Repsol strengthens relationship
To strengthen its relationship with local partner D R Britton, two senior Repsol executives recently flew in to Auckland to meet and conduct training sessions with staff and trade customers.
Madrid-based Repsol automotive lubricant group leader Dr Jose Francisco Rocamora Mora and Singapore-based Repsol Asia Pacific lubricants and specialities branch manager, Ms Raquel Gallardo, also had a meeting with Motor Equipment News to outline the company’s direction and intent.
Ms Gallardo told Motor Equipment News, that she moved to Singapore to be closer to markets in Asia Pacific, because Repsol sees that it needs to increase its presence and support in the region.
Although this was the first visit to New Zealand, Ms Gallardo says it is only the start of a greater and closer relationship between the two parties.
Although many New Zealanders know the Repsol brand from its involvement with the Repsol-Honda Moto GP team, the multinational energy company is one of the top petroleum companies worldwide, with the main divisions being: exploration and production, refining, marketing, petrochemicals, LPG, and new energy.
Repsol also has its own university based in Madrid, where students can take specialist post graduate study in chemicals, refining or administration, so they are prepared for a management role within the company.
Ms Gallardo says that the New Zealand lubricants market is very similar to the European market, and therefore with the help of D R Britton, Repsol will position itself here as a competitively priced premium brand.
All Repsol lubricant sold in New Zealand is developed in its Technology Centre, where more than 400 technicians are employed, and is sourced directly from the full automated manufacturing facility near to Madrid, Spain.
Dr Rocamora says that New Zealand trade customers are similar to those in Europe, as they are seeking to use lubricants that meet an OEM standard for emission control and fuel economy, rather than just an API standard.
“Our customers want to meet the high lubricant standards used by OEMs such as the Volkswagen Audi, and Jaguar Land Rover groups,” he says. “Repsol works very closely with the OEM to develop lubricants for new engines.”
Repsol is proud of its involvement with motorsport, especially as this allows the company to test and refine its formulas. Ms Gallardo says that a lubricant developed for the Repsol Honda motorcycle ridden by 2010 Moto 125cc world champion Marc Marquez is available for sale to retail customers.
A full and comprehensive line up of Repsol lubricants, hydraulic fluids and greases are now available for passenger cars, heavy duty transport, marine and industrial applications from D R Britton.