Universal Lubricants Launches Initiative to Convert Fleets to Re-refined Engine Oils

WICHITA, Kansas, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the oldest lubricant manufacturing and distribution companies in the country, Universal Lubricants is also proving to be one of the most innovative. Today, the Company announced the launch of its full line of ECO ULTRA Synthetic Blend Engine Oils– made from used motor oil and re-refined into performance driven, eco-friendly products – that meets the needs of fleet operators, everywhere. Made at Universal Lubricants' Wichita-based, state-of-the-art re-refinery, all ECO ULTRA® oils are American Petroleum Institute (API) licensed and both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved.

"We've been piloting our ECO ULTRA® line for nearly two years now, building a portfolio of clients that rely on re-refined engine oils to meet their maintenance demands and financial goals, while also taking pride in being at the forefront of renewable technology," said John Wesley, chief executive officer of Universal Lubricants. "Choosing re-refined oil for lubrication needs is indisputably the most sustainable car and truck care practice available. Whatever the application – be it in stop-and-go taxi fleets or in Class 8 tractor trailers--  ECO ULTRA® ensures engines are operating optimally and drivers are cruising with clean consciences. And so, we are excited to begin a new initiative that aims to educate -- and convert – fleet operators to the benefits of re-refined engine oils, such as ours."

Each year, the U.S. produces approximately 1.3 billion gallons of used engine oils, only 10 percent of which is re-refined.  The rest is either improperly disposed of (damaging the environment) or burned as an industrial fuel, wasting limited petroleum reserves and perpetuating the need to import foreign oil. With our Closed Loop Process TM, Universal Lubricants has dedicated itself to reversing this trend by becoming the sole refinery with complete control over every aspect of this proprietary system. Universal Lubricants collects, re-refines, blends, packages and redistributes its own high quality oil, the ECO ULTRA® line—without ever losing guardianship within the chain—in an infinitely repeatable, sustainable cycle.

The following product offerings –which consume up to 89% less energy to produce than conventional oils and reduce harmful emissions in the manufacturing process by 65% -- make up the ECO ULTRA® portfolio:

• Universal ECO ULTRA® Synthetic Blend 5w20
• Universal ECO ULTRA® Synthetic Blend 5w30
• Universal ECO ULTRA® Synthetic Blend 10w30
• Universal ECO ULTRA® 10w30 CJ-4
• Universal ECO ULTRA® 15w40 CJ-4
• Universal ECO ULTRA® CNG SAE30
• Universal ECO ULTRA® CNG 40
• Universal ECO ULTRA® CNG 15w40

"We're calling on fleet operators to be the driving force behind a green engine oil revolution, believing that these individuals can have an outsized impact on America's environmental and energy future," added Wesley. "For each and every 12 gallon engine oil change using re-refined oils in place of a lubricant made from a virgin base, we help reduce the need for 24 barrels of crude to be either extracted or imported from overseas. That adds up, quickly. Quite plainly, re-refined options represent the intersection of good business and solid business ethics; we trust fleet operators across the country will come to champion that conclusion and cause."

For more information about Universal Lubricant's ECO ULTRA® products, visit www.ecoultraoil.com.

About Universal Lubricants

Since its founding in 1929, Universal Lubricants has balanced tradition with innovation to emerge over the past four decades as the American leader in used oil collection, new oil refining and distribution. Unlike other companies that simply bottle re-refined oil, Universal Lubricants collects, re-refines, blends and re-distributes its own engine oil—never losing guardianship within the chain—to ensure that every quart, every gallon is of the highest quality for optimal performance. With our Closed Loop Process TM, Universal Lubricants boasts a national presence, supplying ECO ULTRA® throughout the country by operating 28 facilities in 14 states. This includes one of the world's most technologically advanced re-refineries in Wichita, Kansas. Altogether, the company employs 380 American workers and is a Pegasus Capital Advisors portfolio company.

A leader in R&D and in the marketplace, Universal Lubricants will continue to drive progress and drive performance in the engine oil industry. For more information visit www.universallubes.com.

SOURCE Universal Lubricants