What Vertex Lubricants does

Vertex Lubricants, operated by the privately held New Zealand company Lubricants NZ Ltd, is a manufacturer and distributor of lubricants and automotive chemicals founded in 1996. The company formulates and blends a broad portfolio of engine oils (HDMO, PCMO, high-performance, and specialty grades), greases (lithium complex, calcium, Bentone/clay-based, and anti-seize), coolants and antifreezes, hydraulic fluids (anti-wear and high-VI), driveline products under the Transgear brand (ATF, CVT, manual transmission, differentials), and a wide range of industrial, agricultural, marine, and motorcycle lubricants alongside chemical consumables such as AdBlue, aerosols, and cleaners. Proprietary technical platforms include NAPS-free OAT coolant chemistry rated for up to 7 years / 500,000 km, PAO/Bentone synthetic grease systems with PTFE additive packages, and a plant-based biodegradable saw lubricant (Sawcool Bio HP 3600). Products carry approvals against ACEA, API, DIN, Parker Denison, ZF, Caterpillar, and Cummins specifications, and the company publishes MSDS and TDS documentation through a Vertex Technical Vault.

The business operates exclusively within New Zealand through a five-branch network covering Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Nelson, and Christchurch. Distribution is supported by the company's own truck fleet offering Vertex Truck Delivery ($18.50 per delivery) within service areas and Vertex Truck Pump Over ($28.50 per pump-over) for 200L+ bulk products, with third-party courier/freight used for out-of-area orders; international shipping is not arranged. Revenue is generated primarily from one-time lubricant product sales to industrial, agricultural, automotive, marine, and motorcycle end-users, with secondary transaction-fee revenue from delivery and pump-over logistics services. Customer segments are served via direct branch sales, counter pickup, and an e-commerce storefront that gates pricing behind registered-account login and offers Quick Order Hub, Quick Reorder, and a Lube Guide product-selection tool. The company is privately held with 11-50 employees, no disclosed external investors, no subsidiaries, and no international footprint.

Name

Vertex Lubricants

Legal name

Lubricants NZ Ltd

Website

https://vertexlubricants.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vertex Lubricants is a New Zealand manufacturer and distributor of engine oils, greases, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and specialty chemicals serving automotive, agricultural, industrial, marine, and motorcycle customers via five domestic branches and direct delivery since 1996.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191), All Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing (324199)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Greases & Specialty Lubricants (Greases, Pastes, Chain Oils, Silicone/Fluoro) (EUALAJAJ), Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE), Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL), Retail & E-commerce Lubricants Sales (Auto Parts, Quick Lube, Online) (EUALAJAF)

Keywords

• Industrial lubricants
• Engine oil manufacturing
• Automotive chemicals
• Hydraulic fluids
• Grease products

Headquarters

HQ city

Takanini

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lubricant product sales: Vertex Lubricants generates revenue through the sale of manufactured and distributed lubricant products including engine oils, greases, coolants, hydraulic fluids, driveline fluids, and chemical consumables. Products are sold in various pack sizes (400g cartridges to 1000L IBCs) to a broad range of industrial, commercial, and consumer customers. The company operates an e-commerce storefront with registered account functionality (Quick Order Hub, Quick Reorder).
2. Delivery and logistics services: Revenue is also generated from delivery and logistics services including Vertex Truck Delivery ($18.50 per delivery), Vertex Truck Pump Over ($28.50 per pump over), and third-party courier/freight charges calculated based on size/weight and travel distance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vertex Lubricants manufactures and distributes a broad range of lubricant products including engine oils, greases, coolants, hydraulic fluids, driveline fluids, and specialty chemicals under brand names such as Expert (engine oils), Hytec (hydraulic fluids), Transgear (driveline/transmission), Workshop Cool/Red Cool XL/Euro Cool XL/Green Cool XL (coolants), and Super Moly/Red Tack/Blue Tack (greases). The company serves automotive, agricultural, industrial, heavy-duty diesel, marine, and motorcycle applications in New Zealand through five branch locations, a direct truck delivery fleet, and an e-commerce storefront.

Product overview

Vertex Lubricants is a New Zealand-based lubricants and automotive chemical products company operating under Lubricants NZ Ltd. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of lubricant products organized into main categories: Engine Oils (HDMO, PCMO, High Performance, Specialty), Greases (Anti-Seize, Lithium Complex, Calcium, Bentone-based), Coolants/Antifreeze (Blue Cool XL, Euro Cool XL, Green Cool XL, Red Cool XL, Workshop Cool), Hydraulic Fluids (Anti-Wear, HVI), Driveline Products (ATF, Manual Transmission, Transgear brand), Industrial Products (Compressor oils, Gear oils, Turbine oils), Agricultural Products, Marine Products, Motorcycle Products, and Chemicals & Consumables. Products are distributed through five branches in Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Nelson, and Christchurch. The company operates an e-commerce platform allowing online ordering and account management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Engine Oil range Comprehensive engine oil range including Heavy Duty Diesel (HDMO), High Performance, Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) with Low/High Viscosity variants, Specialty, and Stationary & Small Engine formulations for automotive, heavy-duty diesel, agricultural, marine, and stationary power applications.
• Grease range Comprehensive grease portfolio including Anti-Seize, Bentone/Clay, Calcium, Lithium & Lithium Complex, and Specialty variants for industrial and automotive applications, including high-temperature, water-resistant, and food-grade formulations.
• Coolant/Antifreeze range Engine coolants and antifreeze products including Blue Cool XL, Euro Cool XL, Green Cool XL, HDD Cool XL, PG Cool XL, Red Cool XL, and Workshop Cool variants in concentrate and premix formulations using OAT (Organic Acid Technology) chemistry.
• Hydraulic Fluid range Hydraulic fluids including Anti-Wear (AW), High Viscosity Index (HVI), and Specialty biodegradable and fire-resistant formulations meeting Parker Denison HF-0 requirements for hydraulic systems, transmissions, and pumps.
• Transgear SYN FE 75W-90 Fully synthetic gear oil with sulphur-phosphorus Extreme Pressure additives for modern passenger cars and truck axles with hypoid differentials, providing thermal stability and fuel economy.
• Transgear SYN LSD 75W-90 Full synthetic gear oil with friction modifiers suitable for Limited Slip Differentials and standard Hypoid Differentials.
• Transmatic Ultra LV Automatic transmission and continuously variable transmission fluid for driveline applications.
• Super Moly-5 EP2 High-performance multi-purpose lithium complex grease with 5% molybdenum disulphide, extreme pressure additives, tackifier, and rust/oxidation inhibitors for severe lubrication requirements of construction and off-road equipment, chassis parts, wheel bearings, and constant-velocity joints.
• Red Tack EP2 High temperature lithium complex grease with tackifiers for heavy-duty applications requiring water washout resistance and high thermal resistance.
• Nickel Anti-Seize Nickel and aluminium based anti-seize with Bentone base, performing up to 1300°C, recommended for dissimilar metals and high alloy steel applications.
• Syn Tac HT2 Full synthetic grease with PAO base oil and non-soap Bentone thickener, containing PTFE additive package, suitable for automotive brake assemblies, hydraulic components, and food processing machinery across -40°C to extremely high temperatures.
• Workshop Cool (Red & Green) Type A ethylene glycol-based coolant free from NAPS (Nitrites, Amines, Phosphates, Silicates, Borates, 2-Ethylhexanoic acid) with OAT inhibitor package for diesel and petrol vehicles, providing protection up to 7 years / 500,000 km.
• Expert Engine Oils Passenger car engine oils including Expert C1 5W-30 (Low Saps), Expert C2 5W-30, Expert C3 5W-40, Expert C4 5W-30, Expert GT 10W-40, Expert VW 0W-20, and specialty formulations covering Low Saps, mid Saps, and high Saps variants.
• Sawcool Bio HP 3600 All-natural biodegradable saw blade lubricant manufactured from renewable plant-based lubricants with molecularly polarised oil formulation for superior metal surface adhesion. Non-toxic, non-irritating, completely biodegradable and food-safe.
• Turbine T 68 High-performance mineral oil for turbochargers, turbines and high-speed rotating equipment with thermal stability and oxidation resistance.
• Zinc Coat High-grade epoxy-based anti-corrosive primer spray containing 99% zinc for industrial equipment, structural steel, welded seams, and rust protection up to 500°C with up to 6 years outdoor durability.
• Multi Lube 7N1 HD Heavy-duty multi-purpose penetrating and lubricating product with water displacing properties for freeing seized parts and corrosion protection.
• Hytec HVI 46 Blue High viscosity index hydraulic fluid with blue dye for hydraulic systems, transmissions and pumps operating under varying temperature conditions.
• Energy Trans 80W-110 Heavy duty synthetic-based transmission final drive oil for universal applications in front or back hypoid axles and loaded final reductions.
• Chemicals and Consumables range Industrial and automotive chemicals including aerosols, bulk products, vehicle cleaning and care solutions, AdBlue, windscreen wash, and specialty formulations.
• Vertex Truck Delivery service Direct fleet delivery of Vertex Lubricants products to addresses within the company's regular service areas across its five New Zealand branches at $18.50 per delivery.
• Vertex Truck Pump Over service Direct pump-over service for large pack-size products (200L+) where product is pumped directly from the delivery truck into the customer's equipment or storage at $28.50 per pump over.

Quantifiable outcome

• Coolant protection up to 7 years / 500,000 km for standard applications; extendable to 1,000,000 km / 20,000 hours for heavy-duty diesel engines at 50% glycol concentration
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Castrol: Global lubricant brand owned by BP, offering engine oils, greases, coolants, and driveline fluids across automotive, industrial, and marine segments — directly comparable portfolio and customer base to Vertex's product breadth.
• Motul: French global lubricant specialist offering engine oils, driveline fluids, greases, and coolants across automotive, motorcycle, and industrial segments — comparable specialty formulation focus and OEM approval strategy.
• Fuchs Petrolub: Germany-based global lubricant specialist focused on industrial, automotive, and specialty lubricants — comparable business model of broad formulation-based portfolio serving B2B and B2C customers.
• Mobil 1 (ExxonMobil): ExxonMobil's Mobil 1 brand is a global lubricant leader with passenger car motor oils, heavy-duty diesel lubricants, industrial fluids, and greases — overlapping with Vertex's automotive and heavy-duty product lines.

Regional players

• Penrite Oil: Australian lubricant brand manufacturing engine oils, gear oils, and specialty lubricants for automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial use — direct regional peer with comparable breadth and Australian/NZ distribution.
• Peak Lubricants: Australia/NZ lubricant brand focused on automotive and heavy-duty lubricants including engine oils, gear oils, and greases — closely comparable regional competitor with similar product positioning.
• Caltex (NZ) / Mobil NZ: NZ fuel and lubricant retail and distribution network (now branded Mobil NZ in many locations) selling lubricants alongside fuel — comparable NZ market presence with retail lubricants distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Shell Lubricants: Shell's lubricants portfolio (Helix, Rotella, Rimula, Tellus) covers automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial segments globally, competing directly with Vertex in NZ distribution channels.
• Valvoline: Global lubricant and oil-change services brand offering engine oils, driveline fluids, and industrial lubricants — comparable automotive-heavy portfolio with significant direct-to-consumer presence.
• TotalEnergies Lubricants: TotalEnmarkets lubricants (Quartz, Rubia, Carter) across automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial segments — competes with Vertex on broad product breadth and OEM approvals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vertexlubricantsnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vertexlubricants

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 Vertex Lubricants