Quaker Houghton
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemical |
| Founded | November 11, 1918 |
| Headquarters | Conshohocken , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (21 countries, 35 facilities) |
Key people | Joseph Berquist (CEO and President) |
| Products | Process fluids and specialty chemical products for steel, aluminum, metalworking, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe manufacturing, can production |
| Revenue | $1.84 billion (2024) |
| $117 million (2024) | |
| Owner | Hinduja Group (largest ownership stake via Gulf Oil) |
Number of employees | 4400 (2024) |
| Website | www |
Quaker Chemical Corporation, which operates under the name Quaker Houghton, is a U.S.-based chemical enterprise established in 1918 and headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The company maintains a presence in 21 countries with 35 facilities worldwide, generating over half of its net revenue from international markets. It focuses on producing process fluids tailored for industries such as steel, aluminum, metalworking, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe manufacturing, as well as can production.
On August 1, 2019, Quaker Chemical combined with Houghton International, a subsidiary of Gulf Oil, resulting in the formation of Quaker Houghton. The Hinduja Group from India holds the largest ownership stake through its Gulf Oil branch. For the year 2024, the company reported revenues of $1.84 billion and net earnings of $117 million, employing approximately 4,400 individuals globally. Joseph Berquist is the CEO and President.
Products
Quaker Houghton manufactures process fluids and specialized chemical products that support a range of metal materials and machining operations.
History
Originally incorporated on November 11, 1918, as Quaker Oil Products Corporation, the company’s early focus was on lubrication oils and textile-related products. In 1930, it reorganized under the name Quaker Chemical Products Corporation in Pennsylvania and broadened its portfolio to include metalworking solutions, entering the steel sector by 1947.
The firm adopted the name Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1962 to better represent its expanded role in industrial specialty chemicals. During the 1960s, it launched its first European subsidiary in the Netherlands and extended its global footprint through subsidiaries and joint ventures in countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and Japan.
Quaker went public with an initial public offering on May 3, 1972. The mid-1970s saw the introduction of the QUINTOLUBRIC® polyol ester fluid product line. Its first significant acquisition within the United States occurred in 1978 with Selby, Battersby & Co., which broadened its offerings into industrial flooring and marine decking materials. The acquisition of AC Products in 1987 marked Quaker’s entry into aerospace coatings.
Throughout the 1990s, Quaker expanded operations into France, China, Brazil, and India while listing on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol KWR in 1996. In 2002, it inaugurated a new global headquarters in Conshohocken and acquired several companies including Quima International (Q2 Technologies), United Lubricants Corporation, Epmar Corporation, and Quaker Chemical South Africa.
The company pursued further growth via acquisitions and facility expansions: establishing research and manufacturing centers in Shanghai (2006), forming a partnership with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing for motorsports lubrication products (2010), and acquiring D.A. Stuart’s aluminum hot rolling division along with Summit Lubricants.
Between 2011 and 2012, Quaker acquired G.W. Smith to strengthen its position in U.S. die casting lubricants and NP Coil Dexter. It also launched an integrated marketing initiative to reinforce brand presence.
Additional acquisitions included a tin plating business (2013), ECLI Products and Binol AB—specialists in automotive greases and eco-friendly lubricants—in 2014; Verkol S.A. based in Spain (2015); and Canadian firm Lubricor Inc. (2016).
In 2017, Quaker merged with Houghton International to unify their global operations under a consolidated headquarters near Philadelphia. This strategic merger expanded their market share and enhanced their product lineup within metalworking fluids and specialty chemicals sectors.
Operating locations
Quaker maintains a broad operational network throughout the Asia/Pacific region, with principal facilities such as Quaker Chemical (China) Co., Ltd. serving as the regional headquarters, alongside Quaker Chemical (Australasia) Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical India Private Limited, Nippon Quaker Chemical, Ltd in Japan, and Quaker (Thailand) Ltd.
Within the EMEA region, the company’s operations extend to Quaker Chemical B.V., which acts as the regional headquarters in the Netherlands, as well as Quaker Chemical Limited in the United Kingdom, Quaker Chemical S.A. in France, Verkol S.A.U and Quaker Chemical S.A. in Spain, Quaker Italia S.r.l, the Moscow Representative Office, Binol AB in Sweden, and Quaker Chemical South Africa (Pty.) Limited.
In North America, Quaker’s facilities include AC Products Inc. and Epmar Corporation located in California; manufacturing sites of Quaker Chemical Corporation in Ohio and Michigan; Summit Lubricants Inc. based in New York; TecniQuimia Mexicana S.A de C.V. operating in Mexico; ECLI in Illinois; Lubricor situated in Waterloo, Canada; along with the Corporate Headquarters positioned in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
For South America, Quaker’s operations encompass Quaker Chemical S.A. in Argentina, Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. in Venezuela, and the South American Headquarters at Quaker Chemical Indústria e Comércio Ltda. in Brazil.
Advertising
Following its rebranding initiative in 2019, Quaker Houghton introduced a refreshed logo and adopted the tagline "Forward Together," embodying its strategic focus on expanding business growth and enhancing its influence across global markets.