• 8% revenue growth on increased product volume
  
• Operating income drives non-GAAP earnings per diluted share up 31% to $1.19
  
• Net operating cash flow of approximately $30 million generated in the quarter

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced an 8% increase in net sales to $198.9 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 net sales of $184.1 million.  Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2014 were $1.18 compared to $0.95 for the third quarter of 2013, with non-GAAP earnings per diluted share increasing 31% to $1.19 for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $0.91 for the third quarter of 2013.  The Company's adjusted EBITDA increased 16% to $26.5 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $22.8 million for the third quarter of 2013.  For the first nine months of 2014, the Company's net sales increased 5% to $571.8 million from $545.1 million for the first nine months of 2013.  Earnings per diluted share for the first nine months of 2014 were $3.31 compared to $3.21 for the first nine months of 2013, with non-GAAP earnings per diluted share increasing 14% to $3.26 for the first nine months of 2014 from $2.87 for the first nine months of 2013.  The Company's adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $76.1 million for the first nine months of 2014 from $68.6 million for the first nine months of 2013. 

Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President commented, "We are very pleased with our third quarter results despite the continued challenges in Brazil, as well as the overall slowing global economy.  Our above-market revenue growth of 8% and strong earnings growth are a testament to the strength of our people, business model and competitive positioning.  Our geographic diversification continues to help us as we experienced double-digit growth in each of our three largest regions (North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific), which more than offset a decline in our smallest region (South America), due to poor economic conditions."

Mr. Barry continued, "Looking forward, we are seeing an uncertain economic environment in many countries throughout the world.  However, we do believe our track record of increasing our market share and leveraging our recent acquisitions will continue and help offset the market issues we may experience.  In addition, our strong cash flow and balance sheet will allow us to continue to pursue strategic, value creating acquisitions like our recent acquisition of ECLI Products, LLC in August.  Overall, I continue to remain confident in our future and expect 2014 to be another good year for Quaker."

Third Quarter of 2014 Summary

Net sales for the third quarter of 2014 of $198.9 million increased approximately 8% from net sales of $184.1 million for the third quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher product volumes.  Included in the Company's net sales growth for the third quarter of 2014 was 1.7% of additional sales from its acquisition of ECLI Products, LLC ("ECLI").

Gross profit increased approximately $4.3 million, or approximately 7%, from the third quarter of 2013 on the increase from sales volumes, noted above, on relatively consistent gross margins of 35.4% and 35.9% for the third quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2013, respectively.   

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") increased approximately $2.6 million from the third quarter of 2013.  The increase in SG&A was driven by higher labor-related costs primarily on increased sales and merit inflation, incentive compensation increases, acquisition-related costs and a U.S. customer bankruptcy, partially offset by the Company's prior year cost streamlining initiatives and the effects of foreign exchange.

The Company had other income of $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to other expense of $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2013.  The change to other income for the third quarter of 2014 was the result of foreign exchange gains and receipts of annual government grants in one of the Company's regions.  Comparatively, the third quarter of 2013 had significant foreign exchange losses and minimal related government grants, as the majority of such grants were recognized in different quarters of the prior year. 

Interest expense was slightly lower in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.  The Company incurred additional interest expense in the current quarter on higher average borrowings due to its recent acquisition activity, but this was more than offset by prior year interest expense from the accretion of an acquisition-related earnout liability that was settled in 2014.  

Interest income was higher in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013, primarily due to interest received on certain tax-related credits and an increase in the level of the Company's invested cash in regions with higher returns.

The Company's effective tax rates for the third quarters of 2014 and 2013 were 26.7% and 33.8%, respectively.  The Company has historically recognized a third quarter tax rate that is lower than its annual effective tax rate.  However, in the prior year, the Company's effective tax rate was impacted by its Asia/Pacific region, where it was recording tax expense at the local statutory tax rate of 25% while awaiting recertification of a concessionary tax rate. 

Equity in net income of associated companies ("equity income") decreased $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.  The primary component of the Company's equity income is its interest in a captive insurance company, which was higher in the prior year period.

The $0.3 million decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 was primarily due to the Company's second quarter of 2014 acquisition of the noncontrolling interest in its Australian affiliate. 

Overall, the Company realized a minimal impact to its net income from its current quarter acquisitions, as their respective operational results were offset by acquisition-related costs and initial adjustments related to fair value accounting. 

Changes in foreign exchange rates positively impacted the third quarter of 2014 net income by approximately $0.1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Year-to-Date 2014 Summary

Net sales for the first nine months of 2014 of $571.8 million increased 5% from $545.1 million for the first nine months of 2013, primarily due to higher product volumes.

Gross profit increased approximately $7.7 million, or approximately 4%, from the first nine months of 2013, which was primarily driven by the increase in sales volumes, noted above, on relatively consistent gross margins of 35.6% and 35.9% for the first nine months of 2014 and the first nine months of 2013, respectively.

SG&A increased approximately $2.9 million from the first nine months of 2013.  The increase in SG&A was driven by higher labor-related costs primarily on increased sales and merit inflation, acquisition-related costs, a U.S. customer bankruptcy and, also, additional costs related to an amendment to the Company's pension plan in the United Kingdom ("UK").  These increases to the first nine months of 2014 SG&A were partially offset by lower incentive compensation costs, decreases in foreign currency exchange rate translation and additional costs in the prior year related to the Company's cost streamlining initiatives in Europe and South America.

The $1.4 million decrease in other income in the first nine months of 2014 from other income in the first nine months of 2013 was primarily caused by the Company's prior year receipt of a mineral oil excise tax refund net of the prior year expense related to a change in an acquisition-related earnout liability.

Interest expense was lower in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013, primarily due to decreases in average borrowings, lower average interest rates and the prior year interest accretion on an acquisition-related earnout liability, discussed above. 

Interest income was higher in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013, primarily due to interest received on several tax-related credits and an increase in the average level of the Company's cash on hand in the current year.

The Company's effective tax rates for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were relatively consistent at 30.5% and 30.0%, respectively.   The Company still estimates that its full year 2014 effective tax rate will approximate 31%.

The decrease in the Company's equity income of $2.2 million from the first nine months of 2013 to the first nine months of 2014 was primarily caused by lower earnings related to the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company.   In addition, the Company's equity income for both the first nine months of 2014 and the first nine months of 2013 include comparable currency charges related to the conversion of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte to the U.S. Dollar. 

The primary component of the $0.4 million decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest from the first nine months of 2013 was the Company's acquisition of the noncontrolling interest in its Australian affiliate, discussed above. 

Changes in foreign exchange rates negatively impacted the first nine months of 2014 net income by approximately $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items

Strong quarterly earnings and improved working capital management drove net operating cash flows of approximately $29.8 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $24.5 million in the third quarter of 2013, which increased the Company's year-to-date net operating cash flow to $38.0 million compared to $51.9 million for the first nine months of 2013.  Overall, the Company's liquidity remains strong, as its cash position continued to exceed its debt at September 30, 2014 and, also, the Company's consolidated leverage ratio continued to be less than one times EBITDA, despite the added borrowings for the $52.0 million purchase of ECLI.

Non-GAAP Measures

Included in this public release are non-GAAP financial measures of non-GAAP earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA.  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, are more indicative of future operating performance of the Company, and facilitate a better comparison among fiscal periods, as the non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that are not 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.  The following are reconciliations between the non-GAAP (unaudited) financial measures of non-GAAP earnings per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA to their most directly comparable GAAP (unaudited) financial measures:

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements 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, future terrorist attacks and other acts of violence.  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. 

Conference Call

As previously announced, Quaker Chemical's investor conference call to discuss the third quarter of 2014 results is scheduled for October 29, 2014 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 http://www.quakerchem.com.  You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756. 

About Quaker

Quaker Chemical is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others.  For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference.

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SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation

Margaret M. Loebl, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, loeblm@quakerchem.com, T. 610.832.4160