Oil Intel forms lube joint venture with Total in New Zealand

Oil Intel, the exclusive importer and distributor of Total oils and lubricants in New Zealand, announced a 50-50 joint venture with Total Marketing & Services, cementing a strong partnership of 20 years.

Oil Intel has 65 employees spread over 10 branches, with its head office in Whakatu, Hastings. Oil Intel serves 12 industry segments with more than 50 product categories and has a dedicated technical team with unrivalled expertise on lubricants and applications. 

The joint venture signals strong confidence in the New Zealand market and represents a strategic drive for proximity to be close to our customers in industries such as mining, industrial, food production, agriculture, automotive, construction and transport. ”Achieving growth by being the best at what we do has always been my key focus, it is what the business was built around,” says Reuben Thickpenny, managing director and co-shareholder of Oil Intel.

Both parties are further united by a shared mission of conducting business responsibly: “Over the years, we have taken industry-leading steps towards responsible trading, taking into consideration environmental impact.” An example is the Lubricant Container Stewardship Programme, whereby New Zealand oil companies collectively work towards a sustainable process of recycling lubricant containers. Oil Intel is one of the leading parties in pushing this project to successful completion. This is in line with Total’s ambition to be the responsible energy major, supported by initiatives such as programs on used oil recycling partnerships or biodegradable lubricant ranges. 

“We look forward to the opportunities this joint venture partnership brings,” says Christine Richard, vice president, Specialties & BtoB for the Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern region, Total Marketing & Services. “I am proud of our collective achievements over the last two decades. Our customers have come to rely on the consistency of quality services and we are fully committed to deliver innovative and responsible solutions to the New Zealand market.”