Thirty-eight years on, the Vicarys are still on the floor driving Australian innovation

When Gulf Western Oil was founded in 1988, the mission was simple but ambitious: develop lubricants engineered specifically for the demands of Australian conditions.
Nearly four decades on, the company says that founding vision has proven itself many times over.
“What began as a locally focused venture has grown into a multi-million-litre operation, with what is recognised as Australia’s highest quality products distributed across every Australian state and territory and exported to 19 countries worldwide,” Gulf Western Oil Group Sales and Marketing Director, Trent Chapman, said.
Gulf Western Oil offers an extensive range of products which includes heavy duty diesel oils, passenger car oils, industrial oils, hydraulic oils, compressor oils, gear oils, marine oils, two stroke and four stroke oils, transmission fluids, greases, coolants and aerosols.
During 2025 the company indicated it manufactured more than 36,000,000 litres of lubricants at its St Marys facility.
“That growth has been built in partnership with its customers – built, not bought,” Trent said.
“Gulf Western Oil is the only major Australian-owned oil company established by one family from day one, rather than assembled through acquisition.
“Ben Vicary did not inherit the business, nor did he buy it.
“He helped start it in 1988 alongside his father, and he is still there every day – hands-on across blending and logistics, and out with the customers who help build the brand, so the business hears what they actually need.
“If you call Gulf Western Oil with a technical question, you are likely to have Ben answer the phone.
“In a market where lubricant strategy is often set several time zones from the nearest blending tank, that is a real commercial difference: a technical question answered by the person who can make it happen, and a supply problem solved by the person who controls the stock.
“And as much as Ben learned the business from his father, his daughter Hannah Vicary is now working in it, learning it the same way.
“Built by one Australian family from day one means built for Australian conditions.
“Heat, dust, distance and load, our products have been engineered for the conditions, rather than adapted to them.
“Innovation sits at the core of that, backed by premium-quality virgin base oils and technologically advanced, API-approved additive systems, with API Licensing, ISO 9001 / 14001 certification and some of the highest OEM approvals in the market to show for it.”
The investment reportedly follows the same logic.
“Gulf Western Oil puts its money into product and customers,” Trent said.
“The clearest example opens this year – a brand-new warehouse alongside the head office and blending plant at St Marys, NSW, opens in October 2026.
“This will mark an exciting new chapter that advances Australian innovation, deepens product availability, and shortens the line between the blending tank and the workshop.
“This is a true homegrown success story, with a commitment to quality second to none.”
The St Marys facility is open 20 hours per day, and the business will take orders up till 9.00pm at night for next day delivery – providing a service Trent describes as “unparalleled in the industry.”
“Our sales channels are very diverse, well beyond automotive,” he explains.
“We service mining, quarrying, locomotive, marine, industrial stationary gas, transport, industrial, biodegradable, consumables, grease and more!
“As the global majors consolidate, Gulf Western Oil offers the aftermarket something different – a company that has grown every year by building, with the third generation already on the floor.”

For more information, visit www.gulfwestern.com.au