Volume 10 Issue 37

Will Russia Love Quick Lubes?

Two American entrepreneurs and industry partners who developed and managed key U.S. quick lube brands hope to conquer the Russian oil-change market, funded by a planned $110 million investment. Prime Development, the company that operates Russias first quick oil-change service, opened its first outlet in February this year in St. Petersburg. The company branded the service Super Express and plans to open three more by late 2011, Prime Development co-owner Aaron Bogott told Lube Report. In the f...

Lucas Oil Joins DIFM Market

The first Lucas Oil Center is expected to open by January 2011 in Evansville, Ind., launching Lucas-branded motor oils and other products into the do-it-for-me market for the first time. Lucas Oil Center LLC, a business led by majority principals Bill and Brenda Floyd, obtained licensing and support from Corona, Calif.-based Lucas Oil. The first center in Evansville will offer oil change and lube service, along with minor maintenance service to include brake, cooling and air conditioning system...

Arch to Close R&D Centers

Biocides producer Arch Chemicals will consolidate its U.S. research and development and technical service activities in Alpharetta, Ga., to improve operating margins. The consolidation, which will cost $6 million to $8 million, will impact Archs facilities in New Castle, Del., Cheshire, Conn., and Conley, Ga., according to a recent filing with the Securities Exchange Commission. The company believes that this decision will provide the best and most effective way to organize these U.S.-based res...

Morris Readies for Recovery

British lube producer Morris Lubricants announced last week the completion of a new blending and storage plant built at a cost of 1 million (U.S. $1.56 million). Officials said the company undertook the project to better position itself after economic recovery. Its an old adage to invest in down time, General Manager Andrew Goddard told Lube Report. One advantage of doing this at the present time is that we were able to get contractors to do the work. But we also hope that well be able to put...

SSY Base Oil Shipping Report

The Americas market has restarted on a positive note after the vacation period, but Europe is still weak and desperately oversupplied with tonnage. Asia is steady for now. U.S. Gulf of Mexico September has been a busier month compared to August. Moreover, imports have been scant, so there has not been a procession of ships turning around in the U.S. Gulf and looking for outbound business. Indeed, the rest of the month looks quite tight for space in most directions. U.S. Gulf-to-Caribbean rout...