A new range of Zipex lubricants was launched in Dubai today, as a result of a joint venture between Indonesian company Pertamina, the biggest producer and marketer of mineral lubricants in Southeast Asia and SK Energy, the biggest Korean producer and marketer of synthetic lubricants, in association with the Flow Trading LLC, the local partner.
The co-branded range of ZIPEX will be made in Pertamina’s factory in Jakarta, using the time-tested formula of Pertamina lubricants in Indonesia. In the early phase, ZIPEX will be launched in 3 ranges. Each of the ranges will comprise as 3 and 2 types: ZIPEX HD Plus, ZIPEX HD 40 and ZIPEX HD 50 for commercial diesel vehicles; ZIPEX XP and ZIPEX Super for passenger cars, and ZIPEX 4T Sport and ZIPEX 4T for motorbikes. ZIPEX series are extension brands from Pertamina’s existing products: Prima XP, Mesran Super, Meditran SC and Enduro.
The new range of ZIPEX lubricants for the UAE market were launched at a colourful ceremony in Dubai, by A. Faisal, Corporate Senior Vice President, Marketing and Trading, Pertamina and Tae Han Jung, Vice President, Lubricants & Base Oil Business, SK Energy, in the presence of Tahir Azam, Director Marketing, Flow Trading L.L.C. and more than 500 invitees from distributors, workshops, mechanics and customers.
“With our extensive experience in lubricant production and marketing, Pertamina has been able to offer great product at attractive prices,” said A. Faisal. “We look at the UAE market as having a huge potential, as ratio of cars is very high.”. “The partnership between Pertamina and SK Energy offers a great value addition to consumers, and we look forward to grabbing a sizable market share in the UAE market in a short time,” said Tae Han Jung.
“We feel we are in a strong position to make Zipex a household name among car users in the UAE, because we have the market knowledge and contacts to grow this business and boost sales,” said Tahir Azam. The Pertamina - SK Energy co-branded lubricants have been in the international market since February 2007 as part of a business expansion strategy. The lubricants combine Pertamina’s strengths as the biggest producer and marketer of mineral lubricant in Southeast Asia and SK Energy’s strengths as the biggest producer and marketer of synthetic lubricants from lube base oil group III. Pertamina is aiming at being a leader, controlling and setting ZIPEX marketing strategy up to retail outlets. The program is expected to be Pertamina’s flag carrier to gain international recognition. To penetrate the UAE market, Pertamina - SK Energy have conducted marketing research to understand consumers’ needs, climatic and road conditions, as well as carried out field testing prior to the launch. Flow Trading L.L.C. was appointed UAE distributor on the strength of their familiarity with the lubricant market.
ZIPEX will be marketed in the UAE from the third week of October 2008. Early evaluation of ZIPEX has revealed that ZIPEX has competitive edge in quality and price in its segment, compared to competitors.
