Volume 7 Issue 51

Finished Lube Prices on the March

A long list of major oil companies and smaller and independent suppliers have announced finished lubricant price hikes in recent weeks, as high as 11 percent, citing in their notification letters to customers factors such as rising costs for raw materials and operations, factors that show signs of continuing. Some of the markups have gone into effect, with others taking effect later this month or in January. To control pre-buying ahead of the price increases, most companies are limiting orders s...

Russia Plays Catch-up on Engine Oil Quality

MOSCOW – Russia is one of the worlds most attractive lubricant markets – huge volume, booming economic growth and a high rate of investment and consumption -and it is quickly modernizing vehicle fleets and industrial infrastructure. Yet Russian lube marketers face the risk of being largely shut out of the choicest chunk of that market due totheir inability to serve the growing population of foreign-branded vehicles. That was the message from several speakers during an industry confe...

Total Taps Canada's Tribospec

French oil major Total announced Thursday it acquired the assets of Tribospec Corp., an independent Canadian lubricants blender and distributor, for an undisclosed amount. A new joint venture named Total Lubricants Canada Inc., owned 70 percent by Total and 30 percent by Tribospecs major shareholder – its company president Julian Cininni – has been created. The companies signed the documents for the acquisition on Dec. 5, according to Claude Van Kessel, Tribospecs head of marketing. ...

Mexicos Uphill Climb for Better Lubes

NEW YORK – Mexicos 850,000 metric ton lubricants market is characterized by a high level of competence but too many competitors, according to an executive with Comercial Roshfrans. The strong influence of both North American and European automakers is leading to demand for higher quality engine oils, but with old, high-mileage vehicles dominating the fleet, upgrading lubricant quality is a challenge. Victor Franco-Paredes, operations manager of Mexico City-based Comercial Roshfrans, offer...

AOCA Blows Whistle on "Warranty"

Alerted by several of its Canadian fast lube operator members, the Automotive Oil Change Association recently investigated a misleading warranty notice – which said that using non-genuine Mopar lubricants could void the warranty – that a dealer had printed and placed under the hoods of Chrysler vehicles in Ontario, Canada. The label read, Daimler Chrysler Canada reserves the right to deny warranty coverage if not all of the recommended scheduled maintenance is completed and performed...

Albemarle, Huntsman, Dow Hike Chemical Prices

Albemarle Corp. announced it will lift prices on antioxidants used in lubricants, Huntsman Corp. said it will raise prices on polyetheramines used in additives, and Dow Chemical Co. plans to increase prices on certain fluid and lubricant products under the Ucon brand name. Richmond, Va.-based Albemarle on Friday said it is raising global prices for lube and fuel Ethanox brand antioxidants by 80 cents per kilogram to $2.10/kg, effective Jan. 15, or as contracts and customer agreements allow. The ...

Bel-Ray Signs Egyptian Partner

Bel-Ray Co. has announced that FAC Group will serve as its exclusive distributor of general industrial and No-Tox food grade lubricant products in the Egyptian industrial and food processing markets. Egypt is a key new market for Bel-Ray, said Ian Bowmer, European sales manager for Bel-Rays industrial division. It gives us a strategic partner in the North Africa/Middle East area. Two big industrial opportunities in Egypt are the cement and textile industries. I have already completed four end us...