Within the past week or so, Amalie, Calumet, Castrol, Cam2, Warren Distribution and Smitty's Supply announced finished lubricant price increases, in the range of 20 to 35 cents per gallon, and/or 4% to 9%.
On March 17, 2017, Amalie announced it will increase the price for all its oils by 24 cents per gallon and its grease by 3 cents per pound effective April 21, 2017. Amalie attributed the increases to the higher price of base oils, additives, packaging, and transportation.
On March 20, Calumet announced it will increase the price of its finished lubricants by 4 to 6%, effective April 20, 2017. Calumet attributed the increase to the higher price of base oils, additives, and other raw materials.
Castrol then announced on March 22 it will increase the price of finished lubricants by up to 3% effective May 1, 2017. The increase affects Castrol and BP branded products (excluding industrial). The company attributed the price increase to the significant increases in base oil prices recently announced.
On March 23, CAM2 announced a bulk and package price increase of 20 cents per gallon to 35 cents per gallon (depending on product) effective April 17, 2017. CAM2 said the increase is due to the continued increase in base oil and additive prices.
Rounding out the week, on Friday, Warren Distribution announced it will increase the price of all of its finished lubricants by 6 to 9%, effective April 24, 2017. The company said the increases are necessary due to base oil suppliers raising postings once again in recent weeks and additive suppliers implementing price increases in the past month.
And also on March 24, Smitty's Supply announced it will increase the prices for its bulk and packaged products effective April 24, 2017. Bulk product prices, packaged product prices and grease prices will all be increased by 4-6 percent. Smitty's Supply said this price increase was due to continued increases of raw materials used in the manufacturing of finished lubricants.
The previous round of finished lubricant price increases was in late January to early/mid February this year when Shell, Chevron, Cam2, Smitty's Supply, Warren Oil, ExxonMobil, CITGO, Phillips 66, Old World Industries, Omni Specialty Packaging, Warren Distribution, Kleen Performance Products, Chemlube, Valvoline, Nu-Tier, Allegheny Petroleum Products and Advanced Lubrication Specialties all announced price increases.