Interlube
Interlube Corporation is a family-owned Cincinnati-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial specialty lubricants, cleaners, and railroad lubricants, serving food processing, pharmaceutical, railroad, and general manufacturing customers across 42 U.S. states and 11 foreign countries since 1969.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Interlube does
Interlube Corporation is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based, family-owned manufacturer and distributor of industrial specialty lubricants, cleaners, and railroad lubricants, operating under its present corporate structure since October 1969 with continuous technical experience tracing back to 1919. The company formulates over 22 product categories, including 39 NSF-registered H-1 food-grade lubricants and 150+ additional H-1 compliant products, alongside railroad-grade lubricants meeting AAR specifications (M-914, M-929, M-942-98, M-949), MIL-spec greases, fire-resistant hydraulic fluids, biodegradable lubricants, metalworking fluids, and industrial cleaners. An on-site R&D and analytical laboratory staffed by Chemists, Biologists, Q.C. Specialists, and Engineers supports custom blending services, oil analysis, lubrication surveys, and preventative maintenance programs, distinguishing Interlube from competitors offering only generic off-the-shelf lubricants.
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a direct sales organization with technical sales support and a distributor network spanning 42 U.S. states and 11 foreign countries, with products stocked in warehouses outside Cincinnati. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales (industrial lubricants and cleaners), professional services for custom formulations, licensing/royalty income via a private label program, and distributor reselling. End markets are diversified across food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical, railroad, steel, marine, mining and forestry, paper, metalworking, printing and graphics, packaging, and general manufacturing. Over 90% of products are manufactured in the U.S., the company has held manufacturing membership in the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) since 1979, and it employs between 51 and 100 people. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
Interlube firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Interlube
- Legal name
- Interlube Corporation
- Website
- https://interlubecorp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Interlube Corporation is a family-owned Cincinnati-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial specialty lubricants, cleaners, and railroad lubricants, serving food processing, pharmaceutical, railroad, and general manufacturing customers across 42 U.S. states and 11 foreign countries since 1969.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Interlube industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Lubricants
- NAICS
- Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lubricant Formulation & Blending (Finished Lubricants) (EUALAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Packaging, Filling & Private Label / Contract Manufacturing (EUALAJAD), Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB), Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE)
Keywords
Where Interlube is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Interlube business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Industrial Lubricant Sales: Direct sales of industrial specialty lubricants and cleaners to customers through direct sales organization and distributors.
- Custom Formulation Services: Custom blending of oils specific to customer applications, providing specialized solutions beyond standard product offerings.
- Private Label Sales: Private labeling opportunities are available for distributors and partners looking to sell Interlube products under their own brand.
- Distributor Sales: Products distributed through distributors in the USA and outside the USA, with products stocked in warehouses in other cities.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Interlube product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Interlube Corporation manufactures and distributes industrial specialty lubricants and cleaning compounds, including 39 NSF registered H-1 food grade lubricants and over 150 additional H-1 compliant lubricants. The company also offers custom blending of oils to specific customer application requirements, supported by an on-site R&D and analytical laboratory staffed by chemists, biologists, Q.C. specialists, and engineers.
Product overview
Interlube Corporation is an international distributor and manufacturer of industrial specialty lubricants and cleaning compounds, operating since 1969 in Cincinnati, Ohio with operational experience dating back to 1919. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of over 150 lubricants meeting H-1 requirements, including 39 NSF registered products. Their product portfolio spans 22+ product categories: Railroad Lubricants, Food Grade Lubricants, Air Tool Oils, Compressor Oils, Gear Lubes, Hydraulic Oils, Chain Lubes, Heat Transfer Fluids, Vacuum Pump Oils, Grease, Turbine Oil, Pneumatic, Metalworking Fluids, Aerosol, Bearing Lubricants, Industrial Cleaners, Refrigeration Oils, Release Agents, Rust Preventatives, Wire Rope Lubricants, Other Lubricants, and Lubrication Accessories. Key product lines include the Cinnfluid AW+1 and GB+1 synthetic food grade fluids, CINN PAGE SCL and CINNCOM compressor lubricants, Journal Guard railroad bearing oils, White Cote food grade greases, BestCut metalworking fluids, and Syndura EP gear lubricants. The company serves diverse industries including food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical, railroad, mining, marine, steel, paper, packaging, and general manufacturing. Interlube offers custom blending services and technical assistance including lubrication surveys, oil analysis, and preventative maintenance programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Railroad Lubricants
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 90% of products manufactured in USA, ensuring supply chain reliability and quality control.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Interlube
Customer profileSegments11 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Interlube technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Interlube partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA)coreInterlube Corporation has been a manufacturing member of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) since 1979. ILMA membership provides industry representation, networking opportunities, and adherence to industry standards.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Interlube competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fuchs Petrolub: Germany-based global leader in industrial lubricants including industrial oils, greases, metalworking fluids, and food-grade lubricants. Directly comparable as a specialty lubricants formulator with deep custom-blending capabilities serving overlapping industrial verticals.
- Quaker Houghton: Global leader in industrial process fluids including metalworking fluids, hydraulic fluids, and specialty lubricants for steel, mining, and aerospace. Directly comparable given Interlube's heavy overlap in metalworking and industrial fluid formulation.
- Klüber Lubrication: Freudenberg subsidiary specializing in high-performance specialty lubricants including synthetic oils, greases, and pastes for industrial and food-grade applications. Directly comparable as a specialty synthetic lubricants formulator serving similar end markets.
- Lubrication Engineers (LE): U.S.-based independent formulator of industrial and food-grade lubricants with a direct sales model and extensive custom-blending and lubrication survey services. Closely comparable to Interlube in business model, scale, and target verticals including food and rail.
- Nye Lubricants: U.S. specialty synthetic lubricant manufacturer serving aerospace, semiconductor, and industrial markets with custom formulations. Directly comparable given shared custom-formulation model and food/specialty industrial product overlap.
Broad incumbents
- Shell Lubricants: One of the world's largest lubricant manufacturers offering branded industrial, food-grade (Cassida), and rail lubricants. Broad incumbent competing with Interlube across multiple segments including food-grade via its Cassida line.
- ExxonMobil Lubricants: Global major lubricants player offering industrial, marine, and food-grade lubricants under the Mobil brand. Broad incumbent whose FM 200 food-grade series overlaps with Interlube's NSF H-1 portfolio.
- Castrol (BP): Global industrial and metalworking lubricant brand offering including Castrol Industrial and Tribol specialty lines. Broad incumbent that competes with Interlube in metalworking, hydraulic, and industrial lubricants.
- TotalEnergies Lubricants: Global lubricants major with food-grade and specialty industrial lubricant offerings. Broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with Interlube's specialty industrial and food-grade categories.
- CITGO Lubricants: U.S.-based regional lubricants manufacturer offering industrial, hydraulic, gear, and metalworking products. Broad incumbent with overlapping industrial lubricant categories and similar U.S. mid-market distribution model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Interlube social profiles
Digital presenceInterlube compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance16 records
Interlube financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Interlube leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Interlube funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Interlube M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Interlube
What does Interlube do?
Interlube Corporation manufactures and distributes industrial specialty lubricants and cleaning compounds, including 39 NSF registered H-1 food grade lubricants and over 150 additional H-1 compliant lubricants. The company also offers custom blending of oils to specific customer application requirements, supported by an on-site R&D and analytical laboratory staffed by chemists, biologists, Q.C. specialists, and engineers.
Is Interlube a public or private company?
Interlube is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Interlube founded?
Interlube was founded in 1969. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Interlube based?
Interlube is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does Interlube make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Industrial Lubricant Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Formulation Services, private Label Sales and distributor Sales.
Who are Interlube's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fuchs Petrolub, Quaker Houghton, Klüber Lubrication, Lubrication Engineers (LE) and Nye Lubricants. Broad incumbents are Shell Lubricants, ExxonMobil Lubricants, Castrol (BP), TotalEnergies Lubricants and CITGO Lubricants.
Does Interlube have an API?
No public API is recorded for Interlube.
What industry is Interlube in?
Interlube's product category is Industrial Lubricants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUALAJAC, Lubricant Formulation & Blending (Finished Lubricants), with a secondary code of EUALAJAD, Packaging, Filling & Private Label / Contract Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 324191 and its SIC code is 2890.