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July 14, 2010

Valvoline advised its marketers it will increase its lubricant prices by up to 8%. The effective date for the increase is February 14, 2011.   Valvoline says the increase is due to various market factors, including the higher price of base stocks and other raw materials. 

here to read story prior to update.

Shell Marketer's Meeting Had Most in Attendance Feeling Upbeat

Shell had its annual marketers meeting last month in Houston, and from JobbersWorld is hearing, most left the meeting feeling cautiously optimistic about the direction Shell is moving. According to a number of marketers in attendance, a significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to speaking about the success Shell enjoys with its aligned marketer model in other parts of the world (most specifically in Europe). Further, whereas US marketers are going though some growing pains with this model, Shell feels confident that at the end of the day, it's a winning model.

Interestingly, some said it was clear Shell was doing a balancing act at the meeting. Whereas Shell's "global people" (Collins and others) were very strongly talking up the alignment model, "Shell's US people" were somewhat more reserved. It's believed the reason they were more reserved is that the US market is more complicated and populated with generations of independent marketers who worry that alignment (or lack of) leaves them vulnerable and puts their businesses at risk (like being on the bubble). Specifically, they say, whereas Shell feels strongly about the alignment model and the value of its Alliance Partners, it does not want to scare off its Authorized Marketers who are also important to Shell's business in the US.  Because of this, Shell appeared to be working hard at the meeting to assure both its Aligned and Alliance Marketers of their value. For this reason, most said they left the meeting feeling  cautiously optimistic they have a future with Shell.
 

Click here to tell us what you think about the meeting. Is what some perceived to be a balancing act temporary, and ultimately, will it be Aligned our out? Or, can and will, both aligned and alliance marketers co-exist in the Shell global model?  All responses will be treated confidentially. 
 

Shell Concept Lubricant Achieves Up To 6.5% Fuel Economy Benefit

Technical collaboration with Gordon Murray Design looks beyond current industry specifications to push the boundaries in lubricant formulation

 A collaboration between research teams at Shell Global Solutions ("Shell") and Gordon Murray Design (GMD) has led to the development of an innovative concept engine lubricant capable of achieving up to 6.5 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency - a step change compared to the improvements of around 2.5 per cent achieved in typical fuel economy lubricant development programs. Using GMD's new T.25 city car - a breakthrough in city vehicle design - as the test bed, Shell engineers have been able to work beyond current industry specifications to formulate an ultra low viscosity 0W-10 concept motor oil. Shell says this effectively tears up the rule book in the search for even greater efficiency.

Changes in legislation and new emission standards are putting pressure on vehicle manufacturers to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. While the development of increasingly fuel efficient engines is ongoing, and has made significant progress in recent years, lubrication is one area that can provide an extra boost to help meet those targets. A co-engineering approach between the Shell and GMD development teams used sophisticated mathematical modelling techniques to define the optimum lubricant for the T.25 engine design, helping to achieve the lowest possible engine friction.

Selda Gunsel, Vice President Lubricants and B2B Products Technology, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., says: "Blending low viscosity oil to improve fuel efficiency is actually relatively simple; the challenge comes when you look to balance it with engine protection and acceptable oil drain intervals. We believe that now is the time to start looking at lubricant technology that goes beyond current specifications to enhance the efficiency of the cars of tomorrow.

"Although in the concept stage, this represents a major advancement in lubricant technology; what we have learned feeds into the products we are developing for use in the near future. Of course, engine oil is just one part of the fuel efficiency story, but when we take into account the pressure and incentives for vehicle manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions, the contribution from lubricants can become very significant. This is due to the fact that with less engine friction comes less fuel use and ultimately less CO2 is emitted," Gunsel adds.

Professor Gordon Murray, Gordon Murray Design's CEO and Technical Director, says: "We have challenged every aspect of car design to create the T.25 and the environmentally positive iStream manufacturing process.  The lubricant is no exception. It is a vital engine component that has more potential than most for improving a vehicle's fuel economy and cutting its CO2 emissions. That is why we have been working closely with Shell to test their exciting new ultra-low-viscosity concept oil."

Using the 0W-10 Shell concept motor oil, the T.25 achieved 96 mpg in the Royal Automobile Club's Brighton to London Future Car Challenge, winning the award of the most economic small, passenger internal-combustion engine vehicle. This shows the great results that can be achieved when lightweight car design, efficient small engines and innovative lubricants are combined.

"As one of the world's largest transport fuel and lubricant providers, Shell is doing what we can to help customers use less fuel and emit less CO2 today. We are calling our strategic response to the challenge of sustainable transport, 'smarter mobility'. Smarter mobility comprises a range of innovations in three key areas: smarter products, smarter use and smarter infrastructure. By focusing on delivering smarter fuels and lubricants for our customers and promoting more efficient use of resources, incremental improvements can be achieved which could be significant in terms of scale and give substantial benefits over time.

According to Roger Moulding, Vice-President Global Key Accounts, for Shell Lubricants, "Technology projects such as the Shell concept motor oil co-engineered with Gordon Murray Design are a tangible example of the results of our work to develop smart products for the ever more efficient cars of the future."

Posted December 21, 2010

Branded Lubricant Manufacturer/Marketer has an Opening for an experienced Lubricant Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manager

Position-Quality Assurance Manager for a Large Branded Lubricant Manufacturer/Marketer at a Third Party Lubricant Manufacturing Facility located in Eastern Pennsylvania.
 
 

An International Lubricant Manufacturing/Marketing Company is looking for a self-starting, performance-driven, technically knowledgeable individual to fill the" Manager of Quality Assurance" position at a third party toll blending Lubricant facility in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Click here for more.