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

FORM 10-Q
 
[ X ]
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

OR

[ ]
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-10367

Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 (State or other jurisdiction of
 incorporation or organization)
 
71-0675758
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

914 N. Jefferson Street
  Springdale, Arkansas
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
72764
 (Zip Code)

(479) 756-7400
 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   YES: [x] NO: [ ]
    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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: [ ]    NO: [ ]

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  [ ]                                                                                         Accelerated filer  [ ]
Non-accelerated filer    [ ]                                                                                         Smaller reporting company [x]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [ ]   No [x]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  As of July 29, 2010, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, which is the class registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, was 48,277,896 and the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class B Common Stock was 1,465,530.

 
 

 
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Form 10-Q Index

 PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Page
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
     
     
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
     
     
     
     
   

 
 

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

             
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
Assets
       
(unaudited)
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 243     $ 1,241  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7 at December 31, 2009
               
 and $2 at June 30, 2010
    5,163       4,305  
Inventories
    6,795       10,001  
Prepaid expenses
    707       1,295  
Total current assets
    12,908       16,842  
                 
Land, buildings and equipment:
               
Land
    1,989       1,989  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    8,903       17,899  
Machinery and equipment
    45,296       54,328  
Transportation equipment
    830       799  
Office equipment
    2,396       2,396  
Construction in progress
    16,006       134  
Total land, buildings and equipment
    75,420       77,545  
Less accumulated depreciation
    36,240       38,957  
Net land, buildings and equipment
    39,180       38,588  
                 
Other assets:
               
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,538 at December 31, 2009
               
and $1,643 at June 30, 2010
    2,941       2,836  
Debt service reserve fund
    222       52  
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $478 at December 31, 2009
               
and $486 at June 30, 2010
    1,087       970  
Total other assets
    4,250       3,858  
Total assets
  $ 56,338     $ 59,288  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
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ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

             
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
       
(unaudited)
 
Current liabilities:
           
Accounts payable – trade
  $ 9,078     $ 11,378  
Accounts payable – related parties
    636       835  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    2,878       1,274  
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
    244       221  
Accruals related to expected settlement of class action lawsuit
    7,245       6,357  
Other accrued liabilities
    6,578       6,751  
Working capital line of credit
    7,829       7,829  
Notes payable
    1,238       1,053  
Total current liabilities
    35,726       35,698  
                 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    28,260       29,873  
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities
    401       302  
      28,661       30,175  
                 
Accrued dividends on convertible preferred stock
    948       1,343  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 9)
               
                 
Stockholders' deficit:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, 748,772 shares
               
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010;
               
aggregate liquidation preference of $19,768 at December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010
    7       7  
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized (see Note 10);
               
48,105,554 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 48,277,896
               
at June 30, 2010
    481       483  
Class B convertible common stock, $.01 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized;
               
1,465,530 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010
    15       15  
Warrants outstanding; 3,787,880 at December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010
    1,533       1,533  
Additional paid-in capital
    52,711       52,903  
Accumulated deficit
    (63,744 )     (62,869 )
Total stockholders' deficit
    (8,997 )     (7,928 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
  $ 56,338     $ 59,288  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
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ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
 
Net sales
  $ 22,088     $ 23,229     $ 38,734     $ 39,620  
Cost of goods sold
    16,929       17,230       30,925       30,467  
Gross margin
    5,159       5,999       7,809       9,153  
                                 
Selling and administrative costs
    2,996       3,461       6,200       6,109  
Operating income
    2,163       2,538       1,609       3,044  
                                 
Other income (expenses):
                               
Gain from fixed asset disposition
    25       5       54       6  
Late registration fees
    273       -       273       -  
Net interest expense
    (918 )     (1,073 )     (1,814 )     (1,779 )
Income before dividends
    1,543       1,470       122       1,271  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (201 )     (198 )     (409 )     (396 )
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
  $ 1,342     $ 1,272     $ (287 )   $ 875  
                                 
Income (loss) per share of common stock (basic and diluted)
  $ 0.03     $ 0.03     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.02  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)
    49,223,805       49,614,082       49,057,432       49,592,702  
Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)
    56,711,525       49,614,082       49,057,432       49,592,702  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
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ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

       
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
  $ (287 )   $ 875  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
               
operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,999       3,079  
Dividends on preferred stock
    409       396  
Gain from fixed asset disposition
    (54 )     (6 )
Decrease in other assets
    585       280  
Changes in current assets and current liabilities
    (2,722 )     (110 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    930       4,514  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of land, buildings and equipment
    (6,412 )     (2,174 )
Proceeds from disposition of equipment
    54       6  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,358 )     (2,168 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net payments on line of credit
    (1,250 )     -  
Payments on notes
    (559 )     (1,226 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
    (106 )     (122 )
Decrease in cash restricted for payment of debt and construction costs
    6,825       -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    4,910       (1,348 )
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (518 )     998  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    1,238       243  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 720     $ 1,241  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Unaudited Information

Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. (the Company or AERT) has prepared the financial statements included herein without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, all adjustments have been made to the accompanying financial statements which are, in the opinion of the Company’s management, of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s operating results. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. It is recommended that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K.

Note 2: Description of the Company

Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc., founded in 1988, recycles polyethylene plastic and develops, manufactures, and markets composite building materials that are used in place of traditional wood or plastic products for exterior applications in building and remodeling homes and for certain other industrial or commercial building purposes. The Company’s products are made primarily from approximately equal amounts of waste wood fiber, which has been cleaned, sized and reprocessed, and recycled polyethylene plastics, which have been cleaned, processed, and reformulated utilizing our patented and proprietary technologies. The products have been extensively tested, and are sold by leading national companies such as BlueLinx Corporation (BlueLinx), Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (Lowe’s) and Therma-Tru Corporation. The Company’s products are primarily used in renovation and remodeling by consumers, homebuilders, and contractors as an exterior green (environmentally responsible) building alternative for decking, railing, and trim products.

On May 13, 2010, the Company changed its distributor for ChoiceDek® products from Weyerhaeuser Company, previously its largest customer, to BlueLinx. The change comes primarily as a result of Weyerhaeuser’s decision to transition away from non-lumber products. All ChoiceDek® products are sold by the distributor exclusively to Lowe’s.

The Company currently manufactures all of its composite products at extrusion facilities in Springdale, Arkansas. The Company operates a plastic recycling, blending and storage facility in Lowell, Arkansas, where it also leases warehouses and land for inventory storage. In February 2010, the Company commenced operations at its Watts, Oklahoma recycling facility, which currently recycles polyethylene plastic scrap in order to reduce the Company’s costs of recycled plastics. The Company expects to also use the Watts facility to recycle plastic for sales to third parties in the future.

Note 3: Future Operations

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. At June 30, 2010, the Company had a working capital deficit of $18.9 million and a stockholders’ deficit of $7.9 million. It incurred losses from operations of $1.1 million and $19.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company has limited additional financial resources available to support its operations and has relied over the last two years on extensions of certain of its financings by its lenders and the additional support of its vendors and major shareholder. The Company has recently received written approval for additional financial assistance from the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma in the total amount of $3.3 million to expand its operations and increase sales (see Note 8: Financing). However, if the U.S. economy further retracts and business softens, the Company may require additional financial resources in order to fund maturities of debt and other obligations as they become due. These factors, among others, raised doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the ongoing support of its creditors, investors and customers, and its ability to successfully mass produce and market its products at economically feasible levels. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

The Company plans to resolve its current liquidity issue and structure its operations to grow its business, improve its margins and generate net income for 2010 in order to maximize shareholder value. The Company’s immediate liquidity issue is being addressed by:

1)  
Implementing additional cost reductions:  A substantial amount of cost has already been eliminated from the Company’s

 
5

 
  
operations and additional cost reductions are being identified and implemented.

2)  
Streamlining operations to increase efficiencies: The Company expects to make changes to certain operational processes in order to increase production.

3)  
Seeking additional sources of revenue:  The Company is pursuing additional distribution of its current product line and is introducing new products in order to increase its sales. BlueLinx and other distributors partner with the Company in aggressively marketing the Company’s products.

4)  
Pursuing additional funding to provide liquidity while restructuring the business:  In addition to continuing to seek potential sources of financing, the Company is pursuing government loan guarantees and investigating grants and low interest loans for companies that produce environmentally responsible green products, as well as seeking alternative less traditional debt and equity financing opportunities.

5)  
Restructuring existing debt to improve short-term liquidity:  The Company’s mortgage loan with Liberty Bank was extended from April 15, 2010 to April 15, 2012, and its line of credit was extended from April 15, 2010 to July 15, 2010. The Company is currently working to restructure its line of credit as part of a larger financing, which it fully expects to accomplish in the near term.

6)  
Starting its Watts recycling facility:  The Company expects its Watts recycling facility to reduce raw material costs and generate additional sales of recycled materials in 2010 once the second phase of the facility is completed, which will allow for the production of recycled plastic pellets.

Note 4: Statements of Cash Flows

In order to determine net cash provided by operating activities, net income (loss) has been adjusted by, among other things, changes in current assets and current liabilities, excluding changes in cash, current maturities of long-term debt and current notes payable. Those changes, shown as an (increase) decrease in current assets and an increase (decrease) in current liabilities, are as follows for the six months ended June 30 (in thousands):

   
2009
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Receivables
  $ (4,502 )   $ 858  
Inventories
    3,781       (3,206 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    671       407  
Accounts payable – trade and related parties
    (1,447 )     2,549  
Accrued liabilities
    (1,225 )     (718 )
    $ (2,722 )   $ (110 )
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized of $541 in 2009 and $260 in 2010
  $ 965     $ 1,124  

Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Notes payable for financing insurance policies
    1,025       995  
Note payable for equipment
 
      56  
Class A common stock issued in payment of accounts payable
 
      50  
Investment tax credit related to construction of fixed assets
    754    
 
Amortized discount on Allstate note payable
    193    
 

Note 5: Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition Policy

The Company recognizes revenue when the title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is determinable and collectability is reasonably

 
6

 
assured.  The Company typically recognizes revenue at the time product is shipped or when segregated and billed under a bill and hold arrangement.  Sales are recorded net of discounts, rebates and returns, which were $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and $0.7 million and $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was due to the replacement of our discontinued style of handrail with an updated handrail product line for Lowe’s.

Estimates of expected sales discounts are calculated by applying the appropriate sales discount rate to all unpaid invoices that are eligible for the discount. The Company’s sales prices are determinable given that its sales discount rates are fixed and given the predictability with which customers take sales discounts.

Shipping and Handling

The Company records shipping fees billed to customers in net sales and records the related expenses in cost of goods sold.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Material, labor, and factory overhead necessary to produce the inventories are included in their cost. Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
December 31, 2009
 
June 30, 2010
       
(unaudited)
Parts and supplies
 
$
1,470
   
$
1,471
 
Raw materials
   
2,416
     
3,817
 
Work in process
   
1,041
     
1,360
 
Finished goods
   
1,868
     
3,353
 
   
$
6,795
   
$
10,001
 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure 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.

Concentration Risk
     
The Company’s revenues are derived principally from national and regional building products distributors and BlueLinx, the Company’s primary decking customer. The ChoiceDek® brand of decking products sold to BlueLinx are in turn sold exclusively to Lowe’s. BlueLinx is also one of the Company’s MoistureShield® decking customers. The Company extends unsecured credit to its customers. The Company’s concentration in the building materials industry has the potential to impact its exposure to credit risk because changes in economic or other conditions in the construction industry may similarly affect the Company’s customers. The Company derived most of its revenue from Weyerhaeuser, its distributor of ChoiceDek® products prior to the change to BlueLinx in May 2010, in the second quarter and first six months of 2009 and 2010. BlueLinx is the only other customer that accounted for more than 10% of sales during the second quarter of 2010.

Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt has been estimated by the Company based upon each obligation’s characteristics, including remaining maturities, interest rate, credit rating, and collateral and amortization schedule. The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Research and Development

Expenditures relating to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements to existing products, are expensed as incurred.

Share-Based Payments

 
7

 
The Company measures the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost in the financial statements. Compensation cost is recognized as the awards vest. Since 2005, the Company has used restricted stock awards as its exclusive form of stock-based compensation. The Company issued 47,342 unrestricted shares of stock in the second quarter of 2010 for the vested portion of employee and director restricted stock awards.

The Company measures the cost of goods and services received in exchange for an equity instrument at the fair value of the goods and services received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. On June 4, 2010, we issued 125,000 shares of our Class A common stock to The Birkhill Group LLC (Birkhill) in settlement of accounts payable for investor relations services. The market value of the securities when issued was $50,000.

Note 6: Income Taxes

As of June 30, 2010, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards that are available to reduce future taxable income and will expire in 2010 through 2029 if not utilized. As there has been insufficient certainty that the Company will be able to generate adequate future taxable income to enable it to realize its net operating loss carryforwards prior to expiration, the Company carries a valuation allowance to recognize its deferred tax assets only to the extent of its deferred tax liabilities. As a result, no income tax provision has been recorded for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2010.

Based upon a review of its income tax filing positions, the Company believes that its positions would be sustained upon an audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded. The Company recognizes interest related to income taxes as interest expense and penalties as operating expenses.

The Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006, except in the State of Texas, for which the 2005 tax year is still subject to examination. The Company is not currently the subject of any income tax examinations by any tax authorities.

Note 7: Earnings Per Share

When applicable, the Company provides dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per shares (EPS) on the face of the statements of operations, and provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.

In computing diluted EPS, only potential common shares that are dilutive — those that reduce earnings per share or increase loss per share — are included. The exercise of options and warrants or conversion of convertible securities is not assumed if the result would be antidilutive, such as when a loss from continuing operations is reported. As a result, if there is a loss from continuing operations, diluted EPS would be computed in the same manner as basic EPS is computed, even if an entity has net income after adjusting for discontinued operations, an extraordinary item or the cumulative effect of an accounting change. The Company incurred a loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Therefore, basic EPS and diluted EPS were computed in the same manner for that period. Additionally, all potential common shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 are antidilutive. Therefore, basic EPS and diluted EPS were computed in the same manner for those periods. The following schedule presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation for the three months ended June 30, 2009 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 
8

 
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Per Share
 
   
(Numerator)
   
(Denominator)
   
Amount
 
Basic EPS
                 
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 1,342       49,223,805     $ 0.03  
                         
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                       
Convertible preferred stock
    198       7,487,720          
                         
Diluted EPS
                       
Net income applicable to common stock
                       
plus assumed conversions
  $ 1,540       56,711,525     $ 0.03  
 
Although not included in a diluted EPS calculation due to being antidilutive, the Company had potentially dilutive securities outstanding at June 30, 2009 and 2010. The following schedule presents antidilutive securities for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2010:

             
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
 
Options
    1,174,000       1,049,000       1,174,000       1,049,000  
Warrants
    3,787,880       3,787,880       3,787,880       3,787,880  
Restricted common stock
    1,576,770       2,060,000       1,576,770       2,060,000  
Series D preferred stock
    -       7,487,720       7,487,720       7,487,720  
 
Although these financial instruments were not included due to being antidilutive, such financial instruments may become dilutive and would then need to be included in future calculations of diluted EPS.

Note 8:  Financing

Line of Credit

The maturity date of the Company’s line of credit agreement with Liberty Bank of Arkansas was extended from April 15, 2010 to July 15, 2010. The Company is currently working to restructure the line, which it fully expects to accomplish in the near term. The line is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, chattel paper, general intangibles and other current assets, as well as by fixtures and equipment, and bears an interest rate of 9%. The maximum amount that may be drawn on the line at one time is the lesser of $7.8 million and the borrowing base. At June 30, 2010, the borrowing base was $8.5 million, but the line of credit balance was $7.8 million, leaving no funds available to borrow. The borrowing base is equal to the sum of approximately 85% of our qualifying accounts receivable, 75% of finished goods inventory and 50% of all other inventory, excluding parts and supplies. The full amount of the line is guaranteed as to payment by our largest stockholder, Marjorie Brooks, and by Joe Brooks, the Company’s chairman and chief executive officer, and Steve Brooks, the Company’s chief operating officer. In conjunction with restructuring the line of credit, the Company will be renegotiating the fees it pays to Ms. Brooks as compensation for her guarantees.

The credit facility includes a debt service coverage ratio, current ratio, and accounts payable and accounts receivable aging covenants, and customary restrictions on dividends and the incurrence of additional debt or liens, among other matters. The Company was not in compliance with the debt service coverage, current ratio, and accounts payable covenants as of June 30, 2010. Liberty Bank has not waived the covenants, and as such could enforce all remedies available to it under the loan agreement. However, as previously discussed, Liberty Bank has continued to work with the Company and has extended the line of credit eleven times.

Mortgage Loan

The Company’s $1.7 million mortgage loan from Liberty Bank with an extended maturity date of April 15, 2010 was extended to April 15, 2012. Payments on the loan will continue at $16,545 per month with the balance of the loan due at maturity.

Oklahoma Energy Program Loan

On July 14, 2010, we entered into a loan agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) whereby ODOC agreed to a 15-year, $3.0 million loan to AERT at a fixed interest rate of 3%. The loan is being made pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Energy Program for the State of Oklahoma, and will fund the second phase of AERT's new recycling

 
9

 
facility in Watts, Oklahoma. Payments on the loan are scheduled to commence on the earlier of project completion or July 1, 2011.

Arkansas Economic Infrastructure Funding

On March 30, 2010, the Company entered into a grant agreement with the City of Springdale and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) in the amount of $170,000. Part of the grant funds have been used to pay for a new packaging line in the Springdale North plant. On June 4, 2010, the Company accepted an offer of additional grant funding in the amount of $150,000 that would be combined with and become a part of the initial grant provided by AEDC, bringing the total amount of that grant to $320,000. The Company expects to sign final grant agreements shortly. The new grant funding and the remainder of the initial grant will be used to relocate an extrusion line from AERT’s plant at Junction, Texas to the Springdale South Plant. AERT expects to create 84 jobs in its operations in Arkansas as a result of the grant funding from AEDC.

Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies

Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. v. Fort Mason Master, L.P. and Fort Mason Partners, L.P.

On August 19, 2009, AERT filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the Court) against Fort Mason Master, L.P. and Fort Mason Partners, L.P. (the Funds), requesting that the Court enter an order that AERT has no obligation to redeem its Series D preferred stock held by the Funds and that the Funds be required to comply with the terms of the preferred stock agreements. Prior to AERT filing a complaint, the Funds indicated to the Company their belief that they were entitled to have their stock redeemed (representing $4.0 million of initial investment) because of the Company’s accruing but not paying cumulative dividends, allegedly misrepresenting their redemption rights, and/or failing to pay late registration penalties. The Company denies and disputes these allegations. AERT is also seeking a ruling to clarify its obligation with respect to late registration penalties attributable to delays in getting its S-3 resale registration statement for the preferred stock effective as a result of circumstances beyond its control. At June 30, 2010, the Company had $0.4 million accrued relating to these late registration penalties.

On January 15, 2010, the Funds filed with the Court an answer to the Company’s complaint and a counterclaim against AERT. The Funds denied any allegations made by AERT and claimed that AERT had breached certain terms of the Series D preferred stock agreements, including that AERT failed to pay required dividends, AERT falsely represented that it was not prohibited from redeeming the preferred stock, and AERT failed to timely make effective a registration statement and failed to pay the related late registration penalties. The Funds are seeking damages and attorneys’ fees from AERT for the alleged breaches of contract.  Additionally, the Funds have requested that the Court require AERT to redeem the preferred stock, claiming that the alleged breaches of contract give the Funds the right to require redemption under the preferred stock agreements.

AERT responded to the counterclaims on February 4, 2010. In its response, AERT denied the allegations of the Funds and requested that the Court enter an order dismissing the counterclaims, declaring that AERT has no current obligation to redeem the preferred stock, requiring the Funds to comply with the rights and obligations in connection with the Series D preferred stock under Delaware law, and awarding AERT its attorneys’ fees and expenses related to this lawsuit.

On April 27, 2010, the Funds filed a motion for summary judgment on their counterclaims. AERT filed its answering brief with the Court on June 16, 2010 and the Funds filed their reply brief on July 2, 2010. A hearing is currently scheduled with the Court on August 13, 2010.

Class Action Lawsuits

The U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (Seattle Division) approved a class action settlement in January 2009 related to a purported class action lawsuit seeking to recover on behalf of purchasers of ChoiceDek® composite decking for damages allegedly caused by mold and mildew stains on their decks. The settlement includes decking material purchased from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2007, along with decking material purchased after December 31, 2007 that was manufactured before October 1, 2006, the date a mold inhibitor was introduced in the manufacturing process.

At June 30, 2010, AERT had a total remaining balance in accrued expenses and notes payable of $6.5 million associated with the settlement of the class action lawsuit. The estimate included $5.8 million remaining for the claims resolution process and $0.7 million remaining to be paid for plaintiffs’ attorney fees in 2010. In 2008, the Company accrued an estimated $2.9 million for resolving claims. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company increased its estimate of costs to be incurred in resolving claims under the settlement by $5.1 million. The estimate was revised due to events that occurred and information that became available after the second quarter of 2009 concerning primarily the number of claims received. The deadline for submitting new claims has now passed. The claim

 
10

 
resolution process will have an annual net cost limitation to AERT of $2.0 million until the claim resolution process is completed.

Other Matters

AERT is involved from time to time in litigation arising from the normal course of business that is not disclosed in its filings with the SEC. In management's opinion, this litigation is not expected to materially impact the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

Note 10: Subsequent Event

At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders on July 15, 2010, the stockholders approved a proposal to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of Class A common stock from 100 million to 125 million.

 
11

 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2010

The following table sets forth selected information from our statements of operations (in thousands).

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Net sales
  $ 22,088     $ 23,229       5.2 %
Cost of goods sold
    16,929       17,230       1.8 %
% of net sales
    76.6 %     74.2 %        
Gross margin
    5,159       5,999       16.3 %
% of net sales
    23.4 %     25.8 %        
                         
Selling and administrative costs
    2,996       3,461       15.5 %
% of net sales
    13.6 %     14.9 %        
Operating income
    2,163       2,538       17.3 %
% of net sales
    9.8 %     10.9 %        
Gain from fixed asset disposition
    25       5       -80.0 %
Late registration fees
    273       -       -100.0 %
Net interest expense
    (918 )     (1,073 )     16.9 %
Income before dividends
    1,543       1,470       -4.7 %
% of net sales
    7.0 %     6.3 %        
Dividends on preferred stock
    (201 )     (198 )     -1.5 %
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 1,342     $ 1,272       -5.2 %
% of net sales
    6.1 %     5.5 %        
 
NetSales

Second quarter 2010 sales were up 5% from second quarter 2009 sales. The increase is due to additional distribution for our MoistureShield decking products.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin

Cost of goods sold was lower as a percentage of sales in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009 due to our cost-cutting measures implemented in 2009. Lower costs in 2010 resulted in an increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales to 26% in the second quarter of 2010 from 23% in 2009. In addition to our cost-cutting measures, we intend to lower our plastic raw material costs as well as some operating costs with the addition of our new, more efficient plastic recycling facility near Watts, Oklahoma, which started up in February 2010.

Selling and Administrative Costs

Selling and administrative costs were up $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009. The increase was due primarily to additional advertising and promotion costs. Advertising costs were higher than last year due in part to the reversal of $0.2 million of advertising costs in the second quarter of 2009. The primary components of selling and administrative costs are compensation and benefits, advertising and promotion, depreciation, travel, professional fees, and commissions.

Earnings

Our net income dropped slightly in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009 as a result of the increase in selling and administrative costs and a waiver of late registration fees of $0.3 million in 2009 that reduced expenses for that period.  Additionally, interest costs increased by $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2010 due primarily to the expensing of interest costs on the Watts bond that were previously capitalized during the construction period.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2010

The following table sets forth selected information from our statements of operations (in thousands).

 
12

 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Net sales
  $ 38,734     $ 39,620       2.3 %
Cost of goods sold
    30,925       30,467       -1.5 %
% of net sales
    79.8 %     76.9 %        
Gross margin
    7,809       9,153       17.2 %
% of net sales
    20.2 %     23.1 %        
                         
Selling and administrative costs
    6,200       6,109       -1.5 %
% of net sales
    16.0 %     15.4 %        
Operating income
    1,609       3,044       89.2 %
% of net sales
    4.2 %     7.7 %        
Gain from fixed asset disposition
    54       6       -88.9 %
Late registration fees
    273       -       -100.0 %
Net interest expense
    (1,814 )     (1,779 )     -1.9 %
Income before dividends
    122       1,271       941.8 %
% of net sales
    0.3 %     3.2 %        
Dividends on preferred stock
    (409 )     (396 )     -3.2 %
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
  $ (287 )   $ 875       *  
% of net sales
    -0.7 %     2.2 %        
 ____________________________________
* Not meaningful as a percentage change.

NetSales

Sales for the first six months of 2010 were up 2% from second quarter 2009 sales. In 2010, we replaced our discontinued style of ChoiceDek handrail with an updated ChoiceDek handrail product line at Lowe’s stores, which resulted in an unusually large return amount. We expect the new handrail products combined with fully stocked shelves to result in increased sales of handrail products in 2010. Before the return of discontinued handrail, net sales increased $2.1 million, or 5%.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin

Cost of goods sold was lower in the first six months of 2010 compared to the first six months of 2009 due to our cost-cutting measures implemented in 2009. Lower costs in 2010 resulted in an increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales to 23% from 20% in 2009. In addition to our cost-cutting measures, we intend to lower our plastic raw material costs as well as some operating costs with the addition of our new, more efficient plastic recycling facility near Watts, Oklahoma, which started up in February 2010.

Selling and Administrative Costs

Selling and administrative costs were down $0.1 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to the first six months of 2009. We were able to hold our costs down despite additional spending on advertising and promotions due mainly to cost reductions implemented in 2009. The primary components of selling and administrative costs are compensation and benefits, advertising and promotion, depreciation, travel, professional fees, and commissions.

Earnings

We improved our earnings by $1.2 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to the first six months of 2009 as a result of the sales improvement and cost cuts discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As a result of closely managing our costs and working capital, we funded our business with cash generated from operations in the first six months of 2010. As discussed in the debt section below, we may require additional financing to support our operations, continue our growth, introduce new products, and service our debt obligations as they come due.

 
13

 
Cash Flows
 
Cash Flows from Operations
 
Cash provided by operations in the first six months of 2010 was $4.5 million as compared to $0.9 million in 2009. In 2010, cash used in the increase of inventory was offset by cash provided by a reduction in accounts receivable and an increase in accounts payable. The increase in inventory was due to the purchase of additional plastic for our Watts recycling facility and due to the timing difference between the production of customer orders and their subsequent shipment. The decrease in accounts receivable was due to collections for a large amount of sales made in late December 2009. Accounts payable increased due to a cyclical increase in production in the first six months of 2010 and the startup of our Watts recycling facility.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities in the first six months of 2010 decreased $4.2 million compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease was due to lower capital expenditures for the construction of our Watts plastic recycling facility.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $1.3 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $4.9 million in the first six months of 2009. The $6.2 million change in cash from financing activities was due to the following:

·  
In the first six months of 2009 we decreased our debt by $0.6 million more than in 2010 due primarily to the pay down of our line of credit by $1.2 million in 2009, which was offset by the payment of $0.6 million of our Allstate note in 2010.
·  
We were able to use $6.8 million in restricted cash in 2009 from our bond project fund for the construction of our Watts plastic recycling facility. Our project fund was fully utilized in 2009.

Working Capital

     At June 30, 2010, we had a working capital deficit of $18.9 million compared to a working capital deficit of $22.8 million at December 31, 2009. The decrease in our deficit in 2010 was due to our net income from operations and the refinancing of our Liberty Bank mortgage loan from a current obligation to a long-term obligation. Components of working capital that fluctuated significantly include inventory, accounts payable and current maturities of long-term debt. See “Cash Flows from Operations” above for an explanation of the inventory and accounts payable fluctuations. Current maturities of long-term debt decreased due to the refinancing of the Liberty Bank debt as stated above.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The changes in our property, plant and equipment in the first six months of 2010 are due primarily to the completion of construction and startup of our Watts recycling facility. The decrease in construction in progress was offset by increases in buildings and equipment.

Arkansas Loan Program

On March 30, 2010, the Company entered into a grant agreement with the City of Springdale and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) in the amount of $170,000. Part of the grant funds have been used to pay for a new packaging line in the Springdale North plant. On June 4, 2010, the Company accepted an offer of additional grant funding in the amount of $150,000 that would be combined with and become a part of the initial grant provided by AEDC, bringing the total amount of that grant to $320,000. The Company expects to sign final grant agreements shortly. The new grant funding and the remainder of the initial grant will be used to relocate an extrusion line from AERT’s plant at Junction, Texas to the Springdale South Plant. AERT expects to create 84 jobs in its operations in Arkansas as a result of the grant funding from AEDC.

Debt

In addition to extending the maturity of certain loans, as discussed below, we continue to explore financing options, including various financial assistance programs sponsored by state and federal governments, as well as less traditional debt and equity financings.

Mortgage Loan

 
14

 
Our $1.7 million mortgage loan from Liberty Bank with an extended maturity date of April 15, 2010 was extended to April 15, 2012. Payments on the loan will continue at $16,545 per month with the balance of the loan due at maturity.

Line of Credit

The maturity date of the Company’s line of credit agreement with Liberty Bank of Arkansas was extended from April 15, 2010 to July 15, 2010. The Company is currently working to restructure the line, which it fully expects to accomplish in the near term. The line, which had a balance of $7.8 million at June 30, 2010, is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, chattel paper, general intangibles and other current assets, as well as by fixtures and equipment, and bears an interest rate of 9%. The full amount of the line is guaranteed as to payment by our largest stockholder, Marjorie Brooks, and by Joe Brooks, the Company’s chairman and chief executive officer, and Steve Brooks, the Company’s chief operating officer. Ms. Brooks is collateralized by a subordinate lien on all of our assets subject to priority liens of Allstate and Liberty Bank. In conjunction with restructuring the line of credit, we will be renegotiating the fees we pay Ms. Brooks as compensation for her guarantee.

Oklahoma Energy Program Loan

On July 14, 2010, we entered into a loan agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) whereby ODOC agreed to a 15-year, $3.0 million loan to AERT at a fixed interest rate of 3%. The loan is being made pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program for the State of Oklahoma, and will fund the second phase of AERT's new recycling facility in Watts, Oklahoma. Payments on the loan are scheduled to commence on the earlier of project completion or July 1, 2011.

Bonds

We are required to make monthly payments to bond principal and bond interest funds from which semi-annual interest and annual principal payments are made on the bonds.  Additionally, we are required to make payments to our debt service reserve funds for the bonds, if necessary, in order to maintain a minimum balance in the reserve funds. However, Allstate Investments, the holder of the bonds, waived the requirement to make payments to the debt service reserve funds through December 15, 2011. Failure to make the required payments to our bond funds is an event of default under our bond agreements, which would give the bond trustee the option of demanding immediate repayment of the bonds. We did not make certain monthly payments to these funds during 2009 and 2010; however, the bond purchaser waived the event of default concerning loan payments through April 1, 2011. In 2009, $1.9 million was paid from the debt service reserve funds for portions of our semi-annual interest payments and annual principal payments on the bonds. Through June 30, 2010, $0.2 million had been paid from the debt service reserve funds for portions of our semi-annual interest payments on the bonds.

Debt Covenants

Under our 2007 and 2008 bond agreements, as amended, AERT covenants that it will maintain certain financial ratios. The long-term debt service coverage ratio and current ratio were amended in the second quarter of 2010 to lower levels that we believe we can meet. The debt to equity ratio was replaced with a debt to total assets ratio. With the exception of the debt to assets ratio, which is an annual covenant, those ratios in effect at June 30, 2010 are listed in the chart of quarterly covenants below. If we fail to comply with, or to secure a waiver for, certain of the covenants, the bond trustee would have the option of demanding immediate repayment of the bonds. In such an event, it could be difficult for us to refinance the bonds, which would give the bond trustee the option to take us into bankruptcy. We were not in compliance with the accounts payable covenant as of June 30, 2010; however, the bond purchaser waived the accounts payable covenant through April 1, 2011.
 
Our Allstate notes payable have cross-default provisions that caused them to be in technical default at June 30, 2010 due to our non-compliance with the loan covenant discussed above. The covenant was waived by Allstate Investments, which is the investor in the bonds and the holder of the Allstate loans.

Bonds Payable and Allstate Notes Payable Debt Covenants
 
June 30, 2010
   
Compliance
Long-term debt service coverage ratio for last four quarters of at least 1.00 to 1.00
    1.2    
Yes
Current ratio of not less than 0.25 to 1.00
    0.5              
Yes
Not more than 20% of accounts payable in excess of 75 days past invoice date
    32 %  
No – waived
Not more than 20% of accounts receivable in excess of 90 days past invoice date
    1 %  
Yes

Our line of credit contains the financial covenants listed below. In the case of non-compliance with certain of the covenants, the bank loan could also immediately become due and payable at any time and the bank lender could foreclose on the property used to

 
15

 
secure the debt, which could force us into a bankruptcy proceeding before we can refinance this indebtedness. The bank lender for our line of credit, Liberty Bank, has not waived our non-compliance with the covenants, and as such could enforce all remedies available to it under the loan agreement. However, as previously discussed, Liberty Bank has continued to work with us and extended the maturity of the line of credit to July 15, 2010 and extended the maturity of the mortgage loan to April 15, 2012.

Liberty Bank Line of Credit Debt Covenants
 
June 30, 2010
             
Compliance
Long-term debt service coverage ratio for last four quarters of at least 2.00 to 1.00
    1.2    
No
Current ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00
    0.5    
No
Not more than 20% of accounts payable in excess of 75 days past invoice date
    32 %  
No
Not more than 20% of accounts receivable in excess of 90 days past invoice date
    1 %  
Yes

Uncertainties, Issues and Risks

There are many factors that could adversely affect AERT’s business and results of operations.  These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, decline in demand for our products, business or industry changes, critical accounting policies, government rules and regulations, environmental concerns, litigation, new products / product transition, product obsolescence, competition, acts of war, terrorism, public health issues, concentration of customer base, loss of a significant customer, availability of raw material (plastic) at a reasonable price, management’s failure to execute effectively, inability to obtain adequate financing (i.e. working capital), equipment breakdowns, low stock price, and fluctuations in quarterly performance.

Forward-Looking Information

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making an investment, prospective investors should carefully consider the following factors, among others, and seek professional advice. In addition, this Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such forward-looking statements, which are often identified by words such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “should”, “may”, “will” and similar expressions, represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Prospective purchasers of our securities should carefully consider the information contained herein or in the documents incorporated herein by reference.

The foregoing discussion contains certain estimates, predictions, projections and other forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that involve various risks and uncertainties. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect management’s current judgment regarding the direction of the business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, or other future performance suggested herein. Some important factors (but not necessarily all factors) that could affect the sales volumes, growth strategies, future profitability and operating results, or that otherwise could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement include the following: market, political or other forces affecting the pricing and availability of plastics and other raw materials; accidents or other unscheduled shutdowns affecting us, our suppliers’ or our customers’ plants, machinery, or equipment; competition from products and services offered by other enterprises; our ability to refinance short-term indebtedness; state and federal environmental, economic, safety and other policies and regulations, any changes therein, and any legal or regulatory delays or other factors beyond our control; execution of planned capital projects; weather conditions affecting our operations or the areas in which our products are marketed; adverse rulings, judgments, or settlements in litigation or other legal matters. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Our chief executive officer, Joe G. Brooks, who is our principal executive officer, and our chief financial officer, J. R. Brian Hanna, who is our principal financial officer, have reviewed and evaluated the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that we have in place as of June 30, 2010 with respect to, among other things, the timely accumulation and communication of information to management and the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting thereof for the purpose of preparing and filing this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Based upon their review, the aforementioned executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2010.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 
16

 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings – (See Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies)

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On June 4, 2010, we issued 125,000 shares of our Class A common stock to The Birkhill Group LLC (Birkhill) in settlement of accounts payable for investor relations services. The market value of the securities when issued was $50,000. We believe, due to Birkhill’s relationship with our company, its security industry background and the isolated nature of the transaction, that the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a private placement pursuant to Section 4(2) of that Act.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed and incorporated by reference as part of this report.

 
17

 
SIGNATURES

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

     
   
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL
   
RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
     
   
By: /s/ Joe G. Brooks
   
Joe G. Brooks,
   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
(principal executive officer)
     
   
/s/ J. R. Brian Hanna
   
J. R. Brian Hanna,
   
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
 
Date: July 30, 2010

 



 
18

 
Index to Exhibits
 
     
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
     
31.1
 
Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 302) by the Company's chairman and chief executive officer.
     
31.2
 
Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 302) by the Company’s chief financial officer.
     
32.1
 
Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 906) by the Company's chairman and chief executive officer.
     
32.2
 
Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 906) by the Company's chief financial officer.