QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP (KWR) FY 2024 MD&A

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”), the terms “Quaker Houghton,” the “Company,” “we,” and “our” refer to Quaker Chemical Corporation (doing business as Quaker Houghton), its subsidiaries, and associated companies, unless the context otherwise requires.

Executive Summary

Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids. With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world’s most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, container, mining, and metalworking companies. Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge, and customized services. Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the U.S.

Net sales of $1,839.7 million in 2024 decreased 6% compared to $1,953.3 million in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in selling price and product mix of approximately 4%, a decrease in sales volumes of approximately 2%, and an unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of approximately 1%, partially offset by an increase in sales from acquisitions of approximately 1%. The decrease in selling price and product mix was attributable to the impact of our index-based customer contracts and the mix of products and services. The decline in sales volumes was primarily a result of the continuation of soft end market conditions compared to the prior year in the Americas and Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) segments, partially offset by an increase in sales volumes in the Asia/Pacific segment, continued business wins across all segments and a contribution from acquisitions in the EMEA and Asia/Pacific segments.

The Company generated net income of $116.6 million or $6.51 per diluted share in 2024, compared to a net income of $112.7 million or $6.26 per diluted share in 2023. The increase in current year earnings was primarily driven by lower interest expense and lower foreign exchange losses, partially offset by lower operating income. Excluding non-recurring and non-core items, the Company’s current year non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $133.5 million and $7.44, respectively, compared to $137.6 million and $7.65, respectively, in 2023. The decrease in current year non-GAAP earnings was primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by an improvement in gross margins, lower interest expense, and an increase in other income (expense), net. The Company generated adjusted EBITDA of $310.9 million compared to $320.4 million in 2023, a decrease of 3%. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of a decrease in net sales, partially offset by an increase in other income (expense), net. See the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item below.

The Company’s 2024 operating performance in the Americas and EMEA reportable segments reflect similar drivers to that of the Company’s consolidated performance. Operating earnings for the Americas and EMEA segments decreased compared to the prior year, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by an increase in segment operating margins. Asia/Pacific segment operating earnings increased compared to the prior year, primarily driven by an increase in net sales, partially offset by a decrease in segment operating margins. Additional details of each segment’s operating performance are further discussed in the Company’s reportable segments review, in the Operations section of this Item 7, below.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $204.6 million in 2024 compared to $279.0 million in 2023. The decrease in net operating cash flows was primarily driven by a reduction in cash inflow from working capital in the current year. The key drivers of the Company’s operating cash flow and overall liquidity are further discussed in the Company’s Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 7, below.

Overall, the Company’s results in 2024 reflect the Company’s continued execution on its financial and operational priorities despite a continuation of soft end market conditions that have impacted the Company’s customers. Looking ahead to 2025, we believe Quaker Houghton is well positioned to continue to deliver above market growth rates through new business wins, by delivering value-added solutions and services to its customers. The Company expects to continue to advance its enterprise growth strategy, including investing in its long-term growth initiatives, further strengthening its focus on customer intimacy, progressing with its sustainability program and positioning the Company to deliver earnings growth in 2025 and beyond.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Quaker Houghton’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based on its consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer sales incentives, product returns, credit losses, inventories, property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”), investments, goodwill, intangible assets, income taxes, business combinations, and restructuring. These estimates reflect historical experience as well as our best judgment about current and/or future economic and market conditions and their effects and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable based on currently available information, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. However, actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

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Quaker Houghton believes the following critical accounting policies describe the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

Accounts receivable and inventory exposures: The Company establishes allowances for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers was to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. As part of our terms of trade, we may custom manufacture products for certain large customers and/or may ship products on a consignment basis. Further, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from sales to customers in industries where companies have previously experienced financial difficulties. If a significant customer bankruptcy occurs, then we must judge the amount of proceeds, if any, that may ultimately be received through the bankruptcy or liquidation process. These matters may increase the Company’s exposure should a bankruptcy occur and may require a write down or a disposal of certain inventory as well as the failure to collect receivables. Reserves for customers filing for bankruptcy protection are established based on a percentage of the amount of receivables outstanding at the bankruptcy filing date. However, initially establishing this reserve and the amount thereof is dependent on the Company’s evaluation of likely proceeds to be received from the bankruptcy process, which could result in the Company recognizing minimal or no reserve at the date of bankruptcy. We generally reserve for large and/or financially distressed customers on a specific review basis, while a general reserve is maintained for other customers based on historical experience. The Company’s consolidated allowance for credit losses was $13.6 million and $13.3 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recorded expense to increase its provision for credit losses by $2.1 million, $1.3 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Tax exposures, uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances: The Company records expenses and liabilities for taxes based on estimates of amounts that will be determined as deductible or taxable in tax returns filed in various jurisdictions. The filed tax returns are subject to audit, which often occur several years subsequent to the date of the financial statements. Disputes or disagreements may arise during audits over the timing or validity of certain items, such as taxable income or deductions, which may not be resolved for extended periods of time. The Company also evaluates uncertain tax positions on all income tax positions taken on previously filed tax returns or expected to be taken on a future tax return in accordance with FIN 48, which prescribes the recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return and, also, whether the benefits of tax positions are probable or if they are more likely than not to be sustained upon audit based upon the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are determined to be more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, the Company recognizes the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not determined to be more likely than not sustained upon audit, the Company does not recognize any portion of the benefit in its financial statements. In addition, the Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Also, the Company nets its liability for unrecognized tax benefits against deferred tax assets related to net operating losses or other tax credit carryforward on the basis that the uncertain tax position is settled for the presumed amount at the balance sheet date.

The Company also records valuation allowances when necessary to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and assesses the need for a valuation allowance, in the event Quaker Houghton were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. Both determinations could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. Tax Reform”), the Company recorded a $15.5 million transition tax liability for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024, $11.6 million in installments have been paid with the remaining $3.9 million to be paid in 2025. However, the Company may also be subject to other taxes, such as withholding taxes and dividend distribution taxes, if certain undistributed earnings are ultimately remitted to the U.S. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has a deferred tax liability of $8.4 million, which primarily represents the estimate of the non-U.S. taxes the Company will incur to remit certain previously taxed earnings to the U.S. It is the Company’s current intention to reinvest its future undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries to support working capital needs and certain other growth initiatives outside of the U.S. The amount of such undistributed earnings at December 31, 2024 was approximately $359.8 million. Any tax liability which might result from ultimate remittance of these earnings is expected to be substantially offset by foreign tax credits (subject to certain limitations), however, certain withholding taxes could apply. It is currently impractical to estimate any such incremental tax expense. See Note 10, Income Taxes, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets: The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. This method requires the recording of acquired assets, including separately identifiable intangible assets, at their acquisition date fair values. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The determination of the estimated fair value of assets acquired requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to projected revenue growth rates, gross margins, and operating margins, the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), royalty rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. When necessary, the Company consults with external advisors to help determine fair value. For non-observable market values, the Company may determine fair value using acceptable valuation principles, including the excess earnings, relief from royalty, lost profit or cost methods.

The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives are not amortized and are required to be assessed at least annually for impairment. The Company completes its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if triggering events indicate a possible impairment. The Company’s consolidated goodwill at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $518.9 million and $512.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had indefinite-lived intangible assets for trademarks and intangibles totaling $185.3 million and $193.2 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $93.0 million to write down the carrying value of the EMEA reporting unit goodwill to its estimated fair values. In connection with the Company’s reorganization and the associated change in reportable segments and reporting units during the first quarter of 2023, the Company performed the required impairment assessments directly before and immediately after the change in reporting units and concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of any of the Company’s previous or new reporting units were less than their respective carrying amounts. Additionally, the Company completed its annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2023 and October 1, 2024 and concluded in each case that no impairment existed.

In completing the annual impairment assessment, the Company used a WACC assumption of approximately 10.5% and holding all other assumptions constant, the WACC would have to increase by approximately 2.6 percentage points before the Company’s EMEA reporting unit’s remaining goodwill would be impaired. In addition, holding EBITDA margins and all other assumptions constant, the Company’s compound annual revenue growth rate during the entire projection period would need to decline by approximately 1.9 percentage points before the Company’s EMEA reporting unit’s remaining goodwill would be impaired. Similarly, holding revenue growth rates and all other assumptions constant, the Company’s average EBITDA margins throughout the discreet projection period would need to decline by approximately 9.8 percentage points before the Company’s EMEA reporting unit’s remaining goodwill would be impaired.

The Company continually evaluates financial performance, economic conditions and other recent developments in assessing if a triggering event indicates that the carrying value of goodwill, indefinite-lived, or long-lived assets might be impaired. Notwithstanding the results of the Company’s impairment assessments during 2023 and 2024, if the Company is unable to maintain the actions aimed at improving the financial performance of the EMEA reporting unit, or interest rates rise, which leads to an increase in the cost of capital, then these conditions could result in a triggering event for the EMEA reporting unit. This assessment could result in an impairment of the EMEA reporting unit’s remaining goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, or long-lived assets. See Note 15, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Pension and Postretirement benefits: The Company provides certain defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits to current employees, former employees and retirees. Independent actuaries, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, perform the required valuations to determine benefit expense and, if necessary, non-cash charges to equity for additional minimum pension liabilities. Critical assumptions used in the actuarial valuation include the weighted average discount rate, which is based on applicable yield curve data, including the use of a split discount rate (spot-rate approach) for the U.S. plans and certain foreign plans, rates of increase in compensation levels, and expected long-term rates of return on assets.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 3, Recently Issued Accounting Standards, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information for a discussion regarding recently adopted accounting standards and recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $188.9 million and $194.5 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Cash held by subsidiaries in foreign countries was approximately $180.6 million and $177.1 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $5.6 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents was the net result of $204.6 million of cash provided by operating activities, largely offset by $122.7 million of cash used in financing activities, $76.4 million of cash used in investing activities, and an unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation of approximately $11.1 million.

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Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $204.6 million in 2024 compared to $279.0 million in 2023. The decrease in net operating cash flow year-over-year reflects a decrease in cash inflow from working capital, notably due to an approximately $53.0 million decrease in cash flow associated with inventory, as inventory purchases returned to normalized levels after inventory reductions in 2023 due to customer destocking.

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $76.4 million in 2024 compared to $27.6 million in 2023. The increase in cash used in investing activities year-over-year is primarily the result of $39.3 million of payments in the current year related to the acquisitions of the Sutai Group (“Sutai”) and I.K.V. Tribologie IKVT and its subsidiaries (“IKV”), a $3.0 million increase in capital expenditures, and a reduction of proceeds from asset dispositions of $6.5 million. See Note 2, Business Combinations, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about business acquisitions.

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $122.7 million in 2024 compared to $238.6 million in 2023. The decrease in net cash outflows was primarily related to $17.9 million of net borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility in the current year compared to $164.8 million of net repayments in the prior year. This was offset by payments of approximately $49.2 million for repurchases of the Company’s common stock under its share repurchase program in the current year and payments of $57.2 million to reduce long-term debt in the current year, an $18.3 million increase compared to the prior year. In addition, the Company paid $33.2 million of cash dividends to shareholders during 2024, a $1.5 million increase compared to the prior year.

During June 2022, the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Quaker Houghton B.V., as borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, U.S. Dollar swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, Bank of America Europe Designated Active Company, as Euro Swing Line Lender, certain guarantors and other lenders entered into an amendment to its primary credit facility (the “ Original Credit Facility”). The amended credit facility (“Credit Facility”) established (A) a new $150.0 million Euro equivalent senior secured term loan (the “Euro Term Loan”), (B) a new $600.0 million senior secured term loan (the “U.S. Term Loan”), and (C) a new $500.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), each maturing in June 2027. The Company has the right to increase the amount of the Credit Facility by an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $300.0 million or 100% of Consolidated EBITDA, subject to certain conditions including the agreement to provide financing by any lender providing such increase. In addition, the Credit Facility also:

(i) eliminated the requirement that material foreign subsidiaries must guaranty the Original Euro Term Loan;

(ii) replaced the U.S. Dollar borrowings reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR;

(iii) extended the maturity date of the Original Credit Facility from August 2024 to June 2027; and

(iv) effected other less significant changes to the Original Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had Credit Facility borrowings outstanding of $696.5 million. The Company’s other debt obligations are primarily industrial development bonds, bank lines of credit and municipality-related loans, which totaled $11.8 million as of December 31, 2024. Total unused capacity under these arrangements as of December 31, 2024 was approximately $32.9 million. The Company’s total net debt as of December 31, 2024 was $519.4 million, which consists of total borrowings of $708.3 million less cash and cash equivalents of $188.9 million. The Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default. Financial covenants contained in the Credit Facility include a consolidated interest coverage ratio test and a consolidated net leverage ratio test. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of the Credit Facility covenants. Refer to the description of the Company’s primary Credit Facility in Note 19, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about the covenants and events of default.

The weighted average variable interest rate incurred on the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was approximately 6.1%. As of December 31, 2024, the interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility was approximately 5.2%. As part of the Credit Facility, the Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from 0.150% to 0.275% related to unutilized commitments under the Revolver, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio. The Company had unused capacity under the Revolver of approximately $448.7 million, which is net of bank letters of credit of approximately $2.4 million, as of December 31, 2024.

In order to manage the Company’s exposure to variable interest rate risk associated with the Credit Facility, in the first quarter of 2023, the Company entered into $300.0 million notional amounts of three-year interest rate swaps to convert a portion of the Company’s variable rate borrowings into an average fixed rate obligation of 3.64% plus an applicable margin as provided in the Credit Facility based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2024, the aggregate interest rate on the swaps, including the fixed base rate plus the applicable margin, was 4.9%. See Note 24, Hedging Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

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In connection with executing the Credit Facility, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $6.8 million in Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during the year ended December 31, 2022. The loss on extinguishment of debt included the write-off of certain previously unamortized deferred financing costs as well as a portion of the third-party and creditor debt issuance costs incurred to execute the Credit Facility. The Company capitalized third-party and credit debt issuance costs attributed to the Euro Term Loan, U.S. Term Loan and Revolver in connection to the amended Credit Facility during the second quarter of 2022. Capitalized costs attributed to the Euro Term Loan and U.S. Term Loan are recorded as a direct offset to Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized costs attributed to the Revolver are recorded within Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These capitalized costs will collectively be amortized into Interest expense over the five year term of the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had $1.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs recorded as a reduction of Long-term debt and $2.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs recorded within Other assets.

The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts to economically hedge the impact of the variability in exchange rates on certain assets and/or liabilities denominated in certain foreign currencies. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company entered into and settled forward contracts resulting in other expense of $2.0 million compared to other income of $2.1 million in the prior year. See Note 24, Hedging Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

During 2022, the Company’s management initiated a global cost and optimization program to improve its cost structure and drive a more profitable and productive organization. The Company has achieved its initial full run-rate cost savings goal from the global cost and optimization program of approximately $20 million. In the first quarter of 2025, the Company approved additional actions under the program, which are expected to generate additional run-rate cost savings of at least $20 million. The program is expected to be substantially complete in the first half of 2025. The Company recognized $6.5 million, $7.6 million and $3.2 million of restructuring and related charges for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as a result of these programs and other facility closure actions. The Company made cash payments related to the settlement of restructuring liabilities under the program of $7.6 million and $9.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company expects total one-time cash costs of this program to be approximately 1 to 1.5 times annualized savings. See Note 7, Restructuring and Related Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s gross liability for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, was $17.3 million. The Company cannot determine a reliable estimate of the timing of cash flows by period related to its uncertain tax position liability. However, should the entire liability be paid, the amount of the payment may be reduced by up to $5.6 million as a result of offsetting benefits in other tax jurisdictions. See Note 10, Income Taxes, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

On February 28, 2024, the Board approved a new share repurchase program (“2024 Share Repurchase Program”), authorizing the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $150 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock and replacing the prior share repurchase program, under which no repurchases were made in 2024. The 2024 Share Repurchase Program was effective immediately upon approval and has no expiration date. The Company made certain repurchases under the 2024 Repurchase Program during the year ended December 31, 2024, as mentioned above. As of December 31, 2024, there was approximately $100.8 million of capacity remaining under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program. See Note 8, Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

The Company previously disclosed in its 2023 Form 10-K that one of its North American production facilities experienced an electrical fire in 2021 that resulted in property damage and the temporary shutdown of production. The Company and its insurance carrier reviewed the impact of the electrical fire on the production facility’s operations as it relates to a potential business interruption insurance claim. In July 2024, the Company and its insurance carrier settled this claim for $1.0 million. See Note 25, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

The Company believes that its existing cash, anticipated cash flows from operations and available liquidity will be sufficient to support its operating requirements and fund its business objectives for at least the next twelve months, including but not limited to, payments of dividends to shareholders, share repurchases, capital expenditures, other growth opportunities (including potential acquisitions), pension plan contributions, implementing actions to achieve the Company’s sustainability goals and other potential known or anticipated contingencies. The Company also believes it has sufficient additional liquidity to support its operating requirements and to fund its business obligations for the period beyond the next twelve months, including the aforementioned items which are expected to recur annually, as well as future principal and interest payments on the Company’s Credit Facility, tax obligations and other long-term liabilities. The Company’s liquidity is affected by many factors, some based on normal operations of our business and others related to the impact of global events on our business and on global economic conditions as well as industry uncertainties, which we cannot predict. We also cannot predict economic conditions and industry downturns or the timing, strength or duration of recoveries. We may seek, as we believe appropriate, additional debt or equity financing that would provide capital for corporate purposes, working capital funding, additional liquidity needs or to fund future growth opportunities, including possible acquisitions and organic investments. The timing and amount of potential capital requirements cannot be determined at this time and will depend on a number of factors, including the actual and projected demand for our products, specialty chemical industry conditions, competitive factors, and the condition of financial markets, among others.

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The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods. Pension and postretirement plan contributions beyond 2025 are not determinable since the amount of any contribution is heavily dependent on the future economic environment and investment returns on pension trust assets. The timing of payments related to other long-term liabilities which consists primarily of deferred compensation agreements and environmental reserves, also cannot be readily determined due to their uncertainty. Interest obligations on the Company’s long-term debt and capital leases assume the current debt levels will be outstanding for the entire respective period and apply the interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2024.

Non-GAAP Measures

The information in this Report includes non-GAAP (unaudited) financial information that includes EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share. 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, facilitate a comparison among fiscal periods, and exclude items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or 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. In addition, our definitions of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP earnings per share, as discussed and reconciled below to the most comparable GAAP measures, may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies.

The Company presents EBITDA which is calculated as net income attributable to the Company before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, and taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies. The Company also presents adjusted EBITDA which is calculated as EBITDA plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or not considered core to the Company’s operations. In addition, the Company presents non-GAAP operating income which is calculated as operating income plus or minus certain items that management believes are not indicative of future operating performance or considers core to the Company’s operations. Adjusted EBITDA margin and non-GAAP operating margin are calculated as the percentage of adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP operating income to consolidated net sales, respectively. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide transparent and useful information and are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors in our industry as well as by management in assessing the operating performance of the Company on a consistent basis.

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Additionally, the Company presents non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share as additional performance measures. Non-GAAP net income is calculated as adjusted EBITDA, defined above, less depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, and taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies, in each case adjusted, as applicable, for any depreciation, amortization, interest or tax impacts resulting from the non-core items identified in the reconciliation of net income attributable to the Company to adjusted EBITDA. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share is calculated as non-GAAP net income per diluted share as accounted for under the “two-class share method.” The Company believes that non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share provide transparent and useful information and are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors in our industry as well as by management in assessing the performance of the Company on a consistent basis.

Certain of the prior period non-GAAP financial measures presented in the following tables have been adjusted to conform with current period presentation. The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures (unaudited) to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures (dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted, except per share amounts):

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(a)Acquisition-related expenses (credits) include expense associated with the Company's recent and potential acquisitions, including legal, financial, consulting and other costs. For the year ended December 31, 2022, these amounts also include costs incurred in connection with integration activities relating to the Houghton acquisition. See Note 2, Business Combinations, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(b)Restructuring and related charges, net represent the costs incurred by the Company associated with the Company’s restructuring program and facility closures. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded restructuring and related charges of $6.5 million, $7.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively. See Note 7, Restructuring and Related Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(c)Strategic planning (credits) expenses include certain consultant and advisory expenses for the Company's long-term strategic planning, as well as process optimization and the next phase of the Company's long-term integration to further optimize its footprint, processes and other functions.

(d)Executive transition costs represent the costs related to the Company’s transition of executive officers.

(e)Customer insolvency costs represent charges associated with specific reserves for trade accounts receivable within the Company’s EMEA and America’s reportable segments related to two specific customers that filed for bankruptcy protection.

(f)Facility remediation recoveries, net represent insurance recoveries received for remediation and restoration of property damage to certain of the Company’s facilities and are recorded in Other income (expense). There were no gains recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024. See Note 25, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(g)Product liability claim costs, net represents expenses related to the payments by the Company in connection with product liability disputes with customers, net of insurance recoveries during 2024. See Note 9, Other Income (Expense), net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(h)Equity income (loss) in a captive insurance company represents the after-tax income attributable to the Company’s equity interest in Primex, Ltd. (“Primex”), a captive insurance company. The Company holds a 32% investment in and has significant influence over Primex, and therefore accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. See Note 16, Investments in Associated Companies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(i)Business interruption insurance proceeds reflects an insurance claim settlement receipt for the for the year ended December 31, 2024 related to production losses due to an electrical fire in 2021 that resulted in the temporary shutdown of production at one of the Company’s production facilities. See Note 25, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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(j)Currency conversion impacts of hyper-inflationary economies represent the foreign currency remeasurement impacts associated with the Company’s affiliates in Argentina and Türkiye whose local economies are designated as hyper-inflationary under U.S. GAAP. These pre-tax foreign currency remeasurement impacts are not deductible for tax purposes for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and 2022. The charges incurred related to the immediate recognition of foreign currency remeasurement in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(k)Impairment charges represent the non-cash charges taken to write down the value of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2022. See Note 15, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(l)Expenses related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict represent the direct costs associated with the Company's exit of operations in Russia during 2022. These costs included employee separation benefits, as well as costs associated with reserves for trade accounts receivable within the Company's EMEA reportable segment, where certain customers were impacted by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine or the Company's decision to end operations in Russia.

(m)In connection with executing the Credit Facility, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $6.8 million which includes the write-off of certain previously unamortized deferred financing costs as well as a portion of the third-party and creditor debt issuance costs incurred to execute the Credit Facility. See Note 19, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(n)Other charges (credits) include charges incurred by an inactive subsidiary of the Company as a result of the termination of restrictions on insurance settlement reserves, non-service components of the Company’s pension and postretirement net periodic benefit income and expense and net gains recognized for the sale of certain facilities previously classified as held-for-sale. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, Note 7, Restructuring and Related Activities, and Note 20, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(o)The impacts of certain discrete tax items include certain impacts of tax law changes, valuation allowance adjustments, uncertain tax positions, provision to return and other adjustments, and the impact of certain intercompany asset transfers. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the impacts also included $6.7 million of withholding taxes for the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings. See Note 10, Income Taxes, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(p)Depreciation and amortization includes $1.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, of amortization expense recorded within equity in net income of associated companies in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, which is attributable to amortization of the fair value purchase accounting step-up in connection with acquisition of the Company’s 50% equity interest in Korea Houghton Corporation.

(q)Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies – adjusted presents the impact of any current and deferred income tax expense (benefit), as applicable, of the reconciling items presented in the reconciliation of net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation to adjusted EBITDA and was determined utilizing the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which these adjustments occurred, subject to deductibility.

(r)The Company calculates adjusted EBITDA margin and non-GAAP operating margin as the percentage of adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP operating income, respectively, to consolidated net sales.

(s)The Company calculates non-GAAP earnings per diluted share as non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company per weighted average diluted shares outstanding using the “two-class share method” to calculate such in each given period.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company had approximately $6 million of bank letters of credit and guarantees as of December 31, 2024. The bank letters of credit and guarantees are not significant to the Company’s liquidity or capital resources.

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Operations

Consolidated Operations Review – Comparison of 2024 with 2023

The following table summarizes the sales variances by reportable segment and consolidated operations from the prior year:

Net sales of $1,839.7 million in 2024 decreased 6% compared to $1,953.3 million in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in selling price and product mix of approximately 4%, a decrease in sales volumes of approximately 2%, and unfavorable impacts from foreign currency translation of approximately 1%, partially offset by an increase in sales from acquisitions of approximately 1%. The decrease in selling price and product mix was primarily attributable to the impact of our index-based customer contracts and the mix of products and services. The decline in sales volumes was primarily a result of continuation of soft end market conditions compared to the prior year, primarily in the Americas and EMEA segments, partially offset by an increase in sales volumes in the Asia/Pacific segment, continued business wins across all segments and a contribution from acquisitions in the EMEA and Asia/Pacific segments.

Cost of goods sold (“COGS”) were $1,153.7 million in 2024 compared to $1,247.7 million in 2023. The decrease of COGS of $94.0 million, or 8%, reflects lower spend on the decline in current year sales volumes and a modest decline in the Company’s global raw material costs.

Gross profit was $686.0 million in 2024 compared to $705.6 million in 2023, a decrease of approximately $19.6 million, or 3%, primarily as a result of the decline in sales mentioned above, partially offset by a modest reduction in the Company’s global raw material costs. The Company’s reported gross margin in 2024 was 37.3% compared to 36.1% in 2023. The Company’s current year improvement in gross margin was primarily driven by our value-based pricing model and modest improvements in raw material costs.

SG&A was $484.8 million in 2024 compared to $483.6 million in 2023, an increase of $1.2 million, or 0.3%, primarily as a result of higher executive transition costs, higher customer insolvency costs, and SG&A relating to the IKV and Sutai acquisitions, partially offset by lower strategic planning expenses and favorable foreign currency translation compared to the prior year.

The Company incurred Restructuring and related charges of $6.5 million and $7.6 million during 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to reductions in headcount and facility closure costs under the Company’s restructuring program. See the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item above and Note 7, Restructuring and Related Activities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Operating income in 2024 was $194.7 million compared to $214.5 million in 2023. Excluding non-core items that are not indicative of future operating performance, as detailed above, the Company’s current year non-GAAP operating income was $213.7 million compared to $227.8 million in the prior year. The decrease in non-GAAP operating income was primarily due to lower gross profit, as described above.

The Company had Other income, net of $1.4 million in 2024 compared to Other expense, net of $10.7 million in 2023 due to lower foreign exchange losses of $1.8 million in the current year compared to losses of $14.8 million in the prior year. Additionally, the Company had higher non-income tax refunds of $3.7 million in the current year compared to non-income tax refunds of $1.3 million in the prior year. Other income, net in 2024 also included a business interruption insurance recovery of $1.0 million, other income of $0.4 million relating to adjustments to the earnout provisions for the Sutai acquisition, and $2.0 million of product liability claim costs. Prior year’s Other expense, net included $2.1 million of facility remediation recoveries, net.

Interest expense, net, of $41.0 million decreased $9.7 million in 2024 compared to $50.7 million in 2023, primarily as a result of lower outstanding borrowings and decreases in interest rates.

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The Company’s effective tax rates for 2024 and 2023 were 31.8% and 36.3%, respectively. The Company’s current year effective tax rate was primarily impacted by the mix of pre-tax earnings, certain one-time charges related to an intercompany intangible asset transfer, provision to return and other adjustments, and withholding taxes, offset by changes in uncertain tax positions. The Company’s 2023 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by changes to the valuation allowance for and the usage of certain foreign tax credits, withholding taxes and deferred taxes on unremitted earnings, and the mix of pre-tax earnings. Excluding the impact of all non-core items in each year, described in the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item, above, the Company estimates that the 2024 and 2023 effective tax rates would have been approximately 29% and 28%, respectively. In 2023, the Company recognized $6.7 million of withholding taxes for the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings that the Company does not believe is core or indicative of future performance and has adjusted these withholding taxes as a Non-GAAP measure. The Company may experience continued volatility in its effective tax rates due to several factors, including the timing of tax audits and the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations as they relate to uncertain tax positions, the unpredictability of the timing and amount of certain incentives in various tax jurisdictions, and the timing and amount of certain share-based compensation-related tax benefits, among other factors. In addition, the foreign tax credit valuation allowance, or absence thereof, is based on a number of variables, including forecasted earnings, which may vary.

Equity in net income of associated companies was $11.0 million in 2024 compared to $15.3 million in 2023. The decrease of $4.3 million was primarily due to lower current year income from the Company’s 50% equity interest in a joint venture in Korea offset by higher current year income from the Company’s equity interest in Primex.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest was approximately $0.1 million for both 2024 and 2023.

Consolidated Operations Review – Comparison of 2023 with 2022

The following table summarizes sales variances by segment and consolidated operations from the prior year:

Net sales were a record $1,953.3 million in 2023 compared to $1,943.6 million in 2022. The increase in net sales of approximately $9.7 million or 1% year-over-year was primarily due to an increase in selling price and product mix of 7% and approximately 1% favorable impact of foreign currency translations, partially offset by a decline in sales volumes of approximately 7%. The increase in selling price and product mix was primarily driven by year-over-year impact of our value-based pricing initiatives. The decline in sales volumes was primarily attributable to softer end market conditions across all regions, including the direct and indirect impacts of the UAW strike, the Company’s value-based pricing initiatives and customer order patterns, as well as the impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine in the EMEA segment, and the wind-down of the tolling agreement for products previously divested related to the Quaker combination with Houghton International, Inc. (“Houghton”), partially offset by new business wins in all segments, as mentioned above.

COGS were $1,247.7 million in 2023 compared to $1,330.9 million in 2022. The decrease in COGS of 6% reflects lower spend on the decline in current year sales volumes, which more than offset higher costs due to inflationary pressures in the Company’s global raw material, manufacturing and supply chain and logistics costs compared to the prior year.

Gross profit in 2023 of $705.6 million increased $93.0 million or approximately 15% from 2022. The Company’s reported gross margin in 2023 was 36.1% compared to 31.5% in 2022. The Company’s current year improvement in gross margin was primarily driven by the year-over-year impact of our value-based pricing and margin improvement initiatives.

SG&A in 2023 increased $28.2 million compared to 2022 driven by higher labor-related costs including year-over-year inflationary increases and higher levels of incentive compensation on improved Company performance, partially offset by lower SG&A due to foreign currency translation compared to the prior year.

During 2022, the Company incurred $8.8 million of Acquisition-related expenses (credits). See the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item, above. There were no similar costs incurred during 2023.

The Company incurred Restructuring and related charges of $7.6 million and $3.2 million during 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to the Company’s previous and current restructuring programs. See the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item, above.

In 2022, the Company recorded a $93.0 million non-cash impairment charge to write down the value of goodwill associated with the Company’s EMEA reportable segment. This non-cash impairment charge was the result of the Company’s trigger based fourth quarter of 2022 impairment assessment. There were no similar impairment charges in 2023. See the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section as well as the Non-GAAP Measures section, of this Item, above.

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Operating income in 2023 was $214.5 million compared to $52.3 million in 2022. Excluding the non-cash impairment charge, as well as other non-core items that are not indicative of future operating performance, the Company’s current year non-GAAP operating income was $227.8 million compared to $177.9 million in the prior year. The increase in non-GAAP operating income was primarily due to higher gross profit partially offset by higher SG&A, as described above.

The Company had Other expense, net of $10.7 million in 2023 compared to $12.6 million in 2022. The 2023 and 2022 results include $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively of facility remediation recoveries, net, while prior year’s Other expense, net also includes $6.8 million of loss on extinguishment of debt related to the Company’s refinancing the Original Credit Facility and $2.4 million of expense related to an indemnification asset. Also, there were higher foreign currency transaction losses in 2023 compared to 2022.

Interest expense, net, increased $18.1 million compared to 2022, primarily driven by increases in the average borrowings outstanding coupled with an increase in interest rates year-over-year as the weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings under the Company’s primary credit facility was approximately 6.2% during 2023 compared to approximately 3.0% during 2022.

The Company’s effective tax rates for 2023 and 2022 were an expense of 36.3% and 350.2%, respectively. The Company’s 2023 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by changes to the valuation allowance for and the usage of certain foreign tax credits, withholding taxes and deferred taxes on unremitted earnings, and the mix of pre-tax earnings. The Company’s 2022 effective tax rate was driven by the non-cash impairment charge, the mix of pre-tax earnings, foreign tax inclusions and withholding taxes, partially offset by a reduction in reserves for uncertain tax positions and changes in the valuation allowance for foreign tax credits. Excluding the impact of all non-core items in each year, described in the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item, above, the Company estimates that the 2023 and 2022 effective tax rates would have been approximately 28% and 27%, respectively. In 2023, the Company recognized $6.7 million of withholding taxes for the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings that the Company does not believe is core or indicative of future performance and has adjusted these withholding taxes as a Non-GAAP measure. The Company may experience continued volatility in its effective tax rates due to several factors, including the timing of tax audits and the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations as they relate to uncertain tax positions, the unpredictability of the timing and amount of certain incentives in various tax jurisdictions, and the timing and amount of certain share-based compensation-related tax benefits, among other factors. In addition, the foreign tax credit valuation allowance, or absence thereof, is based on a number of variables, including forecasted earnings, which may vary.

Equity in net income of associated companies increased $13.4 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to higher current year income from the Company’s interest in a captive insurance company (see the Non-GAAP Measures section of this Item, above) due to higher market performance on equity investments and from the Company’s 50% interest in a joint venture in Korea due to overall market improvement.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest was approximately $0.1 million for both 2023 and 2022.

Reportable Segments Review - Comparison of 2024 with 2023

The Company’s reportable segments reflect the structure of the Company’s internal organization, the method by which the Company’s resources are allocated and the manner by which the Chief Operating Decision Maker of the Company assesses its performance. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company reorganized certain of its executive management team to align with its new business structure, which reflects the method by which the Company currently assesses its performance and allocates its resources. The Company has three reportable segments: (i) Americas; (ii) EMEA; and (iii) Asia/Pacific. See Notes 1, 4, 5, and 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.

Segment operating earnings for each of the Company’s reportable segments are comprised of the segment’s net sales less directly related product costs and other operating expenses. Operating expenses not directly attributable to the net sales of each respective segment, such as certain corporate and administrative costs, impairment charges, and restructuring charges, are not included in segment operating earnings. Other items not specifically identified with the Company’s reportable segments include Interest expense, net and Other income (expense), net.

Americas

Americas represented approximately 48% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2024. The segment’s net sales were $882.1 million, a decrease of $95.0 million or 10% compared to 2023. This was driven by a decline in sales volumes of 5%, a decline in selling price and product mix of 4% and unfavorable foreign currency impacts of 1%. The decline in sales volumes was primarily driven by softer market conditions broadly across the portfolio, partially offset by new business wins. The decline in selling price and product mix was primarily attributable to the impact of our index-based customer contacts and the mix of products and services. The unfavorable foreign exchange impact was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso and Brazilian real. Segment operating earnings in the Americas were $244.0 million, a decrease of $22.1 million or 8% compared to 2023 primarily driven by the decrease in net sales, partially offset by an improvement in segment operating margins driven by the Company’s margin improvement initiatives.

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EMEA

EMEA represented approximately 29% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2024. The segment’s net sales were $536.4 million, a decrease of $34.9 million or 6% compared to 2023. This was driven by a decline in sales volumes of 5% and a decline in selling price and product mix of 4%, partially offset by a contribution of sales from the acquisition of IKV of 3%. The decline in sales volumes was driven by the continuation of soft end market conditions in the region, partially offset by new business wins. The decline in selling price and product mix was primarily attributable to the impact of our index-based customer contracts and the mix of products and services. Segment operating earnings in EMEA were $99.4 million, a decrease of $5.4 million or 5% compared to 2023 primarily driven by the decrease in net sales, partially offset by an improvement in segment operating margins driven by the Company’s margin improvement initiatives.

Asia/Pacific

Asia/Pacific represented approximately 23% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2024. The segment’s net sales were $421.1 million, an increase of 4% or approximately $16.2 million compared to 2023. This was driven by an increase in sales volumes of 7%, a contribution of sales from the acquisition of Sutai of 2%, partially offset by a decline in selling price and product mix of 3% and unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 2%. The increase in sales volumes was primarily driven by new business wins coupled with a modest improvement in the end market environment. The decline in selling price and product mix was primarily attributable to the impact of our index-based customer contracts and mix of products and services. The unfavorable foreign currency translation was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Chinese renminbi. Segment operating earnings in Asia/Pacific were $122.7 million, an increase of $4.3 million, or 4%, compared to 2023 as a result of improvement in net sales, partially offset by a decrease in segment operating margins.

Reportable Segments Review – Comparison of 2023 with 2022

Americas

Americas represented approximately 50% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2023. The segment’s net sales were $977.1 million, an increase of $30.6 million or 3% compared to 2022. The increase in net sales was due to higher selling price and product mix of 8% and favorable foreign currency impacts of 1%, partially offset by a decrease in sales volumes of approximately 6%. The decline in sales volumes was primarily driven by softer market conditions, customer order patterns, the direct and indirect impacts of the UAW strike, and the Company’s value-based pricing initiatives, partially offset by new business wins. The increase in selling price and product mix was primarily driven by value-based price increases implemented to offset the significant increases in raw material, manufacturing and other input costs. The favorable foreign exchange impact was primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso. This segment’s operating earnings were $266.0 million, an increase of $42.4 million or 19% compared to 2022 primarily driven by an increase in net sales and an improvement in segment operating margins driven by the Company’s ongoing margin improvement initiatives.

EMEA

EMEA represented approximately 29% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2023. The segment’s net sales were $571.3 million, an increase of $8.8 million or 2% compared to 2022. The increase in net sales was a result of a 9% increase in selling price and a favorable impact from foreign currency translation of 2%, which was partially offset by a decrease in sales volumes of approximately 9%. The increase in selling price and product mix was primarily driven by value-based price increases implemented to offset the significant increases in raw material, manufacturing and other input costs. The favorable foreign currency translation impact was primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro. The decrease in sales volumes was primarily driven by softer market conditions, the Company’s value-based pricing initiatives, customer order patterns and the impacts of the wind-down of the tolling agreement for products previously divested related to the Combination as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine, partially offset by new business wins. This segment’s operating earnings were $104.8 million, an increase of $28.4 million or 37% compared to 2022. The increase in segment operating earnings was primarily driven by an increase in net sales and an improvement in segment operating margins driven by the Company’s ongoing margin improvement initiatives.

Asia/Pacific

Asia/Pacific represented approximately 21% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2023. The segment’s net sales were $404.9 million, a decrease of 7% or approximately $29.7 million compared to 2022. The decrease in net sales was a result of lower sales volumes of 7% and an unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 4%, partially offset by a 4% increase in selling price and product mix. The decrease in sales volumes was primarily driven by softer end market conditions and the impacts of the Company’s value-based pricing initiatives, partially offset by new business wins. The increase in selling price and product mix was primarily driven by value-based price increases implemented to offset the significant increases in raw material, manufacturing and other input costs. The unfavorable foreign exchange impact was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Chinese renminbi. This segment’s operating earnings were $118.5 million, an increase of $12.6 million or 12% compared to 2022 as a result of higher gross margins reflecting the Company’s value-based pricing initiatives and the Company’s ongoing margin improvement initiatives.

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Environmental Clean-up Activities

The Company is involved in environmental clean-up activities in connection with an existing plant location and former waste disposal sites. This includes certain soil and groundwater contamination the Company identified in 1992 at AC Products, Inc. (“ACP”), a wholly owned subsidiary. In voluntary coordination with the Santa Ana California Regional Water Quality Board, ACP has been remediating the contamination, the principal contaminant of which is perchloroethylene (“PERC”). In 2004, the Orange County Water District (“OCWD”) filed a civil complaint against ACP and other parties seeking to recover compensatory and other damages related to the investigation and remediation of the contamination in the groundwater. Pursuant to a settlement agreement with OCWD, ACP agreed, among other things, to operate the two groundwater treatment systems to hydraulically contain groundwater contamination emanating from ACP’s site until the concentrations of PERC released by ACP fell below the current Federal maximum contaminant level for four consecutive quarterly sampling events. In 2014, ACP ceased operation at one of its two groundwater treatment systems, as it had met the above condition for closure. In 2020, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board asked that ACP conduct some additional indoor and outdoor soil vapor testing on and near the ACP site to confirm that ACP continues to meet the applicable local standards. ACP began to perform such testing program work in 2022, and an additional round of testing is expected to commence in 2025. As of December 31, 2024, ACP believes it is close to meeting the conditions for closure of the remaining groundwater treatment system but continues to operate this system while in discussions with the relevant authorities.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company believes that the range of potential-known liabilities associated with the balance of the ACP water remediation program is approximately $0.1 million to $1.0 million. The low and high ends of the range are based on the length of operation of the treatment system as determined by groundwater modeling. Costs of operation include the operation and maintenance of the extraction well, groundwater monitoring, program management, and soil vapor testing.

The Company is also party to other environmental matters related to certain domestic and foreign properties. These environmental matters primarily require the Company to perform ongoing monitoring and maintenance at each of the applicable sites. During the year ended December 31, 2024, there have been no significant changes to the facts or circumstances of these matters. Based on the Company’s current obligations, historical costs incurred, and projected costs to be incurred over the next 24 years, the Company estimated the present value range of costs for all of these environmental matters, on a discounted basis, to be between approximately $3.5 million and $6.0 million as of December 31, 2024, for which $3.6 million is accrued within other accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024. Comparatively, as of December 31, 2023, the Company had $5.1 million accrued for these matters. These accrued amounts are inclusive of the Brazilian environmental matter discussed below.

The Company’s Sao Paulo, Brazil site was required under Brazilian environmental, health and safety regulations to perform an environmental assessment as part of a permit renewal process. Initial investigations identified soil and ground water contamination in select areas of the site. The site has conducted a multi-year soil and groundwater investigation and corresponding risk assessments based on the result of the investigations. In 2017, the site had to submit a new 5-year permit renewal request and was asked to complete additional investigations to further delineate the site based on review of the technical data by the local regulatory agency, Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (“CETESB”). Based on review of the updated investigation data, CETESB issued a Technical Opinion regarding the investigation and remedial actions taken to date. The site developed an action plan and submitted it to CETESB in 2018 based on CETESB requirements. The site intervention plan primarily requires the site, amongst other actions, to conduct periodic monitoring for methane in soil vapors, source zone delineation, groundwater plume delineation, bedrock aquifer assessment, update the human health risk assessment, develop a current site conceptual model and conduct a remedial feasibility study and provide a revised intervention plan. In 2020, the site submitted a report on the activities completed including the revised site conceptual model and results of the remedial feasibility study and recommended remedial strategy for the site.

The Company believes that it has made adequate accruals for costs associated with other environmental matters of which it is aware. Approximately $0.6 million and $0.2 million were accrued as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to provide for such anticipated future environmental assessments and remediation costs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company cannot be certain that future liabilities in the form of remediation expenses and damages will not exceed amounts reserved. See Note 25, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

General

See Item 7A of this Report, below, for further discussion of certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.