Gulf Oil Ltd. said late last year that it has entered three more markets – Kazakhstan, South Sudan and Croatia. The Indian lubricants and fuels supplier said those moves are part of its strategy to expand geographically.
Part of the Hinduja conglomerate, Gulf said in the fourth quarter 2013 issue of its newsletter, Orange Disc, Kazakhstan businessman Halim Salfiti created Euro Oil Kazakhstan LLP specifically to distribute Gulf products in that country. From its headquarters in Almaty, Euro Oil will focus on supplying automotive, agricultural and mining lubes.
In Croatia, Gulf appointed Tembo d.o.o. to distribute its lubricants. Gulf said it had previously operated in the country but exited some years ago. Gulf also named DAS Investments and Services lubricant distributor in South Sudan. DAS provides services in construction and project management, while also providing general supplies in cooperation with organizations such as the United Nations.
A Gulf official told Lube Report Asia that the company is now present in more than 120 countries but that it does not have a particular target number.
Areas of increased focus for Gulf, includes Africa and Central Asian countries for lubricants, where we see good opportunities for growth, said Paul Stannard, business development manager for Gulf Oil International, the companys international arm.