5 Questions to Ask Your Current Oil Supplier to Make Sure you are ...

Author: Franke

Jul. 14, 2025

Chemicals

5 Questions to Ask Your Current Oil Supplier to Make Sure you are ...

There are many questions to ask prospective supplier of any product. For commodities these may be relatively simple being namely Price, Reliability and Delivery but with vital components there are additional questions to ensure performance and reliability as well as protection for critical moving parts.

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Which Base Oils Do You Use?

Base oil composition varies according to the formulation with percentages varying from 60 to 99% depending on the product and application. Simple lubricating oils will by their nature contain higher percentages with Marine oils having higher additive levels given their need to neutralise combustion products, prevent corrosion, protect alloys of yellow metals, and prevent wear on moving parts.

Whilst additive technology is difficult to circumvent, base oil quality can vary depending on the origin. Recycled has long been one source for lower costing with base stocks from lesser known or questionable origins becoming ever more present in a world of increasing prices and low availability.

Exol Lubricants only uses selected base stocks from premium suppliers to ensure the quality of product is never compromised.

Which OEM Approvals Do You Have?

The suitability of any lubricant is governed by many factors from formulation to specifications and ultimately the accreditation from an OEM to warranty the engine or vital parts and components during use. Using a product without approvals can save monies in the short term but over the lifespan of an engine, such shortcuts could lead to the failure of a crank shaft for instance requiring expensive replacements and downtimes which would far out way any perceived savings.

Exol Lubricants has a gained approvals with many OEM’s within many industries such as Marine, off-highway, agricultural and HGV. These approvals cover builders such as MTU, MAN and Wärtsilä to Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, Jenbacher, Scania and Renault. Using an approved Exol Lubricants product will prevent unplanned failures and ensure the OEM will warranty your components, and replacements parts in use.

Can You Meet My Delivery Timetable?

This is a subject which could be very simple or as in the case of Marine Oils very complex. Most lubricating oils can be delivered on time to a location within standard working hours; however, if we look at more specific applications, we have Just in Time schedules, delivery windows, dockside and bunkering to consider. Your needs as the customer must be at least met but better still exceeded to prevent delays and/or costly missed deliveries.

Exol Lubricants prides itself on its own fleet of vehicles capable of transporting up to 32,000 litres in a single delivery. Working with our supplier network, smaller or composite deliveries are available.

Are You Competitively Priced?

Costing will always form part of any purchasing process but there is a vast difference between being competitive and cheap.
If a supplier can offer you an approved product, at the right time, to the right place for a reduced cost then such a product is worthy of consideration. If a lower cost can only be achieved by eliminating one of the previous statements, then you must weigh up the pros and cons should any not be met and any possible cost incursions.

Exol Lubricants purchases base oils and additives in very large quantities which together with an efficient blending and testing process enables lubricants to be produced at a cost-effective level whilst being of a very high standard.

Do You Have a Distributor Network?

Having a carefully chosen distributor network has many benefits from quantities of supply to quick order turnaround should it be needed. Having to purchase direct from a supplier would almost certainly incur a minimum order with less flexible delivery and lead times.

Unsatisfied With Your Current Supplier? Use Our Handy Checklist to Measure Existing and Potential Suppliers Against Your Requirements

Choosing the Best Industrial Lubricant for Your Application

As industrial machines become more sophisticated and tech-savvy by the day, manufacturers are changing their tactics.

To improve performance, reduce downtime and meet customer demands, they’re pushing their systems to greater limits than ever before.

This also means that suppliers are getting creative.

To deliver on customer expectations, they’re fine-tuning one oft-overlooked aspect of the assembly line: lubrication.

Industrial lubricants are critical to keeping all parts moving the way they should, but all products are not created equal.

With that in mind, here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right lubricant for your needs.

Choosing an Industrial Lubricant

While it sounds simple, selecting the proper industrial lubricant can be challenging.

Why?

Not only are there dozens of lubricant brands, but each industry also has its own set of regulations and standards that limit the kind you can use.

Before making your selection, it’s helpful to consult with a supplier, first.

These experts can help answer questions you may have about your specific application.

Baseline Features to Consider

Though there are many ways in which they can differ, all industrial lubricants must meet baseline criteria for performance. At a minimum, they must:

  • Reduce friction
  • Reduce overall wear
  • Protect against corrosion
  • Dissipate heat
  • Provide a sealed effect

While these are standard characteristics of an industrial lubricant, your needs may require features above and beyond this list.

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Your individual operating conditions and manufacturing processes will dictate the functionality you require.

General-Purpose vs. Synthetic Lubricants

Before you get ahead of yourself the selection process, your industrial lubricant provider should ask you one essential question: Do you want a general-purpose solution or a synthetic one?

If you plan to maintain your equipment’s lubrication regularly, a general-purpose solution will work.

If you want to lubricate the equipment once and have it last a long time without touch-ups, a synthetic version would be preferred.

To understand the difference between the two, let’s slide into the makeup of each.

General-Purpose Lubricants

The term “industrial lubricant” encompasses a range of products, including greases, oils, waxes or pastes. Their primary ingredients include:

  • Grease: A mixture of lubricating base oils and soap to thicken
  • Oil: 95% base oil (usually mineral oil) plus 5% in additives
  • Wax: Water, synthetic hydrocarbons and an emulsifying agent
  • Paste: Base oils, lubricant particles and additives

A common selection, most general-purpose oils contain mineral oil distillates derived from crude oil, such as petroleum.

Synthetic Lubricants

When you need an industrial lubrication application that lasts, synthetic solutions get the job done. Two of the most common are polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and synthetic esters.

Developers use other compounds to produce these synthetic lubricants artificially, making them more powerful and longer-lasting than their counterparts.

The result? It isn’t petroleum oil. Rather, synthetic solutions are clearer and more uniform, providing an uptick in:

  • Viscosity index
  • Oxidation stability
  • Color

When your supplier suggests a synthetic lubricant, it’s because your application requires a solution with mechanical and chemical properties superior to mineral oils.

If you plan to go back and re-lubricate as required, a general-purpose version will work if it meets the baseline features listed above.

Benefits of Synthetic Lubricants

Choosing to lubricate a machine for life is a step in the right direction.

When you go this route, your supplier should point you toward synthetic lubricants. This is because base lubricant oils are well-equipped to handle long-term wear and tear, because of:

  • Chemical stability
  • Lower levels of evaporation loss
  • Powerful viscosity performance at low and high temperatures
  • Reduced friction
  • Reduced wear
  • Ability to resist oil sludge issues
  • Extended chain intervals

Love synthetic lubricants, but you’re on the fence about the cost? Consider the lifespan of the product.

Both synthetic and specialty lubricants can last up to five years longer than general-purpose ones depending on the quality of the base oil used.

Making the Right Decision

With so many options at your fingertips, the key to choosing the best industrial lubricant is to determine the base oil viscosity you need.

Before they can send you to the right selection, your supplier will ask a series of questions to learn more about your question. These include:

  • Is the operating speed fixed or variable?
  • What kind of friction does it use? Sliding or rolling?
  • What are the normal workload and workplace operating conditions?
  • Are there any industry standards that mandate which lubricant you should use?

Be thorough and specific in your answers to help make sure the right product travels home with you. During this interview process, it’s common for equipment owners to forget tiny details that can make a big difference.

Resist the urge to let price be your final deciding factor. While synthetic lubricants cost more than general-purpose ones, the return is more than worth the investment, helping your business enjoy:

  • Less downtime
  • Lower operating costs
  • A more proficient workforce
  • Energy efficiency
  • Increased and improved output

Find the Right Industrial Lubricant Today

Before you can choose the right industrial lubricant, you must first find a supplier you trust.

Our team of professionals will assess your situation, understand your application and help you choose the right solution for your needs.

If you’re looking for a new machine grease or oil for your workplace, you’ve come to the right place.

All the products in our legendary TW25B® synthetic lubricant series provide top-of-the-line performance, reliability and durability.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Lubricating Oils Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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