Canada Distributor Newsletter
Letter from Aaron Neill
Hello Canadian Distributors,
As I write this from my office in Calgary, the leaves are already turning colour and we are now already in the early days of fall. I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer, which again went by way too fast. The business continues to evolve since my last quarterly update.
First, let’s start with the finished supply situation in Canada. I am pleased to report that most of the products that were subject to supply provisions are no longer, which is great news. As of late, we have seen supply improve from most of the third-party suppliers, thus allowing us to increase production of our finished products. The remaining product family still challenged is PCMO; however, we expect this to improve by early October. It will take some weeks to rebuild inventory, therefore we ask for your continued patience to get back to typical levels. I greatly appreciate everyone’s efforts in working together to mitigate these supply challenges as best as possible in order to support our customers.
Another question I’ve been asked a lot lately is: How has the Canada lubricants performance been so far this year? Total finished sales year to date are above last year for both all of Canada and for the distributor network. We are also seeing strong performance across most of the key segments that we serve, indicating the overall Canadian economy continues to rebound from the quieter days of the COVID-19 impacts. Thank you for your support and collaboration in achieving these results, as a lot of extra effort was required by all of you so that our collective end customers could continue to run their operations during supply shortages.
Finally, as we head into the last quarter of the year, our focus as a team will be developing our goal plans for 2023. I am excited to focus more on our sales and marketing campaigns for the Canadian market next year. I challenge each of you to also have your sales goals created and communicated to your employees by the end of the year. I leave you with this quote by Tony Robbins: “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”
Aaron Neill
Director — Finished Sales, Canada
Webinar: Establishing a Preventive Lubrication Program
Register today to learn about establishing a preventive lubrication program. Our experts will discuss the six rights of lubrication, learn how to conduct a lubrication survey and establish a critical asset list, and review best-in-class maintenance practices. The final webinar in our three-part series will occur on Oct. 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Click here to sign up.
DuraDrive™ HD Synthetic 668 Update
We are pleased to announce new certifications for DuraDrive™ HD Synthetic 668 fluid. In addition to being the fill fluid for Allison Transmission upon launch, it has now received official approval 97341 AT 101 (STD 1273.41) from Volvo. This means customers only need to stock one fluid for their Allison and Volvo transmissions for ultimate inventory management.
Allison Transmission is the world’s largest manufacturer of heavy-duty and medium-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial and military vehicles. Allison sets the bar high: DuraDrive™ HD Synthetic 668 is the first automatic transmission fluid to pass all of Allison’s testing and receive its approval.
Allison recommends that customers using a fluid approved to TES 295® consider a fluid approved to Allison’s latest fluid specification, TES 668®, for their next service.
Allison Transmission’s TES 668® Approved Fluids are also approved for use in Allison 1000 Series™, 2000 Series™, 3000 Series™, 4000 Series™ and H 40/50 EP™ on-highway products. See it for yourself.
If fully approved products are required for other equipment manufacturers not listed, customers may use the following products:
• DuraDrive™ HD Synthetic Blend automatic transmission fluid, approved for Voith standard drain intervals and ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D, 17C and 14B transmissions (extended drain intervals)
Share the good news about Volvo approval with your customers and let them choose the product recommended by Allison.
If you have any questions, contact Sharon Perichak or Julie Rushton.
To learn more about DuraDrive™ HD Synthetic 668 fluid, visit duradrive668.com
Dexos®1 Gen 3
A SUPREME™ upgrade!
Dexos®1 Gen 3 is one of the most important OEM specifications for passenger car engine oils in North America. With the new dexos®1 Gen 3 specification, SUPREME™ customers are assured of having the highest-quality synthetic engine oils in the areas of:
• Fuel economy and fuel economy retention
• Viscosity increase resistance
• Sludge control
• High temperature deposit control
• Volatility
• Chain wear resistance
• LSPI prevention
• Turbo protection
SUPREME™ Synthetic: Now dexos®1 Gen 3 APPROVED
Great news, SUPREME™ Synthetic Hybrid 0W-20, SUPREME™ Synthetic 0W-20 and 5W-20 and 5W-30 now meet the market-leading dexos®1 Gen 3 specification.
If you have any questions, please contact your sales representative.
The dexos® specification and trademark are exclusive to General Motors LLC.
SYNDURO™️ SHB 320 Product Launch
SYNDURO™️ SHB 320 is here, and it delivers everything you love about the SYNDURO™️️ SHB line — including its high oxidation stability, excellent thermal stability and superior wear protection. Meeting the highest industrial standards, SYNDURO™️ SHB fluids are suitable for a wide range of applications in the forestry, mining, marine, general manufacturing and heavy-duty industries where low seasonal startup temperatures and/or high operating temperatures prevail.
New SUPER VAC™️ Fluid 70
Petro-Canada Lubricants SUPER VAC™ Fluid 70 is the latest addition to the SUPER VAC™ Fluid line of vacuum pump fluids. Blended with ultra-pure, high-quality base oils and an advanced additive system to provide extremely low vapor pressures for maximum pump efficiency, SUPER VAC™ Fluid 70 is specially designed for use in mechanically operated vacuum pumps.
Petro-Canada Lubricants has four SUPER VAC™ Fluids — 15, 19, 20, 70 — to meet all vacuum pump viscosity needs. SUPER VAC™ Fluids are recommended for lubricating and cooling piston and rotary vane vacuum pumps handling air. They are particularly suited for pumps running at high operating temperatures from 100°C (212°F) to 130°C (266°F).
Notable features and benefits of SUPER VAC™ Fluids include:
• Exceptional synthetic-like resistance to high-temperature fluid breakdown
• Ashless formulation that uses non-toxic base oils
• A high viscosity index (VI)
• Superior protection against corrosion
• NSF H2 approved — acceptable as a lubricant in and around food processing areas where there is no possibility of food contact
Download the SUPER VAC™ Fluid tech data sheet (IM-7891) and/or visit our website to learn more.
For any other inquiries, contact Trevor Goorts, segment marketing manager.
Tech Tip
Demonstrating Cost Savings Through Creative Problem Solving
People are usually looking for a good deal. To some, that means looking for the lowest prices. This month, we will explore ways to balance upfront costs and value by providing creative solutions to costly problems.
For perspective, the cost of lubricants may only contribute to 5% or less of a typical maintenance budget. However, the performance and implementation of those lubricants can affect other parts of the budget such as replacement components, repairs and labor. We can also use lubricants to affect other financials related to operations, such as downtime and asset management.
The first step to this approach is to investigate the current situation. Knowing your starting point is key and can provide valuable insight into what areas will require the most focus. Some common questions to ask:
• What products are currently being used and in what package size (pails, drums, bulk)?
• What are they paying for those products?
• How often is oil changed?
• Are parts failing or needing maintenance more than usual?
• Which piece of equipment is most critical to keep operations running?
If we can identify challenges the customer is facing, we can then build a custom solution that optimizes where the dollars are going, ultimately lowering the total cost of lubrication. Below is a list of different types of solutions to consider. Customers can implement one or more of these solutions to provide lasting value.
• Extending service intervals with higher-performing products.
• Reducing failures by using the correct products for the application.
• Improving product quality with better storage and handling practices.
• Developing a system for lubrication scheduling to streamline inventory.
• Providing training to reduce the risk of improper lubrication techniques.
• Reducing total risk to the employees (less maintenance means less opportunity for injury).
For more details and ideas to introduce valuable opportunities to customers, several marketing materials are available through the HUB. Cost-savings models have been built for specific product categories and industries such as fleet, power generation and gas compression. You can also review tech bulletin TB-1307 (Establishing a Lubrication Program) or consult with your Technical Sales Advisor for support.
NOTE: Making changes to products and service intervals, when done properly, can be an excellent tool. However, certain products cannot be replaced due to OEM requirements or chemical properties of the lubricant / equipment. Please consult with your Technical Sales Advisor if you have any questions or concerns.