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Joe Berquist, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "First quarter results improved compared to the prior quarter despite a further contraction in end market conditions.  The improvement in our earnings from the previous quarter was driven by a combination of share gains, improved margins and our cost and optimization actions, which will continue to benefit the Company in the coming quarters.  Volumes in our Asia/Pacific segment once again grew on a year-over-year basis while underlying end market demand remains below prior levels in all regions.  I am pleased with the progress we are making on several of our strategic objectives, including the acquisitions of Dipsol Chemicals and Natech, which provide more avenues for growth in 2025 and beyond.

Looking ahead, there is a great deal of uncertainty impacting near-term demand in our end markets, which we now expect will persist at least into the second half of the year.  Considering the context of the current economic environment, we expect revenue and earnings will be in-line with 2024.  This is supported by the confidence in our ability to sustain above market growth by executing on our enterprise strategy, better leveraging our scale, and recent acquisitions.  We have strengthened our financial profile and believe our proximity to our customers and "local for local" supply chain capabilities positions us well to mitigate the direct impacts to our business from tariffs, while minimizing the impacts to our customers."

First Quarter 2025 Segment Results

The Company's first quarter 2025 operating performance for each of its three reportable segments: (i) Americas; (ii) EMEA; and (iii) Asia/Pacific, is further described below.

The following table summarizes the sales variances by reportable segment and consolidated operations in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024:

Net sales in the Asia/Pacific segment decreased 2% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, as an increase in sales volumes, and a further contribution from acquisitions was offset by a decrease in selling price and product mix and an unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation.  Net sales in the Americas segment declined 7% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, due to an unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation and a decline in sales volumes.  Net sales in the EMEA segment declined 7% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, due to a decline in sales volumes, a modest decline in selling price and product mix, and an unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, partially offset by an increase in sales from acquisitions.

The decline in sales volumes in the Americas and EMEA segments in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily due to softer economic activity compared to the prior year and uncertainty related to tariffs, which impacted our end markets, partially offset by new business wins across all segments.  The modest decline in selling price and product mix in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, primarily reflects the impact of our index-based customer contracts and mix of products and services. Sales in the EMEA segment benefited from the acquisitions of IKV and CSI and the Asia/Pacific segment had a positive contribution from the Company's acquisition of Sutai.

Consolidated net sales were consistent with the fourth quarter of 2024.  Net sales in the Americas and EMEA segments increased due to a modest increase in sales volumes despite softer end market conditions due in part to uncertainty related to tariffs, increases in selling price and product mix in both segments, and a contribution from acquisitions in the EMEA segment.  Net sales and sales volumes in the Asia/Pacific segment declined compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily related to the timing of the Lunar New Year.  The impact of foreign currency translation was unfavorable to sales across all segments in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Operating earnings decreased in all segments in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior year due to lower net sales and lower segment operating margins in all segments.  Segment operating margins increased in the Americas and EMEA segments and declined in the Asia/Pacific segment in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Highlights

Net cash used by operating activities was $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $27.2 million for the same period in 2024. The Company's operating cash flow reflects a lower operating performance and higher working capital outflows.

As of March 31, 2025, the Company's total gross debt was $737.0 million and its cash and cash equivalents was $186.2 million, which resulted in net debt of approximately $550.8 million. The Company's net debt divided by its trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA was approximately 1.9x.

In the first and second quarter, Quaker Houghton made three strategic acquisitions which further strengthen its global portfolio of advanced solutions and metalworking fluids and provide opportunities to accelerate its growth.  In February 2025, the Company acquired Chemical Solutions & Innovations (Pty) Ltd. ("CSI"), a South African based supplier of metalworking fluids and lubricants for approximately $3.9 million.  In April 2025, the Company acquired U.K. based Natech, Ltd ("Natech") for approximately $6.5 million (5.0 million GBP).  Also in April 2025, the Company acquired Dipsol Chemicals Co., Ltd., ("Dipsol"), a leading supplier of surface treatment and plating solutions and services, for approximately $155.2 million (23.0 billion JPY) net of cash acquired.  Dipsol is headquartered in Japan and had revenues and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $82 million and $15 million, respectively, in 2024 and primarily serves the automotive and other industrial applications.  The Dipsol acquisition was funded with borrowings under Quaker Houghton's existing credit facility.

Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations

The information in this press release includes non-GAAP (unaudited) financial information that includes EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies – adjusted, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share.  The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information as they enhance a reader's understanding of the financial performance of the Company, facilitate a comparison among fiscal periods, and exclude items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations.  Non-GAAP results are presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our definitions of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies – adjusted, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, as discussed and reconciled below to the most comparable GAAP measures, may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies.

The Company presents EBITDA which is calculated as net income attributable to the Company before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies.  The Company also presents adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated as EBITDA plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations. In addition, the Company presents non-GAAP operating income which is calculated as operating income plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considered core to the Company's operations. Adjusted EBITDA margin and non-GAAP operating margin are calculated as the percentage of adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP operating income to consolidated net sales, respectively.  The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide transparent and useful information and are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors in our industry as well as by management in assessing the operating performance of the Company on a consistent basis.

Additionally, the Company presents non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share as additional performance measures.  Non-GAAP net income is calculated as adjusted EBITDA, defined above, less depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies, in each case adjusted, as applicable, for any depreciation, amortization, interest or tax impacts resulting from the non-core items identified in the reconciliation of net income attributable to the Company to adjusted EBITDA.  Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share is calculated as non-GAAP net income per diluted share as accounted for under the "two-class share method." The Company believes that non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share provide transparent and useful information and are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors in our industry as well as by management in assessing the performance of the Company on a consistent basis.

As it relates to future projections for the Company as well as other forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has not provided guidance for comparable GAAP measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because it is unable to determine with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items necessary to calculate such measures without unreasonable effort.  These items include, but are not limited to, certain non-recurring or non-core items the Company may record that could materially impact net income.  These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the U.S. GAAP reported results for the guidance period.

The Company's reference to trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA within this press release refers to the twelve month period ended March 31, 2025 adjusted EBITDA of $296.7 million, which consists of (i) the three months ended March 31, 2025 adjusted EBITDA of $69.0 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations below, and (ii) the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 adjusted EBITDA of $310.9 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations included in the Company's fourth quarter and full year 2024 results press release dated February 24, 2025, less (iii) the three months ended March 31, 2024 adjusted EBITDA of $83.3 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations below.

Certain of the prior period non-GAAP financial measures presented in the following tables have been adjusted to conform with current period presentation.  The following tables reconcile the Company's non-GAAP financial measures (unaudited) to their most directly comparable GAAP (unaudited) financial measures (dollars in thousands unless otherwise noted, except per share amounts):

 

 

Segment Measures and Reconciliations

Segment operating earnings for each of the Company's reportable segments are comprised of the segment's net sales less directly related product costs and other operating expenses. Operating expenses not directly attributable to the net sales of each respective segment, such as certain corporate and administrative costs and restructuring charges, are not included in segment operating earnings. Other items not specifically identified with the Company's reportable segments include Interest expense and Other income (expense), net.

The following table presents information about the performance of the Company's reportable segments (dollars in thousands):

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that fall under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  We have based these forward-looking statements on assumptions, projections and expectations about future events that we believe are reasonable based on currently available information, including statements regarding the potential effects of economic downturns; tariffs, including the uncertainty surrounding changes in tariffs; inflation and global supply chain constraints on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition; our expectation that we will maintain sufficient liquidity and remain in compliance with the terms of the Company's credit facility; expectations about future demand and raw material costs; and statements regarding the impact of increased raw material costs and pricing initiatives.  These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance, and business, which may differ materially from our actual results, including but not limited to the potential benefits of acquisitions and divestitures, the impacts on our business as a result of global supply chain constraints, and our current and future results and plans and statements that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "outlook, "target", "possible", "potential", "plan" or similar expressions. Such statements include information relating to current and future business activities, operational matters, capital spending, and financing sources. A major risk is that demand for the Company's products and services is largely derived from the demand for our customers' products, which subjects the Company to uncertainties related to downturns in a customer's business and unanticipated customer production slowdowns and shutdowns.  Other major risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to inflationary pressures, including increases in raw material costs; supply chain constraints and the impacts of economic downturns; customer financial instability; high interest rates and their impact on our and our customers' business operations; the impacts from acts of war, terrorism and military conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as economic, political and governmental actions taken by various governments and governmental organizations in response; economic and political disruptions particularly in light of numerous elections globally and the possibility of regime changes; the possibility of economic recession; legislative and regulatory developments including changes to existing laws and regulations, or the way they are interpreted, applied or enforced; tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, "trade wars" and trade restrictions, and the economic and other sanctions imposed by other nations on Russia and Belarus and/or other government organizations; suspensions of activities in Russia by many multinational companies; foreign currency fluctuations; significant changes in applicable tax rates and regulations; future terrorist attacks and other acts of violence; the impacts of consolidation in our industry, including loss or consolidation of a major customer; the effects of climate change, fires or other natural disasters; the potential occurrence of cyber-security breaches, cyber-security attacks and other technology outages and security incidents; and; and U.S. political conditions and legislative and regulatory activity (or inactivity), including adoption of (or failure to adopt) new laws, regulations and executive orders, changes in existing laws, regulations and executive orders or the way they are interpreted or applied, and adoption of laws, regulations or executive orders that conflict among jurisdictions in which we operate. Furthermore, the Company is subject to the same business cycles as those experienced by our customers in the steel, automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, aluminum and durable goods industries. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its operations that are subject to change based on various important factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These risks, uncertainties, and possible inaccurate assumptions relevant to our business could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. All forward-looking statements included in this press release, including expectations about business conditions during 2025 and future periods, are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, which may change. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, refer to the Risk Factors section, which appears in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend to, and we disclaim any duty or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or for any other reason. This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company's investor conference call to discuss its first quarter of 2025 performance is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the conference call, together with supplemental information, can be accessed through the Company's Investor Relations website at investors.quakerhoughton.com. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756.

About Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids.  With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world's most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, container, mining, and metalworking companies. Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services. With approximately 4,400 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next. Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States. Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation