Castrol

The company also plays a key role in the development of 'eco-friendly' products, such as Castrol Icematic SW - the first range of ozone-friendly refrigerator lubricants, developed in response to world demand for an alternative to harmful CFCs.

Castrol was founded in London in 1899 by the innovator, Charles Cheers Wakefield - the man who recognized the potential of the internal combustion engine as the power of the future. Working closely with customers, Wakefield's aim was to produce the highest-quality engine oils, tested to the limits of endurance.

Even today, many Castrol products start out as competition grades, then become available to the everyday motorist.

Wakefield launched the first 'Castrol Brand' motor oil for the internal combustion engine in 1906, followed closely by a full range of oils for motorcycles, airplanes and racing engines - all tried and tested by the pioneering aviators and motorists of the day. Hot on the heels of these high-performance lubricants came high-quality commercial, marine and industrial applications.

Castrol boasts a host of product firsts across different sectors, including Castrol XL - a heat-resistant oil for speed work in cars and motorcycles which has become one of the company's best known brands as well as the first biodegradable boating lubricant, Castrol Biolube 100.

Oiling the wheels of industry throughout the world, Castrol introduced cost-saving fluid management programs to the production industry and was the first to develop customer service programs, paving the way for the development of workshops.

To increase efficiency in the commercial vehicle and marine market, Castrol launched Castrol Labcheck and Castrol Labcheck Online oil analysis services.