Nulon, an Australian family-owned company until sold to Fuchs last year, will remain a separate brand name.

Nulon lubricants and additives were previously made in Moorebank in New South Wales. It will now join the Fuchs products at two facilities at Sunshine, Victoria, and Beresford, NSW.

The production change also sees Fuchs commit to invest a total of $5 million to upgrade the two production facilities.

Fuchs Australasia managing director Wayne Hoiles said: “We are investing $4 million to upgrade these two facilities to manufacture Nulon products and engine coolants with a greater level of automation.”

The business is also investing more than $1 million in new IT systems and technology to integrate the production.

“The move means that we will have greater capacity to increase production volume and allows Nulon improved scope to deliver innovative new products to the market,” Mr Hoiles said.

“We will remain the only automotive fluids supplier who is manufacturing lubricants, additives, greases and engine coolants in Australia.”

He said Fuchs and Nulon customers will further benefit from global technology and local manufacturing capabilities.

“All Nulon products will benefit from world best-practice production standards and customers will continue to receive best-in-breed products that their consumers rely on them to provide,” he said.

“We are committed to manufacturing Nulon products in Australia and will continue to market Nulon as a separate iconic Australian brand.”

Fuchs bought Nulon to expand its presence in the Australian automotive retail sector. Fuchs already supplies its branded oil products to automotive markets.

At the time of its acquisition, Mr Hoiles said it was a very strong fit for both companies.

“It is two family-run businesses coming together. Fuchs’ strong research and development capabilities will enhance the innovation platform that Nulon is best known for,” he said.

Nulon was founded in 1980 by Leon Simons and is now run by his sons, Greg and John.

It employs about 60 people and its products are sold through auto accessory retail outlets in Australia and New Zealand.

Fuchs Group is the world’s biggest independent lubricant manufacturer. It was started in Mannheim in 1931 and now employs more than 5000 people worldwide at 58 operating companies. Its main sales markets are Western Europe, Asia and North America.

By Neil Dowling