ILMA Compoundings - Jul/Aug 2021 - 3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Chuck Decker
American Oil &
Supply International, LLC
Treasurer
Michael Damiani
Radco Industries, Inc.
Secretary
Ann Ball
CIMCOOL Industrial
Products LLC
Immediate Past President
Barbara Kudis
Allegheny Petroleum
Products Co.
Barbara A. Bellanti
Battenfeld Grease &
Oil Corporation of N.Y.
Richard Camper
Pacific Precision
Formulators Inc.
James Carroll
Schaeffer Manufacturing Co.
Dave Croghan
Maxum Petroleum
Catharine T. Golden
Etna Products, Inc.
Frank H. Hamilton III
South Atlantic Services, Inc.
Greg Julian
Advanced Lubrication
Specialties
John Lorimor
Aerospace Lubrication Inc.
Kent Morris
Pinnacle Oil, Inc.
David Richards
RichardsApex, Inc.
Michael Skuratovich
Eastern Oil Co.
STAFF
Chief Executive Officer
Holly Alfano
Associate Director
Martha F. Jolkovski
Director of
Communications
Caitlin Jacobs
Director of Member
Engagement
Tim Mack
EDITORIAL, DESIGN
Contributing Editor
Caitlin Jacobs
THE YGS GROUP
Senior Managing Editor
Sam Hoffmeister
Content & Copy Director
Craig Lauer
MEDIA SALES
President
Jack Davidson
Vice President
Serena L. Spiezio
Copy Editor
Amanda Holahan
Account Manager
Max Lalwani
Advertising Account
Executive
Jeryl Parade
jeryl.parade@theYGSgroup.com
INDEPENDENT LUBRICANT
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
675 North Washington Street, Suite 275, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-684-5574 * Fax: 703-836-8503 * www.ilma.org
Editorial, Design, Media Sales, & Printed by The YGS Group
800-501-9571 * www.theygsgroup.com
Compoundings (USPS 003-447) is published monthly by the
Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association,
675 North Washington Street, Suite 275
Alexandria, VA 22314.
Annual subscriptions: Members, $75 of annual dues;
nonmembers, $185. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA
and additional mailing offices.
ISSN 1042-508X
POSTMASTER: send address changes to
Compoundings, 675 North Washington Street, Suite 275,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
© 2021 Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association.
All Rights Reserved.
ILMA is pleased to present a variety of viewpoints in Compoundings
magazine. Readers should keep in mind that bylined articles represent
the views of the named author or authors and not necessarily
the opinions, viewpoints or positions of ILMA.
Designer
Mark St. Amand
Director of Marketing
Amber Lopez
Meetings Manager
Meg Thaxton
Accounting Manager
Margaret Smith
General Counsel
Jeffrey L. Leiter
Associate Counsel
Matthew Levetown
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Taking It In, Learning Together
I
have just returned from our highly successful ILMA ReEngage meeting. If I
had to sum up the event in one word, I would say, " Energy! " The 432 members
who attended fed off of each other's excitement, creating a positive vibe at
the meeting. After spending many months in lockdowns, burdened with masks
and social distancing, ILMA members were vaccinated and ready to abandon
COVID-19 restrictions. A lot of hugs were exchanged. It was wonderful.
I always learn a lot from ILMA meetings. What did I learn from this one? I
confirmed that our members are among the most social group I've ever been associated
with. It's clear that there's no substitute for seeing colleagues face to face.
Even though there were smiles on their faces, members openly shared the
challenges they have endured since the pandemic began. It hasn't been easy for
our industry, and a few themes dominated the discussion at the meeting.
* Supply chain: It's been broken for a while, with multiple factors contributing
to the problems, including lockdowns during the pandemic that slowed
shipments of products from around the world, particularly China. The
issues with China were exacerbated by tariffs that were in place before the
pandemic began.
The winter storm in Houston and ensuing power outages crippled the oil
industry there, and it continues to recover. Refiners are optimistic that base
stock availability will increase as demand for fuels ramps up. Production
of base oils is dependent on vacuum gas oil, which is a byproduct of fuels
refining. Container and tank shortages also plague the industry, in addition
to scarcities of raw materials and parts stemming from lockdowns, the labor
shortage and shipping woes.
* Driver shortage: Yes, truck drivers are a part of the supply chain, but this
growing shortage is an issue unto itself. Before the pandemic, the American
Trucking Associations reported a shortfall of 61,000 drivers. The problem
is only going to be magnified in coming years and could reach a deficit of
160,000 drivers by 2028. Tank truck drivers are in high demand, a particular
challenge given the additional training and certifications required for drivers
in the lubricants industry. The National Tank Truck Carriers reported earlier
this year that 25% of tank trucks are now parked with no one to drive them.
Despite all of the difficulties members are managing, it's clear that coming
together in person is important. People were happy, and an upbeat vibe permeated
the gatherings.
If you missed ReEngage, don't worry. We will be meeting again soon. The
ILMA Annual Meeting is Oct. 9-12 at JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix.
Registration will be opening in mid-July.
Holly Alfano
Chief Executive Officer
3
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