An extension of the localisation partnership between global brand ExxonMobil and African Group Lubricants (AGL) holds the promise of an abundant harvest for South Africa’s agricultural sector.
In May, Stats SA reported that in the first quarter of 2023 more than 888 000 people were employed in primary agriculture, up 5% year-on-year. The agricultural sector has great potential for growth and development.
Mark Kerwan, AGL managing director says, “In order to fully unlock this potential, the sector will need to focus on creating a more enabling environment for investment, innovation and commercialisation. The sector will also need to improve its productivity and efficiency in order to compete in global markets.”
This is where the Mobil AGRI product range will play a vital role – providing extended engine service life, improved engine protection, longer drain intervals and reducing the cost of maintenance for the farmer and as such, improving productivity and lowering cost.
Most important for South African farmers, the range of products specifically designed for engines, clutches, hydraulic systems and wet brakes in tractors and agricultural machinery, will now be blended locally at AGL’s ISO certified and well-established Boksburg facility. Approved by ExxonMobil for its exacting standards, AGL again comes to the rescue of the local market with products of a global standard, made locally to mitigate cost and ensure expertise and jobs remain local too.
This means, that for the first time in more than a decade, these products are now available to the South African agricultural sector, blended in SA to global standards and priced locally. For the sector this will make keeping machinery in excellent working order more affordable and accessible, offering protection from the fluctuating exchange rate and long wait times.
Ahmed El Sadek, AME FDS and Alliances Manager of ExxonMobil says, “ExxonMobil is proud of its long-time presence in South Africa, gaining the trust of its customers across a variety of sectors with its distinguished products. Now we are taking this to the next level through our alliance with AGL to include local blending, meeting customer and industry demands and delivering the optimum consumer experience. This goes to show how both ExxonMobil and AGL relationship is built on a strong foundation of mutual trust, shared values and strategic collaboration.”