This is part of our five-year plan to improve our efficiencies and working practices, managing director Andrew Goddard told Lube Report. We started with the blending plant, and now were moving through to logistics. Wed like to think well be completed early in 2012.

The new bulk additive tanks add extra volume to the companys blending process and reduce manual handling. Other additions include a new small-pack filling and labeling line which replaces two lines, and a new warehouse and distribution center. The latter will include creation of 820 pallet spaces, purchase of two narrow-aisle Bendi trucks and two Linde picking trucks.

Goddard said the work was designed to centralize distribution and improve working practices, process flow and workforce health and safety by reducing forklift movements.

Morris Lubricants sells more than 800 product lines, including automotive and motorcycle lubricants. It also offers industrial metalworking fluids and specialty lubricants. Were seeing a bit of an improvement, certainly in the U.K., on our metalworking range of products, he pointed out. Thats been in decline the last several years, so I think were seeing more interest and growth in that sort of sector.

The company also makes multifunctional lubricants, transmission fluids and engine oils for the agricultural sector. Agricultural is doing very well for us at the moment, Goddard said.

Automotive and heavy-duty markets remain quite subdued at the moment, he noted. Were offsetting that trend a bit with some of our other product groups, he added.

Morris Lubricants employs 140 people and services 4,000 customers throughout the United Kingdom. It also has a growing export business to more than 65 countries worldwide. Australia and New Zealand are doing very well for us, and we have got a few customers in the Far East with some good volumes, Goddard noted.