Valvoline Inc., a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, is acquiring certain business assets of Minit Lube in Alberta.
The company said in a news release that it will acquire four service centres, which will become Valvoline company-owned stores. They will franchise the remaining two service centres to the existing owner. All Minit Lube centres are expected to be rebranded as Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change.
“In 2018, the acquisition of Great Canadian Oil Change and Oil Changers provided us with the ideal opportunity to expand our quick-lube service model outside the U.S.,” said Tony Puckett, president, Valvoline Quick Lubes. “The Minit Lube acquisition is significant for Valvoline because it will establish our first company-owned service centres in Canada. We think Minit Lube is a natural fit because of the focus on an outstanding customer service experience that Paul (Robinson) and his team have developed. We look forward to serving the communities in Alberta under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand.”
The acquisition is expected to be complete during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Financial terms were not disclosed, said Valvoline.
“My family started Minit Lube in 1978,” said Robinson, Minit Lube owner and vice-president of operations. “We are proud and thankful to have served our fleet and retail customers in Calgary for over 40 years. Selling the family business has not been an easy decision, but we are confident that Valvoline shares our values and belief in high quality products, convenient locations and the best customer service staff in the business.”
Minit Lube is based in Calgary.
This acquisition will expand Valvoline’s existing quick-lube network of more than 1,350 company-owned and franchised locations across Canada and the United States.
Mario Toneguzzi is a Troy Media business reporter based in Calgary.
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