With the conflict in the Middle East stretching supply chains and causing significant disruption and uncertainty across the lubricants market, working with a reliable, trusted, and transparent vendor has become essential.
Thankfully, STARFIRE, the leading lubricants brand of Ohio-based wholesale distributor Coolants Plus, puts customer service and communication front and center to help you navigate these challenging times.
STARFIRE not only offers an extensive range of premium products at affordable prices but also prides itself on always keeping customers informed about its products and pricing.
“These are some of the worst conditions we’ve ever seen, and there are a lot of negative things happening in the marketplace right now,” says Tim Wullenweber, VP of Marketing & Technical Sales. “We’ve been hearing lots of stories lately where people working with different vendors and suppliers don’t know what’s going on with price increases, they can’t get callbacks, and don’t even know about the availability of product. At STARFIRE, we’re completely transparent with our customers. Our partners and customers are always able to rely on us for really honest, upfront information regarding prices and supply.”
With most Group III base oils sourced from outside the United States, prices have continued to spiral with demand high and availability low. Some users have subsequently switched to synthetic blends and Group II oils, which are now also pressurizing supplies and pushing up pricing, he says.
“All base oils have been affected by this war, and we’ve seen price increases of around 250% for some of them,” says Wullenweber. “Bottom line, communication with our customers about this is paramount.”
That means that whenever a base oil is unavailable, is going on allocation, or prices rise, STARFIRE makes sure its customers have all the information they need to prepare and make informed business decisions.
This level of customer service and support has helped STARFIRE become a preferred supplier and attract new business during these difficult times.
To meet increased demand and meet the needs of its new customers, STARFIRE has been adding new product SKUs, investing in more production capacity, and upgrading its packaging capabilities. This includes two brand new packaging lines at
its state-of-the-art PennStar facility, a 10-acre site in Northampton, PA, where it blends its own motor oils, gear oils, industrial oils, and custom formulations.
STARFIRE is currently preparing for the incoming heavy-duty API CL-4 and API FB-4 specifications, effective January 1, 2027, says Wullenweber.
“This is going to be big news for everyone as it’s been 10 years since the last update,” he says. “We always stay at the forefront of new specifications, and we’ll be providing all the information about the changes on our YouTube channel.”
From pricing to product news, you can always rely on STARFIRE. Any questions? Speak with a representative today by calling toll-free at 888-258-8723.
STARFIRE will be attending the AAPEX trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from November 3-5,2026. Come along and meet the team at booth V3981.