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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

OIL CHANGERS ANNOUNCES 10 LOCATIONS

Oil Changers has announced the addition of 10 locations.

According to a press release, four XPress Lube Service Center locations were acquired by the Oil Changers company in Simi Valley, California. Additionally, four locations joined the company’s market in Austin, Texas. A new construction opened in El Paso, Texas. The company has also officially made its entrance into Illinois with a location in Crystal Lake.

The Oil Changers location count is now 114.

“It’s with great excitement that we continue to grow the Oil Changers brand,” said President Eric Frankenberger in the press release. “Opening in Illinois brings the ‘Drive Thru, Drive Happy’ model to our seventh state as we continue to add lube & repair shops and car washes to existing markets. Our operations and support team is eager to continue delivering a stellar guest experience during this time of enthusiastic growth.”

JIFFY LUBE MOVES FORWARD WITH NEW YORK LOCATION

Plans are moving ahead for the development of a new Jiffy Lube location in Wappinger, New York.

According to 101.5 WPDH, it was announced last year that Jiffy Lube would demolish a closed Sonic restaurant on Route 9. Recently released construction plans show that the project is moving forward, and the location will utilize the land parcel in a way that results in a similar footprint to what Sonic had previously established.

The Jiffy Lube location will have four service bays and a large parking lot in the front of the building.

There will also be a CarMax Auto Superstore developed on Route 9 at a nearby location that was previously a business called Plant Depot. According to 101.5, additional recently released site plans show that CarMax is also moving forward with its location.

VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE PLANS APPROVED IN CONNECTICUT

A Valvoline Instant Oil Change location has been approved for a Connecticut community.

According to the Journal Inquirer, the Planning and Zoning Commission of Vernon, Connecticut, unanimously approved a location at a recent meeting. The application for the drive-thru Valvoline location was filed by Allan Borghesi of Borghesi Building & Engineering Co., Inc. of Torrington, Connecticut.

The approved parcel of land is next to a Mr. Sprinkle car wash location, and part of this purchase for Valvoline includes upgrading this existing car wash as well.

According to Economic Development Director Shaun Gately, Valvoline has purchased several Mr. Sparkle car washes in the northern-central area of Connecticut. Valvoline has proceeded to turn those purchased locations into Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations.

However, the plans for Vernon are to maintain two separate parcels for the Valvoline Instant Oil Change and Mr. Sparkle locations.

Some of the requirements of approval for Valvoline at this location, according to meeting minutes, include completing all work indoors, properly disposing of tires and not keeping them stored outside as well as limiting the size of the building’s outdoor display.

Gately shared with the Journal Inquirer that the town now needs to approve building plans, and then Valvoline can officially begin construction.

RELADYNE ACQUIRES ORANGE LINE

RelaDyne has announced the acquisition of Orange Line Oil Company.

According to a press release, Orange Line is a bulk oil wholesaler and distributor across southern California

that was founded in 1970. Orange Line has established itself as one of the largest bulk motor oil distributors in the state of California. This acquisition will allow RelaDyne to expand its influence of distribution across the state.

“The acquisition of Orange Line Oil Company is a tremendous opportunity for RelaDyne’s West Region,” said Larry Stoddard, President and CEO of RelaDyne in the press release. “We are thrilled to welcome Orange Line Oil Company to the RelaDyne family! Effective immediately, we will begin to offer new products and services to Orange Line’s existing customer base, while supporting the remarkable customer service Orange Line has provided to the market for decades.”

RelaDyne is the country’s largest lubricant distributor and a market leader in fuel, diesel exhaust fluid, and industrial reliability services.

FAMILY OF EMPLOYEE KILLED DURING OIL CHANGE REACHES SETTLEMENT

A Jeep dealership in Michigan has reached an agreement on a settlement with the family of a mechanic who was killed on the job. This is the latest update in a story that NOLN originally shared in May 2022.

According to Fox 2, the settlement is for an undisclosed amount. It is between the Rochester Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership and the family of Jeffrey Hawkins, who died in March 2020.

The family originally sued the owner of the Jeep that Hawkins was killed by during the process of an oil change. This is because in the state of Michigan, a worker that is injured or killed on the job cannot sue the boss because of the boss’s negligence.

Hawkins died when his 19-year-old co-worker removed his foot from the clutch of the manual Jeep that they were working on, which caused the vehicle to lurch forward and crush Hawkins, who was outside of the car. The teenager operating the vehicle did not have a driver’s license and did not know how to operate a manual.

The article noted that, according to law, the owner of the vehicle is liable for negligent acts because the teenager was operating the vehicle with permission. But the owner of the Jeep did not end up having to pay any money in this settlement.

FOX 2’s Charlie Langton said that the teenager cannot be held criminally responsible for what is being deemed as a mistake. The teenager is not being identified.