Quaker Chemical (NYSE: KWR) details involuntary exit of senior operations executive

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Quaker Chemical Corporation, also known as Quaker Houghton, reported that effective March 9, 2026, Jeffrey Fleck no longer serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Global Operations Officer.

The company states that his departure is not due to any disagreement with the company. His separation is classified as an involuntary termination without cause for purposes of plan benefits and contractual entitlements under his January 23, 2023 employment agreement. Subject to signing a customary release of claims, he will receive severance payments and benefits consistent with the terms previously described in the company’s March 31, 2025 proxy statement.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

March 9, 2026

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number 001-12019

Pennsylvania		23-0993790
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

901 E. Hector Street

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(610) 832-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par value		KWR		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective as of March 9, 2026, Jeffrey Fleck no longer serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Global Operations Officer of Quaker Chemical Corporation (“Quaker Houghton” or the “Company”). Mr. Fleck’s departure is not related to any disagreement between him and the Company. Mr. Fleck’s separation from the Company is an involuntary termination without cause for purposes of all plan benefits and contractual entitlements, including his employment agreement dated January 23, 2023, effective February 27, 2023 (the “Fleck Employment Agreement”).

In connection with the termination, subject to executing a customary release of claims, Mr. Fleck will be entitled to receive severance payments and benefits under the Fleck Employment Agreement and the Company’s plans consistent with those described in the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Date: March 12, 2026	By:	/s/ Robert T. Traub
		Robert T. Traub
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

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FAQ

What executive leadership change did Quaker Chemical (KWR) disclose?

Quaker Chemical disclosed that Jeffrey Fleck no longer serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Global Operations Officer as of March 9, 2026. This represents a change in the company’s senior operations leadership but does not, by itself, indicate any reported operational or strategic shift.

Was Jeffrey Fleck’s departure from Quaker Chemical (KWR) due to a disagreement?

The company states that Jeffrey Fleck’s departure is not related to any disagreement between him and Quaker Chemical. This language is intended to clarify that there were no reported disputes over operations, policies, or practices leading to his termination.

How is Jeffrey Fleck’s termination classified by Quaker Chemical (KWR)?

Quaker Chemical classifies Jeffrey Fleck’s separation as an involuntary termination without cause for purposes of all plan benefits and contractual entitlements. This classification typically impacts eligibility for severance and related benefits under his employment agreement and company plans.

What severance will Jeffrey Fleck receive from Quaker Chemical (KWR)?

Subject to signing a customary release of claims, Jeffrey Fleck will receive severance payments and benefits under his employment agreement and company plans. The company notes these are consistent with the terms described in its proxy statement filed on March 31, 2025.

Which agreement governs Jeffrey Fleck’s severance from Quaker Chemical (KWR)?

Jeffrey Fleck’s severance is governed by his employment agreement dated January 23, 2023, effective February 27, 2023. The filing notes that severance payments and benefits follow this agreement and relevant company plans, consistent with prior proxy statement disclosures.

Does Quaker Chemical (KWR) mention any conditions on paying severance to Jeffrey Fleck?

Yes. The filing states that payment of severance to Jeffrey Fleck is subject to his execution of a customary release of claims. This type of condition is common and ties severance eligibility to completion of standard separation documentation.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 2.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 33.4 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 21.8 KB