COMPANY
OVERVIEW
Established in 1983, Blue Chip Lubricants has grown from a specialised grease trading business into a high-capacity lubricant manufacturer, contract blending partner, and trusted supplier to leading industries across Southern Africa.
For more than three decades, we have combined technical expertise, world-class infrastructure, and global partnerships to deliver lubrication solutions that keep businesses moving.
Today, Blue Chip Lubricants stands as a modern, process-driven manufacturing operation, producing internationally compliant lubricants for: Automotive, Mining, Agriculture, Engineering & Manufacturing, and Industrial & Commercial sectors.
We don't just supply lubricants — we enable performance, productivity, and equipment reliability.
OUR TIMELINE
THE PAST & THE FUTURE
Established
Blue Chip Lubricants is established as a specialised grease reseller.
In-House Manufacturing
Commencement of in-house grease manufacturing.
Blending Site
Commissioning of the first oil blending facility.
New Era of Growth
Acquisition by Kathleen Marais, marking a new era of strategic growth. Blue Chip becomes one of the few female-owned lubricant manufacturing businesses in the industry.
Q8Oils Partnership
Appointed sole South African manufacturing and distribution partner for Q8Oils.
Major Upgrade
Major plant and laboratory upgrade to meet international quality and production standards.
Capacity Expansion
Expansion of bulk manufacturing and storage capacity, including a bulk loading gantry and extended tank farm with 1.65 million litres of storage.
World-Class Operation
A high-capacity, process-driven lubricant manufacturing operation serving diverse industries across Southern Africa and beyond.
Established
Blue Chip Lubricants is established as a specialised grease reseller.
In-House Manufacturing
Commencement of in-house grease manufacturing.
Blending Site
Commissioning of the first oil blending facility.
New Era of Growth
Acquisition by Kathleen Marais, marking a new era of strategic growth. Blue Chip becomes one of the few female-owned lubricant manufacturing businesses in the industry.
Q8Oils Partnership
Appointed sole South African manufacturing and distribution partner for Q8Oils.
Major Upgrade
Major plant and laboratory upgrade to meet international quality and production standards.
Capacity Expansion
Expansion of bulk manufacturing and storage capacity, including a bulk loading gantry and extended tank farm with 1.65 million litres of storage.
World-Class Operation
A high-capacity, process-driven lubricant manufacturing operation serving diverse industries across Southern Africa and beyond.
OUR MISSION. OUR VALUE.
OUR PROMISE.
Our Mission
To manufacture and deliver high-performance lubrication solutions that improve reliability, productivity, and profitability for every customer we serve.
Our Vision
To be Africa's most trusted lubricant manufacturing and blending partner, recognised for quality, reliability, innovation, and long-term customer success.
Our Brand Promise
Reliable products.
Consistent quality.
Responsive technical support.
On-time delivery.
A partner you can trust.
A LEGACY OF GROWTH
& LEADERSHIP
In 2001, the company entered a new era under the ownership of Kathleen Marais, becoming one of the few female-owned lubricant manufacturing businesses in the industry. Kathleen's financial and operational leadership, together with Gary Marais' technical and commercial expertise, has transformed Blue Chip into a strategic manufacturing partner to major oil brands and high-volume customers.
Gary Marais
Managing Director
An entrepreneur and strategic dealmaker, Gary leads Blue Chip Lubricants at a board and industry level, where he negotiates major toll blending agreements and secures the high-value partnerships that drive the company's growth. His ability to anticipate market shifts, identify opportunity, and reposition the business accordingly has been instrumental in expanding Blue Chip Lubricants into the high-capacity manufacturing operation it is today.
Kathleen Marais
Owner & Financial Director
Kathleen provides the financial and operational backbone of the organisation. She directs all funding and investment strategy while leading the implementation of modern, fully integrated business systems and internationally aligned processes. Her focus on structure, compliance, and performance ensures a stable, efficient, and scalable operation that supports the company's continued expansion.
Andre Brink
General Manager
Andre is responsible for translating strategy into execution and leads the day-to-day performance of the business across production, logistics, and operational delivery. With a hands-on, solutions-driven approach, he manages the complexity of a high-volume manufacturing environment, ensuring that plant operations run efficiently, production targets are met, and customer commitments are consistently delivered.
WORLD-CLASS MANUFACTURING
CAPABILITY
Our recently upgraded blending facility and state-of-the-art quality control laboratory reflect our commitment to:
- Production excellence
- Scalable capacity
- Consistent quality
- Supply security for long-term contracts
Every product is manufactured under strict process and quality controls to meet international performance standards.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE THAT
ADDS REAL VALUE
Our team works alongside customers to:
- Reduce machine downtime
- Extend equipment life
- Improve operational efficiency
- Lower total lubrication costs
Because the right lubricant is not a product — it is a performance strategy.