Phasing in OSHAs proposed new chemical hazard communication rules by industry segments and providing more time for downstream businesses to comply would help smooth its implementation, Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association President Cathy Novak told a recent OSHA public hearing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration held informal public hearings March 2-5 in Washington D.C. on its proposal to revise the Hazard Communication Standard to align with a globally harmonized stan...

The five largest U.S. fast lube chains all saw store totals remain the same or decline over the past year, as the economy and increased competition constricted growth, according to the National Oil & Lube News 2010 Tops in the Industry Ranking. NOLN published its annual lists of the largest fast lube chains and other oil change providers in its March 2010 issue. Jiffy Lube remained atop the fast-lube chains list with 1,976 stores, down 1 percent from 1,999 stores in 2008. The other largest...

Sealub Alliance Americas partnered with several blenders and delivery agents to launch a marine lubricants manufacturing, supply and distribution network in the United States and select areas of Canada. An affiliate of Hong Kong-headquartered Gulf Oil Marine, Sealub Alliance Americas established the network to support delivery operations in more than 80 ports in the U.S. and Canada. The Americas group has also established new supply operations in Panama, Hawaii and on the Mississippi River. Wev...

LONDON – The global center of gravity is moving east of Suez. Asia dominates economic activity and demand growth, and Asia and the Middle East dominate base oil capacity growth, according to Purvin & Gertz. Blake Eskew, a vice president with consultancy Purvin & Gertz in Houston, told the ICIS World Base Oils & Lubricants Conference here on Feb. 18 that demographics and the transition to market economies are powering Asias growing appetite for energy, petroleum and lubrican...

Some April business is beginning to appear on specific routes, but by no means is it across the board. That said, demand for March space seems insatiable in some areas, and occasionally owners have been able to raise freights by a substantial amount. U.S. Gulf Whereas it used to be common to find at least a handful of ships fully open in the U.S. Gulf, nowadays it is rare to find any prompt ship open, even with part-cargo space. Even those positions that were open later in March have now almost ...