Total Lubricants Ferrybridge site under construction in 1970Total Lubricants, which is this month celebrating the 50th anniversary of its blending plant in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, has obtained planning permission to develop and expand the site.
The plan includes the purchase of four acres of land adjacent to the plant, which will enable Total Lubricants’ to develop and upgrade the facility, review its warehousing operations and enhance the blending process.
The ambitious plan includes developments using renewable energies and optimisation that will modernise the manufacturing process and increase the efficiency of the site. The work will commence in 2021.
Total Lubricants’ employs 90 people in Ferrybridge and is the only integrated oil company which still manufactures a complete range of engine oils, transmission and hydraulic oils, greases and coolants in the UK.
Anna Whitehouse, Total Group Vice-president of operations (Western Europe) and former general manager of Total Lubricants’ Blending Plant in Ferrybridge, said: “It has been a privilege for me to be part of the 50-year history of Total Lubricants in the UK.
“Everyone concerned can be proud of the past and confident for the future, knowing that the business can, has always, and will continue to adapt in line with market changes.”
John Ryder, the current general manager of Total Lubricants’ Blending Plant in Ferrybridge, said: “As the only major energy company to still have a blending operation in the UK, we are in a strong position for the future due to the proximity to our customer base.
“The investment underlines our commitment to the Yorkshire region and the UK market, and we are pleased to make this announcement on the 50th anniversary of blending at Ferrybridge.”
Blending in the UK since 1970, when Total purchased the former grease plant from TH Newsome, Total Lubricants is recognised as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of advanced lubricants, operating in over 130 countries world-wide and selling over two billion litres of product each year.
The company has specific expertise in metalworking, the iron and steel sector, chemicals, energy, automotive, mines, and the food processing industry.