Quaker Chemical Completing Expansion in Middletown
16 months from shovel-in-the-ground to on-line production
October 12, 2009-CONSHOHOCKEN, PA --Quaker Chemical Corporation is putting the finishing touches on the
previously-announced expansion of its Middletown, OH, manufacturing facility, located at 3431 Yankee Road. This
expansion will allow Quaker to better serve its North American customers by producing its high-quality products in a centralized, modern, environmentally friendly facility. Quaker manufactures process chemicals, primarily for the steel and metalworking industries, in 16 plants around the world (four are in the US).
The Company’s Middletown expansion includes a new 12,000 sq. ft. production building which houses state-of-the-art,
computer controlled blending and transfer systems. The old production area in the existing building will be converted into
additional warehouse space, and there have been upgrades to existing site utilities and employee facilities. This expansion is
Quaker’s third major investment in its Middletown operation since it was acquired from United Lubricants in 2002.
The Company broke ground on the project as scheduled in July 2008. Construction continued through the winter, and by
March 2009 many major components were on-site. By May the building structure was complete, and work moved inside. After several months of hard work, the extensive piping, process control and electrical work is nearing an end in
preparation for an estimated start-up date in November 2009. FMC (Chicago, IL) is the General Contractor for the project;
they subcontracted three Southwestern Ohio firms for piping, electrical and building construction.
“Even during these challenging economic times, the support we have received from the City of Middletown, the Butler
County Port Authority, and the State of Ohio has not waivered, and neither has our commitment to this project and to
Middletown. We’re very pleased that we were able to remain on track with this project,” comments Fred Sansom, Global
Director of Operations for Quaker.
Mike Barry, Chairman, CEO and President of Quaker Chemical, adds, “Earlier this year Quaker took aggressive cost
reduction measures around the globe in response to the global economic crisis, which has significantly impacted our
customers, particularly in the auto and steel markets. Yet we are focused on the long-term, and have remained committed to
certain initiatives that will position us well for the future. The Middletown facility is key to our North American
manufacturing operations, and as such we have continued to invest in this project.”
Financing for the expansion project includes a $10 million industrial development bond issued through the Butler County
Port Authority, and a $3.5 million loan from the Ohio Department of Development.
Quaker recently hired a Production Manager and is preparing to increase staffing in Middletown. When fully ramped-up, the
Company expects to add up to 40 positions in its Middletown facility, mainly in the production area.
Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process chemicals, chemical specialties, services,
and technical expertise to a wide range of industries - including steel, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, coatings, and construction materials. Our products, technical solutions, and chemical management services enhance our customers' processes, improve their product quality, and lower their costs. Quaker's headquarters is located near Philadelphia in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Fred Sansom
Director of Operations
513.422.9600, Ext. 3117
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