Lube-a-boom

What Lube-a-boom does

Lube-a-Boom (LAB, LLC) is a privately held specialty lubricant manufacturer founded in 2002 by Harley and Marilyn Wilson in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company designs and sells a family of friction-reducing lubricants formulated specifically for telescoping boom cranes, aerial lifts, telehandlers, forklifts, and similar heavy lifting equipment — a niche it positions against general-purpose lithium-complex greases. Core technology centers on calcium sulfonate complex thickener combined with synthetic base fluids, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), and 5% molybdenum disulfide, yielding claimed performance characteristics including dropping points above 550°F, water and saltwater washout resistance, and operational temperature range from -40°F to over 300°F.

The product portfolio includes greases (cartridges, pails, kegs, drums), aerosols, liquid lubricants, dry films, a foam degreaser, a waterless wax (LUBE-A-SHINE), and complementary application equipment such as LubeJet spray guns distributed in partnership with MATO GmbH. Sub-brands extend the platform across use cases: LUBE-A-AG for agricultural equipment, LUBE-A-ROPE for wire ropes and cables, LUBE-A-PIN, LUBE-A-GEAR, LUBE-A-HAMMER, and LOOSE-N-IT penetrant. The company sells exclusively through an authorized dealer network spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago, and New Zealand, supplemented by online dealers. Customers include OEMs (Kiefer Mfg., Tadano Mantis, Stellar Industries), equipment rental and service companies (All Erection & Crane Rental, Phoenix Crane & Rigging, SLH Picker Crane Service), the U.S. Marine Corps, and end-user construction and signage fleets. Following the death of founder Harley Wilson, operational leadership sits with Vice President Jo Roberts (also referenced as Jonathon Roberts). The company has no disclosed external funding, no parent organization, and operates as an independent LLC.

Name

Lube-a-boom

Legal name

LAB, LLC

Website

https://www.lubeaboom.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lube-a-Boom is a privately held Indianapolis-based manufacturer of specialty calcium sulfonate complex synthetic lubricants with PTFE and moly additives, serving telescoping boom crane operators, heavy equipment OEMs, and rental fleets through an authorized dealer network across seven countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE), Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL)

Keywords

• Specialty lubricants
• Crane lubricants
• Friction reducing grease
• Heavy equipment maintenance
• Industrial lubricants

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Lubricant Product Sales: LUBE-A-BOOM generates revenue through the sale of its family of friction-reducing lubricant products, including greases, aerosols, liquids, and degreasers. Products are sold in various packaging formats (cartridges, pails, kegs, drums) through an authorized dealer network and online dealers. The company offers application equipment such as the LubeJet spray guns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LUBE-A-BOOM manufactures and sells a family of specialty friction-reducing lubricants — including greases, aerosols, liquids, degreasers, dry films, and wash/wax products — specifically formulated for telescoping boom cranes, aerial lifts, telehandlers, forklifts, and other heavy equipment. Products use a calcium sulfonate complex thickener with PTFE and molybdenum disulfide additives on a 100% synthetic base fluid. The company also distributes LubeJet application equipment and sells through an authorized dealer network in the U.S. and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LUBE-A-BOOM Grease Calcium sulfonate complex thickened synthetic grease with PTFE and molybdenum disulfide for telescoping boom cranes, aerial lifts, telehandlers, forklifts, wear pads, boom pins, and rotation bearings.
• LUBE-A-BOOM Aerosol Aerosol spray version of the flagship LUBE-A-BOOM grease formula for easier application on chains, cables, and hard-to-reach bearing surfaces.
• LUBE-A-BOOM Clear Aerosol Clear aerosol version of the flagship LUBE-A-BOOM formula for applications where a clean appearance is desired.
• LUBE-A-BOOM Heavy Duty Foam Degreaser Ultra-dense biodegradable foam degreaser with citrus scent that cleans deep into microscopic pores; complementary LUBE-A-WIPES launched alongside.
• LUBE-A-BOOM Dry Film Aerosol Dry film lubricant aerosol for applications where a non-greasy, dry-lubricating film is required.
• LUBE-A-BOOM Insulator Aerosol Aerosol product formulated for electrical insulation and corrosion protection applications.
• LUBE-A-GEAR Aerosol Open gear and drive lubricant aerosol for heavy equipment gearing applications.
• LUBE-A-HAMMER Grease Heavy duty multipurpose hydraulic hammer/chisel paste and thread grease with high extreme pressure properties and rust and corrosion protection.
• LUBE-A-PIN Grease Grease formulated for pins, hinges, and pivot points on lifting equipment.
• LUBE-A-ROPE Aerosol Aerosol chain and cable lubricant for wire ropes, draglines, cables, bearings, and open pit mining operations. Water and salt water resistant.
• LUBE-A-ROPE Grease Specialty friction reducing grease for wire ropes, draglines, cables, bearings, open pit mining operations, crushers, shovels, and marine operations; compatible with wire rope lubrication systems and water/salt water resistant.
• LUBE-A-ROPE Liquid Liquid chain and cable lubricant; recognized with the LLEAP Silver Award in Aftermarket Support Products & Services.
• LUBE-A-SHINE Aerosol Waterless wash and wax aerosol with carnauba wax base that removes tar, diesel residue, grime, insects, tree sap, and grease while repelling dust and dirt.
• LUBE-A-AG Grease NLGI #2 specialty synthetic grease thickened with calcium sulfonate, designed for tractors, cotton pickers, combines, backhoes, and other agricultural heavy machinery requiring high heat, pressure, and water washout resistance.
• LOOSE-N-IT Penetrant 4-in-1 industrial penetrant and lubricant containing PTFE that penetrates seized bolts and screws, lubricates, displaces moisture, and resists corrosion; conforms to Military Specifications MIL-C-23411.
• LUBE-A-PAK Multi-product bundle containing seven LUBE-A-BOOM products in one easy-to-carry pack.
• LubeJet-eco Spray Gun Spray gun for applying LUBE-A-BOOM and LUBE-A-PIN greases; partnered with MATO GmbH.
• LubeJet pneuMATO 55 Pneumatic Grease Spray Unit Pneumatic grease spray unit available in static and mobile configurations for use with LUBE-A-BOOM and LUBE-A-PIN greases.

Quantifiable outcome

• LUBE-A-ROPE Liquid scored 33 out of 40 points in LLEAP Awards evaluation, winning Silver Award in Aftermarket Support Products & Services category

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• T.M.C Lifting and EngineeringcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based dealer signed at Con Expo 2017, distributing the entire LUBE-A-BOOM family of products in the United Kingdom market.
• Imperial (Australia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian dealer signed at Con Expo 2017, distributing the entire LUBE-A-BOOM family of products in the Australia market.
• Salten Bilberging (Norway)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorwegian dealer signed at Con Expo 2017, distributing the entire LUBE-A-BOOM family of products in the Norway market.
• Grove Manufacturing / Manitowoc Crane GroupminorOthersFounder Harley Wilson previously worked as service representative for Grove Manufacturing (now part of Manitowoc Crane Group), which influenced the founding and product development of LUBE-A-BOOM.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bel-Ray Company: Bel-Ray makes specialty synthetic and petroleum lubricants for motorcycles, industrial, and heavy-duty applications including greases and gear oils. Comparable as a specialty lubricant blender with similar product formats (greases, gear lubes, aerosols) and a niche, performance-focused brand identity.
• Kano Laboratories (Kroil): Kano produces specialty penetrants, rust looseners, and maintenance chemicals including the Kroil brand, plus industrial greases and lubricants. Comparable as a specialty chemical company selling niche, problem-solving lubricants and penetrants to industrial maintenance customers through dealer and direct channels.
• Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants: Schaeffer's manufactures specialty synthetic and plant-based industrial lubricants including greases, gear oils, and chain lubricants sold through industrial channels. Directly comparable because both companies formulate niche, performance-differentiated lubricants targeting heavy equipment and industrial applications rather than commodity oils.
• Lubrication Engineers (LE): LE manufactures premium industrial lubricants including aluminum-complex and specialty greases for heavy equipment, mining, steel, and manufacturing customers through direct sales and distributors. Comparable as a specialty lubricant manufacturer with deep industrial vertical focus and a reputation for premium, long-life formulations.

Broad incumbents

• ExxonMobil Industrial Lubricants: Mobil produces a comprehensive line of industrial and heavy-duty synthetic and petroleum lubricants including Mobilith, Mobiltemp, and Mobilgear greases and oils. Comparable as the dominant broad-incumbent competitor with deep heavy-equipment relationships, against which Lube-a-Boom must differentiate on performance for boom-specific applications.
• Chevron Delo / Techron: Chevron's Delo brand supplies heavy-duty engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and greases for construction, mining, and on-highway equipment. Comparable as a major broad-line lubricant incumbent competing directly in the heavy equipment segments where Lube-a-Boom's products are specified.
• Shell Rotella (Heavy-Duty): Shell's Rotella line targets heavy-duty trucks, construction, and agricultural equipment with engine oils, greases, and gear lubes. Comparable as a major incumbent lubricant brand with strong positioning in the same heavy-equipment and agricultural end markets that Lube-a-Boom serves.
• Citgo Petroleum Lubricants: Citgo markets a full line of petroleum-based and synthetic industrial and heavy-duty lubricants including greases, gear oils, and hydraulic fluids. Comparable as a broad-line lubricant manufacturer competing in the same heavy equipment and industrial end markets, though with significantly larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Castrol Industrial (BP): Castrol produces industrial and heavy-duty lubricants including greases, gear oils, and hydraulic fluids for manufacturing, mining, and construction customers globally. Comparable as a global broad-incumbent with deep industrial channel presence, against which Lube-a-Boom competes on specialty performance for crane-specific applications.

Emerging players

• Lucas Oil Products: Lucas Oil produces specialty oils, greases, and additives for automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial markets with strong brand recognition through motorsports sponsorships. Comparable as a privately held specialty lubricant company with strong brand identity and motorsport marketing, though broader in category scope than Lube-a-Boom.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LubeABoom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Lube-a-boom