Quaker previously had a very small share of the aluminum hot rolling oil market, said Joseph Berquist, vice president and managing director of Quakers North American operations. The acquisition gives us a leading position in North America, Berquist told Lube Report. Coupled to what we already have, the technology made it attractive to us, along with the intellectual property and customer lists included.

While the acquisition did not include any facilities, Berquist noted, it did include six D.A. Stuart associates who will be integrated into Quakers global organization. We will add resources as necessary, he added. Mark Bohr, formerly general manager of aluminum rolling-USA at D.A. Stuart, will lead the business for Quaker.

Conshohocken, Pa.-based Quaker outlined plans to expand its current product portfolio by adding the B-Series, Alushield and other aluminum hot rolling oils from D.A. Stuarts product lines.

This business is a strategic fit for Quaker because it is complementary to our existing business, is aligned with our core competencies of lubrication and surface treatment, and will facilitate growth in our primary metals business both within and outside of North America, said Michael Barry, Quaker chairman, CEO and president. The aluminum hot rolling market has strong long-term growth prospects, especially in emerging economies such as Russia, South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Quaker currently has a presence in those countries and is well positioned for growth.

The addition of these products, combined with the existing Quakerol lubricants, will enable Quaker to offer a more comprehensive package to customers worldwide, the company stated. Quaker will be able to tailor a rolling product to meet the unique needs of a mill for the entire sheet producing process – from casting to finishing. The company noted it will be a single supplier for aluminum producers looking to source their varied lubricant needs.

Examples of the Quakerol products include cold steel rolling products, hot mill lubricants, nonferrous rolling products and post, cupper and bodymaker lubricants.