Quaker Chemical layoffs, on the record
Every job cut, severance charge and restructuring Quaker Chemical reported in its annual reports, 2023 to 2025, quoted from the filings. Headcount went from approximately 4,400 to approximately 4,700.
Headcount, as reported
| Annual report | Employees | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 10-K for 2023 | approximately 4,400 | December 31, 2023 |
| 10-K for 2024 | approximately 4,400 | December 31, 2024 |
| 10-K for 2025 | approximately 4,700 | December 31, 2025 |
Job cuts, severance and restructuring
Our summaryQuaker Houghton's QH Program, a global restructuring plan begun in 2019 tied to the Combination, aimed to cut total headcount by about 400 people and close certain facilities; it was substantially completed in 2022 with a small amount of severance paid in 2023.
Word for word“The QH Program included restructuring and associated severance costs to reduce total headcount by approximately 400 people globally and plans for the closure of certain manufacturing and non-manufacturing facilities.” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryThe company initiated a global cost and optimization program to improve its cost structure, which it says may bring further headcount reductions and restructuring costs.
Word for word“In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company's management initiated a global cost and optimization program to improve its cost structure and drive a more profitable and productive organization.” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryThe company expects additional headcount reductions and restructuring costs under its programs in the future.
Word for word“The Company expects additional headcount reductions and restructuring costs may be incurred in the future.” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryThe company ran a restructuring program and facility closures, recording restructuring and related charges that are expected to be substantially complete in the first half of 2025.
Word for word“The program is expected to be substantially complete in the first half of 2025.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryThe company recorded restructuring and related charges for its restructuring programs and other facility closure actions in 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Word for word“The Company recognized $35.1 million, $6.5 million and $7.6 million of restructuring and related charges for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as a result of these programs and other facility closure actions.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryThe company paid cash to settle restructuring liabilities under its program in 2025 and 2024.
Word for word“The Company made cash payments related to the settlement of restructuring liabilities under the program of $26.6 million and $7.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryThe company expects the total one-time cash costs of the restructuring program to be about one to one and a half times annualized savings.
Word for word“The Company expects total one-time cash costs of this program to be approximately 1 to 1.5 times annualized savings.” 10-K for 2025
| Fiscal year ended | Restructuring charges | Cash paid for restructuring |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-12-31 | −$439,000 | $5.3 million |
| 2017-12-31 | $0 | $675,000 |
| 2018-12-31 | $0 | — |
| 2019-12-31 | $26.7 million | — |
| 2020-12-31 | $5.5 million | — |
| 2021-12-31 | $1.4 million | — |
| 2022-12-31 | $3.2 million | — |
| 2023-12-31 | $7.6 million | — |
| 2024-12-31 | $6.5 million | — |
| 2025-12-31 | $35.1 million | — |
Quaker Chemical has filed no restructuring notice (Form 8-K, Item 2.05) since 2016. Companies file one only for a cut they judge material, so many announced layoffs never appear as one. This page shows what the company reported to the SEC, not news reports or state layoff notices.
Read from Quaker Chemical’s annual reports (10-K for 2025, 10-K for 2024, 10-K for 2023) and the financial data it files with the SEC, as of 2026-02-23. Every quotation is word for word from the filing linked beside it; how these pages are built and checked. The full record is in its company data sheet.