Press Releases
Quaker Chemical Announces Record Sales for 2006 And Substantial Improvement in Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced record sales for the full year 2006 of $460.5 million and net income of $11.7 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared to $424.0 million and net income of $1.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share for 2005.
The Company also reported fourth quarter 2006 sales of $115.5 million and net income of $3.0 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to fourth quarter 2005 sales of $107.1 million and a net loss of $5.4 million, or a $0.56 loss per diluted share.
Prior year results included a $10.3 million pre-tax charge for restructuring and related activities, $4.2 million of pre-tax income from the sale of property by the Company's real estate joint venture, and a $1.0 million tax charge associated with foreign earnings repatriation. All but $1.2 million of these prior year charges were reported in the fourth quarter of last year.
Ronald J. Naples, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our strong 2006 performance continued through the fourth quarter to yield solid revenue and profit gains for both the quarter and the full year. Strong global steel demand, pricing persistency, an expanded presence in China and our commitment to CMS all contributed nicely to a significant improvement in fourth quarter and full year financial performance. I'm pleased to note that our gross margin expanded each quarter through the year despite upward raw material pressure. We also saw benefits from the restructuring actions of 2005 that enabled the redeployment of resources towards higher growth regions and strategic initiatives."
Fourth Quarter 2006 Summary
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2006 were $115.5 million, up 8% from $107.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2005. Foreign exchange rate translation increased revenues by approximately 3% for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the same period in 2005. The remaining increase in net sales was attributable to a combination of higher sales prices and volume growth. Volume growth was mainly attributable to market share growth and increased demand in China partially offset by some softness in our other markets. Selling price increases were broadly implemented across all regions and market segments to offset significantly higher raw material costs.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 32.3% for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 30.2% for the fourth quarter of 2005. Higher selling prices and a stronger performance from the Company's CMS channel helped improve margins, as mineral oil prices stabilized during the fourth quarter. Sequentially, the fourth quarter 2006 gross margin as a percentage of sales represents an improvement over the first, second and third quarter 2006 gross margin percentages of 29.6%, 30.4% and 31.6%, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter increased $3.3 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Planned new spending in higher growth areas was funded by savings from the Company's restructuring program in the fourth quarter of 2005. Higher variable compensation in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to the prior year fourth quarter, was the result of increased earnings. Foreign exchange rates also contributed to an increase in SG&A, compared to the prior year quarter. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company implemented a restructuring plan to significantly reduce operating costs in the U.S. and Europe that resulted in a net pre-tax charge of $9.1 million.
The increase in net interest expense is attributable to higher average borrowings and higher interest rates. The increase in minority interest expense is due to a stronger financial performance from the Company's minority affiliates offset in part by the fourth quarter acquisition of the remaining interest in the Company's China affiliate.
Full Year Summary
Net sales for 2006 were $460.5 million, up 8.6% from $424.0 million for 2005. The increase in net sales was attributable to higher sales prices and volume growth. Volume growth was mainly attributable to market share growth and increased demand in the U.S. and China offset by softening demand in Europe. Selling price increases were broadly implemented across all regions and market segments to offset significantly higher raw material costs.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 31.0% for 2006, as compared to 30.6% for 2005. Higher selling prices and a stronger performance from the Company's CMS channel helped maintain margins notwithstanding continued increases in raw material prices, particularly crude oil derivatives.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2006 increased $4.6 million compared to 2005. Cost savings from restructuring efforts completed in 2005 enabled increased spending in higher growth areas, higher variable compensation and higher professional fees. In addition, due to a legislative change, effective January 1, 2006, the Company recorded a pension gain in the first quarter of 2006 of $0.9 million relating to one of its European pension plans. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased from 27.4% to 26.3%.
Restructuring and other related activities for the full year 2005 included the aforementioned $9.1 million fourth quarter charges, as well as a $1.2 million charge associated with a reduction in workforce in the first quarter of 2005.
The decrease in other income is largely due to $4.2 million of pre-tax gain relating to the Company's real estate joint venture recorded in 2005. The remainder of the decrease was the result of foreign exchange losses in 2006 compared to gains in 2005.
The increase in net interest expense is attributable to higher average borrowings and higher interest rates.
The effective tax rate was 33.8% for 2006 compared to 50.4% in 2005, with the decrease primarily due to the aforementioned tax charge taken in 2005 associated with the repatriation of accumulated foreign earnings.
Minority interest expense decreased due to the acquisition of the remaining 40% interest in the Company's Brazilian affiliate in March of 2005 and the fourth quarter 2006 acquisition of the remaining interest in the Company's China affiliate. Several of the Company's minority affiliates also reported lower earnings.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items
The Company's net debt has increased from December 31, 2005, primarily to fund working capital needs, construction of a new manufacturing and research facility in China, and the fourth quarter 2006 acquisition of the remaining interest in the Company's China affiliate. In addition, fourth quarter 2005 restructuring actions were funded during 2006. The Company's net debt-to- total capital ratio was 40% at December 31, 2006, compared to 35% at December 31, 2005.
In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans," the Company recorded a non-cash charge to shareholders' equity of $9.3 million, which negatively impacted the Company's net debt-to-total capital ratio by approximately two percentage points.
Mr. Naples further commented, "We had a great year in 2006, not only because of our earnings improvement, but also, importantly, because we believe we made strides in strengthening our competitive position. Our investments in manufacturing and research facilities in China, as well as successful recruiting efforts and a buyout of our Chinese joint venture partner, have further solidified our growth platform in this exciting part of the world. We have made substantial in-roads into market adjacencies, such as products for the tube and pipe and the mining industries, and have formed alliances which will enable a broader product slate to complement our strong position in traditional markets. We feel good about our long-term future and about the prospects of continuing solid earnings improvement in 2007."
Quaker Chemical Corporation, headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is a worldwide developer, producer, and marketer of custom-formulated chemical specialty products and a provider of chemical management services for manufacturers around the globe, primarily in the steel and automotive industries.
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.
As previously announced, Quaker Chemical's investor conference call to discuss fourth quarter and year-end results is scheduled for February 28, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. (ET). Access the conference by calling 877-269-7756 or visit Quaker's Web site at www.quakerchem.com for a live webcast.
Quaker Chemical Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share data and share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Net sales $115,527 $107,079 $460,451 $424,033 Cost of goods sold 78,251 74,778 317,850 294,219 Gross margin 37,276 32,301 142,601 129,814 % 32.3% 30.2% 31.0% 30.6% Selling, general and administrative 32,333 29,066 120,969 116,340 Restructuring and related activities, net - 9,088 - 10,320 Operating income 4,943 (5,853) 21,632 3,154 % 4.3% -5.5% 4.7% 0.7% Other income, net 205 251 1,259 6,120 Interest expense, net (1,016) (815) (4,451) (2,659) Income before taxes 4,132 (6,417) 18,440 6,615 Taxes on income 1,166 (899) 6,224 3,336 2,966 (5,518) 12,216 3,279 Equity in net income of associated companies 317 204 773 618 Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries (289) (131) (1,322) (2,209) Net income (loss) $2,994 $(5,445) $11,667 $1,688 % 2.6% -5.1% 2.5% 0.4% Per share data: Net income (loss) - basic $0.30 $(0.56) $1.19 $0.17 Net income (loss) - diluted $0.30 $(0.56) $1.18 $0.17 Shares Outstanding: Basic 9,828,377 9,701,259 9,778,745 9,679,013 Diluted 9,902,451 9,701,259 9,854,100 9,815,585 Quaker Chemical Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Dollars in thousands, except par value and share amounts) (Unaudited) December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $16,062 $16,121 Accounts receivable, net 107,340 93,943 Inventories, net 51,984 45,818 Deferred income taxes 4,379 4,439 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,476 5,672 Total current assets 186,241 165,993 Property, plant and equipment, net 60,927 56,897 Goodwill 38,740 35,418 Other intangible assets, net 8,330 8,703 Investments in associated companies 7,044 6,624 Deferred income taxes 28,573 24,385 Other assets 27,527 33,975 Total assets $357,382 $331,995 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $4,950 $5,094 Accounts payable 54,212 50,832 Dividends payable 2,133 2,091 Accrued compensation 15,225 9,818 Other current liabilities 13,659 19,053 Total current liabilities 90,179 86,888 Long-term debt 85,237 67,410 Deferred income taxes 5,317 4,608 Accrued pension and postretirement benefits 38,430 38,210 Other non-current liabilities 23,353 22,363 Total liabilities 242,516 219,479 Minority interest in equity of subsidiaries 4,035 6,609 Shareholders' equity Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 9,925,976 shares 9,926 9,726 Capital in excess of par value 5,466 3,574 Retained earnings 114,498 111,317 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (19,059) (18,710) Total shareholders' equity 110,831 105,907 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $357,382 $331,995 Quaker Chemical Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the twelve months ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) 2006 2005* Cash flows from operating activities Net income $11,667 1,688 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation 10,136 9,163 Amortization 1,427 1,368 Equity in net income of associated companies, net of dividends (348) (384) Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries 1,322 2,209 Deferred income tax 404 (4,476) Deferred compensation and other, net (507) (747) Stock-based compensation 857 771 Restructuring and related activities - 6,018 Gain on sale of partnership assets - (2,989) (Gain) Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 34 - Insurance settlement realized (544) - Pension and other postretirement benefits (4,247) (439) Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable (8,947) (9,600) Inventories (4,146) (5,821) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (140) 161 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 5,440 15,726 Change in restructuring liabilities (4,033) (2,798) Estimated taxes on income (192) 1,722 Net cash provided by operating activities 8,183 11,572 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures (12,379) (6,989) Payments related to acquisitions (1,684) (6,700) Proceeds from partnership disposition of assets - 2,989 Proceeds from disposition of assets 64 1,918 Insurance settlement received and interest earned 7,836 7,508 Change in restricted cash, net (7,292) (7,508) Net cash used in investing activities (13,455) (8,782) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from short-term debt 1,897 - Net (decrease) increase in short- term borrowings (3,384) (52,703) Proceeds from long-term debt 15,283 59,525 Repayments of long-term debt (940) (9,566) Dividends paid (8,444) (8,340) Stock options exercised, other 1,235 387 Distributions to minority shareholders (1,490) (4,198) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 4,157 (14,895) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,056 (852) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (59) (12,957) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 16,121 29,078 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period $16,062 $16,121 * Certain reclassifications of prior year data have been made to improve comparability
SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation -0- 02/27/2007 /CONTACT: Neal E. Murphy, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Quaker Chemical Corporation, +1-610-832-4189/ /Web site: http://www.quakerchem.com/ (KWR) CO: Quaker Chemical Corporation ST: Pennsylvania IN: CHM FIN SU: ERN CCA CL-JK -- CLTU281 -- 9576 02/27/2007 17:59 EST http://www.prnewswire.com