Volume 2 Issue 29

Shell Fills Top Lube Slots

Shell Oil Products U.S. last week announced the appointment of a slew of officials to the lubricants business that would be created by its anticipated acquisition of Pennzoil-Quaker State Co. The companies announced in March that Shell had agreed to buy Pennzoil-Quaker State for $2.9 billion in cash and assumed debt. The deal is being reviewed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, but the companies expect approval by early in the fourth quarter. Doug Boyle, currently president of automotive prod...

D-A Lubricant Sold to Mecom

D-A Lubricant Co. has been sold by British conglomerate Premier Farnell plc to an Indianapolis, Ind., investment group. D-A, also based in Indianapolis, was purchased by Mecom Acquisition Corp. The companies did not disclose the price nor the principals of Mecom. D-A President Bill Salmon did say that Mecom owns other businesses, but he did not identify them. Salmon said he expects D-A to receive more attention under the new ownership. With Premier, he said, D-A was a relatively small piece of a...

Mexlub Could Lose Lock on Gas Stations

Mexicos national oil company and its largest lubricant maker confirmed recently that they are engaged in negotiations that could unlock the latters hold on motor oil sales through the countrys gasoline stations. The talks began after Impulsora Jalisciense, the majority shareholder in Mexicana de Lubricantes S.A., obtained a court order to keep oil company Petroleos Mexicanos from canceling agreements that give Mexlub exclusive access to sell automotive lubes through Pemex stations. Pemex offici...

No GF-4 Until 4-04

The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee, representing U.S. and Japanese auto makers, is postponing for one year – to April 2004 – its proposed introduction of the next generation of passenger car engine oils. ILSAC wants the new category, known as GF-4, to become mandatory by late 2004, but the American Petroleum Institute has not yet decided on a schedule for licensing the new oils. Extending the deadline for GF-4’s initial marketplace entry has remo...