LUBRICATION EXPERT
What best describes your goal?
Training Courses >>
Looking to upskill your team? Or maybe just looking to take your own career to the next level? We have a range of training options, including internationally recognised certifications. Live, online, or custom – we’ve got you covered.
Need formulation help? Maybe you need to restructure your service offer, get help marketing your business. Or maybe you need to get connected with other suppliers and manufacturers in the industry? Our team of experts can cover any challenge that you can imagine.
Want better uptime? Better reliability? Your lube program is probably the best ROI maintenance activity available to you. We’ll align you with best practice in line with the ICML 55 lubrication management standard.
Industry Leaders that Trust Us
The Lubrication Excellence Framework
SELECT
Supplier Selection and Lubrication System Design
Proper supplier selection and lubrication system design are foundational to ensuring machine reliability. By partnering with technically competent suppliers, businesses gain access to high-quality lubricants, expert guidance, and condition monitoring support, all of which are essential for reducing equipment wear and failure. Thoughtfully designed lubrication systems prevent contamination, simplify maintenance tasks, and ensure consistent application of the correct lubricant, reducing the likelihood of errors. Together, these elements ensure that machines operate efficiently, experience fewer breakdowns, and achieve longer service life, ultimately optimizing the organization’s maintenance budget and reliability metrics.
INSPECT
Machine and Lubricant Inspection & Maintenance Lubrication Tasks
Regular and thorough inspections of machines and lubricants are vital for early detection of issues such as contamination, wear, or improper application. By integrating inspections into maintenance schedules and aligning them with failure modes, businesses can proactively address potential problems before they escalate into costly failures or downtime. Documenting and analyzing inspection results provides actionable insights, helping refine maintenance practices and improve equipment reliability over time. This systematic approach ensures that lubrication processes directly support the smooth and efficient operation of machinery, extending asset life and reducing overall maintenance costs.
DETECT
Condition Monitoring & Lubricant Analysis
Detecting issues early through condition monitoring and lubricant analysis is critical for preventing unexpected failures and optimizing machine performance. By tracking key indicators like contamination, wear debris, and lubricant degradation, businesses can proactively address problems before they escalate. Regular analysis of lubricant samples provides valuable insights into equipment health and efficiency, enabling data-driven maintenance decisions. This proactive approach reduces unplanned downtime, enhances operational reliability, and extends the lifespan of both machinery and lubricants, delivering significant cost savings and improved productivity.
PROTECT
Health, Safety and Environment & Lubrication Support Facilities
The Protect framework safeguards both equipment and personnel by ensuring proper handling and storage of lubricants and maintaining safe and efficient lubrication support facilities. Contamination prevention measures, such as clean storage, labeled containers, and spill containment, reduce the risk of introducing debris or moisture into machinery, which can cause significant damage. Additionally, adhering to safety and environmental standards minimizes operational disruptions while ensuring compliance. By focusing on these elements, businesses not only protect their workforce and the environment but also enhance machine reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure the longevity of both equipment and lubricants.
CONNECT
Training and Competency & Data Management
The Connect framework links human expertise with robust data management systems to enhance lubrication practices and machine reliability. Well-trained personnel ensure proper lubricant application, contamination control, and system maintenance, while effective data management enables tracking trends, identifying risks, and optimizing maintenance schedules. Together, these elements build a foundation of informed decision-making and continuous improvement, reducing downtime, minimizing errors, and maximizing the efficiency and lifespan of equipment. By fostering collaboration between teams and leveraging data, businesses can create a culture of reliability and excellence in lubrication management.
REFLECT
Continuous Improvement (Rinse & Repeat)
The Reflect framework ensures that businesses regularly assess their lubrication programs to identify weaknesses, learn from past performance, and implement improvements. By analyzing data from inspections, audits, and KPIs, organizations can refine processes, address recurring issues, and enhance overall efficiency. This culture of reflection and adaptation ensures that lubrication practices evolve to meet changing operational demands and incorporate new technologies. As a result, businesses achieve greater reliability, reduce downtime, and extend the lifespan of both equipment and lubricants, solidifying their commitment to excellence and sustainability in maintenance practices.
Lubrication Explained Pro
The perfect tools and learning path for you or your team
LX Pro Synthetic
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All Certification Training
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All short courses
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Lubrication XPT AI Chat
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Lubricant Selection Tool
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Gear Oil Calculators
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Bearing Oil Calculators
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Lube Program Audit Tool
For Business Teams
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Everything in LX Pro Synthetic, plus
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Manager reports
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Account management tools
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Minimum 10 Licenses
Meet Our Experts
AUSTRALIA
Rafe Britton
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – LUBRICATION EXPERT
Lubricant Marketing, Formulation, lubrication program optimization
Rafe Britton, the Lubrication Expert, is known within the industry for his YouTube channel and podcast, and works with mid-size industrials improve their equipment uptime while reducing the cost of their lubrication program. He is a mechanical engineer with 13 years of experience on both sides of the industry; both as an operator, and lubricant supplier. Rafe holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Physics from UNSW.
Rafe is a technical committee member for the Australian Lubricants Association, a Precision Lubrication Magazine editorial board member, an advisory board member of Lubricant Expo, exam board member of the International Council of Machinery Lubrication and a technical editor of TLT, the monthly publication of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. Rafe is ICML MLE, MLA III, MLT II, VIM and VPR certified and is a Chartered Professional Engineer through Engineers Australia.
USA
Lake Speed Jr
CEO – SPEED DIAGNOSTIX
ENGINE OILS, FORMULATION, TRIBOLOGY
The son of a former NASCAR driver and World Karting Champion, Lake Speed Jr holds both STLE CLS and OMA 1 Certifications. While working for Joe Gibbs Racing, Lake led a development team that applied the science of Tribology to NASCAR engines and drivetrains.
In the 8 seasons prior to the development program, Joe Gibbs Racing won 17 races and no championships. In the first 8 seasons of the development program, Joe Gibbs Racing won 41 races and 3 championships. Overall, the lubricants developed for JGR have enabled over 10 championships and 100 victories.
USA
Elaine Hepley
CEO – SOLANA CONSULTING SERVICES
OIL ANALYSIS, VARNISH MITIGATION
Elaine Hepley has 15 years industry experience with condition monitoring, varnish analysis, data statistics, technical training, professional development and public speaking. She is passionate about all things varnish and enjoys working with others to help them understand the formation of varnish, data interpretation and varnish mitigation. Aside from that, Elaine has extensive experience in Technical Training in Diesel Fuel and Oil Analysis. Elaine will be providing services in both English and in spanish and genuinely enjoys helping and training others.
Elaine is a CLS and OMA certified professional and currently sits on the STLE board of directors. Elaine currently also serves on the following committees with STLE, OMA, DEI and Certification Committee. She has obtained a certificate from Cornell University for Women in Leadership.
TRINIDAD
Sanya Mathura
CEO – Strategic reliability solutions
VARNISH MITIGATION, oil degradation
Sanya Mathura brings her 15 years of experience to provide her clients with solutions to complex problems in various industries revolving around machinery lubrication issues. With a BSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering, a MSc in Engineering Asset Management and a history of solving / troubleshooting machinery lubrication challenges globally, she has the ability to break down complex problems and help create solutions.
She is an internationally published author and has written 4 technical books to date along with being the editor for the “Empowering women in STEM” series of books. While her expertise resonates in lubricant degradation, she is a strong advocate for women in STEM.
USA
Gary Dudley
PRESIDENT – GKD CONSULTING & SERVICES
GREASE FORMULATION & MARKETING
Gary Dudley possesses over 27 years of expertise in the lubricants industry, with experiences covering synthetic base stocks, lubricant formulations, aviation, marketing, planning, and greases. Holding a Ph.D. in chemistry, he has assumed diverse roles, including Research Chemist, Product Manager, and Technology Manager. Having dedicated years to the development and marketing of lubricants, Gary is enthusiastic about collaborating with companies to address their lubrication requirements and challenges.
He is a proud member of STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers) and NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute).
United Kingdom
Steve Knapp
CEO – Plan. Grow. Do.
lubricant sales
Steve Knapp is one of the UK’s most celebrated and influential sales experts. A best-selling author and much sought-after keynote speaker – his inspirational selling techniques are still the cornerstone of Shell, one of the world’s biggest brands where he spent over 14 years in global sales excellence roles. The Sheffield-based entrepreneur rose through the ranks of the multi-national to become responsible for the success of the company’s sales teams right across the globe.
In 2021, along with his business partner Rob Taylor, he co-authored ‘Modern Sales Leadership’ to rave reviews from many international sales leaders. His thinking on the future of organisation/cultural change and its impact on sales culture/growing sales has been in big demand.
United Kingdom
Trevor Gauntlett
Principal Consultant, Trevor Gauntlett Consulting
Additives & Lubricant Chemistry, Market Analysis
Trevor is a consultant, writer and podcaster on Lubricants matters, focusing on new chemistry & business processes. He has been independent since 2016, offering market analysis and consulting with chemicals companies and startups on opportunities for market entries in lubricants. He began writing for Lubes’n’Greases EMEA in 2017 and has written regularly for several industry magazines since.
Trevor spent 18 years with Shell at the Lubricants/supplier interface, responsible for Lubricants component & formulation quality and regulatory HSE (e.g. REACH, the Biocides Directive, TSCA and OEM compliance). He also managed Shell’s Lubricants Quality System, taking it into the world of “big data,” covering thousands of products, formulations, components, QC tests, technical and HSE data.
Over 12 years spanning academic research, working for the British chemicals company ICI & his early years at Shell he utilised big science (synchrotron radiation) to elucidate chemical structures, mainly of petrochemical and electro-catalysts under operating conditions.
His PhD and post-doctoral studies of petrochemical catalysts were highly relevant to the development of Lubricants base fluids (GTL and metallocene PAO) in the 21st century.
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