Heartland Automotive Holdings, the largest U.S. Jiffy Lube franchisee, and its affiliates on Jan. 7 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The company claimed it was brought about by a breakdown in negotiations with Jiffy Lube International to resolve long-simmering disputes and by a decline in financial performance attributed to rising gasoline and oil costs that reduced customer visits and squeezed margins in 2007. Heartland Automotive Holdings is not related to or affiliated with Hea...

On Friday Jordan Co. announced the formation of Haas TCM Group, consisting of freshly acquired Haas TCM and its Kemfast and MC Technologies subsidiaries, plus Jordans existing portfolio company Avchem, creating the worlds largest provider of chemical management services. Terms of the Haas acquisition were not disclosed. The combined businesses had revenues of approximately $300 million in 2007. They are now part of Jordan Co. L.P., a New York City-based private investment firm that specializes i...

Heartland Petroleum LLC, a petroleum recycling company, is opening the doors to a new multimillion dollar oil rerefining facility in May. The Columbus, Ohio, plant willhydrotreat used automotiveoil and industrial oils, including hydraulic fluids, cutting and stamping oils, to produce 15 to 20 million gallons annually (approximately 950 to 1,300 barrels per day) of Group II+ plus base oils. Heartland Petroleum is unrelated to HeartlandAutomotive Holdings, the Jiffy Lube franchisee that has filed ...

In todays digital world, theres still a need for lubricants to keep fine mechanical watches on time. The Swatch Group on Thursday announced the acquisition of H. Moebius & Son, a Swiss supplier of lubricants and greases used in mechanical watch and clock movements. Terms were not disclosed. Biel, Switzerland-based Swatch Group said it will continue to supply lubricant and grease products to existing Moebius customers via current distribution partners. Previously owned by Gallien & Cie, M...

Boosted by growth in Asia/Pacific markets, WD-40 Co. on Jan. 9 reported that its net sales for its first quarter, ended Nov. 30, reached $79.2 million, a 10 percent increase over the year-ago quarter, while net income rose 9.4 percent, to $6.2 million, compared to the year-earlier period. Earnings per share were 36 cents in the first quarter, an increase of 9.1 percent from 33 cents in the same quarter a year earlier. WD-40s fiscal year runs from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. During the first quarter, the...

Dennison Lubricants, a manufacturer and distributor of motor oils and industrial lubricants, recently acquired two lots at the Libby Hill business park in Gardiner, Maine, where the family-owned company plans to build a 20,000 square foot distribution and blending operation. The company expects to begin site work in April 2008. In addition to motor oil, the company provides gear lubes, aviation lubes, industrial and marine lubricants in various packaging (from drums to cases). The company has be...

A chemical leak Saturday from a valve on an outdoor tank at Vertellus Specialties plant in Delaware Water Gap, Pa., forced the evacuation of nearby homes but caused no injuries to employees or damage to equipment, according to a Vertellus official. The plant makes alkenyl succinic anhydrides, which are used in engine oil additives. The leakoccurred at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, according to Bob Morlino, president of Vertelluss health and specialty products division (formerly Heico Chemicals). Five empl...