Klotz Synthetic Lubricants

What Klotz Synthetic Lubricants does

Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, LLC. is a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based manufacturer of synthetic lubricants, specialty racing fuels, and chemical additives serving the powersports and motorsports markets. Founded in 1959 by John C. Klotz Jr. and acquired by the principals of Cometic Gasket, Inc. in January 2021, the company formulates, engineers, and packages its products in-house using proprietary esterification-based chemistry under the Pure Estorlin and TechniPlate Lubricity Systems technology platforms. The product portfolio spans synthetic engine oils, hypoid gear lubricants, two-stroke pre-mix oils, OxyCrate high-octane racing fuels (100 and 108 octane), fuel system cleaners, rust protection, and the KSP4 multifunctional surface coating, distributed across automotive, motorcycle, ATV/UTV, snowmobile, marine, V-Twin, kart, and RC scale-model end markets.

Klotz generates revenue primarily through one-time unit sales of its lubricant and fuel SKUs, priced via a published list-price schedule governed by a Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policy for U.S. and Canadian resellers. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce through Klotzlube.com, phone-order sales, authorized resellers, and distribution partnerships (notably SRI Performance) supported by motorsports event marketing: trade shows (PRI Show), sanctioning-body partnerships (Official Lubricant of Progressive American Flat Track, ARCA contingency), and athlete sponsorships such as eight-time champion Jared Mees. Contingency payouts (e.g., $500 for 1st at the Open Wheel Showdown) double as performance-marketing spend tied to in-race results. Customer segments are vertical-oriented and range from professional racing teams and engine builders (e.g., Hendren Racing Engines for OxyCrate crate engine fuel development) to enthusiast consumers and authorized resellers, with no public revenue disclosure.

Name

Klotz Synthetic Lubricants

Legal name

Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, LLC.

Website

https://klotzlube.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Klotz Synthetic Lubricants is a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based manufacturer of synthetic lubricants, racing fuels, and chemical additives for automotive, motorcycle, snowmobile, marine, V-Twin, and karting motorsports markets, sold through DTC e-commerce, authorized resellers, and distribution partners under proprietary Pure Estorlin and TechniPlate technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Synthetic Lubricants and Racing Fuels

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Lubricants (PCMO, HDMO, ATF, Gear Oils, Coolants) (EUALAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lubricant Formulation & Blending (Finished Lubricants) (EUALAJAC), Lubricant Additives & Performance Chemicals (EUALAJAB)

Keywords

• Synthetic engine lubricants
• Motorsports lubricants
• Racing fuels
• Two-stroke oils
• Powersports additives

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Wayne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Synthetic Lubricant Sales: Klotz generates revenue primarily through the sale of synthetic lubricants, engine oils, gear lubricants, and specialty lubrication products for automotive, powersports, marine, and motorsports applications. Products include Pure Estorlin Racing Synthetic Engine Lubricant, TechniPlate formulas, and various gear oils.
2. Performance Fuel Products: Sale of specialty racing fuels including OxyCrate 100 Octane and 108 Octane crate fuels, high octane racing gasoline, and fuel additives. Products are offered in various packaging from pints to 55-gallon drums.
3. Specialty Chemical Products: Revenue from aerosol products, fuel additives, fuel stabilizers, octane boosters, cleaners, and maintenance chemicals such as KSP4 shine and protectant spray, KCP22 rust protection, assembly lubes, and filter cleaners.
4. Sponsorship and Contingency Programs: Klotz provides sponsorship and contingency payouts to racers displaying their decals and purchasing products. Payouts include $500 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd, $125 for 3rd, $100 for 4th, $75 for 5th at events like the Open Wheel Showdown.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Klotz Synthetic Lubricants manufactures and sells high-performance synthetic engine lubricants, gear lubricants, fuel additives, aerosol maintenance products, and specialty racing fuels for the automotive, powersports, marine, V-Twin, snowmobile, and kart/RC scale model markets. Products are formulated, engineered, and packaged in-house at the Fort Wayne, Indiana facility using proprietary esterification-based chemistry (Pure Estorlin and TechniPlate technologies), and are race-tested on dynos and tracks before commercial release. The product portfolio includes full synthetic engine oils, hypoid gear lubricants, octane boosters, fuel system cleaners (PEA blend), upper cylinder lubricants, crate engine fuels (OxyCrate 100 and 108 octane), and surface protection sprays.

Product overview

Klotz Synthetic Lubricants is a lubricant and fuel products company founded in 1959, specializing in synthetic lubricants for the motorsports and performance vehicle industries. The product portfolio centers on three core technology platforms: Pure Estorlin Racing synthetic engine lubricants, OxyCrate high-octane crate fuels (100 and 108 octane variants), and TechniPlate Lubricity Systems. The product line includes engine oils (Pure Estorlin Racing, Break-N Mineral Base Oil), gear lubricants (Free-Gear Hypoid Synthetic), fuel additives (Cleanest Fuel System Cleaner, UpLon Upper Cylinder Lubricant, Nitro Power with Koolinal), rust protection (KCP22 Film-Free, KS-300), surface care (KSP4 Shine & Protect, Quick Detailer), maintenance products (Filter Cleaner, Assembly Lube, Plug Contact Cleaner, K-Klear, Fogon Storage Lubricant), and specialty fuel products for crate engines. The company serves automotive, ATV/UTV/SXS, marine, motorcycle, snowmobile, V-Twin, and kart/RC scale model markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pure Estorlin: Pure Estorlin® Innovations Technology created from the Esterfication process, producing complete synthetic lubricants with chemically integrated bonding.
• TechniPlate
• TechniPlate Lubricity Systems
• OxyCrate
• KSP4

Products and services

• Pure Estorlin Racing Synthetic Engine Lubricant High-performance full synthetic engine lubricant using Pure Estorlin esterification technology, designed for racing and high-performance engines in automotive, powersports, and motorsports applications.
• Pure Estorlin Free-Gear Hypoid Synthetic Gear Lubricant Synthetic gear lubricant for hypoid differentials and gear applications using Free-Gear technology, designed for performance vehicles and racing applications.
• Break-N Mineral Base Oil Mineral-based break-in oil designed for engine initial run-in period, used by engine builders and performance enthusiasts during engine assembly and first start-up.
• OxyCrate 100 Octane Crate Fuel (CR-601) Ethanol-free 100 octane crate engine fuel specifically designed for GM 525, 602, 603, and 604 crate engines, delivering nearly 8 additional horsepower at 6,050 RPM compared to standard fuels.
• OxyCrate 108 Octane Crate Fuel (CR-604) 108 octane crate engine fuel with high Motor and Research octane ratings containing tetraethyl lead, formulated for sophisticated racing engines with improved throttle response.
• KSP4 (Klotz Shine & Protect) Multifunctional shine and protectant coating that repels water, mud, dirt, and tire rubber residue while restoring luster and color to painted, plastic, and glass surfaces on powersports, motorsports, and automotive vehicles.
• Cleanest Fuel System Cleaner Fuel system cleaner using proprietary polyetheramine blend (PEA) that dissolves carbon deposits in combustion chambers, intake manifolds, and fuel injectors. Effective for carbureted, direct injected, turbo direct injected, and port fuel injected gasoline engines, including two-stroke applications.
• UpLon Upper Cylinder Lubricant Upper cylinder and fuel pump lubricant providing protection from dry, abrasive properties, reducing friction to increase horsepower, and including seal conditioners to maintain fuel pressure. Compatible with gasoline, E-85, methanol, alcohol, and nitro-methane.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 8 additional horsepower at 6,050 RPM compared to standard fuels when using OxyCrate crate engine fuel
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jared MeescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2023Multi-year sponsorship agreement with eight-time Progressive American Flat Track Champion Jared Mees. Mees carries Klotz livery on his Indian FTR750 race bike in Progressive AFT competition. Mees and crew chief Kenny Tolbert were instrumental in helping Klotz develop and validate its latest V-Twin engine lubricant. This partnership aligns a legendary lubricant brand with a championship-winning rider.
• SRI PerformancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 January 2023Klotz Synthetic Lubricants partnered with SRI Performance to distribute the iconic lubricant brand through SRI's performance parts portfolio. SRI carries over two dozen Klotz products at their Mooresville, NC and Indianapolis locations to service professional racers, engine builders and performance enthusiasts. The partnership leverages SRI's established distribution network and customer relationships in the motorsports industry. This partnership extends SRI's existing relationship with Cometic Gasket (parent company of Klotz).
• Progressive American Flat Track (AFT)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerKlotz Synthetic Lubricants is the Official Lubricant of Progressive American Flat Track. This sanctioning body relationship provides brand visibility at premier dirt track motorcycle racing events, access to professional racing teams, and marketing partnership opportunities across the series.
• Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKlotz is an Official Contingency Partner of ARCA, providing sponsorship and contingency programs for competitors using Klotz products in ARCA-sanctioned racing events.
• Hendren Racing EnginesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlotz collaborated with GM Engine builder Hendren Racing Engines to develop OxyCrate fuel specifically designed for GM 525, 602, 603 and 604 crate engines. This partnership provided product validation and technical expertise that resulted in nearly 8 HP improvement at 6,050 RPM, leading to featured coverage in Circle Track Magazine.
• National Marine Manufacturers AssociationminorOthersKlotz became a member of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and their lubrication division. This relationship was born from early involvement in the snowmobile industry and provides industry networking and standards participation for the marine market.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lucas Oil: Lucas Oil is a direct competitor producing synthetic and conventional engine oils, gear oils, fuel additives, and specialty lubricants for automotive, powersports, and racing applications. Both companies serve professional racers through contingency programs, sponsor high-profile motorsports events, and compete on performance-driven brand positioning.
• Torco Race Fuels & Oils: Torco is a direct competitor producing racing oils, lubricants, and racing fuels targeted at amateur and professional motorsports participants. Both companies serve engine builders and racers with race-proven oils and high-octane fuels, often distributed through similar motorsports specialty channels.
• Red Line Synthetic Oil: Red Line Synthetic Oil is a direct competitor in the synthetic racing/motorsports lubricant space, with a comparable product portfolio spanning engine oils, gear oils, and transmission fluids targeted at performance car and powersports enthusiasts. Both brands are US-based, privately held, and compete head-to-head in racing lubricants with similar premium positioning.
• Royal Purple: Royal Purple is a direct competitor in the synthetic high-performance lubricant category, selling engine oils, gear lubricants, and transmission fluids for automotive, racing, marine, and powersports markets. Both brands are positioned on proprietary synthetic chemistry and premium pricing, with overlapping distribution through motorsports specialty channels.
• Maxima Racing Oils: Maxima Racing Oils is a direct competitor in synthetic lubricants and specialty chemicals for motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, marine, and powersports. Both companies focus heavily on two-stroke and racing applications, share similar go-to-market approaches (sponsorships, contingency, motorsports distribution), and target many of the same customer segments.
• VP Racing Fuels: VP Racing Fuels is a direct competitor in motorsports specialty products, particularly racing fuels (analogous to Klotz's OxyCrate line) and fuel additives. Both companies sell high-octane racing gas, methanol, and fuel system products to racers, engine builders, and motorsports distributors.
• Sunoco Racing Fuels: Sunoco Racing Fuels is a direct competitor in motorsports racing fuel, offering a broad portfolio of high-octane racing gasolines for circle track, drag, off-road, and marine racing. They directly compete with Klotz's OxyCrate line in the crate engine and short-track racing segments.
• Bel-Ray: Bel-Ray is a direct competitor producing synthetic and conventional lubricants for motorcycle, powersports, automotive, racing, and industrial applications. Both brands have a strong two-stroke and racing heritage, compete in similar motorsports specialty channels, and serve many of the same enthusiast customer segments.
• Motul: Motul is a direct competitor in synthetic racing lubricants with deep presence in motorsports (MotoGP, World Superbike, Le Mans) and a broad engine oil, gear oil, and racing fluid portfolio. Both companies compete on ester-based technology (Motul's 300V is a benchmark) and target professional racing teams and enthusiast consumers.

Broad incumbents

• Amsoil: Amsoil is a broad incumbent in synthetic lubricants spanning automotive, powersports, racing, marine, and industrial markets. While significantly larger and broader in scope than Klotz, Amsoil competes in synthetic motor oils, gear lubes, and fuel additives with similar performance positioning, particularly in enthusiast and racing channels.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/klotz1959

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Klotz Synthetic Lubricants