Morris Lubricants proud to fly the Union Flag in export markets

Quality products, first class service and the Union Flag are the cornerstones to Morris Lubricants’ export success.

The 146-year-old lubricants manufacturer has seen exports grow by more than 30 per cent in the past year alone. Today one in every four litres made at its Shropshire headquarters is shipped overseas, accounting for more than £11 million of its total sales of £50 million.

Morris Lubricants’ products are distributed to 80 countries worldwide, with new markets constantly being explored. In the Middle East, the company has reported a 70 per cent increase in exports in 12 months, with commercial vehicle lubricants and industrial process fluids and greases in great demand.

Stephen Dawe, international business director, said: “We set ourselves aside from the rest of the industry where service levels are concerned by building incredibly close relationships with our customers, regardless of whether they are buying a million pounds worth of goods or one or two pallets at a time. We tend to their every requirement and it works.”

Family-owned Morris Lubricants, which employs 140 people, has also benefitted from proudly displayed the Union Flag on most of its products for the last 15 years. “It’s still an emblem of quality,” said Mr Dawe. “The British brand does carry a certain amount of heritage and tradition, particularly in Middle East countries and the places like Australia and New Zealand.”

The company was founded by entrepreneur James Kent Morris in 1869, when at the age of 22 he left home to set himself up in business as a grocer and candlemaker in Shrewsbury. He started by leasing a premises that comprised a house, three warehouses, a candle house, a stable and a shop, which he purchased in 1887 for £800.

Sadly, in 1891, James died at the age of 44 following a pony and trap accident and was replaced at the company’s helm by his eldest son, also called James, 18, who was supported by trustees.

As demand for lubricants increased rapidly, the Morris family expanded its range to include substantial quantities of government surplus oils, purchased from the Disposal Board set up at the end of World War 1.

Today, the company is run by managing director Andrew Goddard, fifth generation of the Morris family and his father, David, is a director. Morris Lubricants is now one of Europe’s leading oil blenders and marketers, offering an extensive range of performance lubricants covering a wide variety of application areas including industrial.