Most companies are reluctant to switch lubricant suppliers, and with good reason: depending on the product and application, it can carry significant risks.
The most common trigger is supply. Shortages or delivery failures force companies to look at the issue. Below, we take a closer look at the opportunities and risks for each product category.
To keep this broad topic manageable, we’ll focus solely on industrial lubricants. Metalworking fluids, heat transfer oils and anything automotive are not covered.
This category includes hydraulic, industrial gear, compressor, circulating and turbine oils. The risk of getting it wrong when recommending an alternative is low.
Common designations such as HLP, CLP or CLPG tell you more about properties and minimum standards than about actual quality. While that’s still fairly clear-cut for hydraulic oils, gear oils are a different story: the CLP classification can cover anything from a very basic gear oil to a high-tech one.
If the price difference is small, think carefully before switching. Factor in the extra work for maintenance planning and logistics.
Switching suppliers usually only pays off for large volumes or in exceptional cases. Even then, take a close look, because not all greases are created equal. When comparing products, have you ever checked the base oil viscosity or looked closely at the ingredients? There are more than 64,000 possible variants.
On top of that, a grease has to do far more work than a comparable oil. Although grease is around 75% oil, those few grams have to do the same job as many litres of lubricating oil would otherwise. That’s why a grease can never really be too expensive. You’re better off using a high-quality grease with plenty of performance headroom for general relubrication than reaching for a €2 cartridge. Your machines and their bearings will thank you with a long service life and minimal downtime.
hese oils come into play whenever conditions are too extreme for standard oils to handle. They play a key role in keeping production running smoothly, economically and with minimal wear.
Each one is developed for a very specific, narrowly defined application. Their often relatively high price reflects high-quality raw materials and development costs spread across what are usually small sales volumes.
Switching products requires in-depth expertise and only makes sense if there are real cost benefits. Because the upfront effort can be considerable, carefully weigh up whether the savings truly justify it, especially if price is the main reason for switching.
These are usually the greases that look expensive at first glance. We’ve already covered the basic role of a grease under general-purpose greases. This type, however, should be thought of as a machine element: specifically tailored to its application.
Recommending alternatives is the ultimate test of tribological expertise and should only be done by qualified engineers. General lubricant knowledge isn’t enough. In-depth knowledge of rolling bearings and lubrication engineering is essential. The application itself also plays an important role in the decision, as it can sometimes reveal ways to reduce maintenance effort and the associated costs.
For small quantities, a reputable supplier will give you honest advice, whether that means recommending you stick with your current product or, if switching is genuinely worthwhile, offering targeted advice on how to do it. Price is one thing; the changeover and its consequences are another.
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