The Hindu : Gulf Oil to launch a slew of new products

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004

Business

Business

Gulf Oil to launch a slew of new products

By Our Staff Correspondent

KOLKATA. MARCH 23. The Rs. 450-crore Gulf Oil Corporation of the Hinduja group is planning a major overhaul of its marketing strategy and network. Launched an array of automotive products, the Lubricants division of the company is working on more product launches including batteries and is actively considering marketing tie-up with tyre companies for use in each others distribution channels. The company had already struck a joint venture with Oil Bangladesh to manufacture and marketing lubes in that country.

The chemicals division, created out of the merger with IDL Industries in 2002-03, on the other hand, has decided to invest Rs. 20 crores to create a speciality chemicals facility in Hyderabad. Began with explosives, the company had already made an entry into contract mining, specialised blasting and tunnelling.

The company has made a bulk drug intermediaries through the explosive route and plan to set up facilities for same.

Talking to The Hindu sources said following consolidation of its position in north and western India, Gulf is now revamping its marketing network in the South and especially in the eastern region of the country.

Apart from its own production of lubricants, the company has decided to market an array of related auto products and accessories through outsourcing.

Accordingly, a range of filters and car care products were launched recently to be followed by launch of fan belts, batteries and so on. The launches are part of the company's overall drive to finally make its presence felt in the retail segment.

"To this effect we are considering tie-up with the tyre companies for mutual use of the dealer network.'' Began operations in 1993, the company's products are now marketed by 1,200 dealers and 18,000 retail outlets, a substantial part of which are in West and North zones.

"Our plan is to create retail network covering the entire country in two years,'' sources say.

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