Palmerston North company’s major oil distribution deal

Oil from a major American producer is now being distributed to New Zealand and Australia by a Palmerston North company.

Lucas Oil has awarded the distribution rights for the two countries to Logan Distributions, representing a significant expansion for the firm that previously only held the New Zealand rights.

Lucas Oil, which is popular in motorsport, was established in California, United States, in 1989.

It produces 270 different products in 40 countries around the world.

Its products have been available in New Zealand for 16 years and in Australia for 20 years, but it has since decided to consolidate its distribution.

Logan Distribution general manager Rolf Wilson said the American company had been impressed with what it had achieved so far.

‘‘We have been in discussions with them about replicating that success in Australia.

‘‘Everything has come together... We will be focusing our efforts on building a platform to take Lucas Oil products and its road and race, tried and tested range of products to the next level in Australia, as well as continuing to develop the market in New Zealand.’’ While based in Palmerston North, the company also has a distribution centre set up in Auckland.

A distribution centre would be set up in Melbourne to service their Australian clients.

‘‘We are going to be running it as a single organisation, with logistics for both sides of the Tasman working in unison,’’ he said.

Logan Distribution was set up by American speedway ace Ricky Logan in 2011 and was originally based in Auckland.

But in 2016, Palmerston North duo Bruce Robertson and Bryan Puklowski bought shares in the company. Its operations base then moved to Palmerston North.

Robertson is the owner of car dealership Robertson Holden and is the promoter for Palmerston North speedway, while Puklowski is the Palmerston North speedway manager.

The company took over Australian and New Zealand distribution rights on January 1.