What Vickers Oils does

Vickers Oils (legal entity Benjn. R. Vickers & Sons Ltd.) is a privately-held, family-owned specialty lubricant manufacturer founded in Leeds in 1828 and now in its fifth and sixth generation of family leadership. The company formulates, manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded high-performance lubricants across four core verticals: Marine Lubricants and Greases (including the Environmentally Acceptable HYDROX and BIOGREASE EP ranges), Textile Lubricants (SPOTLESS NX and VICKERLUBE SOCK 46 needle oils and YARNOL FF fibre lubricant), Food Grade Lubricants and Greases (the VICKERLUBE FG range, manufactured at a dedicated NSF ISO 21469 facility in Hunslet, Leeds), and Industrial Lubricants and Greases. The technology base rests on specialty lubricant formulation (synthetic ester biodegradable greases, mineral-oil needle lubricants with anti-oxidation systems, halal/kosher/H1 food-grade lubricants) plus a proprietary InSite Lubrication Management mobile application and, from April 2026, the VICKERLUBE FLEX+ automated single-point lubricator. Underlying R&D is conducted at a state-of-the-art laboratory completed in 2019 as part of a four-year site modernisation at Airedale Mills.

Vickers Oils monetises primarily through direct hardware sales of its manufactured specialty lubricants, supported by a revenue-adjacent professional services stream comprising free site audits, lubrication surveys, oil condition monitoring and training. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; minimum order quantities apply for some specialty products. Distribution is overwhelmingly indirect: products flow through an authorised network of regional distributors and agents across 40+ stock points and 60+ countries, supplemented by a wholly-owned subsidiary, Vickers Oils (Australasia) Pty Ltd (Queensland, established 2020), for direct distribution in Australasia. The customer base spans enterprise OEMs (Santoni, Lonati, Busi Giovanni, Orizio in textile machinery), mid-market distributors and agents across marine and food-grade channels, and a long tail of SMB and individual buyers (yacht owners, fibre processors). OEM approvals embed Vickers Oils grades into machine specifications, creating technical switching costs, while multiple regulatory certifications (EU Ecolabel, NSF ISO 21469, ZDHC MRSL Level 1, GOTS, VGP, VIDA) act as commercial gatekeepers into regulated marine and food-grade end markets.

Name

Vickers Oils

Legal name

Benjn. R. Vickers & Sons Ltd.

Website

https://vickers-oil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1828

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Vickers Oils is a 6th-generation, family-owned UK specialty lubricant manufacturer (founded 1828, Leeds) formulating and globally distributing branded high-performance lubricants for marine, textile, food-grade and industrial applications through OEM approvals, certified distributors and a wholly-owned Australasian subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Lubricants (IMAEAMAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Offshore Lubricants (Cylinder Oils, System Oils, EALs) (EUALAJAI), Industrial Lubricants (Hydraulics, Gear, Compressor, Turbine, Metalworking) (EUALAJAG)

Keywords

• Specialty lubricant manufacturing
• Marine lubricants
• Food grade lubricants
• Textile machinery lubricants
• Industrial lubrication products

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Specialty lubricant product sales: Sale of manufactured specialty lubricants, greases and aerosols (e.g., HYDROX, SPOTLESS NX, VICKERLUBE, BIOGREASE EP) across marine, textile, food grade and industrial verticals. Products sold in various pack sizes including 400g cartridges, 18L pails, 208L drums, and IBCs.
2. Distribution and channel sales: Sales through authorized distributors and agents across 40+ regional stock points and 60+ countries, including wholly-owned subsidiary Vickers Oils (Australasia) PTY LTD.
3. Technical services and support: Revenue-supporting technical services including free site audits, lubrication surveys, equipment reports, oil condition monitoring (OCM), lubricant analysis, and training.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Vickers Oils manufactures and supplies specialty and high-performance lubricants for marine, textile, food-grade, and industrial applications worldwide. The company produces its own lubricant formulations in Leeds, UK, and supports them with technical services and the InSite lubrication management application for asset condition monitoring.

Product overview

Vickers Oils is a specialty lubricant manufacturer (not a software platform) offering a portfolio of branded lubricant ranges and supporting services rather than a unified software product. The portfolio is organized into four core industry-focused product lines — Marine Lubricants & Greases (including the award-winning EAL range with HYDROX 21, HYDROX BIO 68, BIOGREASE EP0 and BIOGREASE EP2), Textile Lubricants (featuring SPOTLESS NX 32, VICKERLUBE SOCK 46 and YARNOL FF, with multiple OEM approvals from Santoni, Lonati, Orizio and Busi Giovanni), Food Grade Lubricants & Greases under the VICKERLUBE FG brand (including greases, chain oils, hydraulic oils, aerosols and the VICKERLUBE FLEX+ automated single-point lubricator, all H1/Halal/Kosher and manufactured at a dedicated NSF ISO 21469 facility in Hunslet, Leeds), and Industrial Lubricants & Greases (including EU Ecolabel-certified BIOGREASE EP). These core product lines are complemented by services such as Site Audits and Oil Condition Monitoring, the InSite Lubrication Management App for digital task and audit management, the Vickers Vault knowledge hub, and an established network of regional distributors across 40+ countries. Underlying the portfolio is a UK-based R&D laboratory, a UK/EU manufacturing footprint with sustainable packaging initiatives (PCR pails and IBCs), and compliance with multiple quality, environmental and food-safety standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 21469, EU Ecolabel, ZDHC MRSL, GOTS, VGP).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VICKERLUBE FG: Food Grade lubricants and greases range (gear oils, hydraulic oils, chain oils, greases, aerosols, specialty oils), manufactured at the dedicated NSF ISO 21469-certified Food Grade facility in Leeds.
• SPOTLESS NX
• HYDROX
• BIOGREASE EP
• InSite

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in oil consumption and 15% energy savings on Santoni INNOTAS machines using SPOTLESS NX 32
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, minor and core.

• Engphil (United Arab Emirates)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2025Trusted UAE distributor of electrical and mechanical products and services, including industrial motors, control systems and lubricants. Signed in June 2025 as Vickers Oils distributor for the VICKERLUBE Food Grade range in the UAE.
• XIANGXINGCHENG PetroChemical Co. (China)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2025New distributor partner confirmed in June 2025 for Vickers Oils Food Grade Lubricants and Greases in China. Launched at ProPak Shanghai exhibition, generating interest from food manufacturers in the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.
• Santoni (Italy)flagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 3 February 2025Italian circular knitting machine manufacturer and global leader. Vickers Oils obtained OEM approval for SPOTLESS NX 32 needle lubricant on Santoni's INNOTAS single jersey knitting machine after two years of rigorous testing. INNOTAS achieves 50% oil consumption reduction and 15% energy savings with SPOTLESS NX 32, supporting sustainable textile production.
• Lonati S.p.A. (Italy)flagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2025Italian manufacturer of sock knitting machines. Vickers Oils secured OEM approval for VICKERLUBE SOCK 46 needle oil, now officially recommended for use in Lonati's single-cylinder GOAL series. Achievement involved dedicated efforts from Lonati, Lubrogamma and Vickers Oils.
• Leeds Community FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 2024Charitable partner supported by Vickers Oils through the Vickers Charitable Fund. The Foundation creates opportunities across Leeds and Bradford. Leeds Community Foundation representatives visited Airedale Mills and met with Vickers Oils Operations Manager Scott Glynn.
• Gem Oils (Ireland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 October 2023Irish partner that accompanied Vickers Oils at the Food, Retail and Hospitality Expo 2023 in Dublin to exhibit Food Grade lubricants, greases and aerosols. Distributes VICKERLUBE Food Grade range in Ireland.
• VROOAM Lubricants (Netherlands)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2022Manufacturer specialising in high-grade marine lubricants based in Dordrecht. Vickers Oils' authorised distribution partner for the European Inland Waterways. VROOAM received the Green Award incentive supplier status to represent and promote Vickers Oils EALs to inland shipping.
• Busi Giovanni (Italy)majorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2021Italian sock knitting machine manufacturer established in 1958 with 60+ years' experience in single-cylinder machines for stockings, socks and pantyhose. Reached OEM agreement with Vickers Oils recommending VICKERLUBE SOCK 46 needle oil.
• Orizio SRL (Italy)majorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2021Italian producer of single jersey, double jersey and electronic circular knitting machines based in Gussago. Collaborating with Lubrogamma, Vickers Oils attained recommended supplier status for the SPOTLESS NX range on Orizio knitting machines.
• Marquis Oil (Malaysia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Malaysian lubricant, protective coatings and cleaning chemicals distribution company established in 2011. Authorised distributor of the VICKERLUBE FG range of food grade lubricants and greases in Malaysia's industrial, diesel, marine and food grade sectors.
• Vickers Oils (Australasia) Pty LtdflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2020Wholly-owned subsidiary of Benjn R. Vickers & Sons Ltd established in Queensland, Australia — the first overseas subsidiary for Vickers Oils. Distributes specialty lubricants to Food Grade and other market sectors in Australasia with the same fundamental values, technology leadership and customer service.
• Lubrogamma Srl (Italy)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2001Italian industrial lubricants and special greases distributor operating since 1973. Associated with Vickers Oils for over 20 years and instrumental in securing OEM approvals with Lonati, Busi Giovanni, Orizio and Santoni in the Italian textile market.
• Maytex Machinery Group Pty. Ltd. (Australia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian agent for Vickers Oils textile lubricant range, supporting export sales and customer service in Australia and Tasmania (including delivery of YARNOL FF samples to alpaca fibre processors).
• Talos Marine Services (Greece)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreek agent supporting Vickers Oils' marine business and representing the company at Posidonia exhibitions in Athens.
• JOPCA Marine (Singapore)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgents in Singapore supporting Vickers Oils at the Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) 2024 exhibition and the broader South East Asia region.
• Agricopel (Brazil)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgents in Brazil who supported Vickers Oils at the Febratex 2024 textile exhibition, showcasing textile products and sustainability goals.
• BSI (British Standards Institution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification partner auditing Vickers Oils to ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) standards; certifications displayed on the company website footer.
• The Mission to SeafarersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaritime welfare charity supported by Vickers Oils sponsorship of the digital chaplaincy 'Chat to a Chaplain' messenger service for seafarers, in partnership with International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• R.S. Clare & Co. UK-based specialty lubricant manufacturer with a strong marine and industrial focus — overlapping directly with Vickers Oils' marine and industrial product lines. Notably, current Vickers Managing Director Paul Vann was recruited from R.S. Clare, indicating close operational and cultural comparability and a similar mid-market scale.
• Panolin AG: Swiss specialist in Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) for marine and industrial applications, closely mirroring Vickers Oils' BIOGREASE EP and HYDROX BIO positioning. Comparable scale, sustainability-led brand identity and EAL certification credentials make it one of the most direct competitors in marine EAL.
• Whitmore Manufacturing: US-based specialty lubricant manufacturer focused on rail, marine and industrial applications — direct overlap with Vickers' marine and industrial product lines (especially wire rope, thruster and sterntube lubricants). Similar mid-market scale, application-specific formulations and OEM-approval-driven sales motion.
• Lubriplate Lubricants: US-headquartered specialty lubricant manufacturer with a dedicated food-grade lubricants portfolio (NSF H1 registered), directly comparable to Vickers Oils' VICKERLUBE FG range. Similar mid-market specialty positioning and focus on certified, application-specific lubricants for food processing, marine and industrial end-markets.
• Eurol B.V. Dutch independent specialty lubricants manufacturer with marine, automotive and industrial product lines, comparable mid-market scale and similar European privately-held heritage. Direct overlap with Vickers' European marine and industrial lubricant business and similar channel/distributor-led international growth model.

Broad incumbents

• Quaker Houghton: Global leader in industrial process fluids and specialty lubricants, with comparable focus on metalworking, hydraulics and industrial applications. Overlaps with Vickers' industrial lubricant range but operates as a broad-line industrial incumbent (~$1.8bn revenue) rather than a niche specialty player.
• Castrol (BP): One of the world's largest lubricant brands (part of BP), with extensive marine, industrial and food-grade lubricant portfolios including EAL offerings. Overlaps with Vickers across multiple product lines but competes at vastly greater scale and brand recognition, including direct competition in marine EAL.
• Klüber Lubrication: Specialty synthetic lubricants division of Freudenberg Group serving industrial, food-grade and marine markets globally. Comparable specialty positioning and food-grade certifications (NSF ISO 21469), but operates as part of a larger industrial group with much broader portfolio reach than Vickers Oils.
• Fuchs Petrolub SE: World's largest independent specialty lubricants company, with a much broader portfolio across automotive, industrial, food-grade and marine lubricants. Overlaps with Vickers Oils' industrial and food-grade ranges but operates at vastly greater scale (€3.6bn+ revenue) and competes through breadth rather than niche specialization.

Others

• Nynas AB: Specialty naphthenic base oils producer serving lubricant manufacturers — including Vickers Oils (whose MD Paul Vann previously held a senior role at Nynas). Comparable specialty chemicals heritage and European footprint, but operates as an upstream base-oil supplier rather than a direct finished-lubricant competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VickersOils
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEcvxgNT_7Tl6ICXOGktw8g
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61551627221494
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vickers-oils
• Instagraminstagram.com/vickersoils

Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vickers Oils