Shell Ranked No. 1 Lubricants Supplier Globally for Fourth Consecutive Year

HOUSTON, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Shell has been named the No.1 global lubricants supplier for the fourth consecutive year in an annual research study carried out by Kline & Company ("Kline")(1).

Despite one of the toughest operating environments since the Great Depression, Shell Lubricants trumped a tumultuous 2009, growing its global market share to 13.4 percent from 12.7 percent in 2008.  It also widened its lead over its nearest competitor to 2.5 percent, up from 1.6 percent the year before.  These figures are especially significant, given that 2009 worldwide lubricant demand declined 8.4 percent over 2008 to 35 million tonnes.

Chong-Meng Tan, Executive Vice President for Shell Business to Business & Shell Lubricants, said: "Kline's research shows that despite very challenging market conditions, Shell has continued to outperform the lubricants market as a whole and maintain our global leadership position.  I believe this is the result of a consistent strategy that focuses squarely on customers, as well as leading technologies delivering differentiated products that add value for clients."

According to Kline, the impact of the global recession had been less severe in the Asia-Pacific region, which continued to show the most robust growth on a volumetric basis.  Shell achieved strong growth in China and has established itself as a leading player in developing markets such as Indonesia.  Kline also noted that the United States – the largest country market in terms of lubricant volume consumed – was among those that were most impacted by the economic downturn.  Shell however grew its market leadership despite the market trend.  

On the industry's competitive landscape, Kline indicated that technological expertise has, and will increasingly become an important differentiator for lubricants suppliers.  This is a key strength for Shell, whose technological leadership includes more than 70 years of innovation though investing in research and development (R&D) and recruiting world-class scientists to create some of the most advanced lubricant products available.  Shell also partners with leading OEMs, customers and institutions in projects that enable testing of its products in some of the most demanding conditions.  Earlier this year, Shell announced the renewal of its global lubricants agreement with Hyundai Motor Company, including collaboration on lubricants R&D.

(1) Kline & Company is a worldwide consulting and research firm.  All data in this media release has been sourced from Kline & Company's report "Global Lubricants Industry 2009: Market Analysis and Assessment, 2009-2019", unless otherwise stated.

INQUIRIES:

Shell Lubricants Media Relations: +1 (713) 241-4544  

Notes to editors

About Shell Lubricants

The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume.(a) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in applications ranging from consumer motor oil and food processing oils to heavy industrial lubricants and commercial transport oils. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell CASSIDA®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX®,  a portfolio of leading car care brands and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

(a) Kline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry 2009: Market Analysis and Assessment, 2009-2019"

SOURCE Shell Lubricants