Mumbai: Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd (GOLIL) has outlined an ambitious growth and transformation strategy as the global Gulf brand celebrates its 125th anniversary, announcing plans to increase manufacturing capacity by 70% to 240 million litres by March 2027. The Hinduja Group-backed company is also expanding its focus beyond conventional lubricants into electric vehicle charging infrastructure, advanced fluid technologies and sustainable industrial solutions.
The expansion forms part of Gulf Oil’s broader strategy to strengthen its existing lubricants business while preparing for changes in automotive technology, industrial demand and mobility. Its investments will cover EV charging hardware, software and connectivity, alongside sustainable oils and data-centre cooling technologies.
The company marked the anniversary with a special event in Mumbai attended by customers, distributors and business partners. Gulf Oil International Chairman Sanjay Hinduja joined brand ambassadors MS Dhoni and Smriti Mandhana for the celebrations.
The occasion also saw the introduction of a new anniversary film, Born to be Behad, featuring Dhoni, and the announcement of Generation Behad, an initiative aimed at empowering 125,000 women in mobility-related activities and careers.
Gulf Oil Bets on India for Its Next Phase of Growth
Founded in 1901, Gulf has developed into an international lubricants and energy-related brand operating in more than 100 countries. India has emerged as an important market for the company, with Gulf Oil reporting growth at two to three times the broader market rate over the past 15 years.
The company describes itself as India’s second-largest private lubricant brand, supported by an established distribution network, partnerships with more than 50 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and a global research and development hub in Chennai.
With the automotive industry increasingly embracing electrification and new mobility technologies, Gulf Oil is seeking to diversify its business while continuing to invest in conventional lubricants.
The planned manufacturing capacity expansion to 240 million litres by March 2027 reflects its expectations of sustained demand in India. At the same time, investments in EV infrastructure and advanced industrial fluids are intended to create additional growth opportunities.
For a company historically associated with keeping engines running smoothly, its next chapter could involve considerably more than what goes inside an engine.
Reflecting on the company’s direction, Mr. Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, said:
“Gulf’s 125-year legacy is a story of evolution, built on the strength of its values and the trust it has earned across generations. Across the more than 100 countries we operate in, India has been one of our fastest growing and most consistent markets for over 15 years. It holds significant opportunity to accelerate growth, by strengthening our leadership in lubricants while building new avenues in value-added services, e-mobility and other allied areas on the strategic fit. We intend to lead this journey with superior and cleaner technologies, bold innovation and a workforce built for tomorrow. India’s growth story will be an important part of Gulf’s next phase.”
Digitalisation, Sustainability and EV Infrastructure Take Centre Stage
Beyond increasing manufacturing capacity, Gulf Oil is undertaking an organisational transformation covering digital technologies, sustainability and customer engagement.
The company plans to strengthen its last-mile connectivity with customers and business partners while developing capabilities in emerging mobility and industrial applications.
Its stated priorities include supporting circular economy practices, developing cleaner technologies and encouraging sustainable development.
The diversification strategy also extends to data-centre cooling, an area that presents opportunities for specialised fluid engineering as digital infrastructure grows.
These investments indicate Gulf Oil’s intention to maintain its position in the conventional lubricants market while developing capabilities that could remain relevant as vehicle powertrains and industrial technologies evolve.
MS Dhoni Fronts ‘Born to be Behad’ Anniversary Campaign
To commemorate the 125-year milestone, Gulf Oil introduced its anniversary film, Born to be Behad, featuring long-time brand ambassador MS Dhoni.
The campaign draws on the company’s Kuch Behad Kar brand platform, which centres on the idea of moving beyond conventional limits.
Mr. Ravi Chawla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said:
“Our 125th anniversary is a testament to our commitment, bold decisions, relentless innovation and enduring partnerships. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also defining where we want to go next. While looking ahead to an evolving future, these partnerships will matter more than ever. ‘Born to be Behad’ reflects who we have always been, a brand that goes beyond the limits set for it. Going forward, our brand platform, ‘Kuch Behad Kar’, will carry that spirit into everything we do.”
The anniversary campaign accompanies the company’s larger effort to reposition itself for a changing mobility landscape rather than serving solely as a celebration of its history.
Smriti Mandhana Launches Initiative to Empower 1.25 Lakh Women
A major announcement during the celebrations was the launch of Generation Behad, an initiative through which Gulf Oil has pledged to empower 125,000 women in the mobility sector.
Launched by Indian cricketer and Gulf Oil brand ambassador Smriti Mandhana, the programme will focus on improving mobility-related knowledge and creating opportunities for women to enter professions traditionally dominated by men.
These include careers as drivers and mechanics, with the initiative seeking to encourage greater female participation through training and empowerment.
Aarthy Sridhar, Chief Marketing Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said:
“Smriti has shown what happens when the field opens for women in cricket, the talent was always there; it just needed the space. Now it is time for mobility, where women continue to be under-represented. With Generation Behad, we want to create that space, helping women train for and step into roles from behind the wheel to under the bonnet.”
The initiative adds a social dimension to Gulf Oil’s transformation plans, linking its business expansion with efforts to improve representation and accessibility in the mobility workforce.
A 125-Year-Old Brand Prepares for a Changing Mobility Industry
Gulf Oil’s anniversary comes at a time when the automotive and industrial sectors are navigating technological changes, including electrification, digitalisation and increasing demand for more sustainable solutions.
For established lubricant manufacturers, these developments present both opportunities and challenges. Conventional engine lubricants remain important to existing vehicle fleets, while the emergence of electric mobility and advanced industrial applications is creating demand for different technologies and services.
Gulf Oil’s strategy reflects this transition, combining investment in its established manufacturing operations with expansion into EV charging, advanced fluids and related infrastructure.
Its long-term ambitions will depend on how effectively these investments translate into business growth, technological capabilities and customer adoption.
As Gulf enters its next 125 years, its plans in India illustrate a broader transformation underway across the automotive supply industry: companies built around the internal combustion engine are increasingly preparing for a future in which mobility, energy and technology are more closely connected. The challenge for Gulf Oil will be to turn its established brand recognition into lasting relevance in that changing market.
