KWR Quaker Houghton

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE:KWR) today announced that in the third quarter it achieved record quarterly sales of $140.7 million, an increase of 20.9% over the third quarter 2006, and net income of $3.2 million. Earnings per diluted share were $0.31 versus $0.32 for the third quarter 2006. Third quarter 2007 operating expenses include a pre-tax charge of $3.3 million related to an environmental litigation settlement. "We had an outstanding quarter," observed Ronald J. Naples, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As is apparent in our income statement, without the one-time environmental charge, we would have had very strong operating income growth. Indeed, the third quarter continued our success this year in revenue and net income growth, which included a tax adjustment benefit in the quarter, and generated significant cash. I should point out we announced the environmental charge last week and noted it represents a very favorable resolution for us that removes significant uncertainty and financial exposure that sprang from a long-ago problem. Further, it recognizes our voluntary work over the past 12 years to address the problem before any litigation." Third Quarter 2007 Summary Net sales for the third quarter were $140.7 million, up 20.9% from $116.4 million for the third quarter 2006. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to a combination of volume growth and higher sales prices. Volume growth was mainly attributable to strong sales growth in Asia/Pacific, Europe and North America, as well as higher revenue related to the Company's CMS channel. Foreign exchange rate translation increased revenues by approximately 5% for the third quarter 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. Selling price increases were realized across all regions and market segments, in part as a result of an ongoing effort to offset higher raw material costs. CMS revenues were higher due to additional CMS accounts and the first quarter 2007 renewal and renegotiation of several of the Company's CMS contracts. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 30.7% for the third quarter of 2007, compared to 31.6% for the third quarter 2006. Higher selling prices and additional contribution from the Company's CMS channel helped improve margins in dollar terms, while higher raw material costs and sales mix resulted in a lower gross margin percentage. On a sequential basis, the third quarter gross margin percentage was in line with first quarter 2007 and second quarter 2007 gross margin percentages of 30.9% and 31.0%, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter increased $5.1 million, compared to the third quarter 2006. Foreign exchange rate translation accounted for approximately $1.3 million of the increase. Other major contributors were planned spending in higher growth areas, such as China, and higher commissions as a result of higher sales, as well as two charges totaling $1.2 million relating to certain customer bankruptcies and a discontinued strategic initiative. In the third quarter 2007, the Company recorded environmental charges of $3.3 million, as disclosed in its press release dated October 23, 2007. The charges consist of $2.0 million related to the settlement of environmental litigation involving AC Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, as well as an additional $1.3 million charge for the estimated remaining remediation costs. The decrease in other income was the result of a distribution received from the Company's former real estate joint venture in the prior year quarter, as well as lower license fee income in the third quarter 2007. The increase in net interest expense was attributable to higher average borrowings and higher interest rates. The tax benefit recorded in the third quarter 2007 includes a $0.7 million refund of taxes in China as a result of the Company's increased investment. The third quarter 2006 included a similar tax rebate of $0.4 million. In addition, the third quarter 2007 includes a non-cash out-of-period tax benefit adjustment of $1.0 million related to the deferred tax accounting for the Company's foreign pension plans and intangible assets regarding one of the Company's acquisitions. Year-to-Date Summary Net sales for the first nine months of 2007 were $403.2 million, up 16.9% from $344.9 million for the first nine months of 2006. Double-digit volume increases in China, higher CMS revenues, and selling price increases realized across all regions and market segments were the primary reasons for the increase in net sales. Foreign exchange rate translation increased revenues by approximately 4.4% for the first nine months of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 30.8% for the first nine months of 2007, compared to 30.5% in the prior year period. Higher selling prices and a stronger performance from the Company's CMS channel helped maintain the gross margin percentage despite continued increases in raw material prices. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first nine months of 2007 increased $15.3 million, compared to the first nine months of 2006. Foreign exchange rate translation accounted for approximately $3.3 million of the increase over the prior year. Also negatively affecting the comparison with the prior year was a pension gain of $0.9 million recorded in the first quarter 2006 due to a legislative change. The remainder of the increase was due to continued planned spending in higher growth areas, primarily China, higher incentive compensation as a result of higher earnings, higher commissions as a result of higher sales, higher legal and environmental costs, the third quarter charges noted previously, as well as inflationary increases. The increase in other income was primarily due to foreign exchange gains recorded in the first nine months of 2007, compared to losses in the prior year. The increase in net interest expense was attributable to higher average borrowings and higher interest rates. The Company's effective tax rate was 21.2% for the first nine months of 2007, compared to 35.4% in the prior year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a changing mix of income among tax jurisdictions, as well as the non-cash out-of-period adjustment noted above, offset, in part, by the Company's first quarter 2007 adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"). Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items The Company's net debt decreased from December 31, 2006, primarily as a result of reduced working capital balances during the third quarter 2007, with operations generating positive cash flow during the quarter of $19.3 million. The Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was 36% at September 30, 2007, compared to 40% at December 31, 2006. In connection with the first quarter 2007 adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to shareholders' equity of $5.5 million, which negatively impacted the Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio by approximately 1 percentage point. Ronald J. Naples, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are certainly pleased with our business results and strong cash flow in the quarter, which continue the progress we have seen so far this year. We are encouraged by the volume growth we continue to see. We remain vigilant to the ongoing challenge of escalating raw material costs and have increased our gross margin dollars even as raw material costs ran considerably ahead of last year. I am also encouraged by real working capital improvements achieved during the quarter. With the settlement of the AC Products environmental litigation, we feel good about our long-term future and prospects of continued earnings improvement." 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 third quarter results is scheduled for November 1, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. (ET). Access the conference by calling 877-269-7756 or visit Quaker's Web site at http://www.quakerchem.com/ for a live webcast. Quaker Chemical Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Dollars in thousands, except per share data and share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Net sales $140,715 $116,425 $403,204 $344,924 Cost of goods sold 97,547 79,650 278,878 239,599 Gross margin 43,168 36,775 124,326 105,325 % 30.7% 31.6% 30.8% 30.5% Selling, general and administrative expenses 36,602 31,485 103,930 88,636 Environmental charges 3,300 - 3,300 - Operating income 3,266 5,290 17,096 16,689 % 2.3% 4.5% 4.2% 4.8% Other income, net 382 539 1,618 1,054 Interest expense, net (1,370) (1,218) (4,221) (3,435) Income before taxes 2,278 4,611 14,493 14,308 Taxes on income (1,066) 1,378 3,076 5,058 3,344 3,233 11,417 9,250 Equity in net income of associated companies 166 218 557 456 Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries (350) (312) (1,126) (1,033) Net income (loss) $3,160 $3,139 $10,848 $8,673 % 2.2% 2.7% 2.7% 2.5% Per share data: Net income - basic $0.32 $0.32 $1.09 $0.89 Net income - diluted $0.31 $0.32 $1.07 $0.88 Shares Outstanding: Basic 10,016,801 9,792,187 9,969,739 9,762,019 Diluted 10,134,909 9,854,625 10,095,945 9,833,903 Quaker Chemical Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Dollars in thousands, except par value and share amounts) (Unaudited) September 30, December 31, 2007 2006 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $24,224 $16,062 Accounts receivable, net 118,217 107,340 Inventories, net 57,908 51,984 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,229 10,855 Total current assets 215,578 186,241 Property, plant and equipment, net 60,491 60,927 Goodwill 43,067 38,740 Other intangible assets, net 8,097 8,330 Investments in associated companies 7,123 7,044 Deferred income taxes 33,037 28,573 Other assets 31,196 27,527 Total assets $398,589 $357,382 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $3,098 $4,950 Accounts and other payables 63,279 56,345 Accrued compensation 15,704 15,225 Other current liabilities 19,076 13,659 Total current liabilities 101,157 90,179 Long-term debt 89,364 85,237 Deferred income taxes 6,838 5,317 Other non-current liabilities 75,477 61,783 Total liabilities 272,836 242,516 Minority interest in equity of subsidiaries 4,679 4,035 Shareholders' equity Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 10,125,249 shares 10,125 9,926 Capital in excess of par value 9,065 5,466 Retained earnings 113,326 114,498 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (11,442) (19,059) Total shareholders' equity 121,074 110,831 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $398,589 $357,382 Quaker Chemical Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) 2007 2006 Cash flows from operating activities Net income $10,848 $8,673 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation 8,579 7,406 Amortization 900 1,058 Equity in net income of associated companies, net of dividends (83) (251) Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries 1,126 1,033 Deferred income tax (1,498) 834 Deferred compensation and other, net 878 387 Stock-based compensation 863 601 Environmental charges 3,300 - Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 33 19 Insurance settlement realized (1,266) (252) Pension and other postretirement benefits (2,532) (3,108) Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable (5,795) (10,077) Inventories (3,227) (4,561) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,750) (3,022) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 6,009 8,351 Change in restructuring liabilities - (3,731) Net cash provided by operating activities 16,385 3,360 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures (5,431) (8,513) Payments related to acquisitions (1,543) (1,069) Proceeds from disposition of assets 176 64 Insurance settlement received and interest earned 5,534 240 Change in restricted cash, net (4,268) 12 Net cash used in investing activities (5,532) (9,266) Cash flows from financing activities Short-term borrowings 1,305 1,873 Repayments of short-term debt (3,267) (4,519) Proceeds from long-term debt 3,132 15,680 Repayments of long-term debt (674) (704) Dividends paid (6,484) (6,320) Stock options exercised, other 2,935 429 Distributions to minority shareholders (864) (1,464) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (3,917) 4,975 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,226 595 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 8,162 (336) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 16,062 16,121 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period $24,224 $15,785 DATASOURCE: Quaker Chemical Corporation CONTACT: Mark A. Featherstone, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Quaker Chemical Corporation, +1-610-832-4160 Web site: http://www.quakerchem.com/

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