Chevron to produce Yamaha genuine oil in Sri Lanka
Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, the market leader in the local lubricant industry, recently announced a strategic partnership with Yamaha Motor Co. – Japan whereby Chevron would be producing Yamaha Genuine Oil under the brand ‘Yamalube’ for the Sri Lankan market.
With similar arrangements in place between Yamaha Motor Co., Japan and Chevron in various other markets, this represents a first for Sri Lanka where Yamalube 4 stroke motor oil will be produced at the state of the art blending and manufacturing plant of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC in Sapugaskanda.
Yamalube oil is specifically meant for use in Yamaha motorcycles sold in the Sri Lankan market and is available in 2 viscosity grades of 10W-40 and 20W-40 conforming to API SL/JASO MA specifications.
Officials of Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd, Japan – Masakazu Suzuki and Mitsuru Masayasu were in Sri Lanka during the latter part of 2016 for the audit of the Chevron blending and manufacturing plant at Sapugaskanda and after an exhaustive check of systems and processes, cleared the plant as conforming to the high standards required by Yamaha Japan to manufacture their genuine oil.
“We are pleased to partner with Chevron Sri Lanka in introducing Yamaha genuine oils for Yamaha motorcycles in Sri Lanka, in the same way that we work with them in several other regional markets,” said Masakazu Suzuki, Manager – Yamalube Support Group, Overseas Marketing Division of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Japan. “We look forward to strengthening the presence of Yamaha in Sri Lanka though our partnership with Chevron Lubricants in Sri Lanka”, he added.
Commenting on the strategic tie up, Kishu Gomes – Managing Director/ CEO of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC stated that the relatively new blending and manufacturing plant of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC built with an investment of US$ 15 million in 2014 has a capacity of more than double the total market potential of Sri Lanka and was therefore also meant to cater to the demand of regional markets. “Toll Blending for major OEMS such as Yamaha is therefore very much part of this vision,” added Gomes while noting that the approval received by Yamaha Motor Co., Japan to produce their genuine oil locally, bore testament to the high standards of quality under which Chevron manufactures in Sri Lanka using base oil and additives sourced off the international Chevron network with labour from a 100 percent local workforce.
In addition to being the country’s market leader for lubricants, Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC has the highest outlet penetration in the industry, delivering its portfolio of world-class products and services to thousands of Sri Lankans across the country.