Lucas Oil Products, Inc. is an American manufacturer and distributor of automotive oil, additives, and lubricants. It was founded by trucker Forrest Lucas and his wife Charlotte in 1989.[1][2] The company is a medium size manufacturer of lubricants, including engine oils, greases, gear lubes, as well as problem-solving additives and car-care products. It produces and markets approximately 270 formulations in 40 countries.[3] In the U.S., Lucas Oil is sold in more than 30,000 auto parts stores, displaying the most variety of shelf products of any oil company, and at truck stops nationwide.[4] Lucas Oil has its plants in the United States. The original plant in Corona, California, which also housed Lucas Oil Corporate Headquarters and several affiliated companies, was closed in late 2022, moving the corporate HQ to Indianapolis, Indiana.[5]
In 2003, it opened a new production plant in Corydon, Indiana, and expanded with an additional, multimillion dollar, 350,000-square-foot facility in 2014.[6][7]
Products and markets
The company’s focus is to create and produce better working oils than those currently available on the commercial marketplace.[8][9] The company’s first product was Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer,[8] followed by aftermarket products, including:
Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer, an ultra high viscosity petroleum multi-use oil supplement for controlling noise, heat and wear in manual transmissions and differentials
Upper Cylinder Fuel Lubricant, marketed as delivering an extra half mile to the gallon savings for both gasoline and diesel
Power Steering Stop-Leak, developed to address maintenance issues in rack and pinion steering mechanisms
According to David Portalatin, an NPD industry analyst, Lucas Oil accounts for nearly all of the segment’s recent growth and is one of leading brands in the oil additives segment.[11] The company continues to expand internationally. Current markets include Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and most recently, the Middle East and Africa.[11][12]
Launched on January 1, 2016, Lucas Oil Racing TV is a motorsports-dedicated subscription video on demand service.[20] Programming includes both live races and a large library of both United States and international motorsports content. Many shows include expanded pre- and post-race footage, additional interviews, and background content.[20] The service is available through the LucasOilRacing.TV website for smartphones and tablets, as well as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.[21]
At the time he purchased the mansion of Conseco co-founder Stephen Hilbert, Forrest Lucas stated, "I can justify it by having this as a corporate retreat for my employees and for my customers."[33]
Lucas Oil Rail Line, formerly known as the Louisville New Albany & Corydon Railroad, was added to the Corydon, Indiana's plant’s capabilities in 2006, servicing the main manufacturing facility and several other major businesses in and around the city.[34]
Agriculture
Lucas Cattle Company
Lucas Cattle Company was founded in 2000 in Cross Timbers, Missouri in the Ozarks. They have bred over 2,000 head of free range Simmental cattle reared on fescue, on a strict culling strategy, with an emphasis on structural soundness and other high quality traits such as longevity, fertility, and udder quality.[35]
Forrest Lucas is a founder of Protect the Harvest, a nonprofit organization which opposes "the radical animal rights movement” and particularly the Humane Society of the United States, which it calls "a wealthy and successful attack group".[36] In 2012, Lucas said that he had invested over $600,000 in the organization.[37] Its stated goals include educating the public about animal agriculture, and preventing the passing of legislative or market-initiated bans on particular production practices.[38]
Robert Patison, general counsel for Lucas Oil Products, issued a statement on behalf of the company: "We provide significant financial support for a broad range of organizations that serve the needs of veterans, women, other minority groups, and disadvantaged individuals throughout the United States. Fairness and equality are core values of our company."[39]
