Castrol India, Siemens, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals

CASTROL INDIA Smooth Ride Ahead Castrol India, the well known lubricants company is going through a tough period. Demand for lubricants is derived from the movement of automobiles which is dependent on the general industrial and economic activity. The demand for lubricants from commercial vehicles, which constitutes the bulk of the total market, has been under pressure over the last few years and 2002 was no different. The market volumes from commercial vehicles have declined due to several reasons: The increase in proportion of new technology vehicles such as euro norm compliant vehicles, which consume less oil; old technology trucks extending oil change periods because of cost pressures; and lower tractor utilisation because of difficult conditions in the agriculture sector. This market trend will continue until such time as there is revival in freight market and agricultural activity. The company, understanding the implications of this scenario, has developed strategies to address these structural changes in the market.