Lucas Oil, a distributor of high-performance automotive additives and lubricants, recently expanded grease manufacturing capabilities within its 400,000-sq.-ft. production facility in Corydon, Indiana.
The enhancement incorporates a new area that’s dedicated to developing and manufacturing industrial and commercial greases, helping Lucas Oil address a pandemic-induced national grease shortage impacting multiple industries, the company reported.
“Bringing a dedicated grease plant online was a strategic decision to increase our production capabilities and have a specialized space that can help increase our output, efficiency, and ability to develop more advanced formulations,” Lucas Oil CEO Morgan Lucas said in a news release. “By investing in the buildout of this facility, we’re not just committing to quality, we’re embracing the responsibility to boost the industrial sector and the larger economy. This plant allows us to create and deliver superior, reliable industrial greases that can enhance equipment longevity and efficiency, which is crucial for our industrial customers looking to optimize their operations and reduce downtime.
“Ultimately, this move is about providing a product that stands up to rigorous use and supports a sustainable economic future by improving overall industrial productivity.”
Darrell Voelker, executive director of the Harrison County Economic Development Corp., and several other county and local leaders joined Lucas Oil executives for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Lucas Oil has always been one of Harrison County’s top businesses and their investment into the facility highlights their commitment to our community and the state of Indiana,” Voelker said.
“This new capability is very exciting because Lucas Oil is not only expanding their production capabilities to respond to a global product shortage, but this will also give a boost to our local economy.”
About the Lucas Oil grease plant:
- New grease production capability occupies approximately 25,000 sq. ft. of the existing 400,000-sq.-ft. facility, which includes an ISO-certified research and development lab, blending, and production lines.
- Plant is dedicated to manufacturing Lucas Oil’s signature greases: Red ‘N’ Tacky, X-Tra Heavy Duty, and Marine.
- Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease is reformulated to use calcium sulfonate as a thickener instead of lithium in a new formula that offers improved performance
- Research and development of the new Red ‘N’ Tacky grease was done at Lucas Oil’s ISO-certified laboratory in Corydon, Indiana. The lab also handles the quality control responsibilities for all products produced in both of Lucas Oil’s Corydon manufacturing facilities
- Jobs created include management, equipment operations, packaging, warehouse operations, and administrative positions