Interlube

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.

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

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

• Industrial lubricants
• Specialty lubricants
• Food grade lubricants
• Railroad lubricants
• Industrial cleaners

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Lubricant Sales: Direct sales of industrial specialty lubricants and cleaners to customers through direct sales organization and distributors.
2. Custom Formulation Services: Custom blending of oils specific to customer applications, providing specialized solutions beyond standard product offerings.
3. Private Label Sales: Private labeling opportunities are available for distributors and partners looking to sell Interlube products under their own brand.
4. 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

Core 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

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA)coreOthers · 1 January 1979Interlube 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interlube-corporation

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Interlube