The Lube Tech features more than 3500 items, including lubricants, chemicals, fuel, equipment, services and shop supplies all in one easy-to-use catalog. With everything in one spot, customers no longer need to search multiple vendors for the products they need. The catalog also features a comprehensive reference section of technical data, including a glossary of terms, to promote better product selection and lubricant education.

“The Lube Tech is designed to make our customers’ jobs easier and their businesses more profitable,” says Lube-Tech President Chris Bame. “It is an invaluable tool that shows our determination to remain the premier supplier of lubricants, fuels, chemicals and services that our customers depend on to improve their bottom line.”

Lube-Tech is the Midwest’s largest distributor, blender and packager of lubricants, fuels and related fluids. The company’s state-of-the art testing and blending facilities produce custom products that are shipped to more than 65 countries.

With more than 250 pages of product offerings and specifications, The Lube Tech will start going out to customers at the end of June with distribution finished by fall. The catalog is also available online at www.lubetech.com. To learn more about Lube-Tech, go to: www.lubetech.com.

About Lube-Tech
Lube-Tech represents the culmination of three of the Twin Cities oldest oil companies: Gopher State Oil, Hallman Oil and Jennison Rollins Oil. In 1993, Lubrication Technologies,
Inc. was formed by Chris and Marna Bame, who then expanded the company’s offerings to include automotive, industry, fleet and custom brands divisions.

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Golden Valley, MN (date) – Lubrication Technologies, based in Golden Valley, Minnesota is proud to announce the company’s 6^th Annual 140 Golf Outing Invitational has raised $50,000 for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund®, bringing the total amount raised from the Invitational to $323,000. This year’s event took place at Grand National Golf Course in Hinckley on August 15^th.

The 140 Invitational started years ago as a golfing get-together between eight friends. Eventually word got out and several Lube-Tech employees joined in on the event.

By 2003 there were 41 golfers participating. “At that point, we decided to try and use the event to raise money for Children’s Cancer Research,” says Lube-Tech Purchasing Manager Randy Jensen. “Today we have more than 120 golfers from six states and Canada who participate in the event.”

The name 140 Golf Outing Invitational came up among the original group of golfers who were sitting around the campfire one evening. The men were trying to name as many uses as they could for 140 solvent, which is typically found in charcoal oil, lamplighter fluid and other blends of oils. The title seemed fitting for an event put on by Lube-Tech, one of the most recognized petroleum distributors in Minnesota.

Next year’s 140 Invitational event is set for Saturday, August 21^st with a V.I.P. party the evening prior. This is just one of many philanthropic events Lube Tech is involved in. Employees also donate time and or funds to the following organizations: Social Ventures Partners, Global Action, Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly, High School for Recording Arts, Ducks Unlimited and the Fred H. Bame Foundation.

About Lubrication Technologies
Lubrication Technologies is the culmination of the three most recognized petroleum distributors in Minnesota: Gopher Oil Co, Rollins Oil Co and Hallman Oil Co., lending a history that dates back to 1929. Lubrication Technologies develops and produces thousands of innovative products across diverse markets throughout the world. Flexibility, technology and unmatched customer focus are the key drivers behind Lubrication Technologies’ history of success and continue to remain the cornerstones for growth and diversification. For more information, visit www.lube-tech.com.

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Lube-Tech is being recognized for its proven waste and pollution accomplishments achieved in partnership with Ford Motor Company, for the development of a new, low VOC, water-based paint bay cleaning solution named, incidentally, “Ford Sludge Remover” (FSR). By switching to Lube-Tech’s specially formulated paint bay cleaner, Ford Motor Company reduced:

• Hazardous raw materials by 240,000 pounds (87%)
• Hazardous waste by 72,000 pounds (72%)
• Air emissions by 170,000 pounds (96%)

Rich Limpert, who manages Lube-Tech’s relationship with Ford Motor Company, commented, “While we initially set out to improve Ford’s paint bay cleaning process through a Six Sigma project, we were thrilled to be in a position to exceed the customer’s expectation with a product that does so much more. FSR outperforms traditional, solvent-based methods, reduces VOC emissions, is competitively priced, and can be repeatedly used before losing its cleaning power, making it a premium solution for sustainability and performance.”

The Six Sigma Project, which Lube-Tech’s Elise Lindberg lead documentation for, resulted in a $195,000 annual savings for Ford. “Because the switch did not require any new equipment investment, Ford Motor Company was able to reap the savings almost immediately,” remarked Lindberg.

“We at Lube-Tech are extremely proud of this recognition and of the steps the company has taken and continues to take in contributing to a cleaner and safer environment,” said Punch VanGrasstek, Lube-Tech’s water-based chemist who, along with Limpert and Lindberg, was responsible for bringing Lube-Tech’s unique solution for environmental sustainability success to Ford Motor Company.

According to VanGrasstek, Lube-Tech offers many eco-friendly products such as Real CleanTM, an industrial-strength, environmentally friendly cleaner that is VOC-free with no caustics or hazardous air pollutants, as well as biodegradable form release, asphalt release, specialty cleaners, dust control products and more.

“Lube-Tech is committed to delivering sustainable solutions for our customers, and this award is an excellent way for the State of MN to recognize these efforts,” said VanGrasstek.

About Lubrication Technologies
Lubrication Technologies is the culmination of the three most recognized petroleum distributors in MN: Gopher Oil Co, Rollins Oil Co and Hallman Oil Co., lending a history that dates back to 1929. Lubrication Technologies develops and produces thousands of innovative products across diverse markets throughout the world. Flexibility, technology and unmatched customer focus are the key drivers behind Lubrication Technologies’ history of success and continue to remain the cornerstones for growth and diversification. For more information, visit www.lube-tech.com.

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN With new car sales dropping for a record 17 straight months, many wonder what it will take to save the struggling auto industry. One local company doesn’t have the answer, but it does have a plan to get its own employees in a new car.

It’s an effort to help out the very customers that the company depends on.

For nearly as long as Detroit’s been building cars, Twin Cities-based Lube Tech has been filling them, supplying area auto dealers with 16 million gallons of oils, fluids and greases a year.

“If they’re not selling and servicing vehicles, our volume potentially is going to drop down too,” said Lube-Tech’s Bob Palmgren.

So as the new car business sank deeper into recession, the petroleum vendor decided to act.

It’s now offering all 200 of its employees $2,000 in cash if they go out and buy a new car.

“We’re up to six now, and from all phone calls that we’re getting, we’ve got a lot of employees out there shopping as we speak,” said Palmgren.

“I almost did a back flip,” said Randy Jenson as he looked at his new 2009 Ford Taurus.

Jenson was tempted by all the new car deals but he wasn’t quite at the point of jumping into the new car market. But when he heard about his company’s offer he snapped up the car.

“It feels good to be able to go out and help stimulate the economy, but also help your customers as well. In this day and age, we all need to be doing what we can to help each other out,” he added.

Totaling up, the federal tax incentives, dealer rebates and the $2,000 from Lube-Tech, Jenson figures it saved him over $8,000.

At the Lupient GMC dealership in Golden Valley, manager Rob Stewart knows all too well the trouble his industry’s in. He applauds Lube-Tech’s incentive as a bold and confident step to recovery, one deal at a time.

“You know, that’s fabulous. I wish more companies in the Twin Cities would start taking an active role in that because I think automotive is a major player in what goes on in the Twin Cities business,” said Stewart.

Perhaps no one feels it more than Lube-Tech, a long time supplier of automotive fluids.

“We hope so, we’re trying to do our part,” said Palmgren.

(See original article here.)

Randy Jensen needed a new car.

When gas prices hit $4 a gallon, he downsized to a Pontiac G6 for better mileage. But after trying to cram four guys and four golf bags into his compact car, Jensen, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall, soon longed for a bigger vehicle.

“I was sitting on the fence,” said Jensen, explaining that the worsening economy and the outstanding balance on the loan for his Pontiac gave him pause.

On March 31, Jensen’s employer of 15 years, Golden Valley-based Lubrication Technologies, notified all 200 of its workers that it would give them a $2,000 cash bonus toward the purchase of a new car.

Today, Jensen, purchasing manager at Lube-Tech, is the proud owner of a Ford Taurus. Chris Bame, president and second-generation owner of Lube-Tech, says that while his company is challenged by the recession just like most businesses, he’s hoping the cash bonus will rev up the local economy and reward his employees.

With roots dating back to 1929, Lube-Tech does business with more than 190 Minnesota auto dealers. The company blends, packages and distributes everything from bulk and packaged oil and synthetic lubricants to fuel, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze and a full line of shop supplies. Lube-Tech also develops products for other industries including original equipment manufacturing, die casting, energy, plastics, machining and food processing.

“As a family-owned business, we’ve always tried to do the right thing,” Bame said. “Here’s
an opportunity to both help our customers — the dealerships that have been such a strong customer base for us over the years — and also help our employees.”
To be eligible, employees must buy a new car for themselves or anyone in their immediate family by the end of September from any one of Lube-Tech’s auto dealership customers.

So far, four employees have signed up for the deal. But Bame, who says he’ll probably take advantage of the offer himself on behalf of his daughter, isn’t sure how many more will be interested.

“Maybe 10 percent, 15 percent,” he said.

New vehicle sales dropped for a 17th consecutive month in March, but the 37 percent industry decline was actually less than analysts had expected. Some industry observers believe that suggests the market may be nearing the bottom.

Meanwhile, every little bit counts, says Bill Abraham, president of the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association.

“It’s a very generous offer by Lube-Tech,” Abraham said, adding that it’s the first such offer in Minnesota of which he is aware. “These things are happening in other parts of the country, where various ‘allied’ companies are doing their bit to help the auto industry.”

Nicole Garrison-Sprenger can be reached at 651-228-5580.

Gary Parkos, Lube-Tech Distribution Business Manager, remarked, “This award is indicative not only of Lube-Tech’s impressive growth and diversification, but also of the highly technical expertise Lube-Tech brings to the Minnesota marketplace.  Houghton Int’l products, used primarily in metalworking and machining applications, are extremely specialized fluids designed for manufacturers who want to reduce and avoid costs, improve process efficiency and enhance finished product quality.”

Lube-Tech began distributing Houghton International specialty chemicals and lubricants to the metalworking, medical device, and steel industries in 2004.  Since then, Lube-Tech has grown to become the nation’s fourth largest Houghton International distributor.

Other 2008 Top Five award recipients include General Petroleum of Fort Wayne, IN; R. Sandri, Inc. of Greenfield, MA; Parman Lubricants of Nashville, TN; and RILCO of Rock Island, IL.

In addition to the Top Five Distributor Awards extended to Lube-Tech in 2006 and 2007, Lube-Tech was also a recipient of the Houghton International Gold Award for Top 5 Sales Growth in 2005.

About Houghton International
Since 1865, Houghton has been serving the metalworking, automotive, and steel industries, and a variety of other markets with the development and production of specialty chemicals, oils, and lubricants. A privately held company, Houghton is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA and maintains manufacturing and research facilities throughout the world.  For more information, visit www.houghtonintl.com.

About Lubrication Technologies
Lubrication Technologies is the culmination of the three most recognized petroleum distributors in MN: Gopher Oil Co, Rollins Oil Co and Hallman Oil Co., lending a history that dates back to 1929.  Lubrication Technologies develops and produces thousands of innovative products across diverse markets throughout the world.  Flexibility, technology and unmatched customer focus are the key drivers behind Lubrication Technologies’ history of success and continue to remain the cornerstones for growth and diversification.  For more information, visit www.lube-tech.com.

Lube-Tech Transul-Kut 3200 is a medium viscosity, semi-transparent dark brown oil, designed for handling tough machining and cutting operations. This product is formulated with high-quality base oil, sulfurized and chlorinated additives and other lubricity agents. Transul-Kut 3200 is available in 5 gallon drums, 55 gallon drums and bulk exclusively from Lube-Tech. For information about Lube-Tech, visit www.lube-tech.com.

The FGG/BM/CZ System Compatible Program is designed to test and monitor ancillary products on an ongoing basis to ensure chemical compatibility with FlowGuard Gold®, BlazeMaster® and Corzan® CPVC piping systems.

All designated products qualify for the program by undergoing rigorous testing, which assures the product will not fail as a result of chemical incompatibility. Because CPVC products are made with base resins having different molecular weights and varying chlorine contents and compound additives, the FGG/BM/CZ System Compatible Program can verify chemical compatibility only with the products with which they have been tested. Products in the program display the FGG/BM/CZ System Compatible mark on their label. This mark quickly assures installers that the product is chemically compatible with FlowGuard Gold, BlazeMaster and Corzan CPVC products. Only manufacturers that have passed these specific chemical compatibility tests are able to place the FGG/BM/CZ compatible mark on their product labels. Product manufacturers agree to not change the formulation of the products accepted into the System Compatible program without advance written notice and to submit the products to periodic testing to ensure the product remains chemically compatible.

The FGG/BM/CZ System Compatible Program is the only known program of its kind in the industry designed to increase user confidence and help eliminate the guesswork about which products are chemically compatible. The program is in active use in the United States, Canada, Mexico, 25 European countries, the United Arab Emirates, India and China. To learn about all the chemically compatible products in the program, call (888) 234-2436 or visit www.systemcompatible.com.

FlowGuard Gold®, BlazeMaster® and Corzan® are registered trademarks of The Lubrizol
Corporation. FGG/BM/CZ™ is a trademark of The Lubrizol Corporation.

About Lubrication Technologies (Lube-Tech)
Lubrication Technologies (Lube-Tech) is a petrochemical market leader, lending a history that dates back to 1929. Lubrication Technologies develops and produces thousands of innovative products for diverse markets throughout the world, including metalworking, general machine and manufacturing, heavy duty equipment, light-duty passenger automobiles and more. Flexibility, technology and unmatched customer focus are the key drivers behind Lubrication Technologies’ history of success and continue to remain the cornerstones for growth and diversification. For more information, visit www.lube-tech.com.”

About The Lubrizol Corporation
The Lubrizol Corporation (NYSE: LZ) is an innovative specialty chemical company that produces and supplies technologies that improve the quality and performance of our customers’ products in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals; specialty materials, including plastics technology and performance coatings in the form of specialty resins and additives. Lubrizol’s industry-leading technologies in additives, ingredients and compounds enhance the quality, performance and value of customers’ products, while reducing their environmental impact. With headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio, The Lubrizol Corporation owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 19 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has approximately 6,950 employees worldwide. Revenues for 2007 were $4.5 billion. For more information, visit www.lubrizol.com.

While crude and base oil prices have been dropping over several months, the finished lubricant market lagged behind. “Customers have been asking us when they will see a change in prices and while we’ve explained the market factors to them, we also understand how frustrating it can be to wait when the gas pump price keeps dropping,” commented Chris Bame, Lube-Tech President and Chief Executive Officer.

Lube-Tech is ahead of the price reduction trend in this announcement and attributes that change to its ability to be flexible and always deliver upon customer needs, first. The organization calls this approach part of the “Ultimate Customer Experience,” which it is committed to delivering. Stated Eric Jackson, Lube-Tech Chief Operating Officer, “The Ultimate Customer Experience is about delivering value to our customers as quickly and as easily as possible. The idea is to offer our customers real solutions that help them manage their business in a streamline, seamless fashion. This price reduction is reflective of our commitment to helping our customers do business more cost effectively.”

While Lube-Tech is early to act on these reductions, some major brands are also beginning to announce changes. “As the major brands follow suit, we are extending reductions to our customers on those product lines as well,” stated Jackson.

Remarked Bame, “We experienced unprecedented market volatility throughout 2008, so this shift is a welcome change for our business and for our customers. It is exciting to pass along good news, especially during this harsh business climate.”

About Lubrication Technologies
Lubrication Technologies is the culmination of the three most recognized petroleum distributors in MN: Gopher Oil Co, Rollins Oil Co and Hallman Oil Co., lending a history that dates back to 1929. Lubrication Technologies develops and produces thousands of innovative products across diverse markets throughout the world. Flexibility, technology and unmatched customer focus are the key drivers behind Lubrication Technologies’ history of success and continue to remain the cornerstones for growth and diversification. For more information, visit www.lube-tech.com.

David Henry, Lubrication Technologies’ Fuels Business Manager, the featured Fuel Futures speaker, talked about the components of fuel pricing, including hedging, speculating and spot buying to an audience of over forty school superintendents, maintenance managers, and procurement specialists.

School transportation representatives from across the state of MN attended this year’s conference, which covered the latest trends in bus safety, equipment, route efficiency, amongst other industry topics. This year, an education surrounding the complex world of fuel contracting and hedging, a first for the MSBOA, focused on how bus management and fleet companies can better manage their costs while maximizing efficiency, reliability and, most importantly, safety.

About MSBOA
MSBOA is a non-profit organization comprised of privately owned school bus companies in the state of MN.  Established in 1948, MSBOA strives to provide safe and efficient transportation for MN children.

About Lubrication Technologies
Lubrication Technologies is the culmination of the three most recognized petroleum distributors in MN: Gopher Oil Co, Rollins Oil Co and Hallman Oil Co., lending a history that dates back to 1929.  Lubrication Technologies develops and produces thousands of innovative products across diverse markets throughout the world.  Flexibility, technology and unmatched customer focus are the key drivers behind Lubrication Technologies’ history of success and continue to remain the cornerstones for growth and diversification.  For more information, visit www.lube-tech.com.