In the latest profile with our worldwide network of partners and distributors, we speak to Eurico Ferreira, Product Manager of Industry and Marine Lubricants, within our Portuguese-based partner Galp.
Eurico looks at the close and positive working relationship with Total that spans almost 70 years, the added value that the working relationship brings customers and what the future lubricants market could look like.
Can you tell us a little about Galp?
Based in Lisbon, Galp’s history goes back two centuries and is closely associated with the industrial evolution of Portugal. In 1846, Lisbon saw the introduction of gas lamp lighting. Technical, economic and social developments have contributed to the evolution to oil and currently, natural gas and electricity. Today we are an energy company committed to the development of efficient and sustainable solutions in our operations and in the integrated offers to our customers. We create simple, flexible, and competitive solutions for the energy or mobility needs of industries and small and medium sized businesses as well as the individual consumer.
Our offer comprises various types of energy - electricity from renewable sources to natural gas and liquid fuel. As a producer, we operate in the extraction of oil and natural gas from reservoirs located miles below the sea surface and we are one of the main Iberian producers of solar-based electricity. We contribute to the economic development of the 11 countries in which we operate and to the social progress of the communities that host us.
When it comes to lubricants, our lubricants plant has a production capacity of 80 kilotons per year.
What is your experience within Galp?
With a degree in Business Administration management and a Post Graduation in Industrial Engineering in Lean Approach, I joined Galp in 2000 where I worked in the Matosinhos refinery operations, a petro-chemical complex, for almost 15 years in different roles, including the Base Oil production plant. I also worked at our fuels plant on a project that involved the construction of new production units within the petro-chemical complex. It was certainly an excellent place to develop skills and knowledge.
From there I went to work in the planning and scheduling team that manages the refinery supply and production. It was a very interesting role and gave me the opportunity see right across the production and refining industry. Then in 2020 I moved to Lisbon to become the product manager for the Industrial and Marine Lubricants portfolio. This is where I started working directly with the Total Lubmarine team.
Can you tell us more about the relationship with Total Lubmarine?
Galp was one of the founding partners in 1952 with ELF (which over time became Total), so this is a long-standing and positive relationship of collaboration. Galp and Total Lubmarine are partners on the marine lubricants side of the business and we enjoy a very strong partnership with our teams working very closely together.
We produce Marine lubricants using Lubmarine’s additives at our Matosinhos blending plant and we sell co-branded Marine products to international maritime clients across Portugal, São Tomé and Principe, Guiné Bissau and Cape Verde. Total Lubmarine undertakes the development of the Marine lubricants and we produce the products using our technology and raw materials. Customers include many fishing fleets and shipping container vessels and bulk carriers as well as cargo vessels that pass through our waters and harbours. We also have a very important client in the luxury cruise shipping industry.
What are the important factors for Galp about the working partnership with Total Lubmarine?
Our partnership with Total Lubmarine helps us deliver high performance products and services to our clients no matter where they are in the world. We have global reach and consistent quality and that is valuable for us, and our customers.
A refinery is a very complex place and I learned very quickly the importance of supplying good quality products and services, with predictability and consistency. Every day our focus is to add value to our clients – adding to the level of service and technical assistance we can offer them. We have to attend to the needs of every client. So in addition to great products, having the scope of analysis services provided by the Total Lubmarine laboratories and team is very important.
The marine industry is very focused on detail and technical support is highly valued by our customers. Because we have constant contact with our sales teams and our customers, we can not only look at their present needs but also focus at the future needs of customers including environmental impacts and use this to develop new products with Total Lubmarine.
Have you seen an impact as a result of Coronavirus?
We have actually seen a slight growth in the sales of lubricants to the international Maritime market, despite Coronavirus.
What do you think the future looks like within the Lubricants sector?
We see growth areas, increasing value to our clients, while focussing around increased technology in lubricants, low carbon and carbon neutral products aimed at helping our customers make savings both in lubricants, emissions, fuel and money.
When you are not working what do you like to do?
I am married and we have one child, so we enjoy spending as much time as we can spend with our son. Family time is very important. I also like to read and study a lot of content about business disruption and personal growth, in addition to getting out in nature and exercising.