CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced net sales of $167.8 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared to net sales of $136.0 million for the second quarter of 2010. Net income was $9.8 million in the second quarter of 2011, or earnings per diluted share of $0.79, compared to net income of $9.2 million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.80, for the second quarter of 2010. For the first half of 2011, the Company reported net sales of $327.7 million and net income of $20.4 million, compared to net sales of $264.3 million and net income of $18.6 million in the first half of 2010.

Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "We are pleased with our second quarter results, especially in light of a challenging raw material environment. While we continued to implement price increases in the second quarter to help offset higher raw material costs, raw materials also continued to escalate. We are taking additional pricing actions in the third quarter as part of our efforts to restore margins to historically acceptable levels."

Mr. Barry continued, "In the second half of 2011, we see some potential demand uncertainty in markets such as China, India, and Brazil as their governments try to manage inflation. However, over the next several years, we still believe these markets will have strong growth especially for our key steel and automotive markets, and we are continuing to invest in additional resources in these areas. Despite the uncertainties in the raw material markets and global economies, our overall view for 2011 is unchanged as we expect to build upon the profitability we achieved in 2010. In addition, our recent stock offering has increased our financial flexibility to take advantage of growth opportunities, such as the recent acquisition of our partners' remaining interest in our Mexican affiliate. With our leadership positions in both the emerging and mature markets, combined with both organic and external growth opportunities, I am confident in our prospects for 2011 and beyond."

Second Quarter 2011 Summary

Net sales for the second quarter of 2011 were $167.8 million, an increase of 23% from the second quarter of 2010. Product volumes were higher by approximately 5%, primarily due to acquisitions. Selling prices and mix increased revenues by approximately 11%, as the Company continues to implement price increases across the globe to help offset higher raw material costs. Foreign exchange rates also increased revenues by approximately 7%.

Gross profit increased by approximately $5.2 million, or 11%, from the second quarter of 2010, but gross margin decreased from 35.7% in the second quarter of 2010 to 32.0% in the second quarter of 2011. The pace of raw material price increases continued to rapidly escalate from the first quarter of 2011. The Company continues to implement price increases to help restore margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") increased approximately $3.7 million compared to the second quarter of 2010. Higher selling costs on increased business activity, acquisition-related activity and foreign exchange rate translation accounted for the majority of the increase. In addition, higher inflationary and other costs were offset by lower incentive compensation. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased to 23.1% in the second quarter of 2011 from 25.8% in the second quarter of 2010.

Other income decreased in the second quarter of 2011 primarily due to larger foreign exchange gains in the second quarter of 2010. Net interest expense decreased primarily due to lower average borrowings as a result of the use of the net cash proceeds from the Company's second quarter equity offering, to repay a portion of the Company's revolving credit line.

Year-to-Date Summary

Net sales for the first half of 2011 were $327.7 million, an increase of 24% from $264.3 million in the first half of 2010. Product volumes were higher by approximately 11%, including the effects of acquisitions. Selling prices and mix increased revenues by approximately 9%, as the Company continues to implement price increases to help offset higher raw material costs. Foreign exchange rates also increased revenues by approximately 4%.

Gross profit increased by approximately $10.6 million, or 11%, from the first half of 2010, but gross margin decreased from 36.3% in the first half of 2010 to 32.5% in the first half of 2011, as raw material costs have continued to escalate. The Company continues to implement price increases to help restore margins.

SG&A increased approximately $8.7 million compared to the first half of 2010. Higher selling costs on increased business activity, acquisition-related activity and foreign exchange rate translation accounted for approximately 64% of the increase. Higher inflationary and other costs partially offset by lower incentive compensation accounted for the remainder of the increase. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased to 23.6% in the first half of 2011 from 26.0% in the first half of 2010.

Net interest expense decreased due to lower interest rates and lower average borrowings. Other income decreased due to higher foreign exchange gains in the first half of 2010. Equity in net income of associated companies increased compared to the first half of 2010 as the prior year reflected a charge of approximately $0.03 per diluted share related to the first quarter 2010 devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte.

The Company's first half 2011 tax rate of 25.7% was lower than the 2010 first half effective tax rate of 27.3% due to the higher utilization of previously unbenefited foreign tax credits. Each period reflects the derecognition of uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years of approximately $0.11 per diluted share. The Company has experienced and expects to further experience volatility in its quarterly effective tax rates due to the varying timing of tax audits and the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations as they relate to uncertain tax positions.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items

The Company completed an equity offering of approximately 1.3 million shares in the second quarter of 2011, resulting in approximately $48.1 million of net cash proceeds which were used to repay a portion of its revolving credit line. The second quarter 2011 earnings per diluted share of $0.79 reflects an approximate $0.04 dilutive effect as a result of this equity offering. Operating cash flow of $7.3 million was generated in the second quarter of 2011, led by the Company's second quarter net income, which was partially offset by higher working capital investment and other items.

Recent Developments

In July 2011, the Company purchased the remaining ownership interest of its Mexican equity affiliate. Cash consideration of $10.5 million was paid for the 60% interest not previously owned by Quaker, with an additional $2.0 million payable in July 2012, subject to certain conditions. As part of the acquisition, Quaker will record a one-time gain in the third quarter of 2011, representing a revaluation of its existing ownership interest in this affiliate.

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 second quarter results is scheduled for July 28, 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