The globally operating lubricants producer FUCHS PETROLUB AG in Mannheim continues to grow in Asia-Pacific.
In Japan FUCHS becomes a 11 % minority shareholder subscribing a capital increase of NIPPON KOYU LTD. This company headquartered in Tokyo is the third largest lubricating grease manufacturer in Japan, one of the world's most important lubricants markets.
NIPPON KOYU was founded in 1933 and is a leading supplier of high quality lubricating greases and specialties to the steel and automotive industries, to the machinery and equipment industry as well as to the electro-technical, communication and precision tools industries. The manufacturing is being done in two lubricating grease plants. With 125 staff, net sales revenues were € 29.4 mn last year (1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003).
FUCHS PETROLUB AG has already a presence in Japan through MAKOTO-FUCHS K.K. with its 66 employees and two plants for metalworking fluids, corrosion preventives, industrial oils and lubricating greases. Last year's sales amounted to € 15.6 mn. FUCHS PETROLUB and MAKOTO-FUCHS will closely cooperate with NIPPON KOYU LTD. in the fields of technology, supplies, production and marketing.
In Australia, FUCHS LUBRICANTS (AUSTRALASIA) PTY. LTD. acquires the lubricants business of EXPRESS OILS in Western Australia. EXPRESS OILS achieves sales of close to € 4 mn. FUCHS has a workforce of 131 and three production plants in Melbourne, Newcastle and Perth and so far achieved sales of € 34.2 mn in Australia and New Zealand.
Mannheim, 2 June 2003
FUCHS PETROLUB AG
Public Relations
Friesenheimer Str. 17
D-68169 Mannheim
Tel.: +49 (0) 621 3802-104
This press release is also available on the internet under www.fuchs-oil.de