Motor Oil Supply
Motor Oil Supply is a Pacific Northwest wholesale distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants, coolants, equipment, and parts, serving repair shops, dealerships, and commercial fleets across Western Washington from its Kent and Bellingham distribution centers since 1979.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersKent, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Motor Oil Supply does
Motor Oil Supply is a wholesale distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants, coolants, chemicals, parts, shop supplies, and equipment serving business customers across the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1979 by John Ruth in Kent, Washington, the company has grown into a multi-brand distributor offering hundreds of thousands of SKUs from flagship suppliers including Castrol, Red Line, Phillips 66, Kendall, Purus, TechSelect, and PEAK, alongside its own MOS private-label line of chemicals and consumables. The company operates two distribution facilities — the Kent headquarters and a Bellingham warehouse acquired in the early 2000s (formerly Ekdahl Distributing) — totaling more than 35,000 square feet of combined storage, with bulk oil silo capacity installed in 2004 and an in-house CDL delivery fleet covering Western Washington.
The business runs on a B2B wholesale model combining direct inside sales, in-house delivery, will-call pickup, and an Odoo-powered e-commerce storefront with a secure customer self-service portal that supports paperless invoicing and account management. Revenue is generated primarily through transactional wholesale distribution of lubricants (engine oils, transmission fluids, greases, hydraulic fluids), coolants, chemicals, parts, and shop supplies, complemented by equipment sales and value-added services including installation, repair, and maintenance support for shop equipment such as fluid management systems, vehicle lifts, and bulk lube tanks. Pricing is quote-based with Net 30 invoicing for established accounts; the company does not publish list pricing. The company has stated plans to integrate IoT tank sensor data with the Odoo platform to enable automated customer bulk tank replenishment.
Motor Oil Supply serves a diverse vertical mix spanning automotive, commercial vehicles, construction, manufacturing, maritime, aviation, mining, agriculture, racing, service vehicles, and transportation, with maritime and aviation explicitly flagged as growth priorities. Customer segments range from large OEM dealerships to one-person repair shops. The company is privately held with no public stock listing, no outside investors, and no disclosed parent organization, exhibiting the characteristics of a founder/family-owned private business now in its fifth decade of operation.
Motor Oil Supply firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Motor Oil Supply
- Legal name
- Motor Oil Supply
- Website
- https://motoroilsupply.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Motor Oil Supply is a Pacific Northwest wholesale distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants, coolants, equipment, and parts, serving repair shops, dealerships, and commercial fleets across Western Washington from its Kent and Bellingham distribution centers since 1979.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Motor Oil Supply industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Lubricants Wholesale Distribution
- NAICS
- Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) (424720)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lubricants Distribution & Wholesale (Bulk, Packaged, B2B) (EUALAJAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL), Packaging, Filling & Private Label / Contract Manufacturing (EUALAJAD)
Keywords
Where Motor Oil Supply is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Motor Oil Supply business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wholesale product distribution: Core revenue stream: wholesale distribution of lubricants, coolants, chemicals, parts, shop supplies, and equipment to B2B customers. Product mix includes multi-brand engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, greases, hydraulic fluids, coolants, brake cleaners, solvents, DEF, undercoats, and windshield wash. Offered in cases, eco packs, pails, quarter drums, drums, and bulk oil. Net 30 invoicing supported.
- Product delivery services: Direct product delivery to customer shops via in-house CDL drivers and a fleet of specialized trucks, handling pumped bulk products, drums, and cased goods. Included as part of wholesale relationship.
- Equipment installation and repair services: Expert installation, setup, final testing, repair, and ongoing maintenance support for shop equipment such as lubrication systems, fluid management, vehicle lifts, alignment racks, air compressors, bulk lube tanks, and waste reclaim systems. Services are scheduled via a service call and optional facility survey.
- Equipment sales: Sale of shop equipment from top-tier brands, including shop planning and design, vehicle lifts, alignment racks, fluid management, bulk lube tanks, drum handling, hoses and fittings, and more. Bundled with installation and repair support.
- Private-label / house brand products (MOS): Sale of in-house MOS-branded products including break clean, kerosene, methanol, solvents (including 140 Flash), windshield wash concentrate, and hydraulic fluids, distributed alongside national brands.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Quote-based B2B wholesale pricing; contact sales for product pricing |
| Other | — | Net 30 invoicing for established customers |
| Unit Pricing | — | Volume/case-pack pricing and promotional raffles |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Motor Oil Supply product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Motor Oil Supply is a wholesale distributor of automotive lubricants, coolants, chemicals, parts, shop supplies, and equipment to B2B customers across the Pacific Northwest. The company also provides direct in-house delivery via CDL drivers, equipment installation and repair services, and operates an e-commerce storefront with a secure customer portal powered by Odoo ERP.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MOS: Motor Oil Supply's in-house brand used on proprietary chemical and consumable products such as MOS Break Clean Select, MOS Kerosene, MOS Methanol, MOS Solvent, Solvent 142-66, and MOS WSW Reservoir Conc Dyed DX115.
Quantifiable outcome
- Two distribution centers (Kent and Bellingham) covering Western Washington with 35,000+ sq ft of combined storage
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Motor Oil Supply
Customer profileSegments12 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Motor Oil Supply technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Motor Oil Supply partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- PEAKcoreProud partnership since 2022. PEAK supplies OEM-specific coolants and universal yellow coolants distributed by MOS. PEAK's Safety & Product Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- PuruscoreLegacy of partnership since 1998. Purus supplies heavy-duty extended life coolants, OEM-specific coolants, universal yellow coolants, heavy-duty engine oils, and molybdenum grease. Purus's Safety Data Sheets and Product Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- TechSelectcorePartnership in success since 1998. TechSelect's Safety Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- KendallflagshipPartnership since 1991. Kendall supplies full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional, and heavy-duty engine oils, multi-vehicle synthetic, CVT, low viscosity, and ultra-low viscosity transmission fluids, gear oil, and high-mileage and limited slip additives distributed by MOS. Kendall's Safety Data Sheet is linked from the MOS website.
- Phillips 66flagshipPartnership in success since 1991. Phillips 66 supplies full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional, and heavy-duty engine oils, gear oil, and high-mileage additives distributed by MOS. Phillips 66's Safety Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- CastrolflagshipLong-standing lubricant supplier partnership since 1982. Castrol products distributed by Motor Oil Supply include full synthetic, synthetic blend, high-mileage, conventional, and heavy-duty engine oils, gear oil, lithium grease, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, power steering fluid, and heavy-duty extended life coolants. Castrol's Safety & Product Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- Red LineflagshipThriving partnership since 1979, dating to the founding of Motor Oil Supply. Red Line supplies synthetic oils, CVT transmission fluid, power steering fluid, break-in additives, and limited slip additives distributed by MOS. Red Line's Safety and Product Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- IdemitsucoreListed as a valued partner. Idemitsu's Safety Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- Service ProcoreListed as a valued partner supplying parts (filters, wiper blades), full synthetic, synthetic blend, high-mileage, conventional and heavy-duty engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oil, hydraulic fluid, lithium grease, brake fluid, OEM-specific coolants, universal yellow coolants, brake cleaner, carburetor cleaner, and premix -20 windshield wash. Service Pro's Safety Data Sheets and Product Data Sheets are linked from the MOS website.
- Rain-XminorListed as a valued partner supplying wiper blades distributed by MOS.
- AlemiteminorListed as a valued partner. Equipment supplier.
- American EquipmentminorListed as a valued equipment partner.
- ChallengerminorListed as a valued partner.
- BalcrankminorListed as a valued partner. Equipment/lubrication supplier.
- GracominorListed as a valued partner. Equipment/lubrication systems supplier.
- RotaryminorListed as a valued equipment partner. (Rotary Lift)
- SamsonminorListed as a valued equipment partner. SAMSON Corporation (North Carolina) produces conventional and customer engineered lubrication equipment and systems, and is part of the SAMOA Industrial Group.
- MobilminorReferenced as a trusted brand for multi-vehicle synthetic transmission fluid and low viscosity transmission fluid offered by Motor Oil Supply.
- ChevronminorReferenced as a trusted brand for synthetic blend engine oil, gear oil, and hydraulic fluid offered by Motor Oil Supply.
- AROminorReferenced as a supplier of the ARO-Flo Series 'Piggyback' Filter-Regulator (air filter and regulator) distributed by Motor Oil Supply.
- MusketminorReferenced as a trusted brand for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in 55 gallon drums distributed by Motor Oil Supply.
- RisloneminorReferenced as a trusted brand for Hy-Per Lube additive distributed by Motor Oil Supply.
- JohnsenminorReferenced as a trusted brand for windshield wash concentrate and power steering fluid distributed by Motor Oil Supply.
- OdoocoreModern, cloud-based ERP management system adopted by Motor Oil Supply in October 2025 to manage invoicing, order processing, payments, account updates, customer portals, and IoT integration. Odoo also powers the company's e-commerce storefront.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Motor Oil Supply competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Safety-Kleen (Clean Harbors): National broadline provider of lubricants, parts cleaning, and waste fluid management with direct-delivery and equipment-service capabilities. Overlaps substantially with MOS's product distribution plus equipment services model, but at much larger scale and with a broader geographic and service footprint.
- Genuine Parts Company (NAPA): Largest US automotive parts distributor with NAPA Auto Parts stores and NAPA AutoCare service-center network. Comparable as a multi-channel automotive aftermarket distributor with regional warehouse footprint, but at vastly greater scale and brand reach.
- Shell Lubricants: Major global lubricant manufacturer whose brands (Shell Rotella, Pennzoil, Quaker State) are stocked by MOS-adjacent distributors. Represents the upstream supplier side that competes for direct relationships with MOS's largest customers.
- CITGO Lubricants: Major US lubricant manufacturer with commercial and industrial product lines distributed through independent regional distributors like MOS. Comparable as a brand supplier whose direct-sales motion threatens independent distributors' margins.
- Chevron Lubricants: Major lubricant manufacturer (Havoline, Delo, Techron) whose products are referenced as a trusted brand by MOS. Relevant peer because it competes for the same end customers and could disintermediate regional distributors with direct supply programs.
Direct peers
- PetroChoice: US industrial and automotive lubricant distributor with multi-brand supplier relationships, in-house delivery, and a regional/multi-region warehouse footprint — directly comparable in business model, customer mix (commercial fleets, industrial, automotive), and product breadth to Motor Oil Supply, though at larger scale.
- Lubrication Engineers: Manufacturer and distributor of industrial and automotive lubricants with deep vertical expertise (manufacturing, mining, construction, agriculture). Comparable to MOS in serving heavy-duty industrial customers with technical-spec-driven product recommendations and recurring consumable replenishment.
- Warren Oil Company: Lubricant blender and distributor serving automotive, commercial, and industrial customers across multiple brands (including private label). Comparable to MOS in the multi-brand distribution-plus-house-brand model and in serving automotive and commercial fleet end markets.
- Klüber Lubrication: Specialty industrial lubricant manufacturer with distribution into manufacturing, automotive, and heavy-duty verticals. Comparable in serving specification-driven industrial customers where technical guidance and product-equipment bundling drive the sale.
Regional players
- Auto-Wares Group of Companies: Regional automotive aftermarket parts distributor serving the Midwest with warehouse distribution and store-based pickup — comparable to MOS in warehouse-based wholesale distribution to repair shops, though operating in a different US geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Motor Oil Supply social profiles
Digital presenceMotor Oil Supply financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Motor Oil Supply leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Motor Oil Supply funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Motor Oil Supply 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 Motor Oil Supply
What does Motor Oil Supply do?
Motor Oil Supply is a wholesale distributor of automotive lubricants, coolants, chemicals, parts, shop supplies, and equipment to B2B customers across the Pacific Northwest. The company also provides direct in-house delivery via CDL drivers, equipment installation and repair services, and operates an e-commerce storefront with a secure customer portal powered by Odoo ERP.
Is Motor Oil Supply a public or private company?
Motor Oil Supply is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Motor Oil Supply founded?
Motor Oil Supply was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Motor Oil Supply based?
Motor Oil Supply is headquartered in Kent, United States, in the North America region.
How does Motor Oil Supply make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Wholesale product distribution is the primary driver. The others are product delivery services, equipment installation and repair services, equipment sales and private-label / house brand products (MOS).
Who are Motor Oil Supply's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Safety-Kleen (Clean Harbors), Genuine Parts Company (NAPA), Shell Lubricants, CITGO Lubricants and Chevron Lubricants. Direct peers are PetroChoice, Lubrication Engineers, Warren Oil Company and Klüber Lubrication. Auto-Wares Group of Companies is listed as a regional player.
Does Motor Oil Supply have an API?
No public API is recorded for Motor Oil Supply.
What industry is Motor Oil Supply in?
Motor Oil Supply's product category is Automotive Lubricants Wholesale Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUALAJAE, Lubricants Distribution & Wholesale (Bulk, Packaged, B2B), with a secondary code of TLAKAOAL, Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners). Its NAICS code is 424720 and its SIC code is 5172.