MOTUL

MOTUL is one of the oldest in the world producer of lubrication materials, founded in 1853. MOTUL is not engaged in oil recovery, it specializes directly in oil refining.  That’s why the quality of its products is its most important feature, a main competitive advantage and a means of survival.

The best way to understand the high quality of the products is to look through MOTUL history, its main development stages and numerous victories.

1853
The foundation of “Swan&Finch” corporation, one of MOTUL trade marks.

1932
“Finch” oils start to get imported to France by the company "Supra Penn", founded by Ernst Zaugg. Being positioned as a product of the highest quality, the brand MOTUL appears in France.

1934
The first oils for piston aviation are produced under MOTUL Aviation brand.

MOTUL starts to conquer the sky together with the aviation pioneers.

1944
“Swan&Finch” company directs its production to military equipment and starts producing oils for tanks, jeeps, airplanes and so on.

1953
"“Swan&Finch” celebrats its 100th anniversary and releases its first multigrade oil MOTUL Century at the factory "Bobigny" in France.

1960
The beginning of 60s is marked by technical progress. In 1966 MOTUL produces the first in the world semi-synthetic oil MOTUL Century 2100 at its own plant in Vernes sur Marnes.

1965
MOTUL moves to Aubervilliers Felix Faure, where it has been located up to now.

1966
The mass production of MOTUL Century 2100 is adjusted, which conquers a big part of the French market. 

1969
The Zaugg family buys a trade mark "MOTUL" and founds a new French company MOTUL S.A. The development of export starts.

1971
After several years of research MOTUL produces a range MOTUL Century 300V – first in the world 100% synthetic oil. The beginning of development of the motorcycle range in cooperation with Kawasaki. Creation of esters’ technology.

1975
Taking part in Formula-I racings, MOTUL tests and improves the quality of its products. It achieves the greatest results with Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Henri Pescarolo driving BRM.

1981
After the first world oil crisis new oil MOTUL Synergie ("fuel saving") is created. This is the year of beginning of the commercial and sporting partnership with BMW (Rothmans MOTUL, Bastos MOTUL), as well as the beginning of the development of branches in Italy, Spain, the USA, Germany to increase the volumes of export sales.

1982
In the automobile show in 1982 MOTUL underlines the new policy of its positioning. The first task has become the disclosure of the company’s image in France and in Export zone through a new corporate style.

1984
Christian Sarron is the first French racer, who is awarded the title of the World Champion in class 250.

An award for the cooperation with Yamaha is received. MOTUL shares the glory of Christian Sarron – a world champion in class 250.

1989
As a logical completion of the export policy, MOTUL receives the "Oscar of export relations", established by the magazine the "New Economist".

1991
MOTUL produces the first in the world 100% biodegradable synthetic oil - MOTUL Bio 2T.

1992
MOTUL approves himself in the motorcycle world as a successful producer of motor oils, thanks to the results of the competitions in France and in the world.

1993
The racers of MOTUL take the first place: Pedro Trater in the motocross class 125, Greg Albertyn in class 250.

The world champion in the top class 500 – Kevin Schwantz.

Scott Russell wins in Daytona 200-miler and becomes a world champion in SuperBike.

1994
MOTUL receives a certificate AFAQ class "A" – quality estimation of the supplier.

1995
A young talented racer H. Aoki brings an award to MOTUL  in class 125.

Another award is brought by the team Guignabodet, which recently has been awarded a champion title in Endurance World Champion.

1996
A continuous progress, plant modernization, a launch of new line of oil filling, the creation of the current range 300V of 5 products, using a new technology of complex esters.

On the 6th of October on the track Nardo (south of Italy) Motul and "Top Performance" (a subsidiary of Minarelli group) has broke the world record of speed on the 2-stroke scooter of 80 class, reaching the speed of 160 km/h.

To continue their innovative achievements, the company MOTUL releases "French Eco Service".

MOTUL receives ISO:9001 certificate, proving the high quality of the production process.

Then comes a "new era" of MOTUL. In order to satisfy the demand in the necessary quantity, a new product line is opened on the plant.

For the two years in succession the company MOTUL and the racer H.Aoki win the world championship of 125 class.

1997
Scott Russell has won for the forth time in motorcycle racing. The results of cooperation in the last years between MOTUL and Yamaha are very successful.

In the same year Yamaha will release two 4-stroke prototypes of class 400 and present as an opponents a 2-stroke prototypes of 500 class.

The creation of two new laboratories "Research & Development" at the plant Vairnes s/Marnes.

1998
In order to remain on the foreground scene MOTUL launches a new range Tekma, assigned for heavy  transport vehicles, this is the oil with the change interval  90 000 km!

MOTUL becomes a world champion in the super cross with R. Reinard - Team Winfield - BIEFE.

MOTUL becomes a champion in France in motorbike with C. Guyot.

1999
First of all 1999 is the year of creation of MOTUL web-site motul.com. This is the biggest source of information for MOTUL partners.

This year is also marked by the release of a new line of motorcycles. This product line of new design is another indication of the leadership of MOTUL on the market of oils for motorcycles.

Andrea Bartolini becomes a world champion in motocross in class 500 with Yamaha 400 4T. The cooperation between Yamaha and MOTUL brings results after four years of common work of the Japanese producer and a technical department of MOTUL.

Kenny Roberts jr. and Andrea Bartolini become world champions in motocross in 500 class.

2000
MOTUL continues creating the brand image and chooses a modern style, expressed by the term "MOTUL Attitude".

MOTUL is a world champion in class 500, a vice-champion of Prodrive Subaru rally, a vice-champion in motocross in classes 500 and 250.

The creation of Factory Line range.

QS9000 – the certification of tougher in comparison with ISO:9001 quality indexes of the production process. 

2001
2001 is a year of victories:

Richard Berns  in rally Prodrive Subaru;
Michael Pichon  in motocross in class 250;
The creation of oil type "Fuel Economy" 6100 5W30 – especially developed for Ford and Rover engines.