Yep, it looks like another round of price increases are hitting the streets. Except this time the increases are being lead by the independent lubricant manufacturers. Go figure..the first to move include Warren Unilube, Inc., Cam2, and ALS.

According to a number of marketers who attended ExxonMobil’s recent marketers meeting, it was upbeat. ExxonMobil reportedly communicated a positive message about its interest in seeing more business on its marketer’s paper, and not just any business, but the higher margin business that can be enjoyed by selling ExxonMobil’s high efficiency motor oil (HEMO) line.

Word on the street has it that there have been a number of personnel changes at Warren Unilube. Jack Wier reportedly left the organization and is now with Smitty’s The plant manager from Warren’s Illinois facility was reportedly promoted. In addition, there is unofficial word that a sales rep from the Midwest market has been cut loose along with three or four others from other parts of the organization.

Understanding that Warren’s business has been good over the past year, it’s hard to tell what these changes mean. Best guess though is that it reflects a company making the changes necessary for a company in transition from mid-size to large to align its management team for more growth.