Quaker Houghton Announces Leadership Appointments

Rhea-AI Summary

Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) has announced two key executive appointments to strengthen its leadership team. Christine Johnson has joined as Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, bringing experience from McKinsey & Company where she was a partner specializing in materials and energy companies.

Additionally, Dr. André Frodl, a 20-year company veteran, has been promoted to Vice President, R&D – Metals and Metalworking, following Dr. Dave Slinkman's retirement. Dr. Frodl will oversee global research and development for the company's metals, metalworking, and operating solutions business.

Positive

• Appointment of experienced transformation leader from McKinsey & Company to drive enterprise growth strategy
• Internal promotion demonstrates strong succession planning and retention of institutional knowledge
• Strategic focus on process optimization and value creation across the organization

Negative

• None.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) today announced two executive leadership appointments who will support the execution of our strategic priorities and accelerate the Company's enterprise growth strategy.

Christine Johnson has joined the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, and Dr. André Frodl, who joined the organization in 2002, has been promoted to Vice President, R&D – Metals and Metalworking. 

Joe Berquist, Chief Executive Officer and President stated: "I am thrilled to welcome Christine and congratulate André on his new role. Their leadership will be vital as we advance our strategic priorities and continue delivering innovative solutions to our customers. Both bring extensive global experience and a proven track record of driving impactful results through strong leadership, technical expertise, and operational excellence."

Ms. Johnson will lead the ongoing transformation and process optimization efforts to unlock value across the organization, driving the execution and acceleration of the Company's enterprise growth strategy.  Ms. Johnson joins Quaker Houghton from McKinsey & Company, where she was a partner focused on advising materials and energy companies on strategy, transformation, M&A, and operating model design and effectiveness. Prior to that, Ms. Johnson was a digital marketing and communications leader at DuPont.

Dr. Frodl will oversee research and development for the Company's metals, metalworking, and operating solutions business, with global responsibility for lab functions including product stewardship, fluid analysis, analytical and raw material chemistry. His appointment follows the retirement of Dr. Dave Slinkman, who concluded a distinguished career at Quaker Houghton.  Dr. Frodl has spent the last two decades with Quaker Houghton, most recently responsible for the operating and advanced development labs in North and South America, Europe and Middle East and Africa. During that time, he also oversaw the Company's fluid analysis and analytical labs in Europe as well as the global fluid power and operating and advanced solution centers of innovation. Prior to that role, Dr. Frodl served as Director, Product Development - EMEA.

About Quaker Houghton:
Quaker Houghton is the global leader in industrial process fluids.  With a presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, our customers include thousands of the world's most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, container, mining, and metalworking companies.  Our high-performing, innovative and sustainable solutions are backed by best-in-class technology, deep process knowledge and customized services.  With approximately 4,400 employees, including chemists, engineers and industry experts, we partner with our customers to improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.  Quaker Houghton is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, located near Philadelphia in the United States.  Visit quakerhoughton.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Quaker Houghton

FAQ

Who are the new leadership appointments at Quaker Houghton (KWR)?

Quaker Houghton appointed Christine Johnson as Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, and promoted Dr. André Frodl to Vice President, R&D – Metals and Metalworking.

What is Christine Johnson's background before joining Quaker Houghton (KWR)?

Christine Johnson was previously a partner at McKinsey & Company, where she advised materials and energy companies on strategy, transformation, M&A, and operating model design. She also worked at DuPont as a digital marketing and communications leader.

What will be Christine Johnson's role at Quaker Houghton (KWR)?

As Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, Johnson will lead transformation and process optimization efforts to unlock value across the organization and drive the execution of the company's enterprise growth strategy.

What experience does Dr. André Frodl bring to his new role at Quaker Houghton (KWR)?

Dr. Frodl has spent over 20 years with Quaker Houghton, most recently managing operating and advanced development labs across multiple regions and overseeing the company's fluid analysis and analytical labs in Europe.

Who did Dr. André Frodl replace at Quaker Houghton (KWR)?

Dr. Frodl replaced Dr. Dave Slinkman, who retired after concluding his career at Quaker Houghton.