By Tim Sullivan

ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties announced last week that it has won a contract to become the sole source, worldwide supplier of lubricants and in-plant lube services to Mexican cement maker Cemex.
 
ExxonMobil was already doing some business with the Monterrey-based company but, under the expanded arrangement, will now provide a standard global package to all Cemex facilities, which are located throughout North, Central and South America, in Asia, and in Spain and Egypt.
 
“ExxonMobil is able to provide Cemex with high quality products and services across the many different geographies where [our company] operates,” Cemex Executive Vice President Armando J. Garcia said. “We expect this arrangement to result in a permanent strategic alliance oriented to continuous improvement and business success.”
 
Founded in 1906, Cemex describes itself as a leading global producer and marketer of cement and ready-mix products for individual homeowners as well as large industrial contractors. Since acquiring Southdown in November 2000, it says it is the second largest cement producer in the United States’ 106 million metric ton market. The Cemex-ExxonMobil agreement covers industrial, commercial and passenger vehicle lubricants and related services.