BPCL launches lube line in Tirupati

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (BPCL) launched in early March a new product line in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh state, India, under the “MAK Lubricants” brand name. BPCL’s MAK Lubricants line, which includes more than 450 stock keeping units (SKUs) and close to 200 products, would be available in various local retail outlets and multi-brand shops. MAK Lubricants, the company said, is blended from MAK Base A Group II+ base oil produced in its refinery in Mumbai. To help sell its products, BPCL formed tie-ups with several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including construction equipment manufacturer Larsen & Toubro Ltd.; local motorcycle producers TVS Automotives India, Tata Motors and Hero Honda, a joint venture between India’s Hero Group and Japan’s Honda Motor Co.; and engineering conglomerate Kirloskar Group. (March 14 / May 18, 2009)