Volume 1 Issue 12
SSY Base Oil Shipping Report
March 21, 2018Europe is still reasonably busy. The market from the United States to Asia has come unstuck, causing ripples to spread to some other U.S. routes. Asian markets are not particularly busy, but ships are sailing, and rates are generally stable.-by Adrian Brown
API Proposes SN Plus Delay
March 21, 2018API staff members recommended last week that first licensing for the API SN Plus supplemental engine oil specification be delayed for six weeks until June 15 in order to allow more time for lubricant marketers to prepare for the launch.
Packaging Key as Brand Preference Falters
March 21, 2018Rather than focus on pricing, lubricant marketers should use packaging to differentiate themselves in a market where consumer brand preference is falling by the wayside thanks to an overwhelming number of products and consolidation of retailers, an industry insider said at the Petroleum Packaging Councils annual tradeshow held earlier this month in Tampa.
From Other Editions of Lube Report
March 21, 2018U.S. Finished Lube Prices Rising Again
March 21, 2018Chemlube, Omni Specialty Packaging and Martin Lubricants each notified customers of general finished lubricant price hikes that take place throughout March and April, citing factors such as increased prices for base oils, additives, other raw materials and resins used for bottles and pails. Chemlube will implement a 5 to 8 percent finished lubricants price increase at the end of March, after initiating a similar initiative in early February. Martin Lubricants will lift its prices for lubricants and greases by 4 to 10 percent per gallon effective April 16. Omni Specialty Packaging will increase prices 5 to 8 percent on its finished lubricants, chemicals and brake fluid effective April 19.
Briefly Noted
March 21, 2018Lubricant provider RelaDyne acquired Northern Louisiana regional lubricants distributor T.A. Roberts Oil Co., strengthening its presence in the Southeastern region of the U.S. Puma Lubricants, part of global energy company Puma Energy, appointed Charles Du Bois as its global lubricants technology manager. Du Bois will oversee the development of all Puma-branded products.