Founded in 1866, Valvoline, the petroleum industry’s first U.S. trademarked motor oil brand whose lubricants, chemicals and car products are available in more than 160 countries and territories worldwide, has officially launched its 150th anniversary celebration in India at Mumbai. The celebration will continue throughout the 2016 calendar year and include a series of commemorative initiatives.
“The Valvoline brand has a heritage that rivals companies like Heineken, Nestlé and Ford Motor Company,” commented Mr. Craig Moughler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Valvoline.
“We’re proud to reach this historic milestone and we have confidence our product innovation and service programs will bring value to the markets for the next 150 years” he said.
Visiting India to kick-start the celebrations at a customer and vendor appreciation event in Mumbai, Mr. Moughler said, “We look forward to celebrating our storied history in India and throughout the entire world with our distributor partners, commercial customers, mechanics and consumers.”
As part of its 150th celebration, Valvoline will:
Enhance global branding, including on-field advertising during popular English Premiere League matches
Heighten its worldwide social media presence, generating both written and video content to educate countries on its 150-year history, innovation and products
Expand its ad and event presence throughout INDIA to improve communication between mechanics and customer targets who operate both heavy-duty, light-duty and personal mobility vehicles
Schedule nationwide events to connect with customers and
Launch new products throughout the course of 2016, with forthcoming announcements to coincide with each.
“We enter 2016 with a track record of growth that reflect strong relationships and programs we have with channel members and users. Valvoline innovation and value will remain key elements of success moving forward and we want the world to know that we are just getting started” added Mr. Moughler.
Mr. Anant Talaulicar, Chairman and Managing Director of Cummins Group in India, said, “The joint partnership of Cummins and Valvoline has been instrumental in bringing industry-leading engine and vehicle lubricants to customers worldwide. The partnership is poised to continue delivering value to its customers and is strongly positioned to sustain its growth story in India.”
Mr. Sandeep Kalia, CEO of Valvoline Cummins Private Ltd., commented, “This is truly an exciting time for our company and the activities planned for the New Year and beyond will help sustain this growth moving forward. We take this opportunity to thank all customers, vendors, channel partners and employees who have made us to succeed in India and invite them to be a part of this celebration.”
Key Valvoline brand milestones spanning 15 decades include:
1866: Dr. John Ellis founded Valvoline in 1866 when he discovered the lubricating properties of distilled crude oil. Valvoline oil was officially trademarked in 1873.
Early 1900s: As Valvoline entered the 20th century, it continued to gain traction in the auto world and became recommended oil for the iconic Ford Model T, making Valvoline a household name as vehicle ownership rapidly expanded. The brand extended its product offerings internationally and Valvoline’s groundbreaking innovation continued, successfully pioneering one of the world’s first aircraft engine motor oils (1910).
1942-1945: Valvoline oil was widely used to lubricate allied vehicles throughout the duration of World War II.
1950: In 1950, Ashland Oil Inc. of Kentucky acquired Valvoline, ushering in a new era of innovation. In 1954 and with automakers shifting to powerful overhead valve v8 engines, Valvoline developed its All-Climate Motor Oil, eliminating the need for seasonal oil changes.
1965: Valvoline introduced Valvoline Racing Motor Oil to the world in the mid 60s. Its superior technology was developed to better protect engines in high-stress situations and met the needs of the “muscle car craze” of the era. Used in multiple forms of racing, Valvoline racing oil became, and remains to this day, the best-selling racing oil of
all time.
1990s: In 1996, Valvoline again led in product innovation with the introduction of Durablend™, its first synthetic blend motor oil. This development brought the many benefits of synthetic to a broader consumer base and pioneered protection for the smaller, high-RPM engines of the day. In 1998 a JV arrangement with Cummins India Ltd was made.
Early 2000s: While others were focused on new engines, Valvoline was busy tearing apart older ones to make them run better, as consumers began holding on to their vehicles for longer periods of time. The result was Valvoline’s 2000 launch of Maxlife™ High Mileage Motor Oil – the first motor oil specifically engineered with technology that
provides increased longevity for cars over 75,000 miles.
2014: A new plant was opened in India bringing the total of blending and packaging plants worldwide to 60. Product innovations continued with the launch of NextGen, a premium oil that uses fewer resources in production.
2016: Valvoline is celebrating its 150th anniversary across the globe.
Valvoline produces a full product portfolio of advanced options to best service engines and vehicle needs worldwide, including Premium Plus CI4 Plus for TATA Trucks, Premium Blue, Valvoline Motorcycle Oils, Valvoline Coolants, Valvoline Greases and Valvoline Gear Oil.