CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) has appointed Joseph Berquist as its new Chief Executive Officer and President, as well as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Berquist will succeed Andy Tometich, who served in the role for three years.
Michael F. Barry, Chairman of the Board of Directors, expressed his gratitude for Tometich’s contributions during his tenure. “I want to thank Andy for his three years of leadership at Quaker Houghton. His outside perspective and experiences were valuable to help position the Company for future growth,” said Barry.
Barry highlighted Berquist’s long-standing expertise and success within the company, stating, “Joe has demonstrated exceptional leadership at Quaker Houghton throughout his career. Having personally worked with Joe for more than 25 years, I know him to be a highly regarded leader with an indisputable knowledge and passion for this industry, our customers, and our people. His vision and proven track record in delivering above-market growth for Quaker Houghton is precisely what is needed as the Company enters this next chapter.”
Berquist has been with Quaker Houghton since 1997 and has played a key role in the company’s expansion over the years. His early career saw him rise through leadership roles, and in 2008, he was promoted to Managing Director North America, driving consistent growth in revenue and profitability. Berquist also co-led the integration planning for the 2019 merger of Quaker Chemical and Houghton International, which nearly doubled the company’s size and generated over $80 million in synergies.
Most recently, Berquist served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, where he managed global commercial operations for the company. With notable oversight of 24 acquisitions and a role in strategy development as Chief Strategy Officer, Berquist brings a deep understanding of the company’s strategic goals and operational priorities.
Sharing his enthusiasm for his new role, Berquist said, “I am honored to have the confidence of our Board of Directors to lead this organization at such an exciting time for Quaker Houghton. We have a strong foundation and proven business model with an opportunity to add scale, strengthen our culture, and deliver long-term sustainable value to our customers and our shareholders.”
Quaker Houghton, a global leader in industrial process fluids and services, will now focus on strengthening its market position under Berquist’s leadership, with the goal of driving long-term growth and value for both customers and stakeholders.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.