Houghton International Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire D.A. Stuart

Houghton International Inc., a global manufacturer and supplier of industrial fluids and chemical management services, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire D.A. Stuart. The transaction, anticipated to close in 2008, is subject to regulatory approval.

Houghton and D.A. Stuart are recognized as two of the leading independent specialty fluid manufacturers in the global metalworking fluids marketplace.

“This acquisition will bring together two complementary organizations that can benefit from shared efficiencies and the integration of best practices,” said Paul DeVivo, CEO of Houghton International.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Houghton International

Since 1865, Houghton International Inc. has been a leader in the development and production of specialty chemicals, oils and lubricants for the metalworking, automotive and steel industries, along with a variety of other markets. Headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, Houghton maintains manufacturing, distribution and research facilities throughout the world. Additional information is available at www.houghtonintl.com.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “believe,”“may,” “anticipate,”“estimate,” “seek,”“plan,” “intend” and the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause Houghton’s and D.A. Stuart’s actual future results to differ materially from expected results. These risks include, among others, operational and strategic challenges that may prevent the successful integration of D.A. Stuart with Houghton, increases in operating costs, the emerging and changing nature of the market for Houghton and D.A. Stuart’s products and services, the ability to deliver on sales objectives. Additional risks may include the risk of a general economic downturn in one or more of the combined company’s primary geographic regions and the risk that the assumptions underlying Houghton’s anticipated revenues and expenditures will change and prove inaccurate.

Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as reflections of Houghton’s and D.A. Stuart’s current plans and estimates. While both Companies may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, both Companies specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing either Houghton’s or D.A. Stuart’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release.