Feb 03, 2025 Penna Pura, 1931, Rudolf Fuchs, FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA, Andrew Cowling, FUCHS brands, Rose Foundation, # MOVING YOUR WORLD
Focus on FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA # MOVING YOUR WORLD
Founded in 1931 by Rudolf Fuchs in Mannheim, Germany as a distributor of “Guaranteed Pennsylvania Motor Oil” under the brand name ‘Penna Pura’, has grown into the largest independent supplier of lubricants globally.
This 3rd generation family business has evolved through a three-tiered focus on Lubricants, Technology and People into a Group consisting of 60 companies worldwide, manufacturing and distributing a range of in excess of 10 000 lubricants and specialist products from its 33 Production and Blending Plants around the world. From as early as 1946 with the employment of its first chemist, FUCHS has placed a priority on technological development and currently employs more than 500 engineers and scientists in R&D at its 22 laboratories worldwide. This development in technology has allowed the company to diversify its product offering to its customers.
Fuchs products can be defined into the following categories:
· Automotive Lubricants
· Food Grade Lubricants
· Industrial Lubricants
· Lubricating Greases
· Metal Processing Lubricants
· Special Application Lubricants
· And Smart Services
FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA officially opened in 1994 to service both the South African and Southern African markets. 2009 saw the closure of the Durban Blending plant and its relocation to Johannesburg, and the expansion of the Grease plant in 2018. FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA supplies its range of products to the aftermarket in both South Africa and Southern Africa via varied channels locally as well as official distribution agreements in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana and the DRC amongst others. An official Partner agreement in Kenya is expected to come during 2025.
Andrew Cowling, Sales Director at FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA, says that with its diversified range of Automotive products servicing a broad spectrum of vehicles, which include:
· Motorcycles
· Passenger and light commercial
· Heavy Commercial
· Yellow Metal / Off Highway
· Agricultural Machinery & equipment
Combined with the current infrastructural capabilities within Africa, the market is one of growth. Experts are predicting a growth in this sector from the current levels of approximately 250million litres p/a to reach 301million litres p/a by 2030 (source Mordor Intelligence).
When questioned on the current focus by OEM’s on alternates to Internal Combustion Engines(ICE) – Cowling pointed out that even BEV, Hybrid and Hydrogen powered vehicles will still require transmission, drivetrain and suspension lubricants and fluids. In addition, modern technology is making rapid advances in the development of more fuel- efficient motors with reduced carbon emissions, and when this is combined with current consensus that there will be ICE vehicle technology usage in Africa for the next 15-20 years due to infrastructure challenges and transport distances involved.
Cowling said the development in lubrication technology is so far advanced, particularly with the premium lubricants, such as the FUCHS brands, that the lubricants can far outlast the OEM specifications with the challenges being to find filtration media that can match the lubricant lifespan. In terms of disposal of the used oils – Cowling reiterated that FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA is an active member of the Rose Foundation to responsibly dispose of used oils.
Cowling concluded by saying that the group’s constant investment in R&D combined with its close alignment with the OEM’s and positive feedback from their loyal customers has allowed FUCHS to become the largest independent manufacturer of lubricants in the world and the company looks forward to continuing to supply their quality premium products and further develop these relationships across the continent.
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