Quaker Chemical Announces Second Quarter Results


o $0.29 diluted EPS compared to breakeven first quarter 2009
o Debt levels reduced 20% from December 2008
o Year-to-date operating cash flow triple 2008 level

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., July 29 -- Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced net sales of $102.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.29 for the second quarter of 2009. These results include a $1.2 million charge, or approximately $0.07 per diluted share, related to the retirement of the Company's former chief executive officer.

Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "We are pleased with our second quarter results, especially in light of the substantial decline in volumes from last year due to the global economic crisis. The significant improvement in our earnings from the previous two quarters is primarily driven by our aggressive cost reduction actions and margin improvement. While we are encouraged by emerging signs of stability in our end markets, we believe the rebound in our end markets will be gradual, with only very modest volume increases occurring during the second half of the year."

Mr. Barry continued, "I am also very pleased with our strong cash generation in the quarter as our net debt-to-capital ratio is at its lowest level since the third quarter of 2003. With the high cash flow generation, we have reduced our debt levels by 20% since the beginning of the year, maintained our dividend, and continued to invest for the future -- an example being our Middletown, Ohio plant expansion."

Second Quarter Summary

Net sales for the second quarter were $102.3 million, down 35% from $158.2 million for the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to volume declines in all of the Company's regions and market segments, as the global economic downturn continued to impact the Company. Volumes were down approximately 36%, which were partially offset by a favorable 6% increase in selling price and mix. Foreign exchange rate translation also decreased net sales by approximately 5%.

Gross margins were down approximately $8.7 million, or 20%, compared to the second quarter of 2008, reflective of the above- noted volume declines. The gross margin percentage of 35.2% represents a considerable improvement over both the 28.3% reported for the second quarter of 2008 and the 29.1% reported for the first quarter of 2009. This margin percentage expansion was primarily the result of the cost reduction actions taken, a more favorable raw material cost environment, and reduced automotive chemical management services revenue reported on a gross basis.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") decreased $8.1 million, or 22%, compared to the second quarter of 2008. Savings from the Company's restructuring programs, lower commissions, lower travel and entertainment expenses, and other cost savings measures accounted for more than 70% of the decline. Changes in foreign exchange rates accounted for the remainder.

The Company expects to incur CEO transition costs of $2.4 million for the full year 2009 and $1.0 million in 2010 related to the former CEO's supplemental retirement income plan. Costs incurred in the second quarter of 2009 totaled $1.2 million, or approximately $0.07 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or approximately $0.12 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008.

Other income for the second quarter of 2008 includes a net arbitration award of approximately $1.0 million, or approximately $0.04 per diluted share, related to litigation with one of the former owners of the Company's Italian subsidiary. The increase in net interest expense is primarily due to higher average interest rates and lower interest income.

Year-to-Date Summary

Net sales for the first half of 2009 were $200.8 million, down 34% from $305.9 million for the first half of 2008. As with the quarterly comparisons, the decrease in net sales was primarily due to volume declines in all of the Company's regions and market segments. Volumes were down approximately 34%, which were partially offset by a favorable 5% increase in selling price and mix. Foreign exchange rate translation also decreased net sales by approximately 5%.

Gross margins were down approximately $23.7 million, or 26.8%, compared to the first half of 2008, reflective of the above- noted volume declines. The gross margin percentage improved to 32.2% for the first half of 2009 from 28.9% for the first half of 2008. The margin percentage expansion from the first half of 2008 was primarily the result of the cost reduction actions taken, a more favorable raw material cost environment, and reduced automotive chemical management services revenue reported on a gross basis.

SG&A decreased $15.9 million, or 22%, compared to the first half of 2008. Savings from the Company's restructuring programs, lower incentive compensation, lower commissions, lower travel and entertainment expenses, and other cost savings measures accounted for more than 70% of the decline. Changes in foreign exchange rates accounted for the remainder.

Other income for the first half of 2009 includes a $1.2 million gain related to the disposition of land in Europe, while other income for the first half of 2008 includes the net arbitration award noted above. The increase in net interest expense is primarily due to higher average interest rates and lower interest income.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items

The Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was 23%, compared to 32% as of December 31, 2008. The improvement in the Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was primarily due to year-to-date cash flows from operations of $26.8 million. Operating cash flow improved $18.6 million compared to the first quarter, largely due to reduced working capital balances.

During the second quarter, General Motors Corporation and Chrysler LLC, two of the Company's largest customers, filed for and subsequently emerged from bankruptcy. The Company's contracts with those customers were assumed by their successor companies. To date, the Company has received payments representing more than 85 percent of these pre-bankruptcy accounts receivable, and the Company has been notified that its remaining pre-bankruptcy invoices will be paid.

Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process chemicals, chemical specialties, services, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries -- including steel, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, coatings and construction materials. Our products, technical solutions, and chemical management services enhance our customers' processes, improve their product quality, and lower their costs. Quaker's headquarters is located near Philadelphia in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements. A major risk is that the Company's demand is largely derived from the demand for its customers' products, which subjects the Company to downturns in a customer's business and unanticipated customer production shutdowns. Other major risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, significant increases in raw material costs, customer financial stability, worldwide economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, and future terrorist attacks such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001. Other factors could also adversely affect us. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

As previously announced, Quaker Chemical's investor conference call to discuss second quarter results is scheduled for July 30, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. (ET). Access the conference by calling 877-269-7756 or visit Quaker's Web site at www.quakerchem.com for a live webcast.

SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation

CONTACT:
Mark A. Featherstone,
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Quaker Chemical Corporation,
+1-610-832-4160
Web Site: www.quakerchem.com

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