CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced net sales of $142.1 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.59 for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to net sales of $131.7 and earnings per diluted share of $0.71 for the fourth quarter of 2009. Included in the fourth quarter results were a $0.05 per diluted share charge related to a non-income tax contingency and a $0.05 per diluted share charge related to an out-of-period charge at one of the Company's affiliates. Both items are described below.

Full year 2010 sales were $544.1 million and earnings per diluted share were $2.77, compared to full year 2009 sales of $451.5 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.47.

Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "2010 was a record year in earnings for Quaker. We are now considerably more profitable than before the global economic crisis. While our revenue has continued to recover, it is still down 6% from our highpoint in 2008. However, our earnings are at an all-time high and more than double from 2008. Besides our strong results, we are pleased with the progress we made in other areas. We made two small but strategic acquisitions, increased our dividend, and enhanced our financial flexibility by extending and increasing our revolving credit line. As we exited 2010, our financial condition was strong and we are strategically well positioned for future growth."

Further, Mr. Barry stated, "As expected, continued raw material cost escalation in the fourth quarter resulted in a lag effect on margins, causing our gross margins to be at their lowest level of the year. In the first quarter of 2011, we have implemented significant price increases in order to restore our margins to more acceptable levels. Despite the negative impact on margins, our volumes remained strong and we were still able to achieve the fourth highest quarterly profit in the Company's history."

Mr. Barry continued, "In 2011, we expect to have good growth due to our leadership positions in faster growing economies like China, Brazil and India, as well as continued recovery in the more mature markets such as the U.S. and Europe. We will also be investing in additional resources to support that growth, especially in the emerging markets. While the current Middle East tensions put greater uncertainty on raw material pricing, our goal is to continue our profit growth and build upon the record profits we achieved in 2010. In addition, we expect to continue to make strategic acquisitions and are currently evaluating several opportunities. In summary, I am confident in our future and I am encouraged by our prospects for 2011 and beyond."

Fourth Quarter Summary

Net sales for the fourth quarter were $142.1 million, up 8% from $131.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in net sales was primarily the result of an 8% increase in volume which was experienced across the globe. Selling prices and mix increased revenues by approximately 5%, as the Company implemented price increases to help offset higher raw material costs. These increases were partially offset by lower automotive chemical management services ("CMS") revenue reported on a gross basis and lower foreign exchange rates which decreased revenues by approximately 3% and 1%, respectively.

Gross profit increased slightly compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, as the Company's gross margin decreased to 33.7% compared to 36.1% in the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by increased raw material costs. The Company is in the process of implementing additional price increases, in part, to recover these higher raw material costs and its margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Higher selling costs on increased business activity, as well as higher professional fees related to the Company's acquisition activity, were offset by lower incentive compensation costs as well as reductions from foreign exchange rate translation. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased from 27% in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 25% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Included in the fourth quarter of 2010 is a $0.6 million or approximately $0.05 per diluted share charge related to a non-income tax contingency discussed below in the Full Year Summary.

Net interest expense decreased due to lower interest rates, lower average debt balances as well as higher interest income.

Equity in net income of associated companies includes an out-of-period charge of approximately $0.05 per diluted share. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company identified shortfalls in reserves related to pension and other items at one of the Company's affiliates. The affiliate adjusted these shortfalls in the fourth quarter of 2010, and the Company does not believe these adjustments are material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Full Year Summary

Net sales for 2010 were $544.1 million, an increase of $92.6 million, or approximately 21%, compared to $451.5 million for 2009. The increase in sales was driven by significant increases in volume across the globe, as the comparisons to the prior year continue to reflect recovery from the global economic downturn. The volume increases were partially offset by lower CMS revenue reported on a gross basis, which decreased revenues by approximately 4%. Changes in price/mix and foreign exchange rate translation each increased revenues by approximately 1%.

Gross profit increased $36.0 million, or 23%, compared to 2009, largely as a result of increased volumes. The gross margin increased to 35.4% in 2010 from 34.7% in 2009. Raw material costs did not begin to significantly increase until the middle of the second quarter of 2010 and continued through the end of 2010. Only a portion of these higher costs were recovered through price increases in 2010. Additional price increases are being implemented in early 2011 as part of the Company's effort to recover margins. However, the reduction in gross margin from higher raw material costs was tempered by reduced automotive CMS revenues reported on a gross basis which increased the gross margin by approximately 1 percentage point.

SG&A increased $13.2 million, or 10%, compared to 2009. Higher selling costs with increased business activity, inflationary costs, as well as increased incentive compensation were the primary drivers of the increase, representing 66% of the increase. Differences in foreign exchange rates, higher professional fees related to acquisitions and other costs accounted for the remainder of the increase. SG&A as percentage of sales decreased from 28% in 2009 to 26% in 2010.

As initially disclosed in the Company's second quarter 2010 Form 10-Q, one of the Company's subsidiaries may have paid certain value-added-taxes ("VAT") to an incorrect jurisdiction and, in certain cases, may not have collected sufficient VAT from certain customers. The VAT regulations and circumstances surrounding this issue are extremely complex. As a result, it is difficult to estimate both the probability and the amount of any potential exposure. Included in the 2010 results is a charge of $4.1 million or approximately $0.26 per diluted share, consisting of two tax dispute settlements entered into by the subsidiary and the Company's estimate of the net amount that may be ultimately paid to the other jurisdiction that has made inquiries of the subsidiary. Please refer to the Company's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of this matter.

In 2009, the Company implemented and completed a restructuring program totaling $2.3 million or approximately $0.14 per diluted share. The Company incurred a final charge related to the former CEO's supplemental retirement plan of approximately $1.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in 2010, compared to a charge of $2.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in 2009.

Other income for 2010 includes higher license fees from increased business activities as well as foreign exchange rate gains versus losses in 2009, which partially offset a gain related to the disposition of land in Europe of approximately $0.11 per diluted share in 2009. Net interest expense decreased due to lower interest rates, lower average debt balances as well as higher interest income.

Equity in net income of associated companies includes charges totaling approximately $0.08 per diluted share related to the first quarter 2010 devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte and the out-of-period charge discussed above.

The increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests reflects improved profitability from these affiliates, as the prior year comparisons are affected by the global economic downturn.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items

Operating cash flow increased by $18.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 on strong earnings and improvements in working capital. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of Summit Lubricants Inc., a leading specialty grease manufacturer, for a purchase price of $29.1 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

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.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Quaker Chemical's investor conference call to discuss fourth quarter results is scheduled for March 3, 2011 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 Web site at http://www.quakerchem.com. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756.

About Quaker

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, aluminum, 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