Benjamin Randall Vickers started trading in oils as an agent for a Liverpool company
First recorded transaction on BRV account
When a customer was let down by the Liverpool based company and refused the order, Benjamin Randall Vickers recorded the first transaction on his own account.
Benjamin Randall Vickers developed a wool processing lubricant which contributed to the industry, business and society
In the 1870s the first and second generations addressed a problem for wool textile processors: spontaneous combustion of oiled wool, causing mill fires which could destroy an entire factory. Working with the insurance companies and others, Vickers promoted a new wool processing lubricant ("distilled oleine") which had much greater resistance to oxidation and spontaneous combustion. This saved livelihoods, buildings, materials, and costs: all contributing to the sustainability of an industry (and of his own business!).
Launch of Non-Corrosive Engine Oil (“NEO”) for marine engines – the start of our marine lubricants business
UK Patent for Vickers Improved Stern Tube Appliance (VISTA)
Introduction of paid holiday in 1932
Sickness benefit introduced in 1933
Pay, working conditions and job security radically improved by Farrar Vickers.
Vickers launched the first SPOTLESS oils for lubricating textile knitting machinery
Vickers pioneered the development of “coning oils”
Coning Oils were developed for the preparation of the new synthetic fibers, especially nylon and polyester. Vickers Oils became a world market leader in this segment
Introduced HYDROX 21 famous as “Leak stopper” marine lube.
Reducing the rate of leakage by around 70%, HYDROX 21 played a part in preventing the seawaters getting polluted by oil leakages and protecting the sterntube bearings from corrosion and wear from lack of lubrication.
R&D into marine EALs began
From an idea given to us by a Swedish customer, Vickers Oils began a four-year programme of developing and testing various formulas for marine Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (“Bio-Lubes”) in our Research Laboratory in Leeds. This was followed by extensive testing and five years’ sea trials.
Riverside Oil storage tanks moved 20 meters inland
Oil storage tanks were moved as a preventative measure to eliminate the risk of pollution into the waterway.
Pioneered into the marine market with the first sterntube EAL
After 9 years of extensive research and development, Vickers Oils launched the first commercially available products to the global marine industry, with the range of HYDROX BIO sterntube lubricants.
Awarded for its contribution towards protecting the marine environment.
Vickers Oils were awarded the prestigious ‘Seatrade Award for Protection of Maritime and Atmospheric Environment’ at an award ceremony in London.
Introduction of ECOSURE HSE to the marine industry
Following the success of our HYDROX BIO range, further product research and development resulted in the introduction of ECOSURE HSE, a range of biodegradable hydraulic fluids proven to provide superior performance when compared to similar mineral based hydraulic fluids.
Biodegradable range of greases and gear oils
Launched the biodegradable range of greases and gear oils, BIOGREASE EP2 and BIOGEAR XP.
Reached the milestone of supplying the 1,000th vessel
With the marine industry recognising the need for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants the number of shipping companies using our products had grown significantly and resulted in us reaching this milestone.
Our EAL products were certified as VGP compliant.
Eleven years after the launch of our first marine EAL in 2002, the use of EALs in below-the-waterline equipment was mandated for vessels calling in US waters by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in its 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP). Our EALs were certified as VGP compliant.
New filling and blending equipment was installed
New boiler house, tank farm and solar panels were installed on site.
New preheating chambers and loading bays were installed
Invested in the state-of-the-art R&D laboratory, 3.5 times larger than the previous laboratory.
Expanded our EAL/biodegradable range with additional hydraulic fluids, wire rope and corrosions prevention lubricants.
Vickers Oils sustainability task force was set up
With 7 members from various divisions of the company, a task force was set up to bring together various initiatives, from reducing gas usage, through buying electric forklift trucks to massive reductions in waste, which together are making the company more environmentally sustainable.
Planned production facility as further investment into the site and business.
We benefit from being based on a site acquired by the 2nd generation, almost 150 years ago, which we have developed and adapted regularly through the generations.
