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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2020

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]

Revenue recognition.

During

2019

and

2018

and in accordance with Accounting Standards Update

No.

2014

19,

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC

606”

), the Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. See Note

- Revenue Recognition for more detail.

•

Percentage of completion revenue recognition.

Certain domestic divisions have contracts that recognize revenues using 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.

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.

Sales tax.

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

Operating cycle.

The length of 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.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Consolidation.

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

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 weighted 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). The aggregated foreign exchange transaction gain recognized in the income statement was

$0.4

million in

2019

as compared to a loss of

$0.1

million recognized in

2018

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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

$13.4

million and

$10.2

million as of

January 31, 2020

and

2019

, respectively. On

January 31, 2020

$0.3

million was held in the U.S. and

$13.1

million was held by foreign subsidiaries

. On

January 31, 2019

$0.1

million was held in the U.S. and

$10.1

million was held by foreign subsidiaries.

Accounts payable included drafts payable of

$0.1

million and less than

$0.2

million on

January 31, 2020

and

2019

, respectively.

Restricted cash.

There was

restricted cash held in the U.S. on

January 31, 2020

. Restricted cash held in the U.S. on

January 31, 2019

was

$1.5

million, all of which was a cash collateral held by PNC Bank in relation to the Company's credit agreement.

Restricted cash held by foreign subsidiaries was

$1.3

million and

million as of

January 31, 2020

and

2019

, respectively. Restricted cash held by foreign subsidiaries related to fixed deposits that also serve as security deposits and guarantees.

(In thousands)	2019		2018
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,371	$	10,156
Restricted cash		1,287		2,581
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	14,658	$	12,737

Receivable [Policy Text Block]

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 usually obtained for significant 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. Standard payment terms are net

days. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on specifically identified amounts in customers' accounts, where future collectability is deemed uncertain. 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 and the amount is deemed uncollectible. The write off is recorded against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

One of the Company’s accounts receivable in the total amount of

$4.7

million as of

January 31, 2019

(inclusive of a retention receivable amount of

$3.6

million, of which

$2.1

million and

$3.5

million were included in the balance of other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of

January 31, 2020

and

January 31, 2019

, due to the long-term nature of the receivables) has been outstanding for several years. The Company completed all of its deliverables in

2015,

and has been engaged in ongoing active efforts to collect this outstanding amount. During

2019

, the Company received payments of approximately $

0.5

million, which reduced the balance of this receivable to $

4.1

million as of

January 31, 2020

. Subsequent to

January 31, 2020

, the Company has certified invoices of

$0.5

million in the process of collection. As a result, the Company did

not

reserve any allowance against this receivable as of

January 31, 2020

. The Company continues to engage with the customer to ensure full payment of open balances, and has also received an updated acknowledgment of the outstanding balances and assurances of payment from the customer. However, if the Company’s efforts to collect on this account are

not

successful in

2020

, then the Company

may

recognize an allowance for all, or substantially all, of any such then uncollected amounts.

For the year ended

January 31, 2020

one

customer accounted for

11.5%

of the Company's consolidated net sales and for the year ended

January 31, 2019

one

customer accounted for more than

10%

of the Company's consolidated net sales.

As of

January 31, 2020

and

2019,

one

customer accounted for

13.3%

and

three

customers accounted for

42.0%

of accounts receivable, respectively.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of credit risk.

The Company maintains its U.S. cash in bank deposit accounts at financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Cash balances are below 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.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss represents the change in equity from non-owner transactions and consisted of foreign currency translation, minimum pension liability and marketable securities.

(In thousands)	2019			2018
Equity adjustment foreign currency, gross	$	(1,879	)	$	(1,438	)
Minimum pension liability, gross		(2,087	)		(1,648	)
Subtotal excluding tax effect		(3,966	)		(3,086	)
Tax effect of equity adjustment foreign currency		91			91
Tax effect of minimum pension liability		115			115
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(3,760	)	$	(2,880	)

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the

first

-in,

first

-out method for all inventories.

(In thousands)	2019		2018
Raw materials	$	13,859	$	11,962
Work in process		592		488
Finished goods		798		731
Subtotal		15,249		13,181
Less allowance		751		892
Inventories	$	14,498	$	12,289

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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

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. Depreciation expense was approximately

$4.4

million

2019

and

$4.5

million in

2018

(In thousands)	2019		2018
Land, buildings and improvements	$	22,328	$	22,327
Machinery and equipment		47,409		47,168
Furniture, office equipment and computer systems		4,317		4,335
Transportation equipment		3,762		3,311
Subtotal		77,816		77,141
Less accumulated depreciation		49,187		46,743
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$	28,629	$	30,398

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. A factor considered important that could trigger an impairment review includes a year-to-date loss from operations. The Company reported income from operations in

2019

and

2018

. An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flow the asset is expected to generate. Based on the Company's review of the projected cash flows over the remaining useful lives of the assets, management determined that there was

impairment of long-lived assets as of

January 31, 2019

. Since there was

triggering event in

2019,

management determined that there was

impairment of long-lived assets as of

January 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill.

The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between intangible assets and the net tangible assets of the acquired business with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. All identifiable goodwill as of

January 31, 2020

and

2019

, is attributable to the purchase of Perma-Pipe Canada, Ltd. ("PPC").

			Foreign exchange
(In thousands)	January 31, 2019		change effect			January 31, 2020
Goodwill	$	2,269	$	(15	)	$	2,254

The Company performs an impairment assessment of goodwill annually as of

January 31,

or more frequently if triggering events occur, based on the estimated fair value of the related reporting unit. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. There was

impairment to goodwill during

2019

2018

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, 2020

and

2019

, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately

$2.5

million as of

January 31, 2020

and

2019

. Future amortization over the next

five

years ending

January 31

will be less than

$0.1

million in the years

2020

2024

and less than

$0.1

million thereafter. Amortization expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of

4.3

years.

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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

$0.3

million and

$0.2

million in

2019

and

2018

, respectively.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 and liabilities 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%

likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. For further information, see Note

- Income taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net income/(loss) per common share.

Earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income/(loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic). The Company reported net income

2019

and a net loss in

2018.

Therefore, the Company adjusted for dilutive shares in

2019,

while in

2018

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 dilutive shares are in the following table:

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands)	2019			2018
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding		7,989			7,812
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		295			—
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming full dilution		8,284			7,812

Restricted Stock and Stock options not included in the computation of diluted EPS of common stock because the option exercise prices exceeded the average market prices		61			82
Canceled options during the year		(33	)		(63	)
Restricted Stock and Stock options with an exercise price below the average stock price		295			136

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

Equity-based compensation.

The Company issues various types of stock-based awards to employees and directors: restricted stock, deferred stock and stock options. Non-cash compensation expense associated with restricted stock is based on the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant, and amortized using the straight line method over the vesting period. Compensation expense associated with deferred stock which is awarded to the Board of Directors (non-employee) is based upon the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant, and since the grant vests immediately it is expensed on the date of the 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.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segments.

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is the CODM, and he uses a combination of several management reports, including the Company's financial information in determining how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company has determined that it operates in

one

segment.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 market rates.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent accounting pronouncements

. In

February 2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU")

2016

02,

Leases

(Topic

842

). This ASU requires entities to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases on their balance sheets. It also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU

No.

2016

is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after

December 15, 2018,

with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU using the alternative transition approach resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, net of deferred rent of

$10.7

million and lease liability for operating leases of

$11.0

million as of

February 1, 2019.

The Company accounts for existing finance lease assets and liabilities in the same way under the new standard. Adoption of this ASU did

not

have an effect on retained earnings. The Company availed itself of the practical expedients provided under this ASU and its subsequent amendments regarding identification of leases, lease classification, indirect costs and the combination of lease and non-lease components. The Company continues to account for leases in the prior period financials statements under ASC Topic

840.

June 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

13,

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses

(Topic

326

): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The new guidance affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets

not

excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after

December 15, 2019,

with early adoption permitted. A recently adopted amendment has delayed the effective date until fiscal years beginning after

December 15, 2022.

The Company is currently evaluating this standard and the impact to the financial statements of the Company.

February 2018,

the FASB issued ASU

2018

02,

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

, which permits entities to reclassify the disproportionate income tax effects of the Tax Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to reinvested earnings. These disproportionate income tax effect items are referred to as "stranded tax effects." The amendments in this update only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. Other accounting guidance that requires the effect of changes in tax laws or rates to be included in net income from continuing operations is

not

affected by this update. The Company adopted ASU

2018

effective

February 1, 2019

and has elected to

not

reclassify any amounts to retained earnings. Under the Company's existing policy, any existing stranded tax effects will be eliminated when the underlying circumstances upon which it was premised cease to exist.

The Company evaluated other recent accounting pronouncements and does

not

expect them to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.