CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Michael F. Barry, currently Senior Vice President and Managing Director - North America, Quaker Chemical Corporation's (NYSE: KWR) largest operation, will step into the role of CEO and President on October 4, 2008. He replaces Ronald J. Naples, who announced in May that he would step down as Quaker's CEO after 13 years, yet remain Chairman for a limited time. In addition, Mr. Barry was elected as a member of the Board of Directors on September 24, 2008.

Mr. Barry, 50, is a well-prepared successor from within the Company, having held senior management positions with Quaker for 10 years. He joined the Company in 1998 as Chief Financial Officer, a position he held for six years. He then assumed several key global and regional operating positions, most recently leading the Company's North American operations to record levels of performance. Mr. Barry has been a member of the Company's management executive committee, which oversees Quaker's worldwide business, since joining the Company in 1998. During his tenure, he has been a driving force on a number of Quaker's strategic initiatives.

"I plan to continue with our current business model which emphasizes customer intimacy, service and product technology to provide solutions for our customers," comments Mr. Barry. "We are competitively well-positioned today in all of our key end-use markets and in every region of the world. I not only envision steady, long-term organic growth for our core businesses, but will seek to actively grow Quaker via strategic acquisitions as well. I am confident in our ability to deliver long-term value for our customers, shareholders and associates."

Prior to joining Quaker, Mr. Barry was employed by Lyondell (formerly ARCO Chemical), where he held senior positions in business management and finance. Mr. Barry has an MBA with distinction from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Drexel University.

He and his wife, Patricia, live in Media, Pennsylvania, and have two children.

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.

SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation