Definitive Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.      )

 

 

 

Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨  Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

x  Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨  Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

 

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

  

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

x  No fee required.

 

¨  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

  

 
  (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

  

 
  (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

  

 
  (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

  

 
  (5)  Total fee paid:

  

 

 

¨  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1)  Amount Previously Paid:

  

 
  (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

  

 
  (3)  Filing Party:

  

 
  (4)  Date Filed:

  

 


LOGO

 

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

 


TIME:    10:00 A.M., local time, on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
PLACE:   

Quaker Chemical Corporation

One Quaker Park

901 Hector Street

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:   

(1)    To elect three directors.

    

(2)    To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to examine and report on our financial statements for the year 2008.

    

(3)    To transact any other business properly brought before the meeting.

WHO MAY VOTE:    You can vote at the meeting and any adjournment(s) of the meeting if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 7, 2008.
ANNUAL REPORT:    A copy of our Annual Report which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 is enclosed.

 

It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend in person, you are urged to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope we have enclosed for your convenience; no postage is required if mailed in the United States.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

D. Jeffry Benoliel

Vice President, Secretary

and General Counsel

 

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

March 31, 2008

 



QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION

One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428

 


 

PROXY STATEMENT

 


 

This proxy statement is being furnished to our shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of our Board of Directors for use at our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and at any and all adjournments of the meeting, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the matters referred to in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and which are discussed below. The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at our headquarters located at One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, at 10:00 A.M., local time, on May 7, 2008. The terms “we,” “our,” “us,” and “Quaker,” as used in this proxy statement, refer to Quaker Chemical Corporation.

 

This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 3, 2008.

 


 

Information Concerning the Annual Meeting

 


 

What matters will be voted on at the meeting?

 

At the meeting, shareholders will vote on two matters:

 

   

Election of three nominees to serve on our Board of Directors; and

 

   

Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2008.

 

How does the Board recommend I vote on the proposals?

 

The Board recommends that you vote:

 

   

FOR each of the three nominees named in this proxy statement; and

 

   

FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2008.

 

Who is entitled to vote?

 

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 7, 2008, the record date for the meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments of the meeting.

 

How do I cast my vote?

 

You can cast your vote by:

 

   

marking, signing and dating a proxy card or voting instruction card (if you hold shares in street name) and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided; or

 

   

attending the meeting and voting in person.

 

If you want to vote in person and you hold Quaker common stock in street name (i.e., your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee), you must obtain a proxy card issued in your


name from your broker and bring that proxy card to the meeting, together with a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date and valid identification. Your brokerage statement should show the stock acquisition date.

 

If I have given a proxy, how do I revoke that proxy?

 

Your presence at the meeting will not revoke any proxy you may have given. If your shares are held in your name, you may revoke your proxy at any time (to the extent it has not already been voted at the meeting), but a revocation will not be effective until it is received. Your proxy will be revoked (to the extent it has not already been voted at the meeting) if you:

 

   

give written notice of the revocation to Quaker’s Corporate Secretary, D. Jeffry Benoliel, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, or give electronic notice to Mr. Benoliel at jeffry_benoliel@quakerchem.com;

 

   

submit a properly signed proxy with a later date; or

 

   

vote in person at the meeting as described above.

 

If your shares are held in street name, you should contact the record holder to obtain instructions if you wish to revoke your vote before the meeting.

 

How will my proxy be voted?

 

If you are a registered holder and your proxy is properly executed, returned and received prior to the meeting and is not revoked, it will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you return your signed proxy but do not mark the boxes to show how you wish to vote on any of the proposals, the shares for which you have given your proxy will, in the absence of your instructions to the contrary, be voted “FOR” each of the nominees named in the proxy, and “FOR” ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2008.

 

If your shares are held in street name and your voting instruction form is properly executed, returned and received prior to the meeting and is not revoked, it will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period prior to the meeting, brokerage firms and nominees that are members of the New York Stock Exchange have the authority under the Exchange’s rules to vote their customers’ unvoted shares on certain “routine” matters but not on non-routine matters. Under the rules currently in effect, routine matters include the election of directors in an uncontested election and the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The proxy card and voting instruction form also grant the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote on any other business that may properly come before the meeting as well as any procedural matters. As of the date of this proxy statement, we do not know of any other matters that will be presented at the meeting.

 

What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?

 

If you have your shares registered in multiple accounts with one or more brokers and/or our transfer agent, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete and return each of the proxy cards you receive to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

 

How many votes are needed to elect directors?

 

The three nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. This is referred to as a plurality.

 

2


What if a nominee is unwilling or unable to serve?

 

We do not expect that to occur. If it does, proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by our Board of Directors.

 

How many votes are needed to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to examine and report on our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for the year 2008?

 

The proposal requires that the number of votes cast “FOR” the proposal exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal.

 

How will abstentions and broker non-votes affect the voting?

 

Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the voting on any matter brought before the meeting because they will not represent votes cast. A broker non-vote occurs when the beneficial owner of shares held in street name fails to furnish voting instructions to the broker within the required period, and the broker is not permitted under applicable rules to vote the shares.

 

Are dissenters’ rights applicable to any of the matters to be voted on at the meeting?

 

No. Dissenters’ rights do not apply to any of the matters to be voted on at the meeting.

 

Who will count the vote?

 

The Judge of Election appointed at the meeting, together with representatives of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our transfer agent, will tabulate the votes cast at the meeting.

 

How many shares can be voted at the meeting?

 

As of March 7, 2008, the record date for the meeting, 10,230,377 shares of Quaker common stock were issued and outstanding. Every holder of Quaker common stock is entitled to one vote or ten votes for each share held of record on the record date.

 

How many votes will I be entitled to cast at the meeting?

 

You will be entitled to cast one vote or ten votes for each share of common stock you held on March 7, 2008, the record date for the meeting, depending upon how long you had held the shares as of the record date. As more specifically provided in Article 5 of Quaker’s Articles of Incorporation, the number of votes you are entitled to cast at the meeting will be determined as follows:

 

Each share which, as of the record date, you had beneficially owned since March 1, 2005, will entitle you to ten votes.

 

Each share you acquired after March 1, 2005, will entitle you to one vote, with some exceptions. These exceptions are explained in Appendix A to this proxy statement.

 

We presume that shares you hold in “street” or “nominee” name, or that are held for your account by a broker, clearing agency, voting trustee, bank, trust company, or other nominee, were acquired by you after March 1, 2005 and, accordingly, entitle you to one vote for each of these shares. You may, however, rebut this “one-vote” presumption by completing and executing an affidavit and presenting written evidence to us in accordance with the procedures described in Appendix A.

 

What is the total number of votes that may be cast at the meeting?

 

Based on the information available to us on March 7, 2008, the holders of 945,218 shares of Quaker common stock will be entitled to cast ten votes for each share held and the holders of 9,285,159 shares of

 

3


Quaker common stock will be entitled to cast one vote for each share held, for a total of 10,230,377 votes. The number of shares that we have indicated are entitled to one vote includes those shares presumed by us to be entitled to only one vote. Because the holders of these shares may rebut this presumption, the total number of votes that may be cast at the meeting may increase.

 

Where can I find more information on the voting procedures for the meeting?

 

For additional information on our voting procedures, including the procedures for determining whether a share entitles its holder to one vote or ten votes, and how to rebut the “one-vote” presumption, please refer to Appendix A.

 

What is a “quorum?”

 

The presence of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a particular matter will constitute a “quorum” for the purpose of considering that matter. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, the votes of a shareholder will be counted if the shareholder is present in person or by proxy. Shares which are the subject of abstentions or broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

 

All shareholders of Quaker who owned shares of record on March 7, 2008 can attend the meeting. If you want to vote in person and you hold Quaker common stock in street name (i.e., your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee), you must obtain a proxy card issued in your name from your broker and bring that proxy card to the meeting, together with a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date and valid identification. If you hold stock in street name and want to attend the meeting but not vote in person at the meeting, you must bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date and valid identification.

 

How will voting on any other business be conducted?

 

We do not know of any business to be considered at the meeting other than the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, if any other business is presented at the meeting, a proxy in the accompanying form will give authority to William R. Cook and Ronald J. Naples to vote on such matters at their discretion and they intend to do so in accordance with their best judgment.

 

Who will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation and how will the solicitation be conducted?

 

We will pay the expenses of soliciting proxies in the form included with this proxy statement, including the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing material in connection with the solicitation. In addition to the use of the mail, our directors, executive officers and employees may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies personally or by telephone, facsimile, electronic mail and personal contact. We will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials and Quaker’s annual report, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, to any beneficial holder of Quaker common stock they hold of record.

 

Does the company utilize “householding” for mailing of its proxy materials?

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission permits companies and intermediaries (such as brokers and banks) to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” is intended to reduce the volume of duplicate information shareholders receive and also reduce expenses for companies. Quaker has instituted householding for its registered shareholders; some intermediaries may also be

 

4


householding Quaker’s proxy materials and annual report. Once you have received notice from the Company, the broker or another intermediary that they will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent.

 

If at any time a shareholder of record no longer wishes to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, you should contact Irene M. Kisleiko, Assistant Secretary, toll free at 1-800-523-7010, ext. 4119, or inform us in writing at Quaker Chemical Corporation, Shareholder Services, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428. If you hold shares through an intermediary and no longer wish to participate in householding, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder.

 

Shareholders who share an address and are receiving multiple copies of annual reports or proxy statements but would like to receive a single copy can contact Irene M. Kisleiko as described above.

 

Any shareholder can receive a copy of Quaker’s proxy statement and annual report by contacting Quaker Shareholder Services by telephone or in writing as set forth above.

 


 

Proposal 1—Election of Directors and Nominee Biographies

 


 

What is the makeup of the Board of Directors?

 

The Quaker Articles of Incorporation provide that our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each consisting, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors. The shareholders elect the members of one of the three classes each year to serve for a term of three years. Directors elected to fill vacancies and newly created directorships serve for the balance of the term of the class to which they are elected. Presently, there are nine directors, including three Class I directors, three Class II directors and three Class III directors. At the meeting, three Class I directors are to be elected with each member to serve a three-year term expiring in 2011 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

 

Are there any members of the class of directors to be elected at the meeting who are not standing for reelection?

 

No. Each incumbent director whose term expires this year has been nominated for election to serve for an additional three-year term and has agreed to serve if elected.

 

Who are the Board’s nominees this year?

 

Robert E. Chappell, Ronald J. Naples and Robert H. Rock are the Board’s nominees for election to the Board of Directors. Each nominee, if elected, would hold office until our 2011 annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

What is the background of this year’s nominees?

 

Our nominees for election to the Board as Class I members are:

 

ROBERT E. CHAPPELL

Director since 1997

Age 63

 

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, a mutual life insurance company providing life insurance and annuity products, for more than five years; President since January 22, 2008.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

Penn Series Funds (Chairman)

 

5


RONALD J. NAPLES

Director since 1988

Age 62

 

   

Quaker’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for more than five years.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

Glatfelter

   

Glenmede Trust Company

 

ROBERT H. ROCK

Director since 1996

Age 57

 

   

President of MLR Holdings, LLC, an investment company with holdings in the publishing and information business, for more than five years.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

Alberto-Culver Company

   

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election to our Board of Robert E. Chappell, Ronald J. Naples and Robert H. Rock, the nominees listed above.

 


 

Biographies of Directors Not Standing for Election This Year

 


 

Our incumbent directors who were elected as Class II members of the Board in 2006 and whose terms expire in 2009 are:

 

DONALD R. CALDWELL

Director since 1997

Age 61

 

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., a venture capital fund with offices in the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom, for more than five years.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

DiamondCluster International, Inc.

   

Lightning Gaming, Inc.

   

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

   

Voxware, Inc.

 

WILLIAM R. COOK

Director since 2000

Age 64

 

   

President and Chief Executive Officer of Severn Trent Services, Inc., a water purification products and laboratory and operating services company, from 1999 until June 2002.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

Teleflex Incorporated

 

6


JEFFRY D. FRISBY

Director since 2006

Age 52

 

   

Group President of Triumph Aerospace Systems Group, a group of companies that design, engineer and build aerostructures, as well as complete mechanical, electromechanical and hydraulic systems for the aerospace industry, since April 2003.

   

Group President of Triumph Control Systems Group, from 2000 until March 2003.

   

President of Frisby Aerospace, Inc., from 1986 until March 2003.

 

Our incumbent directors who were elected as Class III members of the Board in 2007 and whose terms expire in 2010 are:

 

JOSEPH B. ANDERSON, JR.

Director since 1992

Age 65

 

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TAG Holdings LLC, a holding company, for more than five years.

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Shore Assemblies, LLC, a tire and wheel assembly company, since May 2007.

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes Assemblies, LLC, a tire and wheel assembly company, since January 2005.

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of North American Assemblies, LLC, a tire and wheel assembly company, since December 2003.

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A&D Technologies, LLC, a manufacturer of temperature sensors servicing the automobile industry, for more than five years.

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vibration Control Technologies, LLC, an automotive parts supplier and manufacturer, for more than five years.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

   

Sierra Pacific Resources

   

Rite Aid Corporation

   

Valassis Communications, Inc.

 

PATRICIA C. BARRON

Director since 1989

Age 65

 

   

Clinical Associate Professor and Senior Fellow at the Stern School of Business, New York University, from 1999 until August 2003.

   

Member of the Board of Directors:

   

Teleflex Incorporated

   

Ultralife Batteries Corporation

   

United Services Automobile Association

 

EDWIN J. DELATTRE

Director since 1984

Age 66

 

   

Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, College of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, since September 2006.

   

Dean Emeritus, School of Education, Boston University, since December 2002.

 

7


   

Resident Scholar, Center for School Improvement, School of Education, Boston University, from July 2001 to August 2005.

   

President Emeritus, St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland and Santa Fe, New Mexico, since January 1987.

 


 

Corporate Governance

 


 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

The Company has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which are available at http://www.quakerchem.com by accessing the Investors/Corporate Governance section of our Web site. The references to our Web site contained in this proxy statement are for informational purposes, and the content of the Web site is not incorporated by such references into this proxy statement. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are also available in print to any shareholder who requests them. These guidelines were adopted by the Board to assist the Board in carrying out its fiduciary duties and maintaining its independence from management.

 

Director Independence

 

In accordance with New York Stock Exchange rules, the Board affirmatively determines the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with guidelines it has adopted which include all elements of independence set forth in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Company’s director independence standards are defined in Paragraph 4 of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

On an annual basis, each director and executive officer is obligated to complete a directors and officers questionnaire which requires disclosure, among other things, of any transactions with the Company in which the director (or any organization of which the director is a partner, shareholder or officer) or executive officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest. Based on the Board’s adopted independence standards and the information provided in the annual questionnaires, the Board determined at its meeting held on March 5, 2008, that each of the following non-employee directors is independent within our guidelines and has no relationship with the Company, except as a director and shareholder of the Company:

 

(1) Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.   (5) William R. Cook
(2) Patricia C. Barron   (6) Edwin J. Delattre
(3) Donald R. Caldwell   (7) Jeffry D. Frisby
(4) Robert E. Chappell   (8) Robert H. Rock

 

In addition, based on these standards, the Board affirmatively determined that Ronald J. Naples is not independent because he is an executive officer of the Company. There are no family relationships between any of the Quaker directors, executive officers or nominees for election of directors.

 

Governance Committee Procedures for Selecting Director Nominees

 

The Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board that brings to Quaker a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high-quality business and professional experience. In evaluating director nominees, the Governance Committee considers the appropriate size of Quaker’s Board of Directors and the needs of Quaker with respect to the particular talents, experience and capacities of its directors including industry, managerial or leadership experience; business acumen or particular expertise; strategic capability; independence of judgment; familiarity with corporate governance and the responsibilities of directors; standing and reputation as a person of integrity; and ability to work constructively with the CEO and the Board. Directors who also serve as CEOs or in

 

8


equivalent positions should not serve on more than three boards of public companies in addition to the Quaker Board and other directors should not serve on more than four other boards of public companies in addition to the Quaker Board. The Governance Committee has decided to waive the limitations in these guidelines on the number of boards a director may serve in the cases of Messrs. Anderson and Caldwell due to their respective circumstances, valued contribution to the Board and the Committees on which they serve, a record of consistent attendance at Board and Committee meetings, and availability to advise and assist management in support of Quaker’s business.

 

The Governance Committee first evaluates for nomination current members of the Board willing to continue their service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant and who are willing to continue to serve are considered for renomination, balancing the value of continuity of service with that of obtaining a new perspective. If a current member does not want to stand for reelection, the Governance Committee will not recommend that director for reelection. If the Governance Committee recommends an increase in the membership of the Board, it will identify the experience and personal capacities desired and will seek suggestions as to nominees from the current Board membership. In addition, and as has been done in the past, the Governance Committee may engage third parties to assist in the identification or evaluation of potential director nominees.

 

The Governance Committee will consider candidates recommended by the Company’s shareholders and applies the same criteria in evaluating candidates nominated by shareholders as it does in evaluating candidates identified by Company sources. Any shareholder who wishes to recommend to the Governance Committee a prospective nominee for election to the Board may write to D. Jeffry Benoliel, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Quaker Chemical Corporation, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428. Any request for consideration at next year’s annual meeting must be submitted no later than December 4, 2008, and contain a statement of the proposed candidate’s business experience, business affiliations and a confirmation of his or her willingness to be a nominee. No shareholder or group of shareholders beneficially owning 5% or more of Quaker’s common stock recommended a director nominee for election at Quaker’s 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Shareholders or other interested parties may communicate with any of our directors, including non-management directors, by writing to them c/o D. Jeffry Benoliel, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, at the address listed above. All communications received will be forwarded to the Governance Committee and the addressee. The Board believes it is management’s role to speak for Quaker and, accordingly, any such communication received will be shared with the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, as appropriate. Our Code of Conduct, Financial Code of Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Audit, Compensation/Management Development and Governance Committee Charters have been posted on and are available free of charge by accessing the Investors/Corporate Governance section of our Web site at http://www.quakerchem.com or by written request addressed to Quaker Chemical Corporation, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, Attention: Irene M. Kisleiko, Assistant Secretary.

 

Code of Conduct

 

The Company has a compliance program, the governing documents of which include a Code of Conduct (which is applicable to all of the Company’s directors, executive officers and employees) and a Financial Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (which is applicable to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Global Controller, Controllers of each of the Company’s majority-owned affiliates, Assistant Global Controller and other individuals performing similar functions designated by the Company’s Board of Directors). The Company’s compliance program embodies the Company’s global principles and practices relating to the ethical conduct of the Company’s business and its long-standing commitment to fairness, honesty, integrity, and full

 

9


company compliance with all laws affecting the Company’s business. The Code of Conduct and Financial Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers are available at http://www.quakerchem.com by accessing the Investors/Corporate Governance section of our Web site. Both are available in print to any shareholder who requests them.

 

The Company’s compliance program includes a means for employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and other interested parties to submit confidential and anonymous reports of suspected or actual violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct or the Financial Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers relating, among other things, to:

 

   

accounting practices, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and procedures;

   

theft or fraud of any amount;

   

insider trading;

   

performance and execution of contracts;

   

conflicts of interest;

   

violations of securities and antitrust laws; and

   

violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

 

Any employee, shareholder or other interested party can call the Quaker Hotline at 1-800-869-9414 or from outside the United States, 1-678-999-4552. The Quaker Hotline is a toll-free telephone line dedicated solely to receiving questions and concerns and directing them to the appropriate authority for action. All calls are answered by an independent third-party service which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

The Audit Committee oversees the administration of the Company’s compliance program and is directly responsible for the disposition of all reported violations of the Financial Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and complaints received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or audit matters. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for the disposition of all violations of (and approves any waivers to) the Code of Conduct for directors and executive officers and for the disposition of other serious violations of the Code of Conduct. No such waivers were made in 2007. Our Code of Conduct, Financial Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Audit, Compensation/Management Development and Governance Committee Charters have been posted on and are available free of charge by accessing the Investors/Corporate Governance section of our Web site at http://www.quakerchem.com or by written request addressed to Quaker Chemical Corporation, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, Attention: Irene M. Kisleiko, Assistant Secretary.

 

10



Meetings and Committees of the Board

 


 

Our Board of Directors has four standing committees, the Audit, Compensation/Management Development, Executive and Governance Committees. Each member of the Audit, Compensation/Management Development and Governance Committee is independent as independence is defined for members of the respective committee in the listing standards of the NYSE and Quaker’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board has affirmatively determined that three of four members of the Audit Committee, including its current Chairman, William R. Cook, meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for each of these committees other than the Executive Committee. Each committee reports its actions to the full Board at the Board’s next regular meeting. A description of the duties of each committee follows the table below.

 

    Committee Membership and Meetings Held in 2007  
Name    Audit     Compensation/
Management
Development
    Executive     Governance  
Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.    X                 X (2)

Patricia C. Barron

         X           X  

Donald R. Caldwell

   X     X     X CH      

Robert E. Chappell

               X     X CH

William R. Cook

   X  CH                  

Edwin J. Delattre

         X           X  

Jeffry D. Frisby

   X                    

Ronald J. Naples

               X        

Robert H. Rock

         X CH   X        

Number of Meetings
in 2007
(1)

   7     4     1     3  

 

  X   Member. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the individuals listed in the table above held the committee memberships indicated throughout 2007.

 

  CH   Chairman

 

  (1) The Board of Directors held six regular meetings in 2007. Each director attended, in person or by teleconference, at least 75% of the aggregate of all Board and all committee meetings on which he or she served during 2007.

 

  (2) Committee member since May 9, 2007.

 

Time is regularly scheduled for the non-management directors to meet as a separate group. The chairmanship of these meetings rotates among the non-management directors.

 

Quaker does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board at its annual meeting of shareholders, but all directors are encouraged to attend. In 2007, all of our nine directors attended the annual meeting of shareholders.

 

The Audit Committee:

 

   

Engages the independent registered public accounting firm and approves all audit and non-audit fees.

   

Reviews and discusses with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the annual and quarterly financial statements.

 

11


   

Discusses with management and the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response.

   

Reviews the internal audit plan and discusses with the internal auditor and the independent registered public accounting firm their assessment of the effectiveness of Quaker’s internal controls.

   

Oversees the handling of matters relating to compliance with law and ethics, including adherence to the standards of business conduct and ethics required by Quaker’s policies.

 

The Compensation/Management Development Committee:

 

   

Reviews management’s compensation philosophies and policies.

   

Approves annual performance objectives for the CEO, evaluates the CEO’s performance against objectives and makes a recommendation to the Board regarding the CEO’s base salary.

   

Reviews performance evaluations and approves annual salaries for all executive officers, other than the CEO.

   

Approves annual incentive and long-term incentive award opportunities for all executive officers, including the CEO.

   

Administers Quaker’s Global Annual Incentive Plan and Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan.

   

Reviews and evaluates management development and succession planning and oversees these processes.

   

Reviews and discusses with management disclosures under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement and makes recommendations to the Board for inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The Executive Committee:

 

   

Acts for the Board in situations requiring prompt action when a meeting of the full Board is not feasible.

   

Makes recommendations to the Board about external corporate development programs.

   

Establishes guidelines regarding our capital structure and deployment of our capital resources.

 

The Governance Committee:

 

   

Evaluates the size and composition of the Board and recommends changes.

   

Reviews and recommends nominees for election as directors.

   

Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of the Company’s directors.

   

Develops and reviews annually Quaker’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

   

Conducts annual performance evaluation of the Board and ensures each Board committee conducts its own annual self-evaluation.

   

Reviews and approves related party transactions and similar transactions and establishes policies and procedures for such transactions.

 

Each of the standing committees of the Board (other than the Executive Committee) operates under a charter. These charters, together with Quaker’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, are available on the Company’s Web site by accessing the Investors/Corporate Governance section at http://www.quakerchem.com.

 

12



 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 


 

The individuals who served as members of the Compensation/Management Development Committee during the year ended December 31, 2007 are Robert H. Rock, Chairman, Patricia C. Barron, Donald R. Caldwell and Edwin J. Delattre, each of whom is an “independent” director. No member of the Compensation/Management Development Committee is or was during 2007 an employee, or is or ever has been an officer, of Quaker. During 2007, no executive officer of Quaker served as a director or a member of the compensation committee of another company, one of whose executive officers serves as a member of Quaker’s Board of Directors or Compensation/Management Development Committee.

 

13



 

Executive Compensation

 


 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

General Philosophy

 

Quaker, like many companies of similar size, relies on a small group of managers that have the requisite skills and knowledge to enable us to achieve our business strategies, operate as a globally integrated whole, and deliver value to our shareholders. To attract and retain talented senior level managers, we have adopted a compensation strategy that:

 

   

provides an opportunity for highly competitive levels of total compensation if merited by performance;

   

creates a strong incentive to perform over a multiple-year period; and

   

aligns interests of the management team with those of our shareholders.

 

Quaker compensates its executive officers, who include our Chairman and CEO, our senior vice presidents and certain vice presidents, through a total compensation package. This package consists of a mix of base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus, long-term incentives comprised of equity awards and cash payments, and a competitive benefits package comprised of health, life, disability, and retirement using both qualified and non-qualified programs, where appropriate.

 

In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, when we use the term “executive officers,” we are including the Named Executive Officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table that follows.

 

Administrative Practices

 

Quaker’s Compensation/Management Development Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for overseeing and developing the compensation and management development programs for the Company. Consistent with its charter, the Committee is composed of members of our board of directors who meet the objective requirements for “independence” under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Four members of our board, Patricia C. Barron, Donald R. Caldwell, Edwin J. Delattre and Robert H. Rock, Chairman, currently sit on the Committee. The Committee’s responsibilities include the evaluation of, and approval of, or recommendation to Quaker’s board of directors with respect to, the plans, policies, and programs relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers. The Committee works very closely with members of management in fulfilling its duties as it is management who provides the necessary information and coordinates with outside consultants to ensure the Committee is sufficiently informed when taking action, or recommending action on, compensation matters. As discussed below, benchmarking data is used prior to making any such decisions. The Committee’s charter describes in full the Committee’s authority, responsibilities, and specific powers and can be accessed from the Company’s Web site at http://www.quakerchem.com.

 

To the extent possible, the Committee strives to structure the compensation of our executives to ensure that the compensation paid to executive officers is deductible for Federal income tax purposes. The Committee may choose to provide compensation that is not deductible in order to retain or to secure the services of key executives when it determines that it is in Quaker’s best interest to do so. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”), enacted in 1993, imposes a $1,000,000 limit on the amount of compensation deductible by Quaker in regard to compensation paid to our CEO and three of our other most highly compensated executive officers. Although the reported total compensation of Mr. Naples for 2007 and 2006 in the Summary Compensation Table below was in excess of $1,000,000, the $1,000,000 threshold for Section 162(m) purposes was not exceeded due to the fact that most of the compensation listed was performance-based and, therefore, exempt from the 162(m) limitation.

 

14


Benchmarking Data

 

To assist Quaker in establishing a total direct compensation package defined as base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus and long-term incentives, the Committee engages Towers Perrin, a nationally recognized human resources consulting firm. Towers Perrin conducts executive compensation studies and analyses and provides the Committee with benchmarking data and counsel on compensation trends and issues. The Committee closely analyzes the data provided by Towers Perrin, but exercises its discretion in the weight it assigns to this data. Due to our size and diverse businesses, we have not identified a specific peer group that is appropriate to use in defining market total direct compensation for our executive officers. We, therefore, benchmark total direct compensation for our executive officers using both the general industrial and chemical industries information as provided by Towers Perrin. General industry data representing information from over 820 companies is adjusted to reflect the approximate revenue scope of responsibility for each executive officer. For the chemical industry, relevant market survey data is very limited due to Quaker’s size, but it is used in certain cases where comparisons are appropriate such as the regional managing directors. For non-U.S. based executive officers, data from the relevant local market is also used. In addition, proxy data for the specialty chemical companies within the S&P SmallCap 600 (Materials Group) is used to provide a reference point for Mr. Naples to compare actual compensation earned in the prior year. The following specialty chemical companies were included in this reference group at the time 2007 compensation actions were taken: A. Schulman, Arch Chemicals, Cambrex, H.B.Fuller, MacDermid, Material Sciences, Omnova Solutions and PolyOne.

 

Generally, we target total direct compensation assuming target level performance for incentives at the 50th percentile against the comparables and at maximum level at the 75th percentile of the comparative group. This is the starting point of the analysis, as other factors are taken into consideration such as experience, breadth of responsibilities, tenure in the position, whether the position held is for succession planning purposes, and internal equity. We do not assign a particular weight to any of these factors but exercise discretion in this regard.

 

Mr. Naples’ targeted total direct compensation for 2007 was slightly below the median of the adjusted general industry data as provided by Towers Perrin in late 2006 (then updated in early 2007). The other Named Executive Officers’ targeted total direct compensation, except for Mr. Featherstone, was above the median of the data as described above, due to their holding other senior executive positions with Quaker prior to our reorganizing from a global to regional organization as well as changes to the breadth of responsibilities within their current positions. Mr. Featherstone was appointed Quaker’s Chief Financial Officer in April 2007, and, due to short tenure in the position, his total direct compensation is well below targeted levels. In July 2007, Mr. Featherstone’s salary and annual bonus opportunity was adjusted upward, and his award level increased under the long-term incentive program commencing for the 2008-2010 performance period, but even with these adjustments his total direct targeted compensation will remain below targeted levels reflecting his short tenure in his current position.

 

Mr. Naples’ total compensation earned in 2007, as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table below, is nearly twice the prior year’s total due to a significant increase in the net present value of his pension benefits and additional equity expenses recognized in connection with our long-term incentive program per FAS 123(R). Also, his actual total direct compensation in 2007 exceeded 2007 targeted levels due to his annual bonus paying out well above target. The same can be said of the other Named Executive Officers, as all received annual bonuses in excess of target, with the exception being Mr. Featherstone whose total direct compensation was below targeted levels for the reasons mentioned above. The discussion that follows will explain in greater detail the components of our compensation program and performance against incentive program targets.

 

Allocating between Current and Long-Term Compensation

 

The Committee, in an effort to ensure the appropriate focus on performance, developed guidelines for executive officers for allocating the desired total direct compensation package among base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus, and long-term incentives. As a general philosophy, these guidelines provide that the higher the

 

15


position within management the more total compensation is incentive-pay dependent and the more the incentive pay is long-term oriented. This is done to better align senior level compensation with the long-term success of the Company. These guidelines are reviewed regularly to ensure their marketplace competitiveness.

 

In the case of our CEO, the guidelines range for base salary from 27% to 41% of his total compensation, for annual cash incentive bonus from 20% to 22% of the total compensation, and for long-term incentives from 39% to 51% of total compensation. The applicable guidelines for our other executive officers range for base salary from 50% to 68% of their total compensation, for annual cash incentive bonus from 15% to 21% of the total compensation, and for long-term compensation from 14% to 30% of the total compensation.

 

Base Salary

 

Each year, the Committee reviews and discusses base salaries of our executive officers. The Committee’s final determination of salary increases depends on a number of factors, including market data reported by Towers Perrin, specific position responsibilities and scope, experience and tenure, current job performance, the extent of an individual’s penetration in his current salary range, and Quaker’s overall financial results. In the case of some of the foreign-based executive officers, salary increases may be subject to the legal mandates of a particular country or region which influence the final determinations of the Committee even when similar increases were not granted to officers residing in the United States.

 

Annual Cash Incentive Bonus

 

The second component of the total direct compensation package is the annual cash incentive bonus, which is determined under the 2001 Global Annual Incentive Plan (“GAIP”). The GAIP is intended to provide associates of Quaker or a subsidiary of Quaker with an opportunity to receive incentive bonuses based on the achievement of budgeted financial performance criteria and regional/personal objectives.

 

GAIP bonuses at target (which is defined as 55% of the maximum opportunity) are based 75% on corporate financial results and 25% on regional performance or personal objectives, depending on position. For all participants, the corporate component of the bonus may vary up to maximum or down to zero based on corporate net income. For regional associates (Messrs. Barry and Platzer), the regional portion of the bonus is set at 25% of target bonus and may vary up to 182% of the target opportunity or down to zero depending on regional performance. Nevertheless, the total GAIP bonus cannot exceed a participant’s maximum opportunity. For non-regional associates (Messrs. Naples, Featherstone and Harris), the personal objectives portion of the bonus may only vary up to 25% of target bonus. When the corporate component is at maximum, the regional performance/personal objective opportunity can be no greater than 13.75% (13.3% in the case of Mr. Naples) of the total GAIP bonus opportunity which is defined for all participants as a maximum percentage of base salary. Mr. Naples’ maximum annual incentive award opportunity for 2007 was 140% of his base salary. The applicable maximum annual award percentage for our other executive officers ranges from 45% to 55% of base salary.

 

The corporate net income financial targets for 2007 GAIP bonuses were $9.7 million ($.97 per share) of net income at threshold (the level at which the bonus pool began to accumulate), $13 million ($1.30 per share) of net income at target, and $14.4 million ($1.44 per share) at maximum. The Committee selected these net income levels, which were approved by the board, because of their correlation to the 2007 budgeted net income of $13 million and the level of improvement over the 2006 reported net income of $11.3 million, a 15% improvement over the prior year at target, and a 27% improvement at maximum. If the final net income level had fallen between the amounts shown above, interpolation would have been used to calculate the bonus payout.

 

At the time the Committee set the 2007 GAIP targets, it also approved a list of non-budgeted business circumstances for which adjustment may be made to the reported net income for purposes of calculating the award. They included site consolidation expenditures for consolidating U.S. manufacturing locations, significant customer bankruptcies or plant shutdown; change in accounting principles, unusual factors driving an increased

 

16


tax rate; non-recurring adjustments to income such as asset write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and related charges and first-year acquisition costs/losses; adverse legal judgments, settlements, litigation expenses, and legal and environmental reserves; expenditures for discretionary board approved corporate purposes or major initiatives, including individual personnel actions; and changes in exchange rates. The Committee also approved at the same time, alternative performance targets based on achieving certain returns on capital to be used, at the Committee’s discretion, only if the corporate net income targets were not met.

 

In 2007, reported net income was $15.5 million ($1.53 per share) exceeding the GAIP maximum goal of $14.4 million. Maximum goal was also exceeded even when reduced by the non-cash out-of-period tax benefit adjustment of $1.0 million taken in the third quarter of 2007. Accordingly, all participants earned the maximum corporate component of the GAIP bonus.

 

In 2007, Mr. Naples’ individual goals included achieving the 2007 financial plan; planning and implementing management succession as necessary; planning and developing industry-consolidation strategic opportunities; advancing manufacturing consolidation plans to meet strategic needs; implementing a program to raise investor profile; and strengthening capital structure. He earned 100% of his target individual component. The individual goals of the other executive officers were a mix of quantitative performance objectives and managerial goals, such as achieving regional budgets and working capital targets, as well as realizing on certain business development opportunities, securing sales at critical accounts, and improving profitability of certain regional business segments. Performance on the individual component of the other Named Executive Officers’ annual bonus ranged from 85% to 100% of the target opportunity.

 

Long-Term Incentives

 

The Company has a Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (“2006 LTIP”) pursuant to which it may award stock options, restricted stock or long-term cash payments to plan participants. This plan is intended to assist us in attracting, retaining, and motivating employees, non-employee directors and consultants through the use of compensation that rewards long-term performance. The use of stock-based compensation in our long-term incentive plan balances the cash-based annual incentive bonus and cash portion of our long-term performance plan. The Committee also believes that stock ownership by management and equity-based performance compensation arrangements are useful tools to align the interests of management with those of Quaker’s shareholders. Under the 2006 LTIP, a three-year performance period is used. Generally, employees selected as award recipients hold key positions impacting the long-term success of Quaker and its subsidiaries. These awards are based on overlapping three-year performance periods, so a new program starts each year and a payment is made each year, if earned.

 

Under the Company’s 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (the “2001 LTIP”), Mr. Naples and the other Named Executive Officers were awarded options, performance-based restricted stock, and a target cash award for the 2005-2007 performance period. Payment of the restricted stock and cash award is dependent upon achieving certain targeted performance over the three-year period on relative average pre-tax return on assets (“ROA”) and relative total shareholder return (“TSR”), as compared in both cases to the S&P SmallCap 600 (Materials Group). Payout is weighted with the TSR component representing 20% of the total targeted payout and ROA representing 80% of the total targeted payout. The threshold for the TSR component was relative performance at the 30th percentile of the comparison group, target was at the 60th percentile, and maximum was at the 85th percentile. The threshold for the ROA component was relative performance at the 30th percentile of the comparison group, target was at the 60th percentile, and maximum was at the 90th percentile. Quaker’s TSR equated to a ranking in the 40th percentile of the comparison group warranting a payout of 75% of TSR target for this component (or 15% of the total target payout). Since the ROA benchmark data for 2007 is not available until April 2008, award amounts for ROA component for the 2005-2007 period cannot be determined at this time. As of September 30, 2007, Quaker’s ROA for the applicable period equated to a ranking in the 40th percentile of the comparison group warranting a payout, if calculated as of that date, of 68% of ROA target for this component (or 54% of the total target payout).

 

17


In early 2006, the Committee engaged Towers Perrin to provide an overview of emerging trends in long-term compensation practices. This review indicated that Quaker’s practices were generally in the mainstream for peer companies, but it did note certain areas of differentiation. As a result of this analysis and their evaluation of Quaker’s needs, the Committee made the following changes:

 

   

Maintain Quaker practice of providing three forms of payment (options, cash and restricted stock) to senior executives, including each of the Named Executive Officers, but limit payment forms for lower-level executives to cash and restricted stock.

   

Shift from having all long-term compensation based on performance to a split between performance-based and time-based to facilitate retention. Restricted stock would be time-based and would vest at the end of three years assuming continued employment of the grantee. These restricted shares would be eligible for dividends payable at the time dividends are paid generally.

   

Continue to provide that the cash portion would be performance-based. The performance criteria for the cash payment would be a single metric, relative total shareholder return. By tying the cash award to shareholder value, it allows a market metric to be used as a performance measure without accounting complications.

 

In the first quarter of 2007, the Committee selected participants for the 2007-2009 performance period, including all of the Named Executive Officers. For all executive officers, including the CEO, target awards were determined as a percentage of base salary. Mr. Featherstone was not an executive officer as of the date the Committee made awards for the 2007-2009 performance period. The specific amount of each award was determined based on the relative position of each executive officer within the Quaker organizational structure, influence on long-term results, past practice, performance factors independent of the terms and amounts of awards previously granted, and policy targets for the mix of compensation between base salary, annual and long-term incentives.

 

For the 2007-2009 performance period, Mr. Naples received a long-term incentive grant of 101,765 options, 16,145 restricted shares, and a target of $355,160 in cash, and the other Named Executive Officers received grants ranging from 15,325-7,355 options, 2,430-1,165 restricted shares, and target cash awards ranging from $53,490-$25,660. Mr. Featherstone received no options, 1,200 shares of restricted stock and target cash award of $14,000.

 

Awards under the 2007-2009 performance period are intended to make Quaker’s executive compensation more dependent upon the long-term performance of the Company, especially for the CEO, and to ensure retention of executive officers. The stock options (once exercisable) only benefit the recipient if the stock price exceeds the fair market value of Quaker’s stock on the day of the grant. The options granted vest in three equal annual installments, commencing February 22, 2008, over the three-year performance period. Payment of the cash award is dependent on the Company’s relative total shareholder return over the 2007-2009 performance period as compared to the S&P SmallCap 600 (Materials Group). As mentioned above, the restricted stock grant vests after the end of the performance period assuming the participant is in Quaker’s employ at that time. During the performance period, the recipient is eligible to receive dividends on the restricted shares.

 

The exercise price of options awarded under the 2006 LTIP is not less than 100% of the “fair market value” of a share of Quaker common stock on the date the option was granted defined as the last sale price for a share of common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange for that date or, if not reported on the New York Stock Exchange for that date, as quoted on the principal exchange on which the common stock is listed or traded, and if no such sales are made on that date, then on the next preceding date on which there are such sales.

 

Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Payments

 

Due to the negative impact of our unanticipated 2005 restructuring charge and a tax charge related to repatriation of foreign earnings, participants in the 2004-2006 long-term incentive programs under the 2001 LTIP did not earn any incentive awards. For the plan period, the Company awarded the opportunity to earn options,

 

18


performance-based stock, and cash incentive awards. The stock and cash awards were subject to the Company achieving certain performance goals and were set as a mix of 55% on ROA as compared to the S&P SmallCap 600 (Materials Group), and 45% on the Company’s average earnings per share (“EPS”). To qualify for any award under either the EPS or the ROA criteria, average EPS had to be at least 50% of targeted EPS ($.80). The threshold for the ROA payout was relative performance at the 30th percentile of the comparison group, target was at the 60th percentile, and maximum was at the 90th percentile. The Committee felt that not adjusting for the 2005 restructuring and tax charges would produce an inequitable result for plan participants. Since no provision was made at the time of grant for adjusting the result for one-time events, no payment could be made under the 2001 LTIP with respect to performance-based stock and cash incentive awards. Following extensive discussion in early 2007, the Committee recommended to the board, and the board approved, discretionary cash awards in 2007 under the same performance criteria, with results adjusted for the items noted above, and at the same participant opportunity levels as originally granted to the participants in the 2004-2006 program.

 

Once adjusted for the aforementioned charges, the EPS qualifier was met. Nevertheless, EPS, even after adjustment, still fell short of meeting the criteria for the EPS portion of the award for the plan period, and, therefore, no award on this component was paid. ROA satisfied the criteria for the 2004-2006 period. For the 2004-2006 period, the Company’s ROA after adjustment equated to a ranking in the 45th percentile of the comparison group warranting a payout of approximately 76% of target on this component. Accordingly, all participants, except Mr. Naples, received in 2007 a cash payout of 42% of the total target opportunity. The Committee, at Mr. Naples’ recommendation, decided that Mr. Naples be excluded from this award, given that the discretionary bonus would constitute non-performance-based compensation subject to the deductibility limits of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The discretionary bonuses were paid to participants in May 2007.

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

To align the interests of executive officers with the interests of our shareholders, each of the Named Executive Officers must maintain a minimum ownership in Quaker stock. The amount required for the CEO is three times his base salary and for our other Named Executive Officers half their base salary. The CEO and the rest of the Named Executive Officers are in compliance with these ownership guidelines.

 

Retirement Benefits

 

U.S. Qualified Defined Benefit Plan

 

Before 2006, nearly all of Quaker’s U.S. employees were covered by a non-contributory qualified defined benefit retirement plan. The plan when originally adopted had a traditional final pay formula for calculating a participant’s benefit which has been modified over the years. In 2001, a new formula was adopted. It is an accrual-based formula providing for annual credits of 3% to 7% of an employee’s salary depending on age and service, with interest on the balance accruing based on the average rate of interest on 30-year treasury bonds. Participants who have reached the age of 60 and have 10 years of service are eligible for early retirement. The pension benefit is now calculated based on the benefit accrued under the old formula as of December 31, 2000, and then under the new formula commencing January 1, 2001. Effective December 31, 2005, the pension plan benefits were frozen for all non-union participants, including all U.S. based executive officers, resulting in no further increase in pension benefits for compensation or service after such date.

 

Foreign Plans

 

Mr. Platzer’s and, to a more limited extent, Mr. Harris’ retirement benefits are provided under a defined benefit pension plan maintained by the Company’s Netherlands operating subsidiary. Commencing June 12, 2006, Mr. Harris transferred to the Company’s United Kingdom operating subsidiary and, therefore, will be entitled to retirement benefits under the Netherlands plan only for services rendered through June 9, 2006. Since 2004, the Netherlands plan has a career average pay formula that provides for a target retirement benefit of 80% career average salary assuming employment of 40 years. In 2004, the formula was modified freezing salary levels at then current levels for pension purposes with annual increases at an assumed rate of 3%. To the extent

 

19


inflation increases over 3%, half of the excess will be added to the assumed rate of annual increases. Prior to 2004, the plan was a final salary plan and provided 70% of final salary assuming employment of 40 years. For pension purposes, pensionable salary is defined as 14.02 times a participant’s monthly salary. Pension liabilities under this plan are funded through an insurance policy. Commencing June 12, 2006, Mr. Harris began to accrue retirement benefits under a pension plan maintained by our United Kingdom subsidiary. This plan is a final pay plan. The pension payable is 1/60th of final pensionable salary per year of service. Final pensionable salary is the average of the three highest years within the last ten years of service. Pensions in payment are indexed in line with the United Kingdom Retail Price Index, subject to a maximum of 2.5% per annum. A spouse’s pension of 50% of member’s pension is payable from the date of a participant’s death. Participants in the United Kingdom plan must make contributions to the plan, the amount of which is dependent on age. Mr. Harris contributes 8% of his annual salary towards his pension benefit.

 

Mr. Naples’ Nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Income Program

 

We also provide supplemental retirement income to our U.S. based executive officers. Mr. Naples has a separate plan established in 1995 pursuant to his original employment agreement with the Company. The other U.S. based executive officers are eligible to receive benefits under a recently revised single plan. Though the formulas are different between the two plans, the targeted post-retirement income, assuming employment through the maximum prescribed period, is 50% of each officer’s pre-retirement annual compensation (base salary and annual bonus). The significant year-over-year increase in the present value of the retirement benefits, as reflected in the tables below for Messrs. Naples and Barry, reflect the higher annual bonus earned in 2006 but paid in 2007, after multiple years of limited or no GAIP bonuses.

 

Under Mr. Naples’ Supplemental Retirement Income Program, the maximum annual benefit payable would be 80% of his after-tax “net pre-retirement income,” less his “net after-retirement income.” Net pre-retirement income is defined in Mr. Naples’ plan as the higher of (a) his final year of base salary plus the average of the annual bonuses paid in the highest three calendar years (of the last five), or (b) the average of his three highest consecutive years of annual base compensation and annual bonuses, in either case reduced by Federal, state and local taxes, and Social Security. Net after-retirement income is defined as Mr. Naples’ after-tax annual Social Security benefit and pension benefit under the qualified defined benefit retirement plan. The maximum annual benefit is reduced by 2.667% for each full year of employment less than 15 years. Since he has reached the age of 60 and has 10 years of service, Mr. Naples is entitled to receive this benefit at any time following separation of service, as well as his benefit under the qualified plan discussed above. All payments under Mr. Naples’ Supplemental Retirement Income Program are made monthly over Mr. Naples’ lifetime or, if Mr. Naples elects, in an actuarially equivalent annuity over his lifetime and his spouse’s lifetime.

 

U.S. Based Executive Officers’ Nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Income Program

 

The Supplemental Retirement Income Program (“SRIP”) for certain U.S. based executive officers was amended in 2006 following a lengthy review process to modernize and tailor it to our needs. At this time, Mr. Barry is the only Named Executive Officer participating in the SRIP. Executive officers are designated by the Committee to participate in the SRIP. SRIP provides an annual benefit of 50% of the participant’s pre-tax “average annual compensation,” reduced by three offsets and further reduced if the participant completes fewer than 30 years of service. This benefit is generally payable over the participant’s lifetime, starting within seven months after the participant’s retirement (on account of disability, after attaining age 65, or after attaining age 62 and completing 10 years of service), or starting after the participant’s 65th birthday (if the participant’s employment terminates after five years of participation but before retirement). Other benefit forms are 36 monthly installments (if payments start after the participant attains age 65) or monthly payments over the lifetimes of the participant and his beneficiary. However, benefits are payable in a lump sum if the present value of the participant’s benefit does not exceed $30,000 or if the participant dies or a change in control occurs before the participant has started receiving benefits.

 

20


Average annual compensation is the average of the participant’s annual base compensation and annual bonuses paid in the three calendar years (of the last 10) in which such amounts were the highest. The offsets are the participant’s annual Social Security benefit (based on certain assumptions), the annual benefit payable to the participant over his lifetime under the qualified defined benefit retirement plan discussed above, and the aggregate amount of the qualified non-elective contributions made on the participant’s behalf under the Quaker Chemical Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (plus assumed earnings) expressed as an annual benefit payable over the participant’s lifetime. The service reduction is equal to 3.333% for each year (or partial year) of service fewer than 30 completed by the participant.

 

For two original (and currently the only) active participants in SRIP, including Mr. Barry, their accrued benefit is the greatest of:

 

  1.   if employed by the Company at age 55, the benefit payable under the formula set forth in the SRIP as in effect prior to January 1, 2005, based on the original participant’s salary plus bonus and years of employment when he attains age 55; or

 

  2.   the sum of the benefit the original participant would have accrued as of December 31, 2006, under the formula set forth in the SRIP as in effect prior to January 1, 2005, based on the original participant’s salary plus bonus and years of employment at December 31, 2006, plus the benefit the original participant accrues under the new formula, described above, but disregarding service completed before 2007; or

 

  3.   the amount determined under the new formula described above.

 

Severance and Change in Control Benefits

 

The Committee believes that appropriate severance and change-in-control benefits are an important part of the total compensation benefits package because they enhance our ability to compete for talent and foster stability in our management. Quaker has entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers, pursuant to which severance benefits are payable, and has entered into change in control agreements with each of our executive officers (other than the CEO whose employment agreement provides for payments in the event of a change in control of the Company). In determining amounts payable, the Committee seeks to provide severance benefits sufficient to allow our executives time to find a comparable position elsewhere and change in control benefits sufficient to induce our executives to support a change in control transaction fully and remain with us despite the risk of termination after the transaction.

 

Mr. Naples’ Employment Agreement

 

Mr. Naples’ employment agreement provides that upon the termination of his employment for reasons except his death or “disability,” or by us for “cause,” or by Mr. Naples for other than “good reason,” the Company will pay Mr. Naples 36 monthly severance payments that, in the aggregate, are equal to three times the sum of his base salary at the time of termination plus bonus equal to the greater of (i) the average of the amounts paid to him by Quaker under all bonus and annual incentive plans and discretionary bonuses for the two calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the termination occurred or (ii) the target bonus which would otherwise have been payable to Mr. Naples for the calendar year in which the termination occurred.

 

In addition to the payments described above, Mr. Naples is entitled to a lump sum payment of the pro rata portion of any annual bonuses and long-term bonuses in effect during the year in which the severance event occurs based on our actual level of performance; a maximum of five years of medical, dental, disability, and term life insurance coverage at a level equal to the coverage provided to Mr. Naples immediately before the date of termination of employment; three years of credited service under his Supplemental Retirement Income Program; the present value of the amount, if any, that the pension, payable to Mr. Naples at retirement under the Company’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan would have increased had Mr. Naples’ employment continued for three years after his termination; three or more years of office and secretarial services consistent with what is currently

 

21


provided, one year of outplacement services, reimbursement of country club membership, annual tax preparation and financial planning for five years, and a car for five years. See the discussion under the caption “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” on page 32 of this proxy statement.

 

“Cause” is defined under Mr. Naples’ employment agreement as either the willful and continued neglect of the duties of CEO, or the willful engagement in a continued course of misconduct which is materially injurious to Quaker, monetarily or otherwise, continuing after Mr. Naples’ has received notice of conduct from the board of directors and the opportunity to correct such conduct. “Good reason” is defined as, without the executive’s consent: (i) the failure of the executive to be elected as a director of Quaker, or the failure to be elected the Chairman of the Board of Quaker, or the failure of Quaker to elect the executive as, or to permit the executive to perform the duties of, the CEO of Quaker; (ii) a breach by Quaker of any material provision of the employment agreement; (iii) an amendment of Quaker’s By-Laws that has the effect of creating a material adverse change in the duties and responsibilities of CEO; (iv) the relocation of the principal executive offices of Quaker to a location outside the continental United States; (v) Quaker is not or ceases to be a corporation with stock registered pursuant to Sections 12(b) or 12(g) of the Act; or (vi) a decision by the CEO to terminate employment for any reason whatsoever during the period beginning 9 and ending 18 months after the occurrence of a change in control.

 

In the case of termination of employment because of disability, Mr. Naples would continue to receive his monthly base salary for five years, offset by disability payments provided by Quaker (through insurance or otherwise), and would continue to receive medical, dental, and term life insurance coverage for five years. In the case of termination of employment because of death, Mr. Naples’ beneficiary would receive three times his annual base salary for the year in which his death occurred, payable in 36 monthly installments. See the discussion under the caption “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” on page 32 of this proxy statement.

 

In the case of a termination (other than by us for “cause,” not for “good reason” by Mr. Naples, death, or disability) within three years following a change in control, Mr. Naples would be entitled to payment equal to three times the sum of his base salary at the time of termination plus bonus equal to the greater of (i) the greatest of the annual amounts paid to him under all bonus and annual incentive plans and discretionary bonuses during any of the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the change in control transaction occurred, or (ii) the target bonus which would have otherwise been payable to Mr. Naples for the calendar year in which the change in control transaction occurred. In addition, Mr. Naples will also receive the payments and benefits listed in the second paragraph of this section. He is also entitled to payment for any excise tax (and a tax gross-up) charged to him as a result of any change in control payments that exceed applicable Internal Revenue Code limitations. If Mr. Naples resigns for any reason between 9 and 18 months following a change in control, he will also be entitled to these severance benefits. See the discussion under the caption “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” on page 32 of this proxy statement.

 

Other Executive Officers

 

Our other Named Executive Officers are each entitled to severance under their respective employment agreements (other than in the case of termination for “cause,” disability, death or retirement) equal to 12 months’ base salary at their then current rate of salary or, if greater, as in the case of Mr. Platzer, severance prescribed by law in foreign jurisdictions. “Cause” is defined in Mr. Platzer, Mr. Harris and Mr. Barry’s employment agreements as: (i) willful and continued failure (following written notice) of the executive to perform his duties under the employment agreement; or (ii) the willful engaging by the executive in a continued course of misconduct which is materially injurious to Quaker, monetarily or otherwise. In the case of Mr. Featherstone “cause” is defined to include: (i) willful and material breach of memorandum of employment; (ii) dishonesty, fraud, willful malfeasance, gross negligence, or other gross misconduct, in each case relating to the performance of duties which is materially injurious to Quaker; or (iii) conviction of or plea of guilty to a felony. Our other Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Murphy) are also entitled to reasonable out-placement assistance under their respective employment agreements. Severance payments are contingent upon signing a form of release satisfactory to Quaker.

 

22


Mr. Murphy resigned from his position with Quaker, effective April 8, 2007. All outstanding non-vested equity awards were forfeited as of that date.

 

Quaker has entered into change in control agreements with each of its Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Naples). Under these agreements, the executive officers are entitled, if terminated (other than by us for “cause,” not for “good reason” by the executive officer, disability or death) within two years following a change in control, to severance in an amount equal to 1.5 times (1 times in the case of Mr. Featherstone) the sum of annual base salary plus an amount equal to the average of the total annual amounts paid to the executive under all applicable annual incentive compensation plans during the three years immediately preceding the year in which the change in control occurs or, if higher, prior to the year the change in control occurs. In addition, these executive officers are entitled to receive (i) earned but unpaid base salary through the termination at the rate in effect on the date of termination, or if higher, at the rate in effect at any time during the 90-day period preceding the change in control; (ii) any unpaid bonus or annual incentive payable to the executive in respect of the calendar year ending prior to termination; (iii) the pro rata portion of any and all unpaid bonuses and annual incentive awards for the calendar year in which the termination occurs which would have been payable had (x) the termination not occurred in such calendar year and (y) the target level of performance been achieved for the calendar year; and (iv) the pro rata portion of any and all awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plan for the performance period(s) in which the termination occurs.

 

In addition to the amounts described above, our executive officers are also entitled to one year outplacement services and participation in our health, dental, and life insurance programs (death-in-service and medical insurance in the case of Mr. Harris) as if still employed for a period of 18 months (12 months in the case of Mr. Featherstone). Mr. Platzer is also entitled to receive additional payments as prescribed by the law in the foreign jurisdiction in which he is located, and Mr. Barry’s change in control agreement entitles him to payments under Quaker’s Supplemental Retirement Income Program paid in the form of a single life annuity when he reaches the age of 65. These executive officers are also entitled to the amounts described above if they are terminated by Quaker without “cause” within six months before a change in control if they can demonstrate that the termination was at the request of a person who has taken steps to effect the change in control. These benefits will be paid or provided only if the executive officer signs a general release of claims. In addition, the benefits and payments will be discontinued if the executive officer violates the confidentiality provisions of his respective change in control agreement (at any time) or the noncompete provisions of the change in control agreement (during employment or the one-year period thereafter). See the discussion under the caption “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” on page 32 of this proxy statement.

 

In the change of control agreements “cause” is defined to include: (i) the willful breach of the employment agreement between the executive and Quaker (after having received notice and the opportunity to correct); (ii) dishonesty, fraud, willful malfeasance, gross negligence or other gross misconduct, in each case relating to the performance of the executive’s employment with Quaker which is materially injurious to Quaker; or (iii) conviction of or plea of guilty to a felony (an indictable criminal offense in the case of Mr. Harris). “Good reason” includes, other than by reason of executive’s death or disability: (i) any reduction in the executive’s base salary from that provided immediately before the Covered Termination or, if higher, immediately before a change in control; (ii) any reduction in the executive’s bonus opportunity (including cash or noncash incentives) or increase in the goals or standards required to accrue that opportunity, as compared to the opportunity and goals or standards in effect immediately before the change in control; (iii) a material adverse change in the nature or scope of the executive’s authorities, powers, functions or duties from those in effect immediately before the change in control; (iv) a reduction in the executive’s benefits from those provided immediately before the change in control, disregarding any reduction under a plan or program covering employees generally that applies to all employees covered by the plan or program; or (v) the executive being required to accept a primary employment location which is more than 25 miles from the location at which he was primarily employed during the 90-day period prior to a change in control.

 

23


Other Benefits on Termination

 

In addition to the payments and benefits discussed above, the executive officers are entitled to the payments and benefits that are available to all employees on termination of employment, including vested benefits under the Company’s qualified defined benefit retirement plan and 401(k) plan, short-term and long-term disability benefits (in the event of disability), and life insurance benefits (in the case of death).

 

Perquisites and Other Benefits

 

As a general matter, the Company does not provide perquisites to its executive officers. In Europe, consistent with regional compensation practices, cars are provided to mid and upper level managers, including Messrs. Harris and Platzer.

 

Under Mr. Naples’ prior employment agreement with us, we made loans to him in the aggregate principal amount of $642,326 in 1999 to cover withholding and additional taxes on stock awards. The two loans have a nine-year term and bear interest rates of 5.28% and 6.20%. The aggregate principal balance remains outstanding. Mr. Naples paid $34,626 during the year ended December 31, 2007, representing all of the interest accrued to that date on such indebtedness.

 


 

Compensation Committee Report

 


 

The Compensation/Management Development Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

 

Compensation/Management Development Committee

 

Robert H. Rock, Chairman

Patricia C. Barron

Donald R. Caldwell

Edwin J. Delattre

 

24


Summary Compensation Table

 

The table below summarizes the total compensation awarded to, paid to, or earned by each of our executive officers who are named in the table. In this proxy statement, we sometimes refer to this group of individuals as our “Named Executive Officers.”

 

(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)     (e)   (f)   (g)   (h)   (i)   (j)
Name and Principal Position   Year  

Salary

($)

 

Bonus

($)(1)

   

Stock
Awards

($)(2)

 

Option
Awards

($)(2)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)(3)

 

Change in Pension
Value

and Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation

Earnings
($)(4)

 

All Other
Compensation

($)(5)

 

Total

($)

Ronald J. Naples
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

 

  2007

2006

  644,167

611,208

  0

267,641

 

 

  397,151

72,186

  253,033

104,431

  955,270

861,000

  1,465,000

0

  50,690

36,423

  3,765,331

1,952,889

Neal E. Murphy
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (until April 8, 2007)

 

  2007

2006

  79,342

288,350

  0

50,000

 

(6)

  0

33,828

  0

36,304

  0

147,350

  0

118,000

  15,954

17,677

  95,296

691,509

Mark A. Featherstone
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since April 9, 2007)

 

  2007

2006

  204,589

159,900

  7,551

10,569

 

 

  27,173

6,663

  0

0

  110,592

72,536

  0

0

  16,306

12,535

  366,211

262,203

Michael F. Barry
Senior Vice President and
Managing Director—North America

 

  2007

2006

  296,500

282,500

  30,549

38,907

 

 

  114,413

70,411

  35,036

13,513

  172,492

158,400

  131,000

112,000

  42,548

36,605

  822,538

712,336

Mark A. Harris(7)
Senior Vice President—Global Strategy and Marketing

 

  2007

2006

  281,408

261,045

  30,549

38,053

 

 

  106,639

70,411

  24,968

13,513

  131,388

146,586

  63,122

17,303

  72,070

43,423

  710,144

590,334

Wilbert Platzer(7)
Vice President and Managing Director—Europe

 

  2007

2006

  297,963

252,993

  22,384

25,938

 

 

  86,491

55,099

  26,909

12,568

  143,640

117,721

  56,715

31,858

  40,873

35,773

  674,975

531,950

 

  (1)   For 2007, includes for all Named Executive Officers (except Mr. Naples and Mr. Murphy), a discretionary bonus payment for the 2004-2006 period. For 2006, includes for all Named Executive Officers (except Mr. Murphy, who joined the Company in 2004) a discretionary bonus payment for the 2003-2005 period. See discussion under the caption “Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Payments” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 18 of this proxy statement.

 

  (2)   The amounts in columns (e) and (f) reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, in accordance with FAS 123(R) for outstanding equity awards under the Company’s 2001 Global Annual Incentive Plan (“GAIP”) and the Company’s 2001 and 2006 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plans. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for 2007 are included in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Mr. Murphy resigned, effective April 8, 2007. All outstanding non-vested equity awards were forfeited as of that date resulting in no FAS 123(R) expense being incurred in 2007 for Mr. Murphy’s equity awards.

 

  (3)  

The amounts in column (g) are incentive cash bonuses earned in 2007 and payable in 2008, and earned in 2006 and paid in 2007, under the Company’s GAIP and under the 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (“2001 LTIP”). All bonuses for foreign-based participants are paid by the applicable local foreign affiliate. Only a portion of the cash bonuses to be earned under the 2001 LTIP are reflected. Payment of cash bonuses for the 2005-2007 period under the 2001 LTIP is dependent on achieving certain relative performance against a selected peer group based on total shareholder return (“TSR”) and return on assets (“ROA”). Payment of the cash bonus is weighted 20% on TSR and 80% on ROA. Cash bonuses earned under the TSR have been earned and are reflected in column (g). The benchmark

 

25


 

data used to measure performance on ROA is not expected to be available until April 2008 and, therefore, cash bonuses based on ROA have not been earned and are not reflected in column (g). See discussion under the caption “Long-Term Incentives” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 17 of this proxy statement.

 

  (4)   The amounts shown in column (h) reflect the actuarial increase in the present value of the Named Executive Officer’s benefits under all pension plans established by the Company determined by using the interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in the Company’s financial statements. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in the present value of Messrs. Naples’ and Barry’s benefits under all pension plans established by the Company reflects the higher annual bonus earned in 2006, but paid in 2007, after multiple years of limited or no annual bonuses.

 

  (5)   Includes (i) matching contributions allocated by the Company to the U.S. based Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan (for 2007, $14,500 for Mr. Naples; $13,449 for Mr. Murphy; $14,500 for Mr. Featherstone; $13,515 for Mr. Barry; and for 2006, $14,094 for Mr. Naples; $12,313 for Mr. Murphy; $11,761 for Mr. Featherstone; and $13,078 for Mr. Barry); (ii) the costs associated with the use of a Company-provided automobile consistent with regional compensation practices in Europe ($37,300 and $20,951 for 2007 and 2006, respectively, for Mr. Harris and $32,101 and $29,871 for 2007 and 2006, respectively, for Mr. Platzer); (iii) a transition payment to Mr. Harris of $24,000 in 2007 and $14,958 in 2006 associated with his transfer from our Dutch affiliate to our United Kingdom affiliate; (iv) dividends paid on time-based restricted stock awards (for 2007, $21,594 for Mr. Naples; $2,505 for Mr. Murphy; $1,806 for Mr. Featherstone; $11,551 for Mr. Barry; $10,770 for Mr. Harris; and $8,772 for Mr. Platzer; and for 2006, $8,385 for Mr. Naples; $5,364 for Mr. Murphy; $774 for Mr. Featherstone; $7,514 for Mr. Barry; $7,514 for Mr. Harris; and $5,902 for Mr. Platzer); and (v) life insurance premiums paid by Quaker ($14,596 and $13,944 for 2007 and 2006, respectively, for Mr. Naples and $17,482 and $16,013 for 2007 and 2006, respectively, for Mr. Barry).

 

  (6)   Reflects $50,000 cash payment upon reaching the second-year anniversary of employment with the Company pursuant to Mr. Murphy’s employment agreement, effective July 22, 2004.

 

  (7)   Mr. Platzer’s compensation is paid in Euros, and Mr. Harris’ compensation was paid in Euros until June 9, 2006, and then British pounds following his transfer to the Company’s United Kingdom operating subsidiary, effective June 12, 2006. All foreign currency amounts reflected in this table were converted to U.S. dollars at the spot rate in effect on December 31 of the year for which the information is reported.

 

26


Grants of Plan Based Awards

 

Provided below is information on grants made in 2007 to the Named Executive Officers under the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan. In February 2007, awards for the 2007-2009 period were made to the Named Executive Officers consisting of options vesting in three equal installments over the three-year performance period, time-based restricted stock vesting after the three-year period, and a cash bonus opportunity. See discussion under the heading “Long-Term Incentives” under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 17 of this proxy statement.

 

Name (a)  

Grant
Date

(b)

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards (1)

  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
 

All Other
Stock
Awards:

Number of
Shares of
Stock

or Units (2)

(#)(i)

 

All Other

Option
Awards:

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (3)

(#)(j)

 

Exercise

or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
(4)

($/Sh)

(k)

 

Grant Date

Fair Value

of Stock
and Option
Awards (5)

($)(l)

    Threshold
($)(c)
  Target
($)(d)
  Maximum
($)(e)
  Threshold
($)(f)
  Target
($)(g)
  Maximum
($)(h)
       

Ronald J. Naples

  02/22/07   142,064   355,160   710,320   0   0   0   16,145   101,765   23.13   857,164

Neal E. Murphy(6)

  02/22/07   21,396   53,490   106,980   0   0   0   2,430   15,325   23.13   0

Mark A. Featherstone

  02/22/07   5,600   14,000   28,000   0   0   0   1,200   0   23.13   27,756

Michael F. Barry

  02/22/07   20,908   52,270   104,540   0   0   0   2,375   14,980   23.13   126,140

Mark A. Harris

  02/22/07   10,264   25,660   51,320   0   0   0   1,165   7,355   23.13   61,908

Wilbert Platzer

  02/22/07   12,320   30,800   61,600   0   0   0   1,400   8,825   23.13   74,331

 

  (1)   The amounts shown in column (c) reflect the minimum payment level under the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (“2006 LTIP”), which is 20% of the maximum amount shown in column (e). The amount shown in column (e) is 200% of each target amount. The value or maturation of a performance incentive unit is determined by performance over a three-year period based on relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) against a pre-determined peer group. See discussion under the caption “Long-Term Incentives” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 17 of this proxy statement.

 

  (2)   The amounts shown in column (i) reflect the number of time-based restricted stock awards awarded under the 2006 LTIP with full vesting on February 22, 2010.

 

  (3)   The amounts shown in column (j) reflect the combination of incentive and non-qualified options which were issued under the 2006 LTIP. These options become exercisable in three equal consecutive annual installments commencing on February 22, 2008.

 

  (4)   Under the provisions of the 2006 LTIP, the fair market value is defined as the closing market price on the grant date.

 

  (5)   The amounts included in column (l) represent the full grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

  (6)   All of the above grants awarded to Mr. Murphy were forfeited as of April 8, 2007, the effective date of his resignation. All expenses associated with Mr. Murphy’s awards have been reversed.

 

27


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

Name (a)

  Option Awards   Stock Awards
 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)

Exercisable

(b)

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (1)

(#)

Unexercisable

(c)

 

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options

(#)(d)

 

Option
Exercise
Price

($)(e)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

(f)

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested

(#)(g)

   

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested (2)

($)(h)

 

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested (3)

(#)(i)

 

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested (4)

($)(j)

Ronald J. Naples

  14,000   0   0   16.9375   1/21/2008   13,000 (5)   285,610   4,328   95,086
    80,000   0   0   17.75   1/23/2008   16,145 (6)   354,706        
    80,000   0   0   20.09   1/23/2009                  
    96,900   0   0   20.18   3/19/2010                  
    66,800   0   0   26.05   4/15/2011                  
    73,430   0   0   21.97   3/9/2012                  
    23,333   46,667   0   19.98   3/6/2013                  
    0   101,765   0   23.13   2/22/2014                  

Neal E. Murphy(7)

  0   0   0   0   —     0     0   0   0

Mark A. Featherstone

  2,800   0   0   20.18   3/19/2010   1,200 (5)   26,364   240   5,273
    2,600   0   0   26.05   4/15/2011   1,200 (6)   26,364        
    4,700   0   0   21.97   3/9/2012                  

Michael F. Barry

  15,000   0   0   17.1875   11/30/2008   1,650 (5)   36,251   563   12,369
    6,700   0   0   17.75   1/23/2008   2,375 (6)   52,179        
    13,000   0   0   20.09   1/23/2009   10,000 (8)   219,700        
    14,100   0   0   20.18   3/19/2010                  
    8,525   0   0   26.05   4/15/2011                  
    9,560   0   0   21.97   3/9/2012                  
    3,000   6,000   0   19.98   3/6/2013                  
    0   14,980   0   23.13   2/22/2014                  

Mark A. Harris

  13,000   0   0   20.09   1/23/2009   1,650 (5)   36,251   563   12,369
    14,100   0   0   20.18   3/19/2010   1,165 (6)   25,595        
    8,525   0   0   26.05   4/15/2011   10,000 (8)   219,700        
    9,560   0   0   21.97   3/9/2012                  
    3,000   6,000   0   19.98   3/6/2013                  
    0   7,355   0   23.13   2/22/2014                  

Wilbert Platzer

  9,500   0   0   20.09   1/23/2009   1,650 (5)   36,251   430   9,447
    9,500   0   0   20.18   3/19/2010   1,400 (6)   30,758        
    6,250   0   0   26.05   4/15/2011   7,500 (8)   164,775        
    7,300   0   0   21.97   3/9/2012                  
    3,000   6,000   0   19.98   3/6/2013                  
    0   8,825   0   23.13   2/22/2014                  

 

  (1)   Options expiring March 6, 2013 and February 22, 2014 have a seven-year term and vest in three equal installments over the three-year period after grant.

 

  (2)   Reflects amounts based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange of $21.97 per share on December 31, 2007.

 

  (3)   Reflects performance-based stock awards yet to be earned under the 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (“2001 LTIP”) for the 2005-2007 performance period. Payment of equity awards for the 2005-2007 period under the 2001 LTIP is dependent on achieving certain relative performance against a selected peer group based on total shareholder return (“TSR”) and return on assets (“ROA”). Vesting of the award is weighted 20% on TSR and 80% on ROA. Shares earned under the TSR have been earned and are reflected on the Option Exercises and Stock Vested chart below. The benchmark data used to measure performance on ROA is not expected to be available until April 2008 and, therefore, shares have not vested. See discussion under the caption “Long-Term Incentives” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 17 of this proxy statement. The performance award stated in column (i) is at threshold, which is 40% of target.

 

28


  (4)   Reflects amounts based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange of $21.97 per share on December 31, 2007.

 

  (5)   Time-based restricted stock awards granted under the 2001 LTIP with full vesting on February 28, 2009.

 

  (6)   Time-based restricted stock awards granted under the 2006 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan with full vesting on February 22, 2010.

 

  (7)   Neal Murphy resigned, effective April 8, 2007. All equity awards were forfeited except for 12,560 options exercised within 90 days of his resignation.

 

  (8)   Performance-based restricted stock awards issued under the 2001 Global Annual Incentive Plan which vest 50% on March 9, 2008, 25% on March 9, 2009 and 25% on March 9, 2010.

 

29


Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

This table shows the number and value of stock options exercised during 2007 by the Named Executive Officers.

 

     Option Awards    Stock Awards
Name   

Numbers of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise

(#)

  

Value
Realized on
Exercise

($)(1)

  

Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting

(#)(2)

  

Value Realized
on Vesting

($)(3)

Ronald J. Naples

   40,700    269,686    2,029    44,577

Neal E. Murphy

   12,560    30,087    0    0

Mark A. Featherstone

   3,000    13,470    113    2,483

Michael F. Barry

   6,300    44,160    264    5,800

Mark A. Harris

   13,000    48,875    264    5,800

Wilbert Platzer

   9,500    37,810    202    4,438

 

  (1)   Reflects the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing market price for a share of common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of exercise.

 

  (2)   The stock awards listed above were earned under the 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan for the 2005-2007 period and reflect only a portion of the total stock bonus that can be earned. Payment is dependent on achieving certain relative performance against a selected peer group based on total shareholder return (“TSR”) and return on assets (“ROA”) and is weighted 20% on TSR and 80% on ROA. Only amounts earned under the TSR component are reflected above. The benchmark data used to measure performance on ROA is not expected to be available until April 2008. See discussion under the caption “Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Payments” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 18 of this proxy statement.

 

  (3)   Reflects amounts based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange of $21.97 per share on December 31, 2007.

 

30


Pension Benefits

 

The table below shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the Named Executive Officers, and the number of years of service credited to each such Named Executive Officer, under each of the Pension Plans and the Supplemental Retirement Income Program under which they are (or may be) entitled to receive payments and benefits. For information on all material assumptions used in quantifying the present value of the accrued pension benefit, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Also, see discussion under the heading “Retirement Benefits” under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 19 of this proxy statement.

 

Name   Plan Name  

Number of

Years

Credited

Service (3)

(#)

 

Present Value of

Accumulated

Benefit

($)

 

Payments
During

Last Fiscal
Year

($)

Ronald J. Naples

  U.S. Pension Plan   9.25   118,000   0
    1995 Naples Supplemental Retirement Income Program and Agreement   12   5,302,000   0

Neal E. Murphy(1)

  U.S. Pension Plan   0.4167   0   0
    Supplemental Retirement Income Program   2   0   0

Mark A. Featherstone

  U.S. Pension Plan   3.5833   29,000   0
    Supplemental Retirement Income Program   0   0   0

Michael F. Barry

  U.S. Pension Plan   6.0833   55,000   0
    Supplemental Retirement Income Program   9   561,000   0

Mark A. Harris

  The Netherlands Pension Plan   10.4167   345,787   0
    United Kingdom Pension Plan   1.5   59,701   0

Wilbert Platzer(2)

  The Netherlands Pension Plan   21.4167   602,769   0

 

  (1)   Mr. Murphy resigned from his position prior to meeting vesting requirements for either retirement plan listed.

 

  (2)   Mr. Platzer’s benefit includes amounts accrued over nine years with a prior employer.

 

  (3)   In all cases, other than Mr. Platzer, years of credited service do not exceed the executive’s period of employment with the Company (and affiliates). Years of credited service may be less than actual service because (i) benefits under the U.S. qualified defined benefit plan were frozen effective December 31, 2005 or (ii) a definition of years of credited service under the applicable plan takes into account less than full years of employment.

 

31


Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

 

Messrs. Naples and Barry are participants in the Quaker Chemical Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). Eligibility is limited to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and other key management employees as designated by the CEO. Account balances represent compensation deferred by Messrs. Naples and Barry in prior years and the earnings thereon. In 2005, Messrs. Naples and Barry each elected to make no further deferrals and to liquidate their accounts. Under the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan, however, the Company can limit their distributions as necessary to avoid an adverse tax consequence as a result of the application of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. No other members of management are currently eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Amounts owed to Mr. Barry and, to a more limited extent, Mr. Naples, are funded through life insurance programs, the death benefit of which is discussed under the heading below “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.” Earnings on deferred compensation accounts are measured against various investment media offered by the Company and chosen by the participant, including in excess of 40 alternatives available under General American Life Insurance Company Variable Universal Life policies.

 

Name   

Executive
Contributions in

Last Fiscal Year

($)

  

Registrant
Contributions in

Last Fiscal Year

($)

  

Aggregate

Earnings in

Last Fiscal Year

($)

  

Aggregate
Withdrawals/

Distributions

($)

  

Aggregate

Balance at

Last Fiscal Year End

($)

Ronald J. Naples

   0    0    262,491    64,271    3,686,468

Neal E. Murphy

   0    0    0    0    0

Mark A. Featherstone

   0    0    0    0    0

Michael F. Barry

   0    0    30,652    585,316    54,548

Mark A. Harris

   0    0    0    0    0

Wilbert Platzer

   0    0    0    0    0

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

 

Provided below in both tabular and narrative form are estimated potential payments to each of our Named Executive Officers for various scenarios, assuming the termination of employment and, where applicable, change in control occurred on December 31, 2007. Except for the Supplemental Retirement Income Program, the amounts shown are aggregate estimated amounts, and have not been calculated as a present value or otherwise adjusted for varying payment dates. For information on material assumptions used in quantifying the present value of the Supplemental Retirement Income Program benefit, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The amounts shown are estimates of the amounts that would be paid; the actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the executive’s separation from the Company (or a change in control, if applicable). Also, see the discussion under the heading “Severance and Change in Control Benefits” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 21 of this proxy statement.

 

32


Ronald J. Naples’ Estimated Payments and Benefits Upon Termination of Employment

 

    Voluntary
Termination (1)
 

Severance
Event

Before
Change in
Control

 

Severance Event

Within Three
Years After
Change in
Control

   

Termination
Due to

Disability

 

Termination
Due to

Death (2)

Severance Allowance ($)

  0   3,451,500   3,451,500     2,416,533   1,950,000

Annual Bonus ($)(3)

  910,000   500,500   500,500     910,000   910,000

Performance Incentive Units ($)

  0   619,588   619,588     0   0

Restricted Stock Awards
(performance-based vesting) ($)
(4)

  0   297,144   297,144     0   0

Restricted Stock Awards
(time-based vesting)($)
(4)

  640,316   640,316   640,316     640,316   640,316

Stock Options ($)(5)

  92,867   92,867   92,867     92,867   92,867

Medical/Dental/Life Insurance ($)(6)

  0   69,990   69,990     69,990   0

Other Fringe Benefits ($)(7)

  0   511,455   511,455     0   0

Supplemental Retirement Income
Program ($)
(8)

  5,301,000   5,682,000   5,682,000     5,301,000   0

Excise Tax and Gross-up ($)

  0   0   2,844,414 (9)   0   0

 

  (1)   Since Mr. Naples is eligible for early retirement, he would be entitled to the benefits listed under Voluntary Termination under the terms of the 2001 Global Annual Incentive Plan, 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan and 2006 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, as applicable.

 

  (2)   If Mr. Naples had died on December 31, 2007, in addition to the amounts shown in this column, (i) his beneficiary would have received a death benefit of $650,000 during 2008 and $325,000 during each of the following four years (2009-2012), and (ii) his beneficiary would also have received a death benefit under the Quaker Chemical Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan of $4,973,248 (including life insurance proceeds of $2,796,528 that would have been paid to the Company under the life insurance policy purchased under the Deferred Compensation Plan). If Mr. Naples had terminated on December 31, 2007 for any reason other than death, he would have received payment of his Deferred Compensation Plan aggregate balance of $3,686,468.

 

  (3)   The target annual bonus under the 2001 Global Annual Incentive Plan is shown for Severance Events. The actual amount paid in 2008 based on performance during 2007 is shown for all other types of termination.

 

  (4)   This amount reflects the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2007 ($21.97) multiplied by the number of shares that would vest upon termination (or change in control).

 

  (5)   This amount reflects the number of shares for which options would become vested on termination (or change in control), multiplied by the positive difference between the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2007 ($21.97) and the exercise price of the option. Options that were vested before December 31, 2007 are shown in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table on page 28.

 

  (6)   This amount is the value of medical, dental, and life insurance coverage for five years, based on our current costs for these benefits.

 

  (7)  

Other fringe benefits include the value of the following: disability insurance ($691/year for 5 years); cost of membership in a country club ($6,500/year for 5 years); reimbursement up to $8,000 for annual tax preparation and financial planning services (for 5 years); an automobile for personal and business

 

33


 

use up to a vehicle cost of $45,000 ($13,200/year for 5 years); private office ($12,000/year for 5 years); secretarial service ($60,000/year for 5 years); and outplacement counseling and services ($9,500/year for 1 year).

 

  (8)   Amount shown is the estimated December 31, 2007 present value of seven monthly payments in July 2008 and monthly payments continuing thereafter for Mr. Naples’ lifetime.

 

  (9)   Amount estimated assuming an effective individual income tax rate of 40%. This amount is determined on the basis that the amount subject to the excise tax would not be decreased by amounts attributable to reasonable compensation for services before the change in control. In actuality, a significant portion of the payments would likely be attributable to such services, which would reduce the excise tax.

 

Named Executive Officers Other Than Ronald J. Naples—Estimated Payments and

Benefits Upon Termination of Employment in Connection With a Change in Control

 

    Mark A. Featherstone   Michael F. Barry   Mark A. Harris (1)   Wilbert Platzer (1)  

Severance Allowance ($)

  227,680   482,639   444,756   908,132 (2)

Annual Bonus ($)

  60,502   92,263   70,151   77,171  

Performance Incentive Units ($)

  27,974   83,046   73,794   66,203  

Restricted Stock Awards
(performance-based vesting) ($)
(3)

  16,478   38,667   38,667   29,550  

Restricted Stock Awards
(time-based vesting) ($)
(3)

  52,728   308,128   281,546   231,784  

Stock Options ($)(4)

  0   11,940   11,940   11,940  

Medical/Dental/Life Insurance ($)(5)

  12,037   26,321   11,726   0  

Outplacement Assistance ($)(6)

  9,500   9,500   9,500   9,500  

Supplemental Retirement Income Program ($)(7)

  0   523,000   0   0  

 

  (1)   Amounts due in foreign currency were converted to U.S. dollars for the purposes of this table at the spot rate in effect on December 31, 2007.

 

  (2)   This is the estimated amount to which Mr. Platzer may be entitled under the law of The Netherlands, using a typical factor of 1.5. This amount may be adjusted upward or downward by a Dutch court (using a factor of 2.0) depending on the circumstances triggering the termination. To the extent a court-ordered severance payment exceeds the amount of Mr. Platzer’s severance allowance under his change in control agreement, no severance allowance would be payable under his change in control agreement. The severance allowance determined under Mr. Platzer’s change in control agreement is estimated at $438,308. Mr. Platzer’s change in control agreement provides that payments contingent on a change in control will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid imposition of the excise tax under Code section 4999. Whether such a reduction is required depends on the amount of Mr. Platzer’s severance. No reduction would be required if Mr. Platzer’s severance does not exceed the estimated amount determined under his change in control agreement.

 

  (3)   This amount reflects the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2007 ($21.97) multiplied by the number of shares that would become vested on termination or change in control.

 

  (4)   This amount reflects the number of shares for which options would become vested on a change in control, multiplied by the positive difference between the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2007 ($21.97) and the exercise price of the option. Options that were vested before December 31, 2007 are shown in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table on page 28.

 

34


  (5)   This amount reflects the value of medical, dental, and life insurance coverage for 18 months (Mr. Barry) and 12 months (Mr. Featherstone), and the value of 18 months of medical coverage for Mr. Harris, all based on our current costs for these benefits. Mr. Platzer is not entitled to continuation of these benefits since the Dutch statutory formula is used to determine severance.

 

  (6)   This amount is the estimated value of providing outplacement counseling and services during 2008.

 

  (7)   Amount shown is the December 31, 2007 present value of the estimated benefit payable if, on December 31, 2007, a change in control occurred or the executive died. The December 31, 2007 present value of the Supplemental Retirement Income Program benefit payable in the case of Mr. Barry’s disability is $1,350,000 or, in the case of Mr. Barry’s termination of employment for any other reason, $411,000.

 

Under the terms of their employment, Messrs. Featherstone, Barry, Harris and Platzer are entitled to:

 

   

12 months of salary if terminated by Quaker for any reason other than “cause” (as defined in their respective employment agreements) or other than in connection with a change in control (Mr. Featherstone, $220,008; Mr. Barry, $305,000; and Mr. Harris, $283,439). In Mr. Platzer’s case, the statutory amount shown above in the chart would be paid depending on the circumstances triggering termination;

 

   

If employment were terminated on December 31, 2007, as a result of death or disability (as defined in the respective plan), the amounts shown above for Annual Bonus (assuming target performance is attained), Restricted Stock Awards (time-based vesting) and Stock Options would be paid; and

 

   

In the case of death on December 31, 2007, a death benefit in 2008 of $0 (Mr. Featherstone), $640,000 (Mr. Barry), $1,140,512 (Mr. Harris) and $277,742 (Mr. Platzer), plus 50% of base salary during each of the following four years (2009-2012), (Mr. Featherstone, $0; Mr. Barry, $152,500; Mr. Harris, $142,564; and Mr. Platzer, $138,871). In addition, if Mr. Barry had died on December 31, 2007, life insurance proceeds of $5,502,215 would have been paid to the Company under the life insurance policy purchased under the Quaker Chemical Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, and the Company would have paid those proceeds to Mr. Barry’s beneficiary. If Mr. Barry had terminated on December 31, 2007 for any reason other than death, he would have received payment of his Deferred Compensation Plan aggregate balance $54,548.

 


 

Director Compensation

 


 

The Governance Committee is charged with reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to director compensation. The Company uses a combination of cash and stock-based compensation to attract and retain candidates on the Board. We set director compensation at a level that reflects the significant amount of time and high skill level required of directors in performing their duties to the Company and to our shareholders. Annually, the Governance Committee, using third-party surveys and proxy data from mid-Atlantic companies, benchmarks the Company’s director compensation against the marketplace data adjusting for revenue size and industry. Also, in setting director compensation, the Governance Committee considers the time and skill level required of directors in fulfilling their assigned duties.

 

The annual retainer paid to each director who is not an employee of Quaker is $28,000. In addition, each independent director receives $1,250 for each Board and Board committee meeting he or she attends, and the Chairperson of each Board committee receives the following additional compensation each year: Audit Committee, $6,000; Compensation/Management Development Committee, $6,000; Executive Committee, $4,000; and Governance Committee, $4,000. Any director who is also an employee of Quaker is not separately compensated for his service as a director. Commencing in 2008, each non-employee director will receive annually a time-based restricted stock grant which would vest at the end of three years assuming continued Board membership.

 

35


Currently, each director is required to beneficially own at least 7,500 shares of Quaker’s common stock. Until a director accumulates the required number of beneficially owned shares, 75% of the annual retainer is paid in shares of Quaker’s common stock and once the threshold is met, 20% of the retainer is paid in such shares. Directors who beneficially own the required number of shares of Quaker common stock may elect to receive payment of a larger percentage (up to 100%) of their annual retainer in shares of Quaker common stock.

 

Director Compensation

 

Name (1)  

Fees Earned
or Paid

in Cash

($)

 

Stock
Awards

($)

 

Option
Awards

($)

 

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)

 

Change in

Pension
Value and

Non-Qualified

Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)

 

All Other
Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.

  37,408   5,592   0   0   0   0    43,000

Patricia C. Barron

  26,519   13,981   0   0   0   0    40,500

Donald R. Caldwell

  33,505   20,995   0   0   0   0    54,500

Robert E. Chappell(2)

  22,255   20,995   0   0   0   0    43,250

William R. Cook

  21,014   27,986   0   0   0   0    49,000

Edwin J. Delattre(2)

  38,658   5,592   0   0   0   0    44,250

Jeffry D. Frisby

  23,255   20,995   0   0   0   0    44,250

Robert H. Rock

  40,158   5,592   0   0   0   0    47,750

 

(1)   Mr. Naples is not included in this table as he is an employee of the Company and thus receives no compensation for his service as a Director.

 

(2)   Mr. Chappell and Dr. Delattre participate in the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and each have elected to defer 100% of their 2007 Board fees (but not stock awards). Participants in the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan may designate investment vehicles to determine earnings on deferred accounts as designated by the Administrator of the Plan.

 

36



 

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 


 

Certain Beneficial Owners

 

The following table shows how much of Quaker’s common stock is beneficially owned by each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Quaker’s common stock. This information is as of March 7, 2008, unless we have indicated otherwise. Each beneficial owner has sole voting and dispositive power for the shares listed, unless we have indicated otherwise.

 

Name and Address    Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
         Approximate
Percent of
Class
         Number of
Votes
     

Royce & Associates, LLC

1414 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019

   832,400 (1)        8.2          832,400 (2)    

Ronald J. Naples

Quaker Chemical Corporation

One Quaker Park

901 Hector Street

Conshohocken, PA 19428

   797,758 (3)        7.5 (4)        790,155      

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

1299 Ocean Avenue

11th Floor

Santa Monica, CA 90401

   636,348 (5)        6.3          636,348 (2)    

 

(1)   As reported in Schedule 13G/A filed January 31, 2008 by Royce & Associates, LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(2)   These shares, which are held in street name, are presumed under Article 5 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to be entitled to one vote per share.

 

(3)   Includes (i) 397,717 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the record date; (ii) 2,186 shares held jointly by Mr. Naples and his spouse who share voting and dispositive power with respect thereto; (iii) 1,000 shares held in a charitable private foundation of which Mr. Naples and his spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power with respect thereto; and (iv) 500 shares held in a family trust for the benefit of Mr. Naples’ mother of which he and his sister are trustees and share voting and dispositive power with respect thereto.

 

(4)   Based upon 10,230,377 shares outstanding plus shares issuable pursuant to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the record date by Mr. Naples.

 

(5)   As reported in Schedule 13G/A filed February 6, 2008 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”), an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, has reported that it furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts. These investment companies, trusts and accounts are the “Funds.” Dimensional reported that all of the 636,348 shares of common stock reported on its Schedule 13G/A filing as of December 31, 2007, are owned by the Funds and has disclaimed beneficial ownership of all such shares.

 

37



 

Management

 


 

The following table shows how much of Quaker’s common stock is beneficially owned by each of our directors, our nominees for director and the Named Executive Officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 25 and by all of our directors (including our nominees for director) and executive officers as a group. The information in the table is as of March 7, 2008. Each director and executive officer has sole voting and dispositive power over the common stock listed opposite his or her name, unless we have indicated otherwise.

 

Name    Aggregate Number
of Shares
Beneficially Owned
         Approximate
Percent of
Class (1)
        Number
of Votes
      

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.

   8,390          *         58,583       

Patricia C. Barron

   14,844          *         134,418       

Donald R. Caldwell

   6,718          *         22,612       

Robert E. Chappell

   10,048          *         73,912       

William R. Cook

   10,784          *         88,661       

Edwin J. Delattre

   8,584 (2)        *         65,023       

Jeffry D. Frisby

   1,926          *         1,926       

Ronald J. Naples

   797,758 (2)(3)        7.5         790,155       

Robert H. Rock

   8,746          *         66,643       

Michael F. Barry

   100,393 (2)(3)        *         64,154       

Mark A. Featherstone

   16,023 (3)        *         5,923       

Mark A. Harris

   69,416 (3)        *         28,083       

Neal E. Murphy

   221          *         221       

Wilbert Platzer

   56,791 (3)        *         38,484       

All directors and officers as
a group (18 persons)

   1,255,788 (3)        11.5         2,047,585 (4)     

 

*   Less than 1%.

 

(1)   Based upon 10,871,381 shares outstanding, adjusted to reflect options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the record date by the named person or the group, as applicable.

 

(2)   Includes (i) 8,584 shares in the case of Dr. Delattre held jointly with his spouse with whom he shares voting and dispositive power; (ii) 3,686 shares in the case of Mr. Naples of which 2,186 shares are held jointly by Mr. Naples and his spouse with whom he shares voting and dispositive power, 1,000 shares are held in a charitable private foundation of which Mr. Naples and his spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power, and 500 shares are held in a family trust of which Mr. Naples and his sister are trustees and share voting and dispositive power; and (iii) 3,871 shares in the case of Mr. Barry held jointly with his spouse with whom he shares voting and dispositive power.

 

(3)   Includes the following respective numbers of shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the record date: 397,717 shares in the case of Mr. Naples; 71,178 shares in the case of Mr. Barry; 10,100 shares in the case of Mr. Featherstone; 53,636 shares in the case of Mr. Harris; 41,491 shares in the case of Mr. Platzer; and 641,004 shares in the case of all directors and officers as a group.

 

(4)   Represents 10.9% of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting, based on information available on March 7, 2008.

 

38


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Based solely on (i) our review of reports submitted to us during and with respect to the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and (ii) written representations of Quaker’s directors and officers, Quaker believes that with two exceptions, all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act, with respect to transactions in Quaker’s common stock through December 31, 2007, were filed on a timely basis. Ronald J. Naples, Chairman and CEO, filed a Form 5 relating to one previously reportable transaction, and Neal E. Murphy, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, who resigned from his position effective April 8, 2007, filed a late Form 4 relating to one transaction.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The Board recognizes that related party transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest and/or improper valuation or the perception thereof. Nevertheless, the Board also recognizes that there are situations when related party transactions may be consistent with the best interests of the Company. Accordingly, the Governance Committee, on the Board’s authority, adopted a written policy to govern the review and approval of all related party transactions involving the Company.

 

The policy requires all related party transactions to be first submitted to the Governance Committee for review. Related parties are defined as any director, nominee for director, senior officer (including all Named Executive Officers), and any immediate family member of the foregoing. Prior to entering into a transaction with Quaker involving $50,000 or more, the related party must make a written submission to Quaker’s General Counsel setting forth the facts and circumstances of the proposed transaction, including, among other things, the proposed aggregate value of such transaction, the benefits to Quaker, and an assessment of whether the proposed transaction is on terms comparable to those available from an unrelated third party. The Governance Committee (or when urgent action is required, the Chair) will evaluate all of the foregoing information to determine whether the transaction is in the best interests of Quaker and its shareholders, as the Committee (or Chair) determines in good faith.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

In early 2008, AC Products, Inc., one of Quaker’s subsidiaries, began testing one of its products at Triumph Fabrications-Hot Springs, Inc. Triumph Fabrications is one of a number of companies that are part of Triumph Aerospace Systems Group, whose Group President is Jeffry D. Frisby, a Quaker director. Triumph Fabrications is a leading manufacturer of sheet metal parts and assemblies used in the aviation industry. AC Products is the leading supplier of chemical milling maskants to the aerospace industry. The potential annual sales from this account could reach $750,000. There were no sales in this account in 2007. The Governance Committee reviewed and approved this transaction consistent with the policy described above.

 


 

Proposal 2—Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 


 

The Board of Directors has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2008. There is no requirement that the Board’s selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be submitted to our shareholders for ratification or approval. The Board, however, believes that Quaker’s shareholders should be given an opportunity to express their views on the selection. While the Board is not bound by a vote against ratifying PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Board may take a vote against PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP into consideration in future years when selecting our independent registered public accounting firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements since 1968.

 

39


We anticipate that representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the meeting and, if present, we will give them the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. We also anticipate that the representatives will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

 

Audit Fees

 

Audit fees charged to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for audit services rendered during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 for the integrated audit of our financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, the review of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and foreign statutory audit requirements totaled $1,394,000 and $1,494,000, respectively.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

Audit-related fees charged to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for audit-related services rendered, primarily related to foreign statutory audit-related assistance, certifications and other audit-related services, during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, totaled $26,000 and $19,000, respectively.

 

Tax Fees

 

Tax fees charged to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for tax services rendered, primarily related to tax compliance, during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, totaled $94,000 and $117,000, respectively.

 

All Other Fees

 

There were no other fees charged to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for any other services rendered during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007.

 

Pre-Approval Policy

 

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy governing the pre-approval of services provided by Quaker’s independent registered public accounting firm. The policy expressly prohibits non-audit services for which engagement is not permitted by applicable law, including internal audit outsourcing and “expert services.” A list of prohibited and permitted services is set forth in the policy. Permitted services under the policy include audit and audit-related services, internal control-related consulting, tax-related services and consulting services not related to information systems design and implementation. Audit and audit-related services include, among other things, services related to securities filings, accounting and financial reporting consultations, statutory audits, acquisition and divestiture-related due diligence and benefit plan audits. Internal control-related consulting is limited to assessing and recommending improvements to Quaker’s internal control structure, procedures or policies. Tax-related services are limited to tax compliance and planning. All services provided by Quaker’s independent registered public accounting firm must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee though the committee’s authority may be delegated to one or more of its members.

 

All of the fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with its pre-approval policy.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2008.

 

40



 

Report of the Audit Committee

 


 

This Audit Committee of Quaker’s Board of Directors oversees Quaker’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and acts pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, which is available at http://www.quakerchem.com by accessing the Investors/Corporate Governance section of our Web site. Our Board has appointed to this Audit Committee four members, each of whom the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined qualifies as an “independent” director under the current listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Quaker’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

As stated in our charter, the Audit Committee’s job is one of oversight. It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to prepare Quaker’s financial statements or plan or conduct audits to determine that Quaker’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that Quaker’s internal controls over financial reporting are adequate. Financial management (including the internal auditing function) of Quaker is responsible for preparing the financial statements and maintaining internal controls and the independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for the audit of the annual financial statements and the internal controls and rendering an opinion as to the foregoing. In carrying out our oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee is not providing any special assurance as to Quaker’s financial statements or internal controls or any professional certification as to the outside auditor’s work.

 

This Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management Quaker’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007. This Audit Committee has also discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Quaker’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of Quaker’s financial statements. This Audit Committee has also received written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, which relates to the accounting firm’s independence from Quaker and its related entities and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP its independence from Quaker.

 

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, this Audit Committee recommended to Quaker’s Board of Directors that Quaker’s audited financial statements be included in Quaker’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Audit Committee

 

William R. Cook, Chairman

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.

Donald R. Caldwell

Jeffry D. Frisby

 

41



 

General

 


 

Availability of Form 10-K and Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Rules of the SEC require us to provide our annual report to shareholders for fiscal year 2007 to each shareholder who receives this proxy statement, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. We will also provide copies of the same material to brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees and their nominees for the benefit of their beneficial owners of record. Additional copies of the Annual Report and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available without charge to shareholders upon written request to: Quaker Chemical Corporation, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, Attention: Irene M. Kisleiko, Assistant Secretary.

 

Shareholder Proposals

 

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement, a shareholder proposal must be in writing and received by us no later than December 4, 2008. If a shareholder proposal to be considered at next year’s meeting, but not included in the proxy statement, is not received by us on or before February 17, 2009, the persons appointed as proxies may exercise their discretionary voting authority with respect to the proposal. All proposals should be submitted in writing to: Quaker Chemical Corporation, One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, Attention: General Counsel.

 

A proxy form is enclosed for your use. Please complete, date, sign and return the proxy at your earliest convenience in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. A prompt return of your proxy will be appreciated.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

D. Jeffry Benoliel

Vice President, Secretary

and General Counsel

 

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

March 31, 2008

 

42


APPENDIX A

 

SHAREHOLDER VOTING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

 

Voting Rights

 

At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held May 6, 1987, shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s $1.00 par value Common Stock on May 7, 1987 (the “Effective Date”) became entitled to 10 votes per share of Common Stock with respect to such shares, and any shares of Common Stock acquired after the Effective Date, subject to certain exceptions, shall only be entitled to one vote per share until such shares have been owned beneficially for a period of at least 36 consecutive calendar months, dating from the first day of the first full calendar month on or after the date the holder acquires beneficial ownership of such shares (the “Holding Period”). Each change in beneficial ownership with respect to a particular share will begin a new “1 vote” Holding Period for such share. A change in beneficial ownership will occur whenever any change occurs in the person or group of persons having or sharing the voting and/or investment power with respect to such shares within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under the amendment, a share of Common Stock held of record on a record date shall be presumed to be owned beneficially by the record holder and for the period shown by the shareholder records of the Company. A share of Common Stock held of record in “street” or “nominee” name by a broker, clearing agency, voting trustee, bank, trust company, or other nominee shall be presumed to have been held for a period of less than the required 36-month Holding Period. Shareholders desiring to rebut this presumption will be asked to complete and execute an affidavit which is available from the Company upon request. Evidence, in the form of a trade confirmation or account statement indicating ownership through the required Holding Period, is also required. Nevertheless, the Company, at its sole discretion, will determine the adequacy of the evidence presented. The amendment also provides that no change in beneficial ownership will be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of any of the following:

 

(1)   a transfer by any gift, devise, bequest, or otherwise through the laws of inheritance or descent;

 

(2)   a transfer by a trustee to a trust beneficiary under the terms of the trust;

 

(3)   the appointment of a successor trustee, guardian, or custodian with respect to a share; or

 

(4)   a transfer of record or a transfer of a beneficial interest in a share where the circumstances surrounding such transfer clearly demonstrate that no material change in beneficial ownership has occurred.

 

Maintaining Records

 

The Company’s registrar and transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, maintains the Company’s register of shareholders. A single register is maintained, but individual holdings are coded to indicate automatically the number of votes that each shareholder is entitled to cast. Internal mechanisms automatically convert the voting rights by a 10-to-1 ratio for those shareholders who have held their shares for the required Holding Period. Additionally, the register can be adjusted manually, in order to respond to shareholders whose shares were held in “street” or “nominee” name if shares acquired were held by the same party for the required Holding Period.

 

Proxy Administration

 

As indicated above, record ownership proxy administration is relatively simple. The transfer agent will mail proxy cards to all shareholders, and each proxy card will reflect the number of votes that the shareholder is entitled to cast, not the number of shares held. If shareholders have deposited shares with brokers, clearing agencies, voting trusts, banks, and other nominees, such shareholders will normally be entitled to one vote per share. If they can provide evidence that they have held their shares for the Holding Period, they can increase the number of votes that may be cast to 10 votes per share by completing and executing an affidavit which is

 

A-1


available from the Company upon request. Equally, if a shareholder believes that he or she is entitled to 10 votes per share by virtue of falling within one of the exceptions set forth above, that can be accomplished through proper notification to the Company as indicated above. Acceptable substantiation will in most cases be a letter from the shareholder explaining the circumstances and stating why he or she feels that the common shares held by such shareholder are entitled to 10 votes per share, either because the shares have been held for the required Holding Period or because the shareholder falls within one of the exceptions set forth above. The Company reserves the right to change what it deems to be acceptable substantiation at any time if it appears from experience that the present definition is inadequate or is being abused, and further reserves the right at any time to require that a particular shareholder provide additional evidence that one of the exceptions is applicable.

 

Where evidence is presented that is satisfactory, the shareholder records will be manually adjusted as appropriate. The shareholder submitting the evidence will be advised as to any action taken or not taken, which will be posted by ordinary mail to the shareholder’s registered address.

 

Special proxy cards are not used, and no special or unusual procedures are required in order properly to execute and deliver the proxy card for tabulation by the transfer agent.

 

Summary

 

The procedures set forth above have been reviewed with representatives of various brokers and banks, as well as counsel to the Company. Those representatives have made helpful and valuable suggestions, which have been incorporated in the procedures.

 

The Company is confident that these procedures are efficient in addressing the complications of multi-vote casting and tabulating, but the Company is prepared to revise them if experience dictates the need for revision.

 

If a shareholder has questions concerning the Shareholder Voting Administrative Procedures or would like to present evidence of ownership through the required 36-month Holding Period, please contact Irene M. Kisleiko, the Company’s Assistant Secretary, at (610) 832-4119.

 

A-2


      ¨      n  

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION

One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints William R. Cook and Ronald J. Naples, and each of them, proxies of the undersigned, to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Quaker Chemical Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), to be held at the Company’s headquarters located at One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, on May 7, 2008, at 10:00 A.M., and any adjournment thereof, and with all powers the undersigned would possess if present, to vote:

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

 

n

   14475    n  


ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION

May 7, 2008

Please date, sign and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

i Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. i

 

¡

  

20330000000000000000 9

 

  

050708

 

  
 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 2.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE  x

                         FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:                2.    PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2008.    ¨    ¨    ¨
          NOMINEES:                         

¨

 

 

 

FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Robert E. Chappell

            

 

3.

  

 

IN THEIR DISCRETION UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF FOR WHICH NOTICE HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED BY COMPANY ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 18, 2008.

      Ronald J. Naples                
¨  

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

FOR ALL NOMINEES

    Robert H. Rock                

 

¨

 

 

FOR ALL EXCEPT

(See instructions below)

                 THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee for whom you wish to withhold authority, as shown here: LOGO

      

 

The undersigned hereby also acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement with respect to said Meeting, and the Company’s Annual Report, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.       ¨                       
Signature of Shareholder       Date:       Signature of Shareholder         Date:     

¡

   Note:    Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.    ¡
        


LOGO

March 2008

Dear Quaker Shareholder:

If you are a registered shareholder of Quaker Common Stock, your enclosed proxy card shows the number of votes you are entitled to cast not the number of shares that you own. If you are a beneficial holder (own your shares through a broker, bank or nominee), your voting instruction card shows the number of shares that you own.

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock are entitled to 10 votes per share for each share of Common Stock which they have owned for at least 36 consecutive months (or three years). Shares which have been owned for less than three years entitle the holder to one vote per share.

There are some exceptions to the above ownership requirements and those exceptions are listed in Appendix A “Shareholder Voting Administrative Procedures” to the enclosed Proxy Statement.

Since Quaker has no means of tracking ownership of shares held in “street” or “nominee” name, we presume that any shares owned through broker, bank or nominee have been held for less than three years and, therefore, are entitled to one vote per share.

Registered shareholders should review the number of votes that are listed on the proxy card. For all shares purchased by you before March 1, 2005 (36 months before the record date), you are entitled to 10 votes per share. For all shares purchased by you after March 1, 2005, you are entitled to one vote per share.

Any shareholder may seek change by following the instructions outlined in Appendix A to the enclosed Proxy Statement. If you have any questions, please contact Irene M. Kisleiko, Assistant Corporate Secretary, at 610-832-4119.

Thank you.

Quaker Chemical Corporation

One Quaker Park, 901 Hector Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428-0809 USA www.quakerchem.com

T 610.832.4000    F 610.832.8682