, 2015, the Company issued a press release reporting that its 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 in privately negotiated transactions, on or prior to December 31, 2015.

At January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. Subsequent to January 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with the specific level of Borrowing Base availability for the period ended March 31, 2015. While not a covenant violation, the financial institution has the right in the Credit Agreement to have all domestic receipts deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to serve the revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying financial statements.


49


On March 16, 2015,the Company signed a letter of intent to sell its idle facility in Cicero, Illinois to an unaffiliated third party. The Company does not anticipate that it will recognize a material gain or loss from sale upon closing the transaction.

On April 1, 2015, the Company obtained a loan with no maturity date in the amount of $1.9 million, sourced from the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies. The loan carries interest at a rate of approximately 5% and requires interest only payments annually.


50


Schedule II
MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended January 31, 2015 and 2014
 
Balance at beginning of period
Charged to costs and expenses
Deductions from reserves (1)
Charged to other accounts (2)
Balance at end of period
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended January 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables
$194
$28
$126
$14
$110
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended January 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables
$290
$128
$228
$4
$194
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Uncollectible accounts charged off
(2) Primarily related to recoveries from accounts previously charged off and currency translation


51



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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:
April 16, 2015
/s/ Bradley E. Mautner
 
 
Bradley E. Mautner
 
 
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
BRADLEY E. MAUTNER*
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
))
 
 
 
)
 
KARL J. SCHMIDT*
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
)
)
April 16, 2015
 
 
)
 
DAVID UNGER*
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
)
 
 
 
)
 
DENNIS KESSLER*
Director
)
 
 
 
)
 
MICHAEL J. GADE*
Director
)
 
 
 
)
 
MARK A. ZORKO*
Director
)
 
 
 
)
 
DAVID S. BARRIE*
Director
)
 
 
 
)
 
JEROME T. WALKER*
Director
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
*By:
/s/ Bradley E. Mautner
Individually and as Attorney in Fact
 
 
 
Bradley E. Mautner
 
 
 


52


EXHIBIT INDEX

The exhibits listed below are filed herewith except the exhibits described below as incorporated by reference. Exhibits not filed herewith are incorporated by reference to such exhibits filed by the Company under the location set forth under the caption “Description and Location” below. The Commission file number for our Exchange Act filings referenced below is 0-18370.
Exhibit No.
 
Description and Location
3(i)

 
Certificate of Incorporation of MFRI, Inc. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Registration Statement No. 33-70298]
3(ii)

 
Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of MFRI, Inc. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2013]
4(a)

 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-70794]
4(b)

 
Rights Agreement [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's [Current Report
 on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 1999]
4(c)


 
Amendment to Rights Agreement [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2009]
10(a)

 
1994 Stock Option Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1994] *
10(b)

 
2001 Independent Directors Stock Option Plan, [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) to the Company's Schedule TO filed on May 25, 2001] *
10(c)

 
Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 filed on May 15, 2006] *
10(d)

 
MFRI 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 filed on June 1, 2004] *
10(e)

 
Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated April 30, 2012 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 11, 2012]
10(f)

 
First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated June 8,2012
10(g)

 
Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated October 12, 2012
10(h)

 
Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated March 15,2013
10(i)

 
Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated April 25, 2013 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(1) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 on May 2, 2013]
10(j)

 
Fifth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated June 7, 2013 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l)to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form10-Q filed on September 12, 2013]
10(k)

 
Sixth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated July 29, 2013 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on September 12, 2013]
10(l)

 
Credit and Security Agreement between the Company and BMO Harris Bank, N.A. dated September 24, 2014 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on December 9, 2014]
10(m)

 
First Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement between the Company and BMO Harris Bank, N.A. dated February 5, 2015
10(n)

 
Code of Conduct [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 filed on June 1, 2004]
10(o)

 
Employment agreement with Fati Elgendy dated November 12, 2007 [Incorporated by reference to DEF14A filed on May 29, 2008] *
10(p)

 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Fati Elgendy dated March 19, 2014 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 filed on April 15, 2014] *
10(q)

 
2009 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 filed on April 19, 2010] *
10(r)

 
Deferred Stock Purchase Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Forms S-8 File No. 333-186055, effective January 16, 2013] *

53


Exhibit No.
 
Description and Location
10(s)

 
2013 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan as Amended June 14, 2013 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 14, 2013] *
21

 
Subsidiaries of MFRI, Inc.
23

 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Grant Thornton LLP
24

 
Power of Attorney executed by directors and officers of the Company
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
(1) Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(2) 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
    
*Management contracts and compensatory plans or agreements

54