|
|
Shell Reorganizes its Lubricants Business |
|
Well you can’t blame Shell for trying something new
when it reorganized its lubricants business into
four business silos nearly three years ago. But, it
appears that the results of that new model may have
been less than desirable. Jobbers World has learned
that Shell is once again reorganizing its lubricants
business and the great divide that formerly
separated its transport and industrial lubricants
business will be gone by the first quarter of 2006.
In addition, Shell will likely implement a seamless
and integrated global marketing organization.
For the most part, Shell marketers applauded the
action and say the new organizational structure is a
very positive step that helps to drive home the
point that Shell really does listen to what its
marketers have to say. Because what many of them
have been saying over the past two years is that
they didn’t like the organization of silos
(transport, consumer, and industry). It required
them to do business with too many sales
representatives. In addition, they felt that the
organization often encouraged unhealthy competition
rather than collaboration between the various silos
within the Shell lubricants business. Many said they
made it clear that Shell could improve its
competitive position by adopting a simpler structure
with more aligned business objectives and goals.
Apparently Shell was listening to its marketers
and proved it is willing to change. The Transport
and Industrial Business silos will be joined under a
single business organization.
Learn more about the new organization and what
marketers think about it in the November print issue
of Jobbers World
|
|
Retail price for PCMO spike in October |
|
Although the retail prices for passenger car motor
oil had appeared to be fairly immune to the last two
rounds of price increases pushed through by the
majors, this changed in October when the price for
PCMO at the leading retail chains in Jobbers World’s
monthly survey spiked up by close to $0.32 a gallon,
or 4.6%.
Significant price movement was seen with all the
major brands (click below for graph). In addition,
the price for several of the store brands also moved
up considerable.
Although less pronounced, price spikes were also
seen at several of the auto parts stores in Jobbers
Worlds monthly price survey.
|
|
NEW INDUSTRIAL GEAR OILS FROM SHELL! |
Shell lubricants companies have launched a
revitalized range of mineral and synthetic
industrial gear oils for the US market. Shell Omala,
Shell Omala HD and Shell Tivela S gear oils, have
been specially formulated to help prolong gear life
and reduce unscheduled downtime, which can help
industrial companies reduce their overall operating
costs
According to Darren Cross, Shell’s Industrial
Lubricants Sector Marketing Manager, “Today’s
industrial environment is more demanding than ever
with trends towards smaller equipment and commercial
pressures to raise throughput. The result is
equipment needs to be able to run at higher
operating temperatures, handle increased loads and
cope with exposure to water and other contaminants.
In these tough conditions, operators need a gear oil
that is designed to tackle the problems that can
affect operational efficiency. Shell has invested
heavily in lubricants R&D to ensure that we can
provide a revitalized range of gear oils for the US
that meets these new challenges.”
AND... according to one Shell marketer, "these
fluids truly are an enhancement to what they
previously were from a base stock and additive
perspective. And beyond being an enhancement they
also represent a much appreciated expansion of the
product line."
|
|
Conocophillips Introduces 76 Lubricants High Mileage
Synthetic Blend Motor Oil |
|
On October 31, 2005 ConocoPhillips, officially
lunched 76 Super High Mileage Synthetic Blend motor
oil. This product is a new, synthetic blend motor
oil designed for engines with more than 75,000
miles. In line with ConocoPhillips synthetic blend
strategy, 76 Super High Mileage Synthetic Blend
motor oil has been formulated utilizing high quality
and synthetic base oils. 76 Super High Mileage
Synthetic Blend motor oil performance enhancements
include improved viscosity and deposit control,
improved oxidation resistance at high temperatures
and better pumpability at low temperatures compared
to conventional high mileage oils, according to
Scott McQueen, ConocoPhillips director of automotive
products.
|
|
|
PTI Launches New Study Ranking and Rating the Majors |
The First Industrial Report Card on Major
Lubricant Suppliers in the U.S. Market, 2005
According to Petroleum Trends Intl. (PTI), there
have been a record number of subscribers to its
First Industrial Report Card on Major Lubricant
Suppliers in the U.S. Market. As a result, PTI
launched this two volume study that provides a
comprehensive survey and comparative analysis of how
lubricant marketers and end-users rank and rate
major manufacturers of lubricants in terms of their
products, pricing, salesmanship, support, sales and
marketing, technical and customer service, value-
added services, supply logistics, conflict
resolution, distributor relations, and a number of
other key areas of their business activity.
Specifically this report will rank and rate, and
contrast and compare both the lubricant marketer’s
and end-user’s perceptions about AGIP, American
Refining Group, BP Castrol, Chevron, CITGO,
ConocoPhillips, Elf, ExxonMobil, Petro-Canada,
Shell-PQS, Valvoline, and other lubricant
manufacturers deemed important by marketers and
end-users.
Click here for a PDF copy of the report brochure
|
|
