Cover Story: Penrite - Investing in Australia

The Australian owned and operated company is committed to innovation and continued investment in Australian manufacturing

Whilst many other companies and industries have chosen to move manufacturing overseas, Penrite Oil explains that it has continued to invest in local manufacturing and production, employing Australians to produce world quality products right here in Australia. Penrite has been doing this since 1926 and in the last five years, has built an entirely new blending and distribution facility at its Dandenong South Head Quarters in Victoria, installing state of the art blending machinery and packaging facilities to streamline the production process for its lubricants. The new Dandenong facility, along with Penrite’s Crestmead facility in Queensland, ensures that Penrite is able to blend and keep up with production levels that meet ever-increasing product demands. During the past 18 months whilst in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penrite has also continued to invest in stock holding of raw materials despite challenges created by the pandemic. Penrite says that its base oil holdings are now over a million litres more than what they were five years ago, while its finished goods inventory has increased by nearly 400 percent. Nearly 400 SKUs are manufactured at its new Dandenong South production facility and over 100 SKUs at its Crestmead facility. Being an Australian owned and operated manufacturer for 95 years, Penrite says it can blend products for local supply, which means there is no need to wait years for products to catch up and arrive from an overseas parent company. Penrite states that it has always continued to innovate in the category and is the established leader in being first in getting products to market in this country. It says that time and time again, Penrite has been able to introduce the newest and latest specifications of products to the trade and retail sectors, sometimes years ahead of the competition. For example, it states that product ranges such as Penrite’s Enviro+ were the first products introduced to Australia for modern fuel efficient, low emission engines that met international OEM approvals and standards. Penrite’s list of innovations continues with OEM approved coolants, specialised power steering and suspension fluids, ATFs, gear oils, greases and additives. All the while, Penrite has been able to supply the trade and retail sectors with products that meet and exceed manufacturer requirements. Penrite explains that its innovation has not just revolved around actual product and specification, as it has also led the way in packaging development to suit both consumer and trade requirements. Penrite was the first manufacturer in Australia to offer both standard six litre and then seven litre engine oils to satisfy the requirements for modern vehicle sump capacities. It says it was also the first manufacturer to include pouring funnels as part of its packaging, IML labels that do not peel off even when wet, the ENVIRO BOX 20 Litre bag in a cardboard box that reduces packaging waste by 85 percent and recyclable plastic and cardboard packaging that complies with APCO (Australian Packaging Covenant) tertiary primary and secondary packaging requirements.

Penrite says it strives to minimise any environmental impact by reducing emissions and developing safe and sustainable production, packaging, storage and distribution methodologies. The 21st Century has seen the lubricant market become more complex than ever with manufacturers demanding products that suit and meet their needs. OEM approvals and Industry specifications have become the norm in maintaining manufacturer warranties, so finding the correct products for your vehicle has become more complex than ever. Not happy with being first to market with new product, Penrite says it was the pioneer in bringing 21st Century technology to finding and recommending the correct products for each application with the introduction of instore touchscreens to help consumers identify the correct lubricants for their vehicles. Penrite Touchscreen replaced printed books in stores that could no longer maintain the increased range and specifications required by modern vehicles. The Penrite Touchscreen was soon copied by other oil companies and other industries and is now the established standard in finding the correct products for vehicles. Penrite says it was also the first to offer on-line apps for both desktop and mobile devices as well as providing a registration checking service via these apps to assist store staff and consumers and today continues to innovate to bring a better class of lubricant to its customers. Penrite also invests back into the market in Australia, supporting Australian people through its Brand Ambassador program and sponsorship arrangements. The same Penrite products purchased by customers are used by the Penrite Ambassadors and sponsored parties in all forms of motorsports throughout Australia and New Zealand in areas such as V8 Supercars, V8 Jetboats, PRO MX Series, Australian Superbikes, Drag Racing, Sprint Cars, Historic Racing and Go-Karts as well as many other racing types. Fast approaching 100 years of Australian production, Penrite says it continues to lead the way in lubricant manufacturing in Australia. Whether it be the latest specification product, packaging innovation or what product to use, Penrite says it is the innovator that other companies follow. To find out more about Penrite and its Australian Made products, please visitwww.penriteoil.com.au