10-K 1 mfri10kfye13112.htm
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, 2012
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 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) durin g 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 Re gulation 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 incorpora ted by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes o No x
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 co mpany x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) 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 $53,878,437 based on the closing sale price of $9.00 per share as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on July 31, 2011.
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding at April 25, 2012 was 6,914,646.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.

MFRI, Inc.
FORM 10-K
For the fiscal period ended January 31, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item |  | Page
Part I |  |
1. | Business | 1 |
| Piping Systems | 2 |
| Filtration Products | 3 |
| Industrial Process Cooling | 4 |
| Employees | 6 |
| International | 6 |
| Executive Officers of the Registrant | 7 |
1A. | Risk Factors | 8 |
1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 10 |
2. | Properties | 10 |
3. | Legal Proceedings | 11 |
4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 11 |
Part II |  |
5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 11 |
6. | Selected Financial Data | 13 |
7. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 13 |
7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 21 |
8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 22 |
9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 22 |
9A. | Controls and Procedures | 22 |
9B. | Other Information | 22 |
Part III |  |
10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 23 |
11. | Executive Compensation | 23 |
12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 23 |
13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence | 23 |
14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 23 |
Part IV |  |
15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 23 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 24 |
Signatures | 52 |

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", the "Company" or the "Registrant"), is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in three reportable segments: piping systems, filtration products and industrial process cooling. Corporate and Other includes the installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems. This activity is not sufficiently large to constitute a reportable segment. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2011 and 2010 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In the year ended January 31, 2012, no customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales.
MFRI, Inc.'s Operating Units

Piping Systems | Filtration Products | Industrial Process Cooling | Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Perma-Pipe, Inc. | Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc. | Thermal Care, Inc. | Midwesco Mechanical
Niles, IL | Winchester, VA | Niles, IL | and Energy, Inc.
New Iberia, LA | TDC Filter Manufacturing, Inc. | Boe-Therm A/S | Niles, IL
Lebanon, TN | Bolingbrook, IL | Assens, Denmark |
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 |  |  |
Mumbai, 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 and (iii) oil and gas gathering flow and long lines for oil and mineral transportation. The Company's 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.
Piping systems frequently custom fabricates to job site dimensions and/or to incorporate 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 Company's piping systems are produced for underground installations and, therefore, require trenching, which is done by unaffiliated installation contractors.
Domestic piping systems is seasonal. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") - Piping Systems."
Marketing. 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. Globally, 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.
Recent development. An additional insulated pipe manufacturing plant has been completed in Dammam, Saudi Arabia to better serve the Gulf Cooperation Council ("GCC") and nearby countries. This new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will serve the special requirements of the oil and gas industry as well as the rapidly growing market for district cooling networks. Perma-Pipe Saudi Arabia, ("PPSA"), will feature Perma-Pipe's Xtru-Therm automated spray polyurethane insulation and several jacketing systems including polyethylene, metal and fiber reinforced plastic offering a comprehensive product range. PPSA will also be equipped to custom manufacture pipe spools and a complete range of pre-insulated fittings. The Company had its first sale in April 2012.
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™ and Electro-Gard™. 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™, Pal-at™, Permalert™, Perma-Pipe®, Polytherm®, Ric-Wil®, Sleeve-Gard™ and Xtru-therm®.
Backlog. As of January 31, 2012, the backlog (uncompleted firm orders) was $53.8 million, net of order cancelled after January 31, 2012 due to technical matters. As of January 31, 2011, the backlog was $46.5 million.
Raw materials. The 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 or 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 system from standard components purchased from many sources.
Competition. Piping systems is highly competitive. The Company believes its principal competition consists of between ten and twenty major competitors and more small competitors. The Company believes quality, service, a
2

comprehensive product line and price are the key competitive factors. The Company also believes it has a more comprehensive line for DHC than any of its competitors. Some competitors have greater financial resources and some have 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 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 it 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 particulate 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 other 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, the Company's filtration products have 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 from other industries.
Marketing. 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
3

resources to target major users in foreign countries. The Denmark filtration facility markets pleated filter elements throughout Europe and Asia, primarily to original equipment manufacturers.
Intellectual Property. The Company owns the following trademarks covering its 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.
Backlog. As of January 31, 2012, the backlog was $14.5 million, substantially all of which is expected to be completed in 2012. As of January 31, 2011, the backlog was $17.2 million.
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's 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 dependent upon governmental regulation of air pollution at the federal and state levels. Federal clean air legislation requires compliance with national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for specific pollutants, including particulate. The states are primarily responsible for implementing these standards and, in some cases, have adopted more stringent standards than those issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 ("Clean Air Act"). In addition, the EPA issued its own fine particle pollution standards in 1997 and 2006.
Industrial Process Cooling
Products and services. The Company engineers, designs, manufactures and sells cooling and temperature control equipment for industrial applications. The Company believes it manufactures the most complete line of chillers available in its primary markets. Products include: chillers (portable and central); cooling towers; plant circulating assemblies; hot water, hot oil and negative pressure temperature controllers; water treatment equipment; specialty cooling devices for printing presses and ink management; and replacement parts and various accessories relating to the foregoing products. The Company's products are used to optimize manufacturing productivity by quickly removing heat from manufacturing processes and providing accurate temperature control. The Company combines chillers and/or cooling towers with plant circulating systems to create plant wide systems that account for a large portion of its business. The Company specializes in customizing cooling systems and computerized controls according to customer specifications.
4

The principal markets for the Company's cooling and temperature control products are thermoplastics processing and the printing industries. The Company also sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, to other cooling manufacturers on a private branded basis and to manufacturers in the laser, metallizing, machine tool and various other industries.
Marketing. The Company sells its products in the global thermoplastics and printing markets as well as to other industrial applications that require specialized heat transfer equipment. Domestic thermoplastics processors are the largest market served by industrial process cooling, representing the core of its business. The Company's cooling products are sold through independent manufacturers' representatives on an exclusive territory basis. Temperature control products are sold through a network of independent dealers/distributors in major industrial markets.
The Company believes the total annual U.S. market for water cooling equipment in the plastics industry was more than $100 million on a pre-recession basis and the Company is one of the three largest suppliers of such equipment to the plastics industry. The Company believes the plastics industry is a mature industry with growth consistent with that of the national economy. The Company has increased sales to non-plastics industries that require specialized heat transfer equipment, usually sold to end users as a package by the supplier of the primary equipment, particularly in the laser, metalizing and machine tool industries. The Company believes the size of this market was more than $200 million annually prior to the current recession. The original equipment manufacturer distributes products to the end user in these markets.
Intellectual Property. The Company has registered the trademarks Thermal Care®, AWS® and Applied Web Systems®.
Backlog. As of January 31, 2012, the backlog was $6.4 million, all of which is expected to be completed in 2012. As of January 31, 2011, the backlog was $4.3 million.
Raw materials. The Company uses prefabricated sheet metal and subassemblies manufactured by both Thermal Care and outside vendors for chillers and temperature control fabrication. Cooling towers are manufactured using fiberglass and hardware components purchased from several sources. The Company believes its access to sheet metal, subassemblies, fiberglass and hardware components is adequate to meet demands.
Competition. The Company believes there are about 15 competitors selling cooling equipment in the domestic plastics market. The Company further believes three manufacturers, including the Company, account for approximately 50% of the domestic plastics cooling equipment market. Many international customers, with relatively small cooling needs, are able to purchase small refrigeration units (portable chillers), which are manufactured in their respective local markets at prices below that which the Company can offer due to issues such as freight cost and customs duties. However, such local manufacturers often lack the technology and products needed for plant wide cooling systems. The Company believes its reputation for producing quality plant wide cooling products results in a significant portion of the Company's business in the cooling product area. Temperature control units, which are sold globally, compete with both local and European manufacturers. The quality, reliability, features and range of temperature control applications addressed by the Company's products provide a competitive advantage.
The Company believes quality, service, a comprehensive product line and price are the key competitive factors in industrial process cooling. The Company believes it has a more comprehensive line of cooling products than any of its competitors. Certain competitors have cost advantages as a result of manufacturing in non-union shops and offering a limited range of products. Some of the Company's competitors may have greater financial resources than the Company.
Government regulation. The Company does not expect compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment to have a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings or the Company's competitive position. Management is not aware of the need for any material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities for the foreseeable future. Regulations, promulgated under the Clean Air Act, prohibit the manufacture and sale of certain refrigerants.
5

The Company does not use those refrigerants in its products. The Company expects that suitable refrigerants conforming to federal, state and local laws and regulations will continue to be available to the Company, although no assurances can be given as to the ultimate effect of the Clean Air Act and related laws on the Company.
Employees
As of February 29, 2012, the Company had 1,198 full-time employees, of whom 40.7% worked outside the U.S.
International
The Company's international operations as of January 31, 2012 include subsidiaries and a joint venture in five foreign countries on three continents. The Company's international operations contributed approximately 15.7% of revenue in 2011, 27.6% of revenue in 2010.
Refer to the Business descriptions on pages 1 through 5 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.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of the Company as of April 15, 2012:

Name | Offices and positions, if any, held with the Company; age | Executive officer of the Company or its predecessor since
David Unger | Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; Age 77 | 1972
Bradley E. Mautner | Director, President and Chief Operating Officer; Age 56 | 1994
Michael D. Bennett | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer; Age 68 | 1989
Timothy P. Murphy | Vice President of Human Resources; Age 62 | 2008
Fati A. Elgendy | President and Chief Operating Officer of Perma-Pipe; Age 63 | 1990
Robert A. Maffei | Vice President, Perma-Pipe; Age 64 | 1987
John Mark Foster | President, Midwesco Filter; Age 50 | 2008
Stephen C. Buck | President, Thermal Care; Age 63 | 2007
Edward A. Crylen | President and Chief Operating Officer of Midwesco Mechanical and Energy; Age 60 | 2006

All of the executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
David Unger, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1989; President from 1994 until 2004.
Bradley E. Mautner, President and Chief Operating Officer since December 2004; Executive Vice President from December 2002 to December 2004;Vice President from December 1996 through December 2002; Director since 1994.
6

Michael D. Bennett, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President since August 1989.
Timothy P. Murphy, Vice President of Human Resources since May 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Murphy spent 28 years as a business consultant in roles including Principal Partner of Murphy & Hill Consulting, Managing Director of the Bay Area office of RHR, International and Consultant with YSC, Ltd. Mr. Murphy previously consulted to the Company from 1985 to 2008.
Fati A. Elgendy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Perma-Pipe since March 1995.
Robert A. Maffei, Vice President, Director of Sales and Marketing of Perma-Pipe since August 1996.
John Mark Foster, President of Midwesco Filter since August, 2008. Mr. Foster previously worked at Saint-Gobain (PAR: SGO) in the areas of industrial/project engineering and plant management, followed by positions in market management, human resources and a series of North American and European general management assignments.
Stephen C. Buck, President of Thermal Care since October, 2007. Mr. Buck joined Thermal Care after a 22 year career most recently as President - Safety Products Group with Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS), which manufactures and markets products to industrial and municipal customers worldwide. Prior to his employment with Federal Signal Corporation, Mr. Buck held various positions in marketing and management for companies in computer hardware/software, oil field services and telecommunications.
Edward A. Crylen, President and Chief Operating Officer of Midwesco Mechanical and Energy, since its formation in December 2006.
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. In the latest recession, the economy experienced a severe and prolonged downturn which adversely impacted 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, volumes, pricing, and operating margins for our services and products. Many of customers and suppliers felt the impact of the economic downturn. 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 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 flows.
Customer access to capital funds. Uncertainty about current 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 adverse effect of the recent credit availability experienced by the Emirate of Dubai has significantly decelerated construction activity both in the U.A.E. and across other GCC countries, negatively impacting sales volume at the U.A.E. facility.
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, we may seek to grow our business by investing in new or existing facilities, making acquisitions, entering into partnerships and joint ventures, or constructing new facilities, which could entail
7

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.
Changes in government policies and laws, worldwide economic conditions. International sales represent a significant portion of the Company's total sales and continued growth and profitability may involve 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 detection and location and secondary containment piping systems is driven primarily 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 detection and location and secondary containment piping systems. Filtration products, to a large extent, is 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 facility, 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 make 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.
Competition. The businesses in which the Company is engaged are highly competitive. Many of the competitors
8

are larger and have more resources. Additionally, many of the Company's products are also subject to competition from alternative technologies and alternative products. 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. In periods of declining demand, the Company's fixed cost structure may limit ability to cut costs, which may be a competitive disadvantage to firms with lower cost structures, or may result in reduced operating margins and operating losses.
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 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.
Percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The Company measures and recognizes a portion of revenue and profits under the percentage-of-completion accounting methodology. 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 and 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.
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. 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 may result 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
Piping Systems

Illinois | Owned production facilities and office space | 16,800 square feet
Louisiana | Owned production facilities and leased land | 18,900 square feet
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 | 34,900 square feet on approximately 4.5 acres
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | Owned production facilities and leased land | 89,000 square feet on approximately 19 acres
United Arab Emirates | Leased office space and land for production facilities | 119,300 square feet on approximately 18 acres

9

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 production facilities and office space | 67,000 square feet
Denmark | Owned production facilities and office space | 69,800 square feet on 3.5 acres

Industrial Process Cooling

Illinois | Owned production facilities and office space | 87,600 square feet on 8.1 acres
Denmark | Owned production facilities and office space | 16,500 square feet

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 three significant lease agreements as follows:

• | Land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leased through 2030 and 2031.

• | Office space of approximately 119,300 square feet and land for production facilities in the U.A.E. leased until June 30, 2030.

• | Production facilities and office space of approximately 67,000 square feet in Virginia are leased through July 31, 2012 and July 31, 2013, respectively.

For further information, see Note 6 - 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.
10

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 2011 and 2010 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 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 2011 and 2010.

| High |  | Low |
2011 |  |
First Quarter | $13.06 | $9.57
Second Quarter | 10.21 |  | 6.96 |
Third Quarter | 9.47 |  | 6.51 |
Fourth Quarter | 7.51 |  | 6.43 |
2010 |  |
First Quarter | 7.21 |  | 6.16 |
Second Quarter | 6.95 |  | 5.86 |
Third Quarter | 8.76 |  | 6.25 |
Fourth Quarter | 11.00 |  | 7.68 |

As of March 15, 2012, there were 74 stockholders of record and other additional shareholders 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 Note 5 - 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. 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.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information regarding the number of shares of Common Stock to 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, 2012.
11

Plan Category | 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 available for future issuance under equity compensation plans
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders | 842,966 |  | $11.48 | 503,435 |

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, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "continue," "remains," "intend," "aim," "should," "prospects," "could," "future," "potential," "believes," "plans," "likely" and "probable" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those under the heading Item 1A. Risk Factors.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Backlog ($ in thousands): | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Piping Systems | $53,769 | * | $46,452
Filtration Products | 14,473 |  |  | 17,178 |
Industrial Process Cooling | 6,431 |  |  | 4,332 |
Corporate and Other | 8,539 |  |  | 9,751 |
Total | $83,212 |  | $77,713

*net of order cancelled after January 31, 2012 due to technical matters
MFRI, Inc. is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in three reportable segments: piping systems, filtration products and industrial process cooling. Piping systems' domestic sales and earnings are seasonal, typically lower during the fourth and first quarters due to unfavorable weather for construction over much of North America and are correspondingly higher during the second and third quarters. The Company website address is www.mfri.com.
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. An overview of the segment results is provided in Note 1 - Business and segment information to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report.
Critical accounting policies and estimates
MD&A discusses the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the 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.
Management believes that judgments and estimates related to the following critical accounting policies could materially affect the consolidated financial statements:

• | Revenue recognition

• | Percentage of completion revenue recognition

• | Inventory

• | Income taxes

• | Equity-based compensation

• | Fair value of financial instruments

In the fourth quarter of 2011, there were no changes in the above critical accounting policies.
In the latest recession, the economy experienced a severe and prolonged downturn which adversely impacted all of the Company's businesses, directly or indirectly. Although improvement is expected, the timing of economic recovery in the markets we serve remains uncertain. Because economic and market conditions vary within the Company's segments, the Company's future performance by segment will also vary. Should current economic conditions continue, or a further downturn in one or more of our significant markets, the Company could experience a period of declining net sales, which could adversely impact the Company's results of operations.
Correction of immaterial errors
In the fourth quarter of 2011, management discovered prior period tax errors related mainly to transfer pricing . The cumulative adjustment for the tax errors covering the period from February 1, 2007 to January 31, 2011, was approximately $315 thousand. The adjustment applicable to the fourth quarter of 2010 was approximately $135 thousand and the adjustment applicable to prior years (February 2007 - January 2010) totaled approximately $180 thousand. Pursuant to the guidance of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 99, Materiality, the Company concluded that the errors were not material to any of its prior period financial statements. However, in accordance with SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements, the prior period financial statements were revised. Prior period amounts stated in this Form 10-K have been revised to facilitate comparability between current and prior year periods. For further information, see Note 7 Correction of immaterial errors - in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2011 Compared to 2010
Net sales were $233.5 million in 2011, an increase of 7% from $219 million in 2010. Sales increased in filtration products, industrial process cooling and HVAC. Piping systems' sales declined due to reduced activity at the U.A.E. facility and no large project related revenue at the India facility.
Gross profit of $36 million in 2011 decreased 18% from $44 million in 2010. Gross margin was 16% compared to 20% in 2010. Gross profit increased significantly in filtration products, industrial process cooling and HVAC due to increased sales volume and margin improvements. Piping systems' gross profit decreased considerably to $14.4 million in 2011 from $27.3 million in 2010 due to lower volume at the U.A.E. facility and no large project related activity at the India facility. In the second quarter, piping systems also incurred a one-time extended service claim of approximately $0.6 million.
General and administrative expenses decreased 6% to $26.3 million from $28 million. The reduction was mainly due to lower profit-based management incentive compensation expense, lower stock compensation expense and lower legal expenses partially offset by start-up costs for piping systems' new facility in Saudi Arabia.
Selling expenses increased 11% to $15.1 million from $13.6 million. A change in piping systems' domestic sales commission program resulted in increased sales commission expense, additional sales in industrial process cooling led to higher commission expense and higher healthcare costs were partially offset by reduced costs from closing the facility in South Africa recorded in 2010.
The Company's worldwide effective income tax rates, ("ETR"), for 2011 and 2010 were (0.3)% and (67.0)%, respectively. For additional information, see the Income Tax section of the MD&A and see Note 8 - Income taxes in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
Net loss was $5 million compared to net income of $4.4 million in 2010. This change is mainly the result of lower volume at the U.A.E. facility and no large project related activity at the India facility. Furthermore piping systems incurred expenses of $1.0 million for the fourth quarter and $2.3 million for 2011 relating to the new start-up facility in Saudi Arabia.
Piping Systems
The adverse effect of the credit crisis experienced by the Emirate of Dubai has significantly decelerated construction activity both in the U.A.E. and across other GCC countries, negatively impacting sales volume at the U.A.E. facility.
The manufacturing facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is production ready and staff has been recruited and trained. Initial customer orders have been received, technical submittals are awaiting approval and procurement of raw materials is currently underway. Expenses of $1.0 million for the fourth quarter and $2.3 million for 2011 relating to this new start-up facility were recorded to cost of goods sold, general and administrative and selling expenses.
Piping systems' domestic sales and earnings are seasonal, typically lower during the fourth and first quarters due to unfavorable weather for construction over much of North America and are correspondingly higher during the second and third quarters.

($ in thousands) | 2011 |  | 2010 |  |  | % (Decrease) |  |
Net sales | $96,977 | $104,559 |  | (7 | )% |
Gross profit | 14,382 | 27,303 |  | (47 | )% |
Percentage of net sales | 15 | % | 26 | % |  |  |
Income from operations | 1,115 | 13,831 |  | (92 | )% |
Percentage of net sales | 1 | % | 13 | % |  |  |

Despite significant sales drops in the Middle East and India, net sales of $97 million decreased only 7% from $104.6 million, in the prior-year due to reduced activity at the U.A.E. facility and no large project related revenue at the India facility, partially offset by a rise in domestic oil and gas product sales.
Gross margin decreased to 15% of net sales from 26% of net sales in the prior-year due to lower volume at the U.A.E. facility and no large project related activity at the India facility. In the second quarter, piping systems incurred a one-time extended service claim of approximately $0.6 million.
General and administrative expense decreased to $9 million or 9.5% of net sales in 2011 from $10 million or 9.9% of net sales in 2010. The reduction in general and administrative expenses was due to lower profit based management incentive compensation, legal expenses and reduced staffing at the U.A.E. location, partially offset by increased healthcare costs.
Selling expense increased to $4 million or 4% of net sales in 2011 from $3 million or 3% of net sales in 2010. This increase was due to a change in the domestic sales commission program, which resulted in higher sales commission expense in the period.
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 relatively low gross margins in all periods.
Filtration products is dependent on government regulation of air quality at the federal and state levels. The Company believes that growth in the sale 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) | 2011 |  | 2010 |  |  | % Increase |  |
Net sales | $93,705 | $85,133 |  | 10 | % |
Gross profit | 12,466 | 10,394 |  | 20 | % |
Percentage of net sales | 13 | % | 12 | % |  |  |
Income (loss) from operations | 614 | (1,335) |  | 146 | % |
Percentage of net sales | 0.7 | % | (1.6 | )% |  |  |

Net sales increased 10% to $94 million in 2011 from $85 million in 2010 due to improving business conditions in filtration products. New pricing models are being used in an effort to shift the mix of products sold and improve overall profitability.
Gross margin increased to 13% of net sales from 12% of net sales in 2010 primarily due to cost containment efforts and improved product mix.
In July 2010, the Company announced that the facility in South Africa would close in the third quarter. Expenses related to the closing were approximately $577 thousand. In 2010, these expenses were included in cost of goods sold, general and administrative and selling expenses.
General and administrative expenses increased to $5 million from $4.8 million and as a percentage of net sales decreased to 5.3% from 5.6% in 2010. The dollar increase was due to additional staffing, foreign exchange currency loss and an increase in bad debt expense partially offset by closing costs related to the facility in South Africa.
Selling expenses remained level at $6.9 million. Additional staffing and higher advertising expenses were offset by the 2010 closing of the South Africa facility. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 7.3% in 2011 from 8.2% of net sales in 2010.
12

Industrial Process Cooling

($ in thousands) | 2011 |  | 2010 |  |  | % Increase |  |
Net sales | $32,112 | $26,220 |  | 22 | % |
Gross profit | 8,541 | 7,044 |  | 21 | % |
Percentage of net sales | 27 | % | 27 | % |  |  |
Income from operations | 810 | 295 |  | 175 | % |
Percentage of net sales | 2.5 | % | 1.1 | % |  |  |

Net sales of $32 million increased 22% from $26 million in 2010 due to improving business conditions in the domestic plastic and industrial market sectors.
Gross profit increased 21% to $8.5 million from $7 million in 2010. Gross margin remained constant as a percentage of net sales.
General and administrative expenses increased to $3.6 million from $3.2 million in 2010 and decreased as a percentage of net sales to 11% from 12% in 2010 due to the effect of higher sales. The change in spending was a result of restoring compensation to levels before wage reductions implemented during the economic downturn, increased profit based management incentive compensation expense related to improved performance, additional staffing and increased professional expenses including legal costs.
Selling expenses increased to $4.2 million in 2011 from $3.5 million in 2010 primarily driven by an increase in commission expense due to higher sales, restoring compensation to levels before wage reductions implemented during the economic downturn and higher healthcare costs. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 13% from 13.5% of net sales in 2010 due to the effect of higher sales.
Corporate and Other
Net sales of $10.7 million in 2011 increased from $2.7 million in 2010 due to increased construction activity.
Corporate expenses include interest expense and general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to the segments. General and administrative expenses decreased 11% to $8.5 million or 3.7% of net sales from $9.6 million or 4.4% of net sales in 2010. The decrease was due to lower profit-based management incentive and stock compensation expense.
Interest expense increased to $2.2 million from $1.9 million in 2010 primarily due to higher borrowings and interest rates. Interest income increased to $728 thousand from $676 thousand due to higher cash balances held overseas in piping systems.
INCOME TAXES
The Company's worldwide ETRs were (0.3)% and (67.0)% in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The ETR in the periods presented was the result of the mix of income earned in multiple tax jurisdictions with various income tax rates. Income earned in the U.A.E. is not subject to any local country income tax. The ETR in 2011 was less than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, due to foreign losses and repatriation of foreign earnings. The ETR in 2010 was less than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the large portion of income earned in the U.A.E.
The January 31, 2012 computation of the projected annual tax rate has been significantly impacted by the loss in the U.A.E. for which no tax benefit can be provided. The Company recorded $1.8 million in tax expense associated with the $3.1 million repatriation of foreign earnings that occurred in July 2011. These foreign earnings were
13

previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. The repatriation was a one-time nonrecurring event. The Company has not provided Federal tax on unremitted earnings of its international subsidiaries. A deferred tax asset of $1.3 million has been established 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 2022.
During 2011, the Company reevaluated the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets and determined that no reserve was needed. As of January 31, 2011 and January 31, 2012, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary on all domestic deferred tax assets except for certain state net operating losses, ("NOL"). The Company believes that it will be more likely than not that the research and development credits will be utilized within the next five years; therefore, the Company has released the valuation allowance of $0.8 million for the $1.3 million research and development credits established in 2009. Another contributing factor to the unusual ETR is the valuation allowance set up on the NOL in Saudi Arabia. The Company does not record a tax benefit for its start-up entities.
As of January 31, 2012, the Company had undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which deferred taxes have not been provided. 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.
A reconciliation of the ETR to the U.S. Statutory tax rate is as follows:

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Statutory tax rate | 34.0 | % | 34.0 | %
Differences in foreign tax rate | (28.8 | )% | (60.7 | )%
Foreign tax credit | 26.2 | % | — | %
Research tax credit and release of valuation allowance | 19.1 | % | — | %
Repatriation | (36.4 | )% | — | %
Valuation allowance for foreign and state NOLs | (10.1 | )% | (20.8 | )%
Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture | 10.7 | % | (12.8 | )%
State taxes, net of federal benefit | (8.4 | )% | (16.6 | )%
All other, net expense | (6.6 | )% | 9.9 | %
Effective income tax rate | (0.3 | )% | (67.0 | )%

For further information, see Note 8 - Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents as of January 31, 2012 were $4.2 million as compared to $16.7 million at January 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily for the new facility in Saudi Arabia. The Company's working capital was $43 million at January 31, 2012 compared to $59 million at January 31, 2011. Cash used in operations in 2011 was $0.2 million compared to cash provided by operations of $8.7 million at January 31, 2011.
In July 2011, the Company recorded a one-time $1.8 million tax expense associated with a $3.1 million repatriation of foreign earnings. This tax expense included a payment of $0.5 million to the foreign tax authority and an accrual of $1.3 million U.S. tax on foreign source income. No cash will be paid for this tax in the U.S. since the Company has a net operating loss carryforward for fed eral income taxes. The Company does not intend to repatriate remaining unremitted foreign earnings and anticipates reinvesting these earnings overseas to fund current working capital requirements and expansion in foreign markets. If the Company repatriates unremitted foreign earnings, it will have negative tax implications.
14

Net cash used in investing activities in 2011 included $10 million for capital expenditures, primarily for machinery and equipment in piping systems of which $6.6 million was related to the new plant in Saudi Arabia. The Company estimates that capital expenditures for 2012 will be approximately $8 million, of which the Company may finance capital expenditures through real estate mortgages, equipment financing loans, internally generated funds and its revolving line of credit. The majority of such expenditures relates to foreign growth within piping systems.
Debt totaled $37.4 million at January 31, 2012, a decrease of $2 million since January 31, 2011. Net cash used by financing activities was $1.9 million. Other long-term liabilities of $5.1 million were composed primarily of accrued pension cost and deferred compensation.
The following table summarizes the Company's estimated contractual obligations at January 31, 2012.

($ in thousands) |  | Year Ending January 31, |
Contractual obligations | Total |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2017 |  | Thereafter |
Revolving line domestic (1) | $18,252 |  | $— |  | $18,252 |  | $— |  |  | $— |  |  | $— |  |  | $— |
Mortgages (2) | 17,699 |  | 1,156 |  | 926 |  | 929 |  | 928 |  | 927 |  | 12,833 |
Revolving line foreign | 1,986 |  | 673 |  | 75 |  | 75 |  | 75 |  | 75 |  | 1,013 |
Term loans (3) | 5,396 |  | 1,436 |  | 1,886 |  | 340 |  | 62 |  | 62 |  | 1,610 |
Subtotal | 43,333 |  | 3,265 |  | 21,139 |  | 1,344 |  | 1,065 |  | 1,064 |  | 15,456 |
Capitalized lease obligations | 2,133 |  | 518 |  | 465 |  | 406 |  | 385 |  | 359 |  | — |
Operating lease obligations (4) | 11,871 |  | 2,148 |  | 1,765 |  | 1,504 |  | 1,306 |  | 1,242 |  | 3,906 |
Projected pension contributions (5) | 3,979 |  | 705 |  | 308 |  | 325 |  | 343 |  | 347 |  | 1,951 |
Deferred compensation (6) | 5,686 |  | 571 |  | 105 |  | 105 |  | 105 |  | 52 |  | 4,748 |
Employment agreements (7) | 101 |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | 101 |
Uncertain tax position obligations (8) | 945 |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | 945 |
Total | $68,048 | $7,207 | $23,782 | $3,684 | $3,204 | $3,064 | $27,107

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, 2012, and the weighted average interest rate of 3.51% on that debt, such interest was being incurred at an annual rate of approximately $0.8 million.

(2) | Scheduled maturities, including interest.

(3) | Term loan obligations exclude floating rate interest on term loan with a January 31, 2012 balance of $1.1 million. Based on the amount of such debt as of January 31, 2012, and the weighted average interest rate of 3.34% on that debt, such interest was being incurred at an annual rate of approximately $42 thousand.

(4) | Minimum contractual amounts, assuming no changes in variable expenses.

(5) | Includes expected employer contributions for fiscal year ending January 31, 2012 and estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service.

(6) | Non-qualified deferred compensation plan - The Company has deferred compensation agreements with key employees. Vesting is based on years of service. Life insurance contracts have been purchased which may be used to fund the Company's obligation under these agreements. Payment estimates calculated by the third party administrator, have been included.

(7) | Refer to the proxy statement for a description of compensation plans for Named Executive Officers.

(8) | Refer to Note 8 - Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the uncertain tax position obligations.

Financing
On July 11, 2002, the Company entered into a secured loan and security agreement with a financial institution ("Loan Agreement"). Under the terms of the Loan Agreement as amended, which matures on November 30, 2013, the Company can borrow up to $38 million, subject to borrowing base and other requirements, under a revolving asset-based line of credit. The Loan Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, investments, do not permit payment
15

of dividends, and require attainment of levels of profitability and cash flows. At January 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Loan Agreement. Interest rates are based on options selected by the Company as follows: (a) a margin in effect plus a prime rate; or (b) a margin in effect plus the LIBOR rate for the corresponding interest period. At January 31, 2012, the prime rate was 3.25%, the LIBOR rate was 0.375%, and the margins added to the prime rate and the LIBOR rate, which are determined each quarter based on the applicable financial statement ratio, were 0.5 and 2.75 percentage points, respectively. Monthly interest payments were made during the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011. As of January 31, 2012, the Company had borrowed $18.3 million and had $6.9 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.2 million of availability was used under the Loan Agreement primarily to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. The Loan Agreement provides that all domestic receipts are deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to pay the debt under the Loan Agreement. At January 31, 2012, the amount of such restricted cash was $1.7 million. Cash required for operations is provided by draw-downs on the line of credit.
The Company also has credit arrangements used by its Denmark and U.A.E. subsidiaries. These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. At January 31, 2012, borrowings under these credit arrangements totaled $1.5 million; an additional $3.8 million remained unused.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
The Company's significant accounting policies are discussed in the notes to the 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) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iii) 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 method revenue recognition. All divisions recognize revenues under the above stated revenue recognition policy except for sizable 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.
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
16

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 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.
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.
Reclassifications. Reclassifications were made to prior-year financial statements to conform to the current-year presentations as required.
New accounting pronouncements. See "Financial Statements - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements," Note 2 - "New accounting pronouncements," for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

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, 2012 and 2011 and the notes thereto are set forth elsewhere herein.

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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of January 31, 2012. 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, 2012 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including the principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
17

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 Report").
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, 2012, based on criteria in the COSO Report.
Change in Internal Controls. There has been no change in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
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 2012 annual meeting of stockholders.
Information with respect to executive officers of the Company is included in Item 1, Part I 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 annual meeting of stockholders.
18

19

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.
20

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
MFRI Inc. and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MFRI Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and
Subsidiaries (the Company) as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the two years ended January 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not
required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.
Our audit 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 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, 2012 and 2011, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the two years ended January 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 30, 2012
21

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

| January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) | 2012 |  | 2011 |  |
Net sales | $233,496 | $218,598 |
Cost of sales | 197,203 |  | 174,140 |  |
Gross profit | 36,293 |  | 44,458 |  |
Operating expenses: |  |  |
General and administrative expense | 26,252 |  | 27,926 |  |
Selling expense | 15,132 |  | 13,634 |  |
Total operating expenses | 41,384 |  | 41,560 |  |
(Loss) income from operations | (5,091 | ) | 2,898 |  |
Income from joint venture | 1,558 |  | 983 |  |
Interest expense, net | 1,437 |  | 1,261 |  |
(Loss) income before income taxes | (4,970 | ) | 2,620 |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 17 |  | (1,755 | ) |
Net (loss) income | $(4,987) | $4,375 |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |  |  |
Basic | 6,878 |  | 6,842 |  |
Diluted | 6,878 |  | 6,850 |  |
(Loss) earnings per share |  |  |
Basic and diluted | $(0.73) | $0.64 |

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
22

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

| January 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) | 2012 | 2011
ASSETS |  |
Current assets |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $4,209 | $16,718
Restricted cash | 1,854 |  | 984 |
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $235 at January 31, 2012 and $346 at January 31, 2011 | 28,109 |  | 36,634 |
Inventories, net | 39,968 |  | 35,509 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,973 |  | 4,575 |
Deferred tax assets - current | 1,946 |  | 2,389 |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | 2,375 |  | 2,055 |
Income tax receivable | — |  | 204 |
Total current assets | 82,434 |  | 99,068 |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 47,842 |  | 43,655 |
Other assets |  |
Deferred tax assets - long-term | 10,967 |  | 8,470 |
Note receivable from joint venture | 4,195 |  | 4,270 |
Investment in joint venture | 4,636 |  | 3,078 |
Cash surrender value of deferred compensation plan | 2,782 |  | 2,869 |
Other assets | 3,860 |  | 1,605 |
Patents, net of accumulated amortization | 331 |  | 260 |
Total other assets | 26,771 |  | 20,552 |
Total assets | $157,047 | $163,275
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |  |
Current liabilities |  |
Trade accounts payable | $20,020 | $19,296
Commissions and management incentives payable | 4,722 |  | 6,867 |
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes | 4,571 |  | 4,332 |
Other accrued liabilities | 2,610 |  | 3,166 |
Current maturities of long-term debt | 2,736 |  | 3,082 |
Customers' deposits | 2,432 |  | 1,913 |
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | 1,978 |  | 1,597 |
Income tax payable | 417 |  | — |
Total current liabilities | 39,486 |  | 40,253 |
Long-term liabilities |  |
Long-term debt, less current maturities | 34,682 |  | 36,192 |
Deferred compensation liabilities | 5,686 |  | 5,138 |
Other long-term liabilities | 5,074 |  | 3,638 |
Total long-term liabilities | 45,442 |  | 44,968 |
Stockholders' equity |  |
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000 shares; 6,913 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2012 and 6,851 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2011 | 69 |  | 69 |
Additional paid-in capital | 49,828 |  | 49,003 |
Retained earnings | 22,802 |  | 27,789 |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | (580 | ) | 1,193 |
Total stockholders' equity | 72,119 |  | 78,054 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $157,047 | $163,275

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
23

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQU ITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ in thousands) |  | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Balances at January 31, 2010 | $68 | $48,061 | $23,414 | $814 |  | $72,357
Net income |  |  | 4,375 |  |  | 4,375 |  | 4,375 |
Stock options exercised | 1 |  | 45 |  |  |  |  | 46 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  | 895 |  |  |  |  | 895 |
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised |  | 2 |  |  |  |  | 2 |
Interest Rate Swap (net of taxes of $43) |  |  |  | (334 | ) | (334 | ) | (334 | )
Pension liability adjustment (net of taxes of $525) |  |  |  | 203 |  | 203 |  | 203 |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |  |  |  | 510 |  | 510 |  | 510 |
Balances at January 31, 2011 | $69 | $49,003 | $27,789 | $1,193 | $4,754 | $78,054
Net loss |  |  | (4,987 | ) |  | (4,987 | ) | (4,987 | )
Stock options exercised | — |  | 210 |  |  |  |  | 210 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  | 621 |  |  |  |  | 621 |
Excess tax expense from stock options exercised |  | (6 | ) |  |  |  | (6 | )
Interest Rate Swap (net of tax benefit of $120) |  |  |  | 139 |  | 139 |  | 139 |
Pension liability adjustment (net of taxes of $1,119) |  |  |  | (970 | ) | (970 | ) | (970 | )
Foreign currency translation adjustment |  |  |  | (942 | ) | (942 | ) | (942 | )
Balances at January 31, 2012 | $69 | $49,828 | $22,802 | ($580) | ($6,760) | $72,119

Common stock shares | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Balance beginning of year | 6,851,471 |  | 6,836,433 |
Stock options exercised | 61,300 |  | 15,038 |
Balance end of year | 6,912,771 |  | 6,851,471 |

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
24

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

| January 31,
($ in thousands) | 2012 |  | 2011 |  |
Operating activities |  |  |
Net (loss) income | $(4,987) | $4,375 |
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 5,582 |  | 6,070 |  |
Deferred tax benefit | (2,095 | ) | (3,752 | ) |
Income from joint venture | (1,558 | ) | (983 | ) |
Stock-based compensation expense | 621 |  | 895 |  |
Cash surrender value of deferred compensation plan | 86 |  | (377 | ) |
Loss on sale of fixed assets | 115 |  | 69 |  |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |  |  |
Accounts payable | 1,308 |  | 4,820 |  |
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes | (1,852 | ) | (2,583 | ) |
Inventories | (4,593 | ) | 1,706 |  |
Customers' deposits | 520 |  | (1,607 | ) |
Income taxes receivable and payable | 638 |  | 1,214 |  |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (234 | ) | (1,408 | ) |
Accounts receivable, net | 8,075 |  | (488 | ) |
Other assets and liabilities | (1,816 | ) | 763 |  |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (190 | ) | 8,714 |  |
Investing activities |  |  |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (10,086 | ) | (4,030 | ) |
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | 18 |  | 96 |  |
Net cash used in investing activities | (10,068 | ) | (3,934 | ) |
Financing activities |  |  |
Borrowings | 195,363 |  | 151,258 |  |
Payment of debt | (196,671 | ) | (148,904 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in drafts payable | (475 | ) | 1,166 |  |
Payment on capitalized lease obligations | (293 | ) | (198 | ) |
Stock options exercised | 210 |  | 45 |  |
Tax benefit of stock options exercised | — |  | 2 |  |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (1,866 | ) | 3,369 |  |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (385 | ) | 502 |  |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (12,509 | ) | 8,651 |  |
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | 16,718 |  | 8,067 |  |
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period | 4,209 |  | 16,718 |  |
Supplemental cash flow information |  |  |
Cash paid for |  |  |
Interest expense | $2,117 | $1,992 |
Income taxes paid, net of refunds | 431 |  | 1,108 |  |

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
25

MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED January 31, 2012 and 2011
(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 three distinct segments: piping systems, filtration products and industrial process cooling.
Fiscal year. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2011 and 2010 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, 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, waste streams and petroleum liquids, (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 as part of many of its piping systems products, 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. Industrial process cooling designs, manufactures and sells industrial process cooling, including chillers, cooling towers, plant circulating systems, and related accessories for use in industrial process applications. Corporate and Other includes the installation of HVAC systems, that is not sufficiently large to constitute a reportable segment. The Company's products are sold both within the U.S. and internationally.
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.
26

Segment information was as follows:

| 2011 |  | 2010 |  |
Net sales |  |  |
Piping Systems | $96,977 | $104,559 |
Filtration Products | 93,705 | 85,133 |
Industrial Process Cooling | 32,112 | 26,220 |
Corporate and Other | 10,702 | 2,686 |
Total net sales | $233,496 | $218,598 |
Gross profit (loss) |  |  |  |  |
Piping Systems | $14,382 | $27,303 |
Filtration Products | 12,466 |  | 10,394 |  |
Industrial Process Cooling | 8,541 |  | 7,044 |  |
Corporate and Other | 904 |  | (283 | ) |
Total gross profit | $36,293 | $44,458 |
Income (loss) from operations |  |  |  |  |
Piping Systems | $1,115 | $13,831 |
Filtration Products | 614 |  | (1,335 | ) |
Industrial Process Cooling | 810 |  | 295 |  |
Corporate and Other | (7,630 | ) | (9,893 | ) |
Total (loss) income from operations | $(5,091) | $2,898 |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  |  |  |  |
Piping Systems | $2,673 | $14,814 |
Filtration Products | 614 |  | (1,335 | ) |
Industrial Process Cooling | 810 |  | 295 |  |
Corporate and Other | (9,067 | ) | (11,154 | ) |
Total (loss) income before income taxes | $(4,970) | $2,620 |
Segment assets |  |  |  |  |
Piping Systems | $74,717 | $77,371 |
Filtration Products | 55,095 |  | 56,427 |  |
Industrial Process Cooling | 10,810 |  | 10,545 |  |
Corporate and Other | 16,425 |  | 18,932 |  |
Total segment assets | $157,047 | $163,275 |
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |  |
Piping Systems | $8,396 | $2,578 |
Filtration Products | 1,449 |  | 1,218 |  |
Industrial Process Cooling | 51 |  | 34 |  |
Corporate and Other | 190 |  | 200 |  |
Total capital expenditures | $10,086 | $4,030 |
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |
Piping Systems | $3,076 | $3,401 |
Filtration Products | 1,734 |  | 1,822 |  |
Industrial Process Cooling | 154 |  | 167 |  |
Corporate and Other | 618 |  | 680 |  |
Total depreciation and amortization | $5,582 | $6,070 |

27

Geographic information. Net sales are attributed to a geographic area based on the destination of the product shipment. 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.

| 2011 |  | 2010 |  |
Net sales |  |  |
United States | $163,104 | $144,336 |
Mexico, South America, Central America and the Caribbean | 22,370 |  | 3,336 |  |
Europe | 20,815 |  | 17,286 |  |
Middle East | 12,721 |  | 31,927 |  |
Canada | 6,894 |  | 6,936 |  |
All other Asia | 3,513 |  | 3,809 |  |
India | 2,259 |  | 9,772 |  |
Africa | 385 |  | 817 |  |
Other | 1,435 |  | 379 |  |
Total net sales | $233,496 | $218,598 |
Long-lived assets |  |  |
United States | $30,366 | $31,375 |
Middle East | 11,417 |  | 6,050 |  |
Denmark | 4,623 |  | 4,585 |  |
India | 1,436 |  | 1,645 |  |
Total long-lived assets | $47,842 | $43,655 |

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) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iii) 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 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.
28

Shipping and handling. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold, 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 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.
Principles of 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.
Correction of immaterial errors. Prior year amounts were revised to reflect the out-of-period correction for tax errors. For further information, see Correction of immaterial errors in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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.
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 $4.2 million and $16.7 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The balance is primarily cash and cash equivalents at the foreign subsidiaries.
The Company has not experienced any losses as a result of its cash concentration. Consequently, no significant concentration of credit risk is considered to exist. Accounts payable included drafts payable of $3.3 million and $3.8 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Restricted cash. The Loan Agreement provides that all domestic receipts are deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to pay the debt under the Loan Agreement. At January 31, 2012, the amount of such restricted cash was $1.7 million. At January 31, 2012, $0.2 million 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., letters of credit are obtained for substantially all 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
29

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 has a broad customer base doing business in all regions of the U.S. as well as other areas in the world. In the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, no customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales.
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. Represents the chang e in equity from non-owner transactions and consisted of foreign currency translation, minimum pension liability and an interest rate swap.

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Equity adjustment foreign currency |  | $1,442 |  |  | $2,384 |
Minimum pension liability, gross | (2,945 | ) | (1,381 | )
Interest rate swap, gross | (316 | ) | (291 | )
Subtotal excluding tax effect | (1,819 | ) | 712 |
Tax effect of Minimum pension liability | 1,119 |  | 524 |
Tax effect of interest rate swap | 120 |  | (43 | )
Total other comprehensive (loss) income | ($580) | $1,193

Pension plan. The Winchester filtration hourly rated employees are covered by a defined benefit plan. 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 and those expected to be earned in the future. 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.

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Raw materials | $33,166 | $29,780
Work in process | 2,927 |  | 1,963 |
Finished goods | 4,715 |  | 4,940 |
Subtotal | 40,808 |  | 36,683 |
Less allowances | 840 |  | 1,174 |
Inventories, net | $39,968 | $35,509

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 w as approximately $5.4 million in 2011 and $5.9 million in 2010.
30

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Land, buildings and improvements | $36,565 | $33,460
Machinery and equipment | 50,066 |  | 46,138 |
Furniture, office equipment and computer systems | 12,682 |  | 13,229 |
Transportation equipment | 465 |  | 486 |
Subtotal | 99,778 |  | 93,313 |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | 51,936 |  | 49,658 |
Property, plant and equipment, net | $47,842 | $43,655

Other intangible assets with definite lives. The Company owns several patents including those covering features of 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. 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 $2.5 million and $2.4 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.20 million and $2.17 million as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Future amor tizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $49,300 in 2012, $46,000 in 2013, $43,400 in 2014, $36,300 in 2015, $26,500 in 2016, and $129,600 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 Insituform Technologies, Inc. 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.
The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. The financial results included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

| 2011 | 2010
Share of income from joint venture | $1,558 | $983

The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data as of January 31:

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Current assets | $14,381 | $9,676
Noncurrent assets | 14,259 |  | 12,633 |
Current liabilities | 3,449 |  | 2,616 |
Noncurrent liabilities | 15,403 |  | 13,034 |
Equity | 9,789 |  | 7,657 |
Revenue | 29,010 |  | 22,164 |
Gross profit | 7,565 |  | 5,685 |
Income from continuing operations | 5,137 |  | 3,718 |
Net income | $3,189 | $2,032

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 $2.1 million in 2011 and $1.8 million in 2010.
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
31

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 (loss) income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic) plus all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the year (diluted).

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 2011 |  | 2010 |  |
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 6,878 |  | 6,842 |  |
Dilutive effect of stock options | — |  | 8 |  |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming full dilution | 6,878 |  | 6,850 |  |
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 | 653 |  | 385 |  |
Expired or canceled options during the year | 28 |  | 50 |  |
Stock options with an exercise price below the average stock price | 190 |  | 441 |  |

In 2011, a total of 61,300 stock options were exercised.
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 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. 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 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.
Reclassifications. Reclassifications were made to prior-year financial statements to conform to the current-year presentations.
New accounting pronouncements. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB") issued new guidance which requires additional disclosures about an employer's participating in multi-employer pension plans. The new guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2011. The Company's adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive
32

Income ("Update 2011-05"). Update 2011-05 allows the option of presenting the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, removing the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. The guidance does not change the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income. The amended guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is applied retrospectively. The Company is evaluating its presentation options under this ASU; however these changes are not expected to impact the consolidated financial statements other than the change in presentation.
Other accounting guidance that has been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Note 3 - Retention
Retention receivable is the amount withheld by a customer until a contract is completed. Retention receivables o f $0.6 million and $2.2 million were included in the balance of trade accounts receivable as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Retention payable is the amount withheld by the Company until a contract is completed. Retention payables of $0.4 million and $0.2 million were included in the balance of trade accounts payable as of January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Note 4 - Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts | $61,938 | $40,039
Estimated earnings | 11,550 |  | 6,668 |
Earned revenue | 73,488 |  | 46,707 |
Less billings to date | 73,091 |  | 46,249 |
Total | $397 | $458
Balance sheet classification |  |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | $2,375 | $2,055
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | (1,978 | ) | (1,597 | )
Total | $397 | $458

Note 5 - Debt

Debt | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Revolving line domestic | $18,252 | $18,252
Mortgage notes | 11,012 |  | 11,864 |
Revolving lines foreign | 1,526 |  | 2,180 |
Term loans | 4,797 |  | 6,562 |
Capitalized lease obligations (See Note 6 - Lease information) | 1,831 |  | 416 |
Total debt | 37,418 |  | 39,274 |
Less current maturities | 2,736 |  | 3,082 |
Total long-term debt | $34,682 | $36,192

33

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

| Total | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2017 |  | Thereafter |
Revolving line domestic | $18,252 |  | $— |  | $18,252 |  | $— |  |  | $— |  |  | $— |  |  | $— |
Mortgages | 11,012 | 499 | 281 | 298 | 315 | 333 | 9,286
Revolving line foreign | 1,526 | 589 | — |  | — |  | — |  | — |  | 937
Term loans | 4,797 | 1,237 | 1,749 | 263 | — |  | — |  | 1,548
Capitalized lease obligations | 1,831 | 411 | 379 | 345 | 349 | 347 | — |
Total | $37,418 | $2,736 | $20,661 | $906 | $664 | $680 | $11,771

On July 11, 2002, the Company entered into a secured loan and security agreement with a financial institution ("Loan Agreement"). Under the terms of the Loan Agreement as amended, which matures on November 30, 2013, the Company can borrow up to $38 million, subject to borrowing base and other requirements, under a revolving asset-based line of credit. The Loan Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, investments, do not permit payment of dividends, and require attainment of levels of profitability and cash flows. At January 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Loan Agreement. Interest rates are based on options selected by the Company as follows: (a) a margin in effect plus a prime rate; or (b) a margin in effect plus the LIBOR rate for the corresponding interest period. At January 31, 2012, the prime rate was 3.25%, the LIBOR rate was 0.375%, and the margins added to the prime rate and the LIBOR rate, which are determined each quarter based on the applicable financial statement ratio, were 0.5 and 2.75 percentage points, respectively. Monthly interest payments were made during the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011. As of January 31, 2012, the Company had borrowed $18.3 million and had $6.9 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.2 million of availability was used under the Loan Agreement primarily to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. The Loan Agreement provides that all domestic receipts are deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to pay the debt under the Loan Agreement. At January 31, 2012, the amount of such restricted cash was $1.7 million. Cash required for operations is provided by draw-downs on the line of credit. The weighted average interest rates based on the domestic revolving line balance at January 31, 2012 and 2011, were 3.51% and 3.16%, respectively.
The Company guarantees the subsidiaries' debt including all foreign debt.
Mortgages. On July 10, 2010, the Company obtained a loan in the amount of 4,649,000 Danish Kroners ("DKK")
(approximately $850 thousand U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on transaction date) from a Danish bank under a mortgage note secured by its industrial process cooling manufacturing facility in Denmark. The loan has an interest rate of 3.29%, quarterly payments of approximately $16 thousand for both principal and interest and matures July 2030.
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 and matures March 2033. The 25 year mortgage resets its interest rate every five years based on a published index. The initial interest rate is 6.54% during the first five years with monthly payments of $37 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 6.26% with monthly payments of $23 thousand for both principal and interest based on an amortization schedule of 30 years with a balloon payment at maturity in January 2018.
On December 31, 2005, the Company obtained a loan in the amount of 7,067,000 DKK (approximately $1.1 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank to partially finance a building addition at the filtration products manufacturing facility in Denmark. The loan bears interest at 4.28% with quarterly payments of $23 thousand for both principal and interest and matures December 2025.
On May 11, 2005, the Company obtained a loan in the amount of 3,241,500 DKK (approximately $536 thousand
34

U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Danish bank to partially finance the building addition. The loan bears interest at 4.89% with quarterly payments of $11 thousand for both principal and interest and matures May 2025.
On July 31, 2002, 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 7.75% with monthly payments of $21 thousand for both principal and interest and matures July 2012
On April 26, 2002, Midwesco Filter borrowed $2.0 million under a mortgage note secured by its manufacturing facility in Winchester, Virginia. Proceeds from the mortgage, net of a prior mortgage loan were used to make payments under the Term Loan (defined below). The loan bears interest at 7.10% with a monthly payment of $24 thousand for both principal and interest and matures April 2012.
Revolving lines foreign. The Company also has credit arrangements used by its Denmark and U.A.E. subsidiaries. These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. The interest rate at the Denmark subsidiaries was 4.9% January 31, 2012, and the interest rate at the U.A.E subsidiaries was 6.0% at January 31, 2012. At January 31, 2012, borrowings under these credit arrangements totaled $1.5 million; an additional $3.8 million remained unused.
Term loans. On May 14, 2010, Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $1.0 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 5.8393% with monthly payments of $24 thousand for both principal and interest and matures May 2014.
The Company purchased insurance on the lives of key executive officers. As beneficiary, the Company receives the cash surrender value if the policy is terminated and, upon death of the insured, receives all benefits payable. Cash surrender value of life insurance is reported in long term assets on the balance sheet. On April 27, 2010, the Company obtained a loan with no maturity date in the amount of $2.0 million collateralized by the cash surrender value of the policies. The loans carry interest at a rate of 4.25% and require interest only payments annually. At January 31, 2012, the balance was $1.5 million.
On August 28, 2007, the Company amended and restated the Term Loan Note to $3.0 million ("Term Loan"). Interest rates under the Term Loan are based on options selected by the Company as follows: (a) a margin in effect plus a prime rate; or (b) a margin in effect plus the LIBOR rate for the corresponding interest period. At January 31, 2012, the prime rate was 3.25%, the LIBOR rate was 0.375% and the margins added to the prime rate and the LIBOR rate, which are determined each quarter based on the applicable financial statement ratio, were 0.75 and 3 percentage points, respectively. The Company is scheduled to pay $107 thousand of principal on the first days of March, June, September and December in each year, with the remaining unpaid principal payable on November 30, 2013. The weighted average interest rates based on this loan at January 31, 2012 and 2011, were 3.34% and 2.92%, respectively
On December 30, 2005, Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $0.9 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 6.23% with monthly payments of $13 thousand for both principal and interest and matures December 2012.
On April 8, 2003, the Company obtained a loan from a Danish bank to purchase equipment and office furniture for a building for the filtration products' facility in Denmark, in the amount of 700,000 Euros, approximately $0.8 million U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the transaction date. The loan bears interest at 6.1% with quarterly payments of $9 thousand for both principal and interest and matures April 2013.
Capital leases. On January 31, 2012, Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $1.2 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 6.6966% 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 2,180,827 DKK
35

(approximately $387 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 6.372% per annum with monthly principal payments of $6 thousand, and quarterly interest payments and matures June 2016.
Between 2009 and 2011, the Company obtained several capital leases totaling $273 thousand to finance capital computer equipment. The interest rate for these capital leases range from 3.7935% to 5.763% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $9 thousand and matures between October 2013 and May 2014.
During 2011, piping systems obtained several capital leases totaling 3,129,000 Indian Rupees (approximately $57 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 14.4% to 17.8% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $2.5 thousand and mature in 2014.
On April 23, 2010, filtration products' Denmark location obtained a capital lease in the amount of 952,600 DKK (approximately $170 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 5.00% per annum with monthly principal payments of $2.5 thousand, and quarterly interest payments and matures April 2015.
Note 6 - Lease information

Property under capitalized leases | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Machinery and equipment | $1,956 | $512
Furniture and office equipment | — |  | 225 |
Transportation equipment | 63 |  | 48 |
Computer equipment | 208 |  | 154 |
Subtotal | 2,227 |  | 939 |
Less accumulated amortization | 241 |  | 263 |
Total | $1,986 | $676
Fixed assets acquired under capital leases | $917 | $300
Fixed assets acquired in previous years now under capital leases | $845 | $0

Piping systems leases manufacturing and warehouse facilities, land, transportation equipment and office space under non-cancelable operating leases, which expire beginning 2012 through 2034. Filtration products leases approximately 67,000 square feet of production and office space under an operating lease, which began in June 2004 and expires in 2012 and 2013.
At January 31, 2012, future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable lease obligations were as follows:

| Operating Leases | Capital Leases
2013 | $2,148 | $518
2014 | 1,765 |  | 465 |
2015 | 1,504 |  | 406 |
2016 | 1,306 |  | 385 |
2017 | 1,242 |  | 359 |
Thereafter | 3,906 |  | — |
Subtotal | 11,871 |  | 2,133 |
Less Amount representing interest | — |  | 302 |
Future minimum lease payments | $11,871 | $1,831

36

Rental expense for operating leases was $2.5 million and $2.2 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Note 7 - Correction of immaterial errors
In the fourth quarter of 2011, management discovered prior period tax accounting errors. The cumulative adjustment for the tax errors covering the period from February 1, 2007 to January 31, 2011, was approximately $315 thousand. The adjustment applicable to the fourth quarter of 2010 was approximately $135 thousand and the adjustment applicable to prior years (February 2007 - January 2010) totaled approximately $180 thousand.
Pursuant to the guidance of Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 99, Materiality, the Company concluded that the errors were not material to any of its prior period financial statements. Although the errors were immaterial to prior periods, the prior period financial statements were revised, in accordance with SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, due to the significance of the out-of-period correction.
A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported balance sheet at January 31, 2011 follows:

($ in thousands) | As Reported | Adjustment | As Adjusted
Other long-term liabilities |  | $3,271 |  |  | $367 |  |  | $3,638 |
Total long-term liabilities | 44,601 |  | 367 |  | 44,968 |
Additional paid in Capital | 49,055 |  | (52 | ) | 49,003 |
Retained earnings | 28,104 |  | (315 | ) | 27,789 |
Total stockholders' equity | 78,421 |  | (367 | ) | 78,054 |

A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of operation for the year ending January 31, 2011 follows:

($ in thousands) | As Reported | Adjustment | As Adjusted
Income tax benefit |  | ($1,890 | ) |  | $135 |  |  | ($1,755 | )
Net Income | 4,510 |  | (135 | ) | 4,375 |

A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of cash flows for the year ending January 31, 2011 follows:

($ in thousands) | As Reported | Adjustment | As Adjusted
Net Income |  | $4,510 |  |  | ($135 | ) |  | $4,375 |
Deferred tax benefit | (3,914 | ) | 162 |  | (3,752 | )
Net cash provided by operating activities | 8,687 |  | 27 |  | 8,714 |
Tax expense (benefit) of stock options exercised | 29 |  | (27 | ) | 2 |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 3,396 |  | (27 | ) | 3,369 |

A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of shareholders equity for the year ending January 31, 2011 follows:

($ in thousands) | As Reported | Adjustment | As Adjusted
Net Income |  | $4,510 |  |  | ($135 | ) |  | $4,375 |
Retained earnings | 28,104 |  | (315 | ) | 27,789 |
Tax expense (benefit) of stock options exercised | 29 |  | (27 | ) | 2 |
Additional paid in Capital | 49,055 |  | (52 | ) | 49,003 |
Total comprehensive income | 4,889 |  | (135 | ) | 4,754 |

37

A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of shareholders equity for the year ending January 31, 2010 follows:

($ in thousands) | As Reported | Adjustment | As Adjusted
Additional paid in Capital |  | $48,086 |  |  | ($25 | ) |  | $48,061 |
Retained earnings | 23,594 |  | (180 | ) | 23,414 |
Total comprehensive income | 7,220 |  | (180 | ) | 7,040 |

Note 8 - Income taxes

Income (loss) before income taxes | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Domestic | $4,517 | $(9,805)
Foreign | (9,487 | ) | 12,425 |
Total | $(4,970) | $2,620
Components of income tax expense (benefit) |  |
Current |  |
Federal | $183 | $(94)
Foreign | 627 |  | 1,880 |
State and other | 253 |  | 48 |
Subtotal | 1,063 |  | 1,834 |
Deferred |  |
Federal | (880 | ) | (3,510 | )
Foreign | (273 | ) | 155 |
State and other | 107 |  | (234 | )
Subtotal | (1,046 | ) | (3,589 | )
Total | $17 | $(1,755)

The excess tax (expense) benefit related to stock options recorded through equity and did not affect net (loss) income was ($5) thousand and $2 thousand in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amounts were recorded to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets and in operating activities in 2011 and financing activities in 2010 on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
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 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 2011 and 2010 ETRs have been impacted by the mix of the U.A.E. (loss) earnings versus total (loss) earnings because the U.A.E. is not subject to any local country income tax. The ETR was less than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the large portion of loss and repatriation of foreign earnings in 2011 and income earned in 2010 in the U.A.E. Another contributing factor to the unusual ETR is the valuation allowance set up on the NOL in Saudi Arabia. The Company does not record a tax benefit for its start-up entities.
The Company recorded a $1.8 million tax expense associated with the $3.1 million repatriation of foreign earnings that occurred in July 2011. These foreign earnings were previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. The repatriation was a one-time nonrecurring event. The Company has not provided Federal tax
38

on unremitted earnings of its international subsidiaries. The Company anticipates that unremitted earnings will be reinvested overseas to fund current working capital requirements and expansion in foreign markets. Accordingly, a provision for income tax expense in excess of foreign jurisdiction income tax requirements relative to such unremitted earnings has not been provided in the accompanying financial statements. A deferred tax asset of $1.3 million has been established 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 2022.
Several valuation allowances impacted the ETRs. In 2011, the Company released a valuation allowance of $0.8 million established in 2009 for a portion of the research and development credits. In 2010, the Company closed its operations in South Africa and released intercompany liabilities. Related income was offset by an existing NOL for which a prior valuation allowance had been previously provided. This release of liabilities increased the federal NOL in 2010.
The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the Federal ETR of 34% was as follows:

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Tax expense at federal statutory rate | ($1,690) | $890
Differences in foreign tax rate | 1,429 |  | (1,590 | )
Foreign tax credit | (1,300 | ) | — |
Research tax credit and release of valuation allowance | (951 | ) | — |
Repatriation | 1,810 |  | — |
Valuation allowance for foreign and state NOLs | 611 |  | (673 | )
Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture | (530 | ) | (334 | )
State taxes, net of federal benefit | 308 |  | (436 | )
All other, net expense | 330 |  | 388 |
Total |  | $17 |  |  | ($1,755 | )
Valuation allowances against foreign and state NOL benefits |  |
For current year NOL | $611 | ($673)
For prior year NOL carryovers | 601 |  | 1,274 |
Total |  | $1,212 |  |  | $601 |

The Company has a Federal operating loss carryforward of $11 million with a recognized tax benefit of $3.7 million that will begin to expire in the year ending January 31, 2030. At January 31, 2012, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary on all domestic deferred tax assets except for certain state NOLs. 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.
The deferred tax asset for state NOL carryforwards of $921 thousand relates to amounts that expire at various times from 2012 to 2030. The amount that expired in 2011 is approximately $3 thousand. A valuation allowance has been established for approximately $333 thousand of this tax asset based upon an assessment that it is more likely than not that realization cannot be assured in these tax jurisdictions.
The Company has a deferred tax asset for foreign NOL carryforwards of $2.7 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.
As of January 31, 2012, the Company had undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which deferred taxes have not been provided. The Company intends and has the opportunities 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
39

unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs. The most significant foreign entity, which has undistributed earnings is Perma-Pipe Middle East, FZC in the U.A.E., where cumulative undistributed earnings as of January 31, 2012 were $19 million.

Components of the deferred income tax asset | 2011 |  | 2010 |
U.S. Federal NOL carryforward | $3,728 | $5,707
Non-qualified deferred compensation | 1,968 |  | 1,780 |
Research tax credit | 1,858 |  | 1,721 |
Foreign NOL carryover | 2,726 |  | 1,120 |
Foreign tax credit | 1,300 |  | — |
Stock compensation | 1,243 |  | 1,050 |
Other accruals not yet deducted | 1,233 |  | 1,373 |
State NOL carryover | 921 |  | 933 |
Accrued commissions and incentives | 691 |  | 776 |
Accrued pension | 578 |  | — |
Inventory valuation allowance | 300 |  | 401 |
Other | 224 |  | 162 |
Inventory uniform capitalization | 128 |  | 111 |
Goodwill | 1 |  | 6 |
Subtotal | 16,899 |  | 15,140 |
Valuation allowance for net operating losses | (1,934 | ) | (601 | )
Valuation allowance for research tax credit | — |  | (814 | )
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances | $14,965 | $13,725
Components of the deferred income tax liability |  |
Depreciation | $1,733 | $2,029
Accrued pension | — |  | 566 |
Prepaid | 319 |  | 271 |
Total deferred tax liabilities | $2,052 | $2,866
Deferred income tax, net | $12,913 | $10,859
Balance sheet classification |  |
Current assets | $1,946 | $2,389
Long-term assets | 10,967 |  | 8,470 |
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances | $12,913 | $10,859

The following table summarizes unrecognized tax benefit activity, excluding the related accrual for interest and penalties:

| 2011 |  | 2010 |
Balance at beginning of the year | $1,202 | $1,009
Increases (decreases) in positions taken in a prior period | (52 | ) | — |
Increases in positions taken in a current period | 89 |  | 333 |
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations | (26 | ) | (140 | )
Balance at end of the year | $1,213 | $1,202

Included in the total unrecognized tax liability at January 31, 2012 were estimated accrued interest of $82 thousand
40

and penalties of $82 thousand and at January 31, 2011, accrued interest and penalties were $91 thousand and $90 thousand, respectively. 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, 2012, 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, 2012 were amounts offset by deferred taxes (i.e., temporary differences) or amounts that could be offset by refunds in other taxing jurisdictions (i.e., corollary adjustments). Thus, $1.2 million of the amount accrued at January 31, 2012 and 2011 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. Tax years back to January 31, 2009 are open for federal and state tax purposes. In addition, federal and state tax years January 31, 2004 through January 31, 2008 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 Winchester filtration hourly rated employees are covered by a defined benefit plan. 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 and those expected to be earned in the future. 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. The Company may contribute additional amounts at its discretion.
Asset allocation

Plan assets | Market Value |
Vanguard balanced index fund | $5,007
Vanguard inflation protected fund | 268 |
Fifth Third Banksafe Trust | 117 |
Vanguard REIT index fund | 110 |
Total at January 31, 2012 | $5,502

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:
41

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.

Level 1 market value of plan assets | 2011 | 2010
Equity securities | $3,018 | $2,830
U.S. bond market | 1,968 | 1,837
High-quality inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and government agencies as well as domestic corporations | 268 | 229
Real estate securities | 110 | 97
Subtotal | 5,364 | 4,993
Level 2 significant other observable inputs |  |
Money market fund | 138 | 96
Total | $5,502 | $5,089

At January 31, 2012, 54.9% of plan assets were held in mutual funds, 40.6% were held in bond funds and the remaining 2.5% was in a money market fund. The target asset allocation was 95% to 100% mutual funds. The investment policy is to invest all funds not needed to pay benefits and investment expenses for the year, with target asset allocations of 60% equities (plus or minus 10%) and 40% fixed income (plus or minus 10%), 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 2011 resulted in $342 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, 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 | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Accumulated benefit obligations |  |
Vested benefits | $6,576 | $4,823
Accumulated benefits | $7,186 | $4,931
Change in benefit obligation |  |
Benefit obligation - beginning of year | $5,570 | $4,814
Service cost | 126 |  | 118 |
Interest cost | 313 |  | 280 |
Actuarial loss | 1,380 |  | 210 |
Benefits paid | (203 | ) | (162 | )
Benefit obligation - end of year | $7,186 | $5,260
Change in plan assets |  |
Fair value of plan assets - beginning of year | $5,089 | $4,250
Actual return on plan assets gain | 342 | 684 |
Company contributions | 274 | 317 |
Benefits paid | (203 | ) | (162 | )
Fair value of plan assets - end of year | $5,502 | $5,089
Unfunded status | $(1,684) | $(171)
Balance sheet classification |  |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $305 | $315
Other assets | 1,261 |  | 1,209 |
Other long-term liabilities | (3,250 | ) | (1,695 | )
Net amount recognized | $(1,684) | $(171)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income |  |
Unrecognized actuarial (gain)/loss | $2,623 | $931
Unamortized prior service cost | 322 | 449 |
Net amount recognized | $2,945 | $1,380

The amount of unamortized prior service cost and net loss to be amortized in the year ended January 31, 2013 is $127 thousand.

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost and benefit obligations | 2011 |  | 2010 |
End of year benefit obligation | 4.250 | % | 5.780 | %
Service cost discount rate | 5.780 | % | 5.980 | %
Expected return on plan assets | 8.000 | % | 8.000 | %
Rate of compensation increase | N/A |  | N/A |

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 | 2011 | 2010
Service cost | $126 | $118
Interest cost | 313 | 280
Expected return on plan assets | (405) | (342)
Amortization of prior service cost | 127 | 132
Recognized actuarial loss | 62 | 65
Net periodic benefit cost | $223 | $253

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Actuarial loss on obligation | $(1,380) | $(210)
Amendments | — |  | — |
Actual return on plan assets gain | (1) | 406 |
Reclassify prior service cost | 127 | 132 |
Total in other comprehensive income | $(1,254) | $328
Cash flows |  |
Expected employer contributions for 2012 [fiscal year ending 1/31/2013] |  | 400 |
Expected employee contributions for 2012 [fiscal year ending 1/31/2013] |  | — |
Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the fiscal year(s) ending January 31,: |  |
2013 |  | 305 |
2014 |  | 308 |
2015 |  | 325 |
2016 |  | 343 |
2017 |  | 347 |
2018 - 2022 |  | 1,951 |

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.
Contributions to the 401(k) plan were $558 thousand and $436 thousand for the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Deferred compensation plans
The Company has deferred compensation agreements with key employees. Vesting is based on years of service. Life insurance contracts have been purchased which may be used to fund the Company's obligation under these agreements.
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 by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.

44

• | 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 is 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 plan resulting in expense of approximately $2.5 million and $2.3 million for the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
45

Note 10 - Stock options
Under the 2004 Stock Option Plan ("Option Plan"), 250,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees of the Company and its affiliates as well as advisors and consultants to the Company. In addition, under the Option Plan, the number of shares that may be issued shall be increased by an additional two percent of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Company, beginning January 31, 2005. Option exercise prices will be no less than fair market value for the common stock on the date of grant. The options granted under the Option Plan may be either non-qualified options or incentive options.
Under the 2009 Independent Directors' Stock Option Plan, 100,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to Directors of the Company. In addition, the number of shares that may be issued shall be increased May 1, 2010 and each May 1 thereafter until May 1, 2019, pursuant to the terms of this Plan shall be increased by the number equal to 0.35% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal year of the Company. Pursuant to the 2009 Independent Directors' Stock Option Plan, an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock is granted automatically to each director who is not an employee of the Company (an "Independent Director") on the date the individual is first elected as an Independent Director. An option to purchase 1,000 shares was granted to each Independent Director acting on June 23, 2009, and options to purchase 1,000 shares are granted to each Independent Director upon each date such Independent Director is re-elected as an Independent Director, commencing with the Company's annual meeting for the year 2009.
Such 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 Merton 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 web site;

2. | expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of MFRI Common Stock's weekly closing stock price for the period 1/1/93 to the date of grant; and

3. | expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations.

|  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  |
1. | Risk-free interest rate | 1.54%-5.13% |  | 1.88%-5.16% |  |
2. | Expected volatility | 51.72%-66.82% |  | 51.72%-66.82% |  |
3. | Expected life in years | 4.9 to 7 |  | 5 to 7 |  |
4. | Dividend yield | — |  | — |  |

46

The following summarizes the activity related to options outstanding under the plans for the years ended January 31, 2011 and 2012:

| Options |  | Weighted average exercise price |  | Weighted average remaining contractual term |  | Aggregate intrinsic value |
Outstanding at January 31, 2010 | 680 |  | $13.20 | 7.2 |  | $379
Granted | 162 |  | 6.10 |  |  |
Exercised | (15 | ) | 3.00 |  |  | 84 |
Expired or forfeited | (50 | ) | 13.63 |  |  |
Outstanding at January 31, 2011 | 777 |  | 11.88 |  | 6.9 |  | 2,241 |
Options exercisable at January 31, 2011 | 408 |  |  | 5.4 |  | 1,000 |
Granted | 155 |  | 7.68 |  |  |
Exercised | (61 | ) | 3.42 |  |  | 240 |
Expired or forfeited | (28 | ) | 19.29 |  |  |
Outstanding at January 31, 2012 | 843 |  | 11.48 |  | 6.9 |  | 430 |
Options exercisable at January 31, 2012 | 470 |  | $14.37 | 5.7 |  | $217

Range of exercise prices | Options outstanding |  | Weighted average remaining contractual life |  | Weighted average exercise price |  | Options exercisable |  | Weighted average exercise price |
$2.00-$2.99 | 19 |  | 1 |  | $2.1674 | 19 |  | $2.1674
6.00-6.99 | 312 |  | 7.9 |  | 6.4589 |  | 122 |  | 6.5676 |
7.00-7.99 | 201 |  | 8 |  | 7.6650 |  | 50 |  | 7.6150 |
10.00-10.99 | 70 |  | 4.4 |  | 10.0750 |  | 70 |  | 10.0750 |
12.00-12.99 | 3 |  | 6.3 |  | 12.6650 |  | 2 |  | 12.6650 |
13.00-13.99 | 10 |  | 6.4 |  | 13.6500 |  | 7 |  | 13.6500 |
16.00-16.99 | 1 |  | 6.1 |  | 16.1150 |  | 1 |  | 16.1150 |
17.00-17.99 | 122 |  | 6.4 |  | 17.6436 |  | 94 |  | 17.6462 |
26.00-26.99 | 3 |  | 5.5 |  | 26.0450 |  | 3 |  | 26.0450 |
$28.00-$28.99 | 102 |  | 4.4 |  | 28.9900 |  | 102 |  | 28.9900 |
Outstanding at January 31, 2012 | 843 |  | 6.9 |  | $11.4781 | 470 |  | $14.3714

The weighted average fair value of options granted, net of options surrendered, during 2011 and 2010 are estimated at $3.84 and $3.40, per share, respectively, on the date of grant.

Unvested options outstanding | Options |  | Weighted-average grant date fair value |  | Aggregate intrinsic value
Outstanding at beginning of the year | 369 |  | $9.98 | $1,241
Granted | 155 |  | 7.68 |  |
Vested | (149 | ) | 12.99 |  |
Expired or forfeited | (2 | ) | 8.34 |  |
Outstanding at end of the year | 373 |  | $7.84 | $212

Based on historical experience the Company expects 85% of these options to vest.
As of January 31, 2012, there was $1.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options
47

granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.4 years. The stock-based compensation expense for the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
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 $25.00, 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 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

| 2011 |  | 2010 |  |
Interest expense | $2,165 | $1,937 |
Interest income | (728 | ) | (676 | ) |
Interest expense, net | $1,437 | $1,261 |

Note 13 - Fair value of financial instruments
At January 31, 2012, one interest rate swap agreement was in effect with a notional value of $9 million that matures November, 2013. The swap agreement, which reduces the exposure to market risks from changing interest rates, exchanges the variable rate to fixed interest rate payments of 2.23% plus LIBOR margin. 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 because the exchange is not deemed to be an active market. The derivative of $316 thousand was classified as a long-term liability on the balance sheet.
48

Note 14 - Subsequent event
At January 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants under our Loan Agreements. Subsequent to January 31, 2012, the Company was not in compliance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant for the period ended March 31, 2012. Prior to filing these statements, the Company has received a waiver and amendment to adjust the covenants to levels which the Company has complied without interruption and which the Company believes continues to be attainable for the next 12 months.
49

Schedule II
MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended January 31, 2012 and 2011

| 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, 2012 |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables | 346 |  | 63 |  | 20 |  | (154 | ) | 235 |
Year Ended January 31, 2011 |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables | $379 | $86 | $212 | $93 | $346

(1) Uncollectible accounts charged off
(2) Primarily related to recoveries from accounts previously charged off and currency translation
50

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 30, 2012 | /s/ David Unger
|  | David Unger
|  | Chairman of the Board of Directors, 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.

DAVID UNGER* | Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ) ) |
|  | ) |
BRADLEY E. MAUTNER* | Director, President and Chief Operating Officer | ) |
|  | ) |
MICHAEL D. BENNETT* | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ) ) | April 30, 2012
|  | ) |
DENNIS KESSLER* | Director | ) |
|  | ) |
ARNOLD F. BROOKSTONE* | Director | ) |
|  | ) |
EUGENE MILLER* | Director | ) |
|  | ) |
STEPHEN B. SCHWARTZ* | Director | ) |
|  | ) |
MICHAEL J. GADE* | Director | ) |
|  | ) |
MARK A. ZORKO* | Director | ) |
*By: | /s/ David Unger | Individually and as Attorney in Fact |  |
| David Unger |  |  |

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. |  | Description
3(i) |  |  | Certificate of Incorporation of MFRI, Inc. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Registration Statement No. 33-70298]
3(ii) |  |  | By-Laws of MFRI, Inc. amended and restated [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed on July 27, 2009]
4 |  |  | Specimen Common Stock Certificate [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-70794]
4(a) |  |  | 2010 Rights Agreement as amended [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Schedule filed on September 17, 2009]
10(b) |  |  | 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(c) |  |  | 2001 Independent Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d)(5) to the Company's Schedule filed on May 25, 2001]
10(d) |  |  | Form of Directors Indemnification Agreement Certificate [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Schedule filed on May 15, 2006]
10(e) |  |  | MFRI 2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006]
10(f) |  |  | Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Bank of America dated December 15, 2006 and the amendments thereto dated [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Schedule filed on December 20, 2006]
10(g) |  |  | Code of Conduct [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004]
10(h) |  |  | Thirteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement
10(i) |  |  | Employment agreement with Fati Elgendy dated February 1, 2007 [Incorporated by reference to DEF14A Schedule filed on May 29, 2008]
10(j) |  |  | 2009 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010]
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

*Filed herewith
51