Universal Lubricants Partners with Interstate Distributor Company

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Lubricants® (UL), a manufacturer and distributor of premium lubricants, announced today a business partnership with Interstate Distributor Company (IDC). Under the agreement, IDC has converted its trucking fleet of over 1,300 units to the ECO ULTRA® engine oil line. IDC's fleet features state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient technologies that minimize environmental impacts while also maximizing economic benefits to the company. IDC selected ECO ULTRA because it helps address both priorities.

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ECO ULTRA is an American Petroleum Institute (API) licensed line of automotive and industrial lubricants that rely on used oil as feedstock to its re-refinery that produces top quality sustainable base oil.  ECO ULTRA meets Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) specifications and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) requirements. It's increasingly being selected as the motor oil of choice for a growing number of transportation fleets across the country.

"IDC is approaching its 80^th anniversary, and today our goal is to be not just one of the oldest trucking companies in America, but also the best trucking company in America," said Mark Forbes, IDC's fleet procurement manager. "We're renewing our focus on doing what's best for our drivers, the environment and the communities we drive through and serve. And so, after IDC's independent testing showed that ECO ULTRA offers optimal engine protection, along with the clear environmental benefits that come from using re-refined oil, we will rely on it to lubricate our new tractors—a significant capital investment. ECO ULTRA is a part of IDC's plan to make our green trucks even greener."

The U.S. produces approximately 1.1 billion gallons of used motor oil every year.  Approximately 880 million gallons are recovered for re-use, the reminder is unaccounted for, likely disposed of improperly, damaging the environment.  The majority of what is recovered is burned as an industrial fuel, leaving approximately 220 million gallons available for re-refining.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages the recovery and re-generation of used oils into recycled products, and lists re-refining as the most preferred environmental option for used motor oil.

Through its Closed Loop Process, UL completely controls every element in the life cycle of used oil.  It collects, re-refines, blends, packages and redistributes its own oil, including the ECO ULTRA® line—without ever losing guardianship within the chain—in an infinitely repeatable, sustainable cycle. UL's re-refining process uses up to 89 percent less energy than refining crude oil to produce lubricant products.

"IDC has an admirable vision of operational excellence," said John Wesley, UL's chief executive officer. "For example, the decision to use ECO ULTRA in its fleet will deliver significant benefits. With each tractor's average 12 gallon oil change using ECO ULTRA, IDC will save America from needing to import or extract 24 barrels of crude oil for the manufacture of lubricants. On its own, that's a significant difference. But as a leading transportation provider, IDC's decision to opt for energy conservation and performance choices will have a ripple effect that spreads throughout the trucking industry. Imagine the national impact as trucking fleets across the country see the strategic, economic, energy conservation and environmental protection value of following IDC's example."

About Interstate Distributor Co.

Headquartered in Tacoma, WA, Interstate Distributor Co. is a leading provider of transportation services including local, regional, refrigerated, dedicated, intermodal, transcontinental and logistics management services.  With terminal and yard facilities located in key markets throughout the United States and Western Canada, Interstate has a national presence in the transportation industry.  Established in 1933, IDC currently employs more than 1,850 associates.  On May 17, 2011 Interstate Distributor Co was acquired by Saltchuk Resources, Inc. a family of diverse companies focused on transportation, real estate and energy.  Saltchuk ensures exceptional performance and safety within its operating companies where employees are proud and would want their family members to work. For more information visit www.intd.com and www.saltchuk.com.

About Universal Lubricants

Universal Lubricants, since its founding in 1929, has balanced tradition with innovation to emerge over the past four decades as a driving force in used oil collection, base oil refining and distribution. The Company collects, re-refines, blends and re-distributes its own motor oil—never losing guardianship within the chain—to ensure that every quart, every gallon is of the highest quality for optimal performance. Universal Lubricants, with its Closed Loop Process^TM, boasts a national presence supplying ECO ULTRA® throughout the country by operating 36 facilities in 16 states. This includes one of the world's most technologically advanced re-refineries in Wichita, Kansas. The Company employs 465 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 motor oil industry. For more information, visit www.universallubes.com.

SOURCE Universal Lubricants