Caltex Lubricants Celebrates 90th Anniversary: Powering Generations Across Decades

Building a legacy over decades, Caltex has just completed 90 years, unlocking yet another milestone in its illustrious legacy. Banking on its traditional virtues of innovation and reliability, Caltex lubricants have earned the trust of customers across generations, and achieving the milestone of its 90th anniversary is a testimony to that.

The evolving technological standards and advancements in machinery have continually encouraged Caltex lubricants to innovate from one generation to the next. Entering its tenth decade, Caltex looks forward to serving future generations by delivering reliable and efficient solutions with the same intent that has guided it over the past decades.

The Origin Story: Here’s How it all Began

The origins of Caltex as a leading oil company date back to the fateful day of 30th June 1936. On this day, two industry stalwarts – Standard Oil of California (which later became Chevron) and The Texas Company (Texaco) - entered into a joint venture in the United States of America, named California Texas Oil Company.

When this joint venture came into existence, the world was already in the midst of the infamous Great Depression, one of the most severe economic downturns of the 20th century. However, what began as a challenge became a gradual rise, with challenges not only of survival but also of setting new benchmarks.

As the company grew, it adopted a new identity, renaming itself Caltex Petroleum Corp. in 1968 and introducing a new Caltex logo featuring a red star intersected by the word 'CALTEX'.

Milestones Through the Decades: Key Achievements of Caltex

The building of Catex's 90-year-old legacy didn't begin with an overnight success story but rather a gradual rise. It is a journey of gradual steps filled with perseverance, good business acumen of the leaders.

• 1936: The journey of Caltex began as California Texas Oil Company, a joint venture between Standard Oil of California and The Texas Company. The following years saw the company expanding in global markets, including India, where it operated through Caltex Oil Refining (India) Limited (CORIL), its subsidiary.
• 1957: After gradual launch of products and refineries across Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in 1940s and early 1950s, Caltex entered India by setting up an oil refining unit in Vishakhapatnam, strengthening its presence in India.
• 1978: The Government of India took over Caltex Oil Refining (India) Limited (CORIL), followed by its merger with HPCL.
• 2000: After shifting its headquarters completely from the USA to Singapore, Caltex received Singapore’s first-ever Global Headquarters Award for its organisational transformation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• 2010: Caltex expanded its operations in India with GS Caltex India.
• 2023: Caltex sets up its first manufacturing unit of the Delo brand in India in collaboration with HPCL.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: How Caltex Became a Global Player

A simple vision can turn into an ambitious dream – that’s what Caltex has proved in its 90-year-old legacy across generations. In 1936, Caltex had a simple start in the oil production and refining industry, which only expanded exponentially across generations and countries. The expansion saw everything – from emerging economies such as East Asia and South-East Asia to the bustling markets of the Middle East, Southern Africa, and Australia-New Zealand.

Over the decades, Caltex affirmed its presence in 29 countries by adding more refineries, manufacturing units, and advanced technologies, thereby expanding its footprint with each passing generation. Accepting new challenges in such diverse geographies, and that too consistently, became a driving force for Caltex.

This very drive led Caltex to diversify its operations across multiple sectors, including automotive, commercial fleet, mining, agriculture, marine, and construction, thereby meeting the evolving demands of multiple generations. The engine oils and lubricants manufactured by Caltex hold certifications such as API and ACEA, thereby complying with ever-evolving industrial and environmental standards.

Caltex’s Story in India: The Local Chapter in the Glorious Legacy

As mentioned before, Caltex is not a new name in the Indian context, as it began its operations in the 1940s through Caltex Oil Refining (India) Limited (CORIL), a subsidiary of the California Texas Oil Company. The journey also included setting up an oil refinery in Visakhapatnam in 1957.

However, following the government of India's acquisition of Caltex Oil Refining (India) Limited in 1976 and its subsequent merger with HPCL in 1978, Caltex shifted its focus to other Southeast Asian markets. However, the focus on the Indian market rekindled in 2010, when the brand returned to the country as GS Caltex.

Caltex's journey in India got a fresh start in 2023, when it entered into a partnership with HPCL to manufacture and market its oils in India. A major milestone in this journey was Caltex setting up its first manufacturing unit of the Delo brand in India.

Currently, Caltex has Havoline and Delo oils on sale in India, featuring advanced additives and base oils that withstand extreme heat, dust, and heavy traffic, making them highly effective.

The Road Ahead for Caltex: Mission for the Future

It's no secret that the automotive industry worldwide has been undergoing dynamic changes. Engines running on conventional fuels like petrol and diesel are subjected to stricter emission norms and production standards, in view of the increasing effects of global warming. In light of this, automotive brands and governments are aggressively developing and promoting more sustainable solutions, such as hybrids, electric vehicles, and CNG.

Expanding its presence across continents over the last nine decades, Caltex has built profound trust across generations, which has only grown stronger with every road travelled. The crucial learnings from the 90-year-old rich legacy of Caltex, built on innovation and reliability, will only strengthen the commitment to future generations. And in that process, India has just become a crucial link.