Quaker Houghton Announces Second Quarter 2021 Results

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Houghton ("the Company") (NYSE: KWR), the global leader in industrial process fluids, today announced its second quarter of 2021 results. 

* Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations section below for additional information

Second Quarter of 2021 Consolidated Results

Second quarter of 2021 net sales of $435.3 million increased 52% compared to $286.0 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to higher volumes of 40%, which includes additional net sales from acquisitions of 5%, the positive impact from foreign currency translation of 8% as well as increases from selling price and product mix of approximately 4%.  The significant increase in sales volumes compared to the second quarter of 2020 was primarily a result of the prior year quarter being the most severely impacted by COVID-19 globally as well as the continued improvement in end market conditions and continued market share gains realized in the current quarter. 

The Company had net income in the second quarter of 2021 of $33.6 million or $1.88 per diluted share, compared to a second quarter of 2020 net loss of $7.7 million or $0.43 per diluted share.  The current quarter net income includes a non-recurring amount related to certain non-income tax credits recorded by the Company's Brazilian subsidiaries.  The prior year second quarter net loss was primarily driven by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company.  Excluding the Brazil non-income tax credits as well as costs associated with the combination with Houghton International, Inc. (the "Combination") and other non-core or non-recurring items in each period, the Company's second quarter of 2021 non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was $1.82 compared to $0.21 in the prior year second quarter.  The Company's current quarter adjusted EBITDA of $70.1 million increased 118% compared to $32.1 million in the second quarter of 2020 primarily due to the significant increase in net sales quarter-over-quarter as well as higher realized cost synergies from the Combination, partially offset by higher raw material costs incurred in the current quarter.  While the Company's current quarter gross margin of 35.5% did improve compared to the prior year second quarter, this was primarily driven by the prior year negative impact of significantly lower volumes and the related impact from fixed manufacturing costs.  The Company's current quarter gross margin declined sequentially compared to 36.3% in the first quarter of 2021 due to raw material cost increases and global supply chain and logistics pressures. The Company estimates that it realized cost synergies associated with the Combination of approximately $18.5 million during the second quarter of 2021 compared to approximately $12 million during the second quarter of 2020. 

Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "We had a strong second quarter despite unprecedented increases in raw material costs and supply chain issues.   Strong demand continues to be the major contributor to our earnings performance as sales volumes increased 4% from the fourth quarter of  2020; although volumes did decline 3% sequentially from the first quarter which was unusually strong due to some customer replenishment in their supply chains.   We continued to see strong market share gains in the quarter as our net sales benefited 4% compared to the prior year from new business wins.  The major negative trend in the quarter was the continued escalation of raw material costs.  This negatively impacted our sequential gross margins by 1% as there was a lag between our product price increases and our raw material cost increases."

Mr. Barry continued, " Looking forward, we expect raw material costs to continue to increase in the third quarter and we are implementing additional price increases to help offset them.  Our gross margins for the third quarter are expected to be at or somewhat below our second quarter level before beginning to increase in the fourth quarter.  We do expect that we will have a more stable raw material environment in the fourth quarter and will have implemented sufficient price increases during the year to return our product margins to their targeted level as we exit the year.   On the sales side, we do expect demand to remain strong, but also to have some headwinds in automotive due to the semiconductor shortage and some seasonality trends which we typically experience in the second half of the year.   Overall, we reaffirm our previous floor guidance on full year adjusted EBITDA and believe 2021 will be a very good year for us as we take a step change in our profitability, complete our integration cost synergies, continue to take share in the market place, achieve positive impacts from our recent acquisitions, and get to our targeted leverage ratio." 

Second Quarter of 2021 Segment Results

The Company's second quarter of 2021 operating performance in each of its four reportable operating segments: (i) Americas; (ii) Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"); (iii) Asia/Pacific; and (iv) Global Specialty Businesses, reflect similar drivers to that of its consolidated performance.  

* Refer to the Segment Measures and Reconciliations section below for additional information

All four segments had higher net sales compared to the second quarter of 2020. Each of the segments benefited from higher sales volumes, additional net sales from acquisitions, the positive impact of foreign currency translation and generally from increases in selling price and product mix.  Net sales in the Americas and Global Specialty Businesses benefited from additional net sales from Coral while each of the regional segments benefited from additional net sales from the tin-plating solutions business acquired in February 2021.  As reported, all of the Company's segment operating earnings were higher compared to the second quarter of 2020 which reflects higher current quarter net sales coupled with a higher gross margin in most segments as compared to the prior year second quarter, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") in each segment, which was the result of an increase in direct selling expenses associated with the significant increase in net sales and to a lesser extent the lower levels of prior year SG&A as a result of COVID-19 temporary cost saving measures.  Overall, the Company and all of its segments continued to benefit from the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the benefits of realized cost savings associated with the Combination.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Highlights

The Company has no material debt maturities until August 1, 2024.  As of June 30, 2021, the Company's total gross debt was $904.8 million and its cash on hand was $145.6 million.  The Company's net debt was $759.2 million, and its net debt divided by its trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA was approximately 2.7 to 1 as of June 30, 2021.  The Company's consolidated net leverage ratio, as defined under its bank agreement, was approximately 2.5 to 1 as of June 30, 2021 compared to a maximum permitted leverage of 4.0 to 1.  Based on current projections of future liquidity and leverage, the Company does not expect any compliance issues with its bank covenants. 

The Company had net operating cash flow of $3.0 million during the second quarter of 2021, bringing its year-to-date net operating cash outflow to $9.6 million in the first six months of 2021, as compared to a net operating cash inflow of $44.7 million in the first six months of 2020.  The $54.2 million decrease in net operating cash flow year-over-year was primarily driven by a significant change in working capital, as the Company's strong current year net sales and volumes resulted in a large increase in accounts receivable coupled with an increase in inventory as a result of rising raw material costs as well as a build in inventory to ensure the Company has appropriate stock to meet customer demands in anticipation of potential further stress on the global supply chain.

Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations

The information included in this press release 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, are indicative of future operating performance of the Company, and facilitate a comparison among fiscal periods, as the non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that are not indicative of future operating performance or not considered 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. 

The Company presents EBITDA which is calculated as net income (loss) attributable to the Company before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, and taxes on income (loss) 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 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 (loss) plus or minus certain items that are not indicative of future operating performance or not considered 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. 

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 operating performance of the Company on a consistent basis. 

As it relates to 2021 projected adjusted EBITDA growth for the Company, including as a result of our recent acquisitions, as well as other forward-looking information described further above, the Company has not provided guidance for comparable GAAP measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because it is unable to determine with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items necessary to calculate such measures without unreasonable effort.  These items include, but are not limited to, certain non-recurring or non-core items the Company may record that could materially impact net income, as well as the impact of COVID-19.  These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the U.S. GAAP reported results for the guidance period. 

The Company's reference to trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA within this press release refers to the twelve month period ended June 30, 2021 adjusted EBITDA of $276.6 million, which includes (i) the six months ended June 30, 2021 adjusted EBITDA of $147.2 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations below, and (ii) the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 adjusted EBITDA of $222.0 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations included in the Company's fourth quarter and full year 2020 results press release dated February 25, 2021, less (iii) the six months ended June 30, 2020 adjusted EBITDA of approximately $92.5 million, as presented in the non-GAAP reconciliations below.

The following tables reconcile the Company's non-GAAP financial measures (unaudited) to their most directly comparable GAAP (unaudited) financial measures (dollars in thousands unless otherwise noted, except per share amounts):

Segment Measures and Reconciliations

The Company's operating segments, which are consistent with its 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 assesses the Company's performance.  The Company has four reportable segments: (i) Americas; (ii) EMEA; (iii) Asia/Pacific; and (iv) Global Specialty Businesses.  The three geographic segments are composed of the net sales and operations in each respective region, excluding net sales and operations managed globally by the Global Specialty Businesses segment, which includes the Company's container, metal finishing, mining, offshore, specialty coatings, specialty grease and Norman Hay businesses.  Segment operating earnings for each of the Company's reportable segments are comprised of the segment's net sales less directly related COGS and SG&A.  Operating expenses not directly attributable to the net sales of each respective segment, such as certain corporate and administrative costs, Combination, integration and other acquisition-related expenses, and Restructuring and related 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. 

The following tables reconcile the Company's reportable operating segments performance to that of the Company's (dollars in thousands):

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  We have based these forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition, our expectations that we will maintain sufficient liquidity and remain in compliance with the terms of the Company's credit facility, statements regarding remediation of our material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, expectations about future demand and raw material costs, and statements regarding the impact of increased raw material costs and pricing initiatives, on our current expectations about future events.  These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance, and business, including but not limited to the potential benefits of the Combination and other acquisitions, the impacts on our business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and any projected global economic rebound or anticipated positive results due to Company actions taken in response to the pandemic, and our current and future results and plans and statements that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.  These forward-looking statements 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 demand for the Company's products and services is largely derived from the demand for its customers' products, which subjects the Company to uncertainties related to downturns in a customer's business and unanticipated customer production slowdowns and shutdowns, including as is currently being experienced by many automotive industry companies.  Other major risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the primary and secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including actions taken in response to the pandemic by various governments, which could exacerbate some or all of the other risks and uncertainties faced by the Company, including the potential for significant increases in raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, customer financial instability, worldwide economic and political disruptions, foreign currency fluctuations, significant changes in applicable tax rates and regulations, future terrorist attacks and other acts of violence.  Furthermore, the Company is subject to the same business cycles as those experienced by our customers in the steel, automobile, aircraft, industrial equipment, and durable goods industries.  The ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our business will depend on, among other things, the extent and duration of the pandemic, the severity of the disease and the number of people infected with the virus including as new variants emerge, the continued uncertainty regarding global availability, administration, acceptance and long-term efficacy of vaccines, or other treatments, for COVID-19 or its variants, the longer-term effects on the economy by the pandemic, including the resulting market volatility, and by the measures taken by governmental authorities and other third parties restricting day-to-day life and business operations and the length of time that such measures remain in place, as well as laws and other governmental programs implemented to address the pandemic or assist impacted businesses, such as fiscal stimulus and other legislation designed to deliver monetary aid and other relief.  Other factors could also adversely affect us, including those related to the Combination and other acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses.  Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its operations that are subject to change based on various important factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These risks, uncertainties, and possible inaccurate assumptions relevant to our business could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results.  All forward-looking statements included in this press release, including expectations about the improvements in business conditions during 2021 and future periods, are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, which may change.  Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.  For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, refer to the Risk Factors section, which appears in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not intend to, and we disclaim any duty or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or for any other reason.  This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company's investor conference call to discuss its second quarter performance is scheduled for August 4, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. (ET).  A live webcast of the conference call, together with supplemental information, can be accessed through the Company's Investor Relations website at investors.quakerhoughton.com.  You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756. 

About Quaker Houghton

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, can, mining, and metalworking companies.  Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services.  With approximately 4,200 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.  Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States.  Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Quaker Houghton