Showcasing its research and development (R&D) capabilities as core strength in developing product competitiveness for lubricants at bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2018 (bC India), the lubricant player has robust plans for 2019, according to K Madhumohan, GM Marketing, GS Caltex India.

Discuss about your offerings at the expo.
We showcased our R&D capabilities at the industry exposition. The company products are manufactured with Group II/III base oilswhich are environment-friendly with low volatility, reducing oil consumption and improving fuel economy. We offer lubricants with high thermal and oxidation stability to support drain interval extension. We launched our Kixx range of high performance engine oil meeting the latest API specifications – Kixx HDX CK-4 15W-40 for Euro VI vehicles, Long Life hydraulic oil – KixxHydro HVL and fully synthetic Gear oil – KixxGearSyn GL-5 75W-90.

How was 2018 for you?
We witnessed phenomenal growth in all segments be it automotive or industrial. In the B2B segment, we have seen substantial growth particularly in the construction, infrastructure and mining sectors. I see a lot of momentum in these sectors as there are many initiatives by the government to scale up infrastructure sector to meet the ever growing demands. Investments should come into mining, construction and infrastructure which will foster double-digit growth.

What are the considerations for buying high quality lubricants? How does GS Caltex India differentiate its offerings?
Reliability of service and high quality of oil is the most important criteria for customers, when it comes to selection of lubricants. Customers are looking for value for money and are willing to spend little more for high quality lubricants. This is where we differentiate our offerings by providing optimally-priced, high quality lubricants made from Group II Plus and Group III base oils. We provide services like oil condition monitoring and training to their staff which helps them in improving operational efficiency and profitability.

How can your lubricants improve fuel efficiency of equipment?
There are quite a few factors that determine fuel efficiency. However, energy balance analysis has shown that the amount of energy to operate a vehicle is approximately 40 per cent of the energy created from combusting fuel. Energy loss due to friction in the engine, transmission and axles accounts for approximately 5–15 per cent of the energy created from combusting fuel. Therefore, 45–55 per cent of the energy is lost due to non-frictional inefficiencies in the vehicle, including inefficient conversion of chemical to mechanical energy. A majority of the forty years of lubricant research has focused on recapturing the 5–15 per cent of energy lost.

Our R&D team has worked on recapturing of energy lost due to non-frictional inefficiencies in the vehicle to the maximum possible level. Considering all aspects of tribology, our oils are formulated using selective synthetic base oils and additives that reduce friction and energy loss in components improving fuel economy. Our lubricants are formulated in such a way that they have a proper balance of high temperature viscosity and low temperature fluidity.

What’s your outlook for 2019?
Being a young company, we are definitely looking for expanding our market. Currently, we have about 250 distributors and an extensive logistic reach to service our customers. We are working closely with many OEM customers in construction and mining space across the globe to develop futuristic products for the latest technologies they are introducing. We are also working with OEMs in other sectors to develop tailor-made products, as per requirements.

Investments should come into mining, construction and infrastructure which will foster double-digit growth.
K Madhumohan, GM Marketing, GS Caltex India