Singapore: One of the region’s best-known names in the lubes industry is back. Caroline Huot’s work has seen her head up lube sales for top names such as Total and Gulf Oil Marine. Now, after a stint in Africa with UBI Oil, she has returned to Asia, to Singapore where bunkering giant KPI Bridge Oil has tasked her with setting up a global lubes operation.
KPI Bridge Oil arranges bunker supplies for vessels in more than 2,800 ports and offshore spots worldwide. It now wants to compliment that offering with a dedicated lubes sales team.
“Lubes require a different type of relationship with customers as it’s a much longer term business,” Huot told SeaShip News. She will be bringing in a specialised team as well as using KPI’s existing network.
Similar to what she created at Gulf Oil Marine Huot is determined to build a global network offering 24/7 service.
“Clients are demanding cost efficiency, that is a must in the current client, and is something we will strive to offer,” Huot said.
Lubes are the fourth biggest expense for owners after bunkers, crew and insurance, Huot said.
“It’s important for owners and managers to have a lubes strategy and this is something I’ll be working on with them,” she said. [05/02/13]
