Navigating the ongoing global supply chain crunch

Amid shortages of base oils, additives and alloys, BOSS Lubricants is committed to our customer base

CALGARY, Canada (March 23, 2022)—Twelve months after the Suez Canal debacle, the lubricant industry—like many others—is still dealing with supply issues, cost overruns and logistical challenges.

For well over a year, renewed demand, tight supply and shipping capacity shortages in a post-COVID world have disrupted the supply chain for base oils that BOSS Lubricants relies on to produce more than 400 industrial oils and lubricants for our valued customers.

“Like the rest of the lubricant industry, we’re seeing continued shortages of the raw materials and additives we need to create the premium products that the BOSS name is based on,” says Jarrett Flegel, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Boss Lubricants. “Thankfully, CP Rail and its workers have ended their two-day shutdown. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused further shortages of the precious metals and alloys we need.

“These are the day-to-day and week-to-week battles we fight on behalf of our customers—and we are fighting the good fight,” adds Flegel. “Alongside the logistical issues, we’re doing our best to foster long-term relationships with our suppliers so that those raw materials keep flowing.”

In recent months, BOSS Lubricants has been forced to pay enormous increases—as much as US$0.50 per gallon—for product from major base oil refineries.

And like many lubricant companies, BOSS has been forced to pass on additional delivery charges to our customers in order to reclaim these rising costs—which also include insurance, wages, fuel, packaging materials, rent, currency exchange, carbon tax and other variable expenses.

“We have seen a dramatic uptick in out-of-left-field product requests in recent months—but we’re committed to our existing customer base above all,” says Flegel. “Our customers made us who we are today, and we will never forget that.”