: The over a century-old United Kingdom headquartered Morris Lubricants has forayed into the Indian market to tap the growing lubricant industry, a top official said here today.
The UK-based family owned firm has been exporting to over 85 countries worldwide.
For its India operations, the company has appointed George Oakes Ltd, part of the Amalgamations Group, as the marketing and distribution partner, Morris Lubricants Director and Member, Board of Directors, Andrew Wilkins said.
"We are delighted to be in India. We have strong historical trading links between India and United Kingdom. India is one of the main countries were we need to have more focus", he told reporters.
On the tie up with George Oakes Ltd., he said the company had held discussions with research firm RoseField DAA for nearly two years before entering the domestic market.
"We discussed with Shailendra (Gokhale MD, RoseField DAA) for over two years before this happened. We are happy to have a local partner here (George Oakes Ltd)" he said.
Paterson Lubricants, the holding company of Morris Lubricants, formally commenced Indian operations last week.The company would initially focus in West and South regions.
The domestic lubricant industry was around 2.50 million kilolitres per annum, valued at Rs 32,000 crore, registering 4-5 per cent growth year-on-year.
"India is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and a very attractive destination for our growth.", he said.
"We realised for the Indian market,unlike other countries, exports from UK may not be ideal solution. Hence we decided to blend some of our lubricants and maximise the sourcing of raw materials in India", he said.
The company has two manufacturing facilities in UK with a total capacity of producing 50 million litres a year.
Morris Lubricants, as part of its strategy to offer country specific products, has identified a "local partner" to set up the facility near Mumbai for blending the lubricants in India, he said.
On the marketing strategy in India, Wilkins said, "we have a lot of products to offer. Currently, India is the third largest lubricant market in the world".
"We will go and meet all our customers. Our products can be used for heavy duty trucks, tractors, aftermarket service, two wheelers.", he said.
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