Lubcon Now Official Lubricant for Yamaha
The appointment of Lubcon International, Nigeria’s fast rising pan Africa lube manufacturing firm, by JX NIPPON, one of the biggest oil and gas companies in Japan to blend its Yamalube brand on its behalf for the Yamaha Motorcycles and outboard motors being assembled in Nigeria has been described as a rare feet yet to be accomplished by any indigenous lubricant firms in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists at the grand opening of the Yamaha Showroom and Assembly Plant in Apapa, Lagos, the Managing Director of Lubcon International, Mr. Taiye Williams, disclosed that Lubcon was chosen after rigorous laboratory standards quality certification audits were carried out on all the samples submitted by local lube blenders that expressed interest.
”Out of all the lube manufacturing firms that bided for this offer, Lubcon was adjudged the best in terms of meeting the required standards. Though we are approved to blend, JX Nippon provides the plant certification; it is not something that is given to you and you think it stops at that. There is a regular audit; they come annually on a regular visit to check if we are still maintaining the required standards.
”Lubcon is an ISO certified company which implies that we also go through regular internal and external audits of our management and quality system. All these assist us to maintain the quality that is required in order to meet the standards that Yamaha requires. Our aim is to improve on this partnership and we are very determined to ensure that we keep improving”, Williams said.
The appointment of Lubcon is a confidence show on the local capacity and in line with the federal government’s policy on local content inclusion as required by the enabling law guiding direct foreign investments in Nigeria.
Williams explained further that his organisation has adopted the principle of continuous improvement to raise its standards; this, he said, is giving Lubcon the leading edge against competitors.
“We have up to 350 products that are being blended in our plant across our key markets in Africa. Our flagship product which is adrenalin is a 20w50 multi-grade. Many now have appreciated our synthetic lubes which is the first to be produced in this country which is known as the Rugged Series. We have the Rugged Elite andRugged 4 by 4. We are positioned to provide the desired lubricants that would make the country’s machinery run”, he emphasised.
The new CFAO Yamaha Showroom and Assembly Plant was declared open by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State. Ambode stated at the occasion that the collaboration between CFAO and Yamaha to establish the plant is good news to Lagos. “With over 60% of Nigeria’s industry capacity located in Lagos, and a policy thrust that encourages good returns on investments, good security and infrastructure provision, Lagos will remain the most attractive location for investments”, Akinwunmi said.
During the tour of the plant, the Managing Director of Lubcon International, Williams presented a pack of Yamalube, the special lubricant oil brand (being produced by Lubcon for JX Nippon, the lube blending arm of Yamaha Group), to the Special Guest of Honor, Governor Ambode and the visiting President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Corporation, Japan, Mr. Hiroyuki Yanagi
Other guests at the occasion include: Mr. Richard Bielle, Chairman of the Management Board, CFAO Group, Paris, France; Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman of CFAO, Nigeria; Mr. Masaya Otsuka, Charges d’Affairs and Interim of the Embassy of Japan; Mr. Steve Faderin, Group Managing Director & Country Manager, CFAO Nigeria among others.
Lubcon is an emerging global brand from the Nigerian market. It is a dynamic company which aspires to be a world-class energy company exceeding the changing needs of its customers. Since inception, Lubcon has been producing world class products applying global best practices creating employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians across the country and in all its operating environment in West African sub-region.
