Shell Oil Products USA last Monday announced a 5% increase on finished lubricants effective February 20. Shell attributed this price increase to the higher price of base oil and other raw materials.

Chevron last Friday announced a general price increase of all lubricating oils and greases up to 5%, to be effective March 6, 2017. Chevron stated that in certain instances, specific products may increase in amounts that are outside of this general parameter. Chevron attributed this price movement to the increasing costs of raw materials which impact the manufacturing of its products.

Smity's Supply last Friday announced a 5-8% price increase effective, February 13, 2017 for both bulk and packaged products, as well as grease. Smitty's attributed the price increase to increases of raw materials used in the manufacturing of finished lubricants.

Cam2 last Friday announced a 5-8% price increase (depending on product) effective, February 13, 2017 for both bulk and packaged products. Cam2 attributed the price increase to continued increase in base oil prices.

Warren Oil Company advised its customers of a price increase as follows. Bulk lubricants will increase by $0.15 per gallon. This includes all conventional, synthetic and full synthetic bulk prices. All conventional, synthetic blend and full synthetic packaged items will increase $0.20 per gallon. This includes motor oil, ATF, power steering fluid, gear oil, hydraulic oil, two cycle, and bar & chain oil. Warren Oil's grease will increase by $0.05 a pound. All of these price increases will take effect on February 20.

With the recent base oil price increases, typically by up to 20 cents per gallon, by both paraffinic and naphthenic producers, we knew these finished lubricant price increases were inevitable.

The last round of finished lubricant price adjustments was in June and July 2016 when most producers increased prices, typically in the 6% range.