VISCOSITY OIL CO

What VISCOSITY OIL CO does

Viscosity Oil Company is a privately held specialty lubricant manufacturer founded in 1892 and headquartered in Willowbrook, Illinois. The company develops and produces a multi-brand portfolio of fluids and lubricants — including engine oils (UNITEK), transmission hydraulic fluids (ULTRACTION, UNITRACTION, MULTI G), drive train fluids (TERRATRACTION), hydraulic fluids and greases (TUTELA), and coolants (ACTIFULL) — engineered primarily for off-highway equipment in agricultural, construction, trucking, and industrial applications.

The product line is anchored by proprietary formulation work across synthetic, semi-synthetic, and conventional base oils combined with advanced additive packages covering oxidation control, wear protection, soot dispersion, extreme pressure performance, and compatibility with modern low-emission engines including DPF systems. Notable formulation assets include StrongTech technology for extended drain intervals, zinc-free hydraulic fluids with high water tolerance, polyurea greases for electric motor bearings, and molybdenum-disulfide-fortified greases. Products are engineered to meet or exceed specifications from major OEMs including Case IH and New Holland (CNHi MAT 3541), Caterpillar (TO-4), Allison Transmission (C-4), Bobcat, and a broader set of drivetrain and hydraulic system standards (Dana, Komatsu, ZF, Vickers, Tremec/TTC, Powershift, Dresser).

The business operates a single revenue stream from lubricant and fluid sales, distributed exclusively through an authorized dealer network across the United States and Canada supported by territory managers. VISCOSITY sells in packaging formats ranging from gallon bottles to 6,500-gallon bulk orders via a customer portal for existing dealer accounts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company is a small private firm (11–50 employees) with no disclosed financials, no external funding history, and no parent company, and has operated continuously for over 130 years while remaining a niche specification-driven player in the off-highway lubricants category.

Name

VISCOSITY OIL CO

Legal name

VISCOSITY OIL COMPANY

Website

https://viscosityoil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Viscosity Oil Company, founded 1892 and based in Willowbrook, Illinois, is a privately held specialty lubricant manufacturer producing engine oils, transmission hydraulic fluids, greases, and coolants for off-highway agricultural, construction, trucking, and industrial equipment across the USA and Canada via an authorized dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Greases & Specialty Lubricants (Greases, Pastes, Chain Oils, Silicone/Fluoro) (EUALAJAJ), Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE), Packaging, Filling & Private Label / Contract Manufacturing (EUALAJAD)

Keywords

• Industrial lubricants
• Engine oils
• Hydraulic fluids
• Transmission fluids
• Specialty greases

Headquarters

HQ city

Willowbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lubricant and Fluid Sales: VISCOSITY Oil generates revenue through the sale of lubricants, fluids, and greases for off-highway equipment. Products are sold through a dealer network in various packaging sizes (bottles, pails, drums, IBC totes, bulk). The company serves multiple industries including agriculture, construction, trucking, and automotive through their UNITEK, ULTRACTION, TUTELA, TERRATRACTION, ACTIFULL, and MULTI G product lines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VISCOSITY Oil Company is a specialty lubricant manufacturer that develops, formulates, and produces a multi-brand portfolio of premium fluids and greases engineered for off-highway equipment. Its offering covers engine oils (UNITEK), transmission hydraulic fluids (ULTRACTION, UNITRACTION, MULTI G), drive train fluids (TERRATRACTION), hydraulic fluids (TUTELA), gear lubes and transaxle fluids (TUTELA), specialty greases (TUTELA Lithium, Moly, Polyurea, Cotton Picker Bar Lube), and coolants (ACTIFULL). Products are distributed exclusively through an authorized dealer network across the USA and Canada, with packaging ranging from gallon bottles to bulk tankers.

Product overview

VISCOSITY OIL CO offers a comprehensive portfolio of premium fluids and lubricants for off-highway equipment, serving agricultural, construction, trucking, and industrial sectors. The company operates as a multi-brand platform with distinct product lines: UNITEK engine oils (including Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic, and LSF variants in various viscosities for diesel and gasoline engines); ULTRACTION/UNITRACTION/MULTI G transmission hydraulic fluids for agricultural and construction equipment; TERRATRACTION drive train fluids meeting Caterpillar TO-4 and Allison C-4 specifications; TUTELA hydraulic fluids (including standard, HV, Zinc-Free, and PREMIUM variants); TUTELA gear lubes and transaxle fluids; TUTELA greases (Lithium Complex, Lithium, Moly, Polyurea, and Cotton Picker Bar Lube); ACTIFULL coolants (Organic and Conventional antifreeze/coolant products); and AG Care products including spindle cleaner and ATF fluids. Founded in 1892 with 130+ years of industry experience, the company positions itself around the tagline 'Keeping Work in Fluid Motion' and serves customers through a direct dealer network in the USA and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNITEK: Engine oil product line including UNITEK 5000, UNITEK 3000K, and UNITEK MG variants for diesel and gasoline engines
• ULTRACTION
• UNITRACTION
• MULTI G
• TUTELA
• ACTIFULL
• TERRATRACTION

Products and services

• UNITEK Engine Oils Premium diesel and gasoline engine oils for tractors, combines, and other off-highway equipment; products meet API CK-4, CJ-4, and lower-ash API CF/CF-2 / SL specifications and provide extended drain intervals, soot dispersion, and wear protection for both modern low-emission and older engines.
• ULTRACTION Transmission Hydraulic Fluids Full synthetic and semi-synthetic multi-use transmission hydraulic fluids with proprietary zinc-free chemistry and industry-leading water tolerance; formulated primarily for Case IH and New Holland agricultural and construction equipment where CNHi MAT 3541 fluids are required; used in wet brakes, transmissions, final drives, and hydraulic systems.
• UNITRACTION Transmission Hydraulic Fluids Premium and semi-synthetic multi-use transmission hydraulic fluids (including the SS and COOL variants) for agricultural and construction equipment, engineered for performance across a broad temperature range (-40F to 220F) and to reduce maintenance cost and downtime.
• MULTI G Transmission Hydraulic Fluid Multi-use THF (SAE 10W-30) for agricultural and construction equipment providing wear protection, oxidation resistance, and braking performance, suitable for a range of tractor and off-highway equipment applications.
• TERRATRACTION Transmission and Drive Train Fluids SAE 10W, 30, and 50 transmission and drive train fluids meeting Caterpillar TO-4 and Allison C-4 requirements for transmissions, final drives, and hydraulic systems; designed for Dana, Powershift, Komatsu, Vickers, ZF, and similar systems with excellent friction retention, wear control, and oxidation stability.
• TUTELA Hydraulic Fluids Comprehensive TUTELA hydraulic fluid line covering 32, 46, 68, 68HV, and PREMIUM 46HV Xtra Duty grades, plus a Zinc Free ashless premium fluid and Hydraulic B developed for Bobcat equipment. Products provide oxidation resistance, anti-wear protection, anti-foam, rust prevention, and viscosity stability over wide temperature ranges.
• TUTELA Gear Lubes and Transaxle Fluids Full synthetic and conventional multi-purpose GL-5 gear oils and transaxle fluids in SAE 75W-90, 80W-90, 85W-140, and 80W-140 Limited Slip grades with extreme pressure additive systems delivering shear resistance, oxidation stability, and shock-load protection for axles, differentials, and earthmoving equipment.
• TUTELA Specialty Greases Specialty greases for agricultural and industrial applications, including Lithium Complex and Lithium greases for worm gears and track roller assemblies, Moly Grease fortified with molybdenum disulfide, Cotton Picker Bar Lube for high-load cotton picker spindle assemblies, and Polyurea Grease for electric motor bearings and high-speed pumps.
• ACTIFULL Coolants Organic Acid Technology (OT Organic), Conventional, and HB Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolants in concentrate and 50/50 premix formats; protect heavy-duty diesel wet sleeve liners, passenger car and light truck cooling systems, and provide corrosion and rust protection with phosphate-free low-silicate formulations.
• TUTELA AG Care Products Agricultural equipment care products including TUTELA Spindle Cleaner for cotton picker bar components and pressurized moisteners, and TUTELA ATF Dexron III for hydraulic power steering, hydrostatic transmission, torque converter, and hydraulic brake systems in agricultural and earthmoving equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extended engine and Diesel Particulate Filter life through superior wear protection and deposit control
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Case IHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVISCOSITY has long-standing partnership with Case IH (part of CNH Industrial). Products including ULTRACTION transmission hydraulic fluids are specifically formulated to meet CNHi MAT specifications required by Case IH and New Holland equipment. VISCOSITY became exclusive manufacturer for a leading OEM in North America in 1961.
• New Holland AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Holland (part of CNH Industrial) is a key OEM partner for VISCOSITY. ULTRACTION transmission hydraulic fluids are formulated primarily for Case IH and New Holland agricultural and construction equipment where CNHi MAT fluids are required.
• CaterpillarmajorTechnology or IntegrationVISCOSITY TERRATRACTION and other product lines are designed to meet Caterpillar TO-4 specifications. Products are manufactured using highly refined base oils meeting Caterpillar requirements for transmissions, final drives, and hydraulic systems.
• Allison TransmissionmajorTechnology or IntegrationTERRATRACTION and MULTI G product lines meet Allison C-4 specifications for transmission and hydraulic systems in various off-highway applications.
• OEM Equipment ManufacturersmajorTechnology or IntegrationProducts meet specifications for Dana, Powershift, Komatsu, Dresser, Tremec/TTC, Vickers, ZF, and various other OEM equipment manufacturers in the off-highway industry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Castrol (BP): Castrol is BP's global lubricants brand with deep presence in industrial and agricultural hydraulics and gear oils. Competes with VISCOSITY TUTELA and TERRATRACTION product lines in hydraulic and drivetrain applications for off-highway equipment.
• Shell Rotella (Shell plc): Shell Rotella is the dominant heavy-duty diesel engine oil brand for trucks and off-highway equipment in North America. Direct category competitor to VISCOSITY's UNITEK CK-4 engine oils but operates at vastly greater scale, with global additive R&D and broad distribution.
• Mobil Delvac (ExxonMobil): Mobil Delvac is ExxonMobil's heavy-duty diesel engine oil brand, a clear competitor to VISCOSITY UNITEK in trucking and off-highway segments. Massive R&D resources, global supply, and brand spend dwarf VISCOSITY's niche position.
• Chevron Delo: Chevron Delo is a leading heavy-duty diesel engine oil brand with ISOSYN technology and broad OEM approvals. Competes with VISCOSITY UNITEK across trucking and off-highway engine oil applications in dealer and direct channels.

Regional players

• Cenex (CHS Inc.): Cenex lubricants from CHS are sold through the CHS farmer cooperative network across the Upper Midwest. Competes with VISCOSITY UNITEK in agricultural lubricants with regional dealer/co-op advantage where its parent operates.

Direct peers

• Schaeffer Oil (Schaeffer Manufacturing): Schaeffer Manufacturing is a St. Louis-based independent lubricant formulator serving industrial and agricultural customers through dealer-direct channels. Comparable to VISCOSITY in scale, independent ownership, specialty formulations, and dealer-led distribution model.
• Mystik Lubricants (CITGO): Mystik is CITGO's farm-and-agriculture focused lubricant brand sold through farm store and rural dealer channels. Direct competitive peer to VISCOSITY in agricultural lubricants with very similar distribution model and customer base.
• Kendall (Phillips 66): Kendall is a smaller, niche lubricant brand owned by Phillips 66 with strong presence in agricultural, heavy-duty, and racing applications. Closely comparable to VISCOSITY in scale and dealer-led distribution, with overlapping farm/off-highway customer base.

Others

• Petronas Lubricants International: PLI is the global lubricants arm of Petronas and the apparent counterparty in the contact-email relationship observed for VISCOSITY's Western Territory manager. As a major lubricants MNC, it represents a potential parent, partner, or distributor and is highly relevant given the VISCOSITY/PLI signal.
• Case IH Lubricants (CNH Industrial): CNH Industrial's Case IH brand sells factory-fill and approved lubricants to its own equipment owners. Functions as both a customer and a competitive distributor for VISCOSITY's ULTRACTION line given the exclusive OEM relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 VISCOSITY OIL CO