Consumers Favor Name Brands
While sales of private label or store brand auto products have grown, consumers of motor oils still perceive a quality difference between private label and name brands, concluded a report by market research company NPD Group’s automotive unit.
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Livorno Operations Resume
Eni SpA planned this week to resume normal operations at its refinery in Livorno, Italy, after employees agreed to end picketing that had disrupted the facility, Reuters reported. The refinery includes one of Western Europe’s largest base stock plants.
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Mixed Reviews for Nigerian Ban
Lubricant blenders in Nigeria have expressed mixed feelings over the recent directive by the Nigerian authorities that only registered lube blenders will be allowed to import base oil into the country effective Oct. 1.
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GM's Linden Steps Down
James L. Linden of General Motors Research, a steady presence in automotive lubricants development for the past two decades, will retire at the end of this month. He also steps down as chairman of the auto industry's International Lubricants Standardization & Approval Committee (ILSAC).
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Total Targets British Columbia
Total Lubricants Canada has appointed M&R Environmental Ltd. as a distributor in British Columbia, a move Total said demonstrates its commitment to expand across Canada.
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Irving Expands in New England
Myra Distributing will distribute Irving-branded lubricants in the New England region under an agreement with Irving Oil subsidiary Coastal Blending and Packaging.
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Hail and Farewell
Kim Ann Mink has been elected president and CEO of Dow Chemical subsidiary Angus Chemical Co., while retirement has enticed four lube industry stalwarts: Fred Barrett of ExxonMobil, Armand “Butch” Bianchini of RohMax Oil Additives, Jose Blanco of Infineum and Nick Livanos of Chevron Base Oils.
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U.S. Base Oil Price Report
A more positive supply/demand picture emerged in the U. S. base oils market this week, as buyers stepped out with improved orders for a number of paraffinic grades. Suppliers, concerned about stagnant sales, were pleased to see buying interest rise.
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Europe-MidEast-Africa Base Oil Price Report
Is this a market which may have reached its high point, and may now be stabilizing? Or a brief break in the upward momentum? It’s difficult to know which.
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SSY Base Oil Shipping Report
It has been another week of feeble activity in all areas. Europe and the United States have lots of empty ships available for prompt loading, and Asia too has been more subdued than in previous weeks.
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