Understanding the Global Lubricants Business - Regional Markets, Economic Issues and Profitability

The lubricants business is a uniquely high profit segment of the downstream. There are many opportunities for existing players to grow their businesses and profits and for new entrants to join, but it is a highly competitive business environment. Traditional models of generating revenue through product sales are gradually being eroded, and companies need to be more innovative about creating new revenue streams. The businesses that succeed will be those whose employees understand their markets and customers in depth, develop a clear strategy, and execute it effectively and consistently.

This newly designed three day course will provide delegates with a comprehensive overview of the global lubricants business:

• The course is an introduction to the worldwide lubricants business: market structures, participants, distribution channels, dynamics & trends, economics.
• The course will focus on automotive (consumer and commercial) and industrial lubricants – and examine customer and distribution channel differences between mature and developing markets.
• Marine and aviation lubricants markets will also be covered, but in less detail.
• End market applications and quality issues for the major lubricants products will be covered.
• The entire lubricants supply chain from base oil refining through to end user marketing to a wide range of customers will be covered – including the value chain economics and how profit is distributed across different sectors of the industry.
• There will be a strong emphasis on understanding both sides of the market: the demand side of lubricants markets (both consumer (B2C) and business lubricants (B2B) markets) and the supply side (base oil manufacturing), as well as how pricing and supply economics link the two sides.

The course will use a range of presentations, case studies, interactive exercises and discussions to enable delegates to understand how the lubricants business works and the potential impact of technical and economic trends on regional and global markets. Presentation material will be designed to be concise and impactful, recognising that participants will benefit most if they are engaged and involved throughout the three days. Delegates will be able to identify where profitable opportunities can be found for their own companies and have confidence to make strategic business decisions.