As Gulf celebrates 125 years of global legacy, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd (GOLIL) is setting its sights on a bigger, bolder future, unveiling an accelerated growth and transformation agenda that goes well beyond lubricants.

 

Building on its legacy of trust and backed by the Hinduja Group's long-term commitment to India, the company is targeting a 70% increase in manufacturing capacity to 240 million litres by March 2027. At the same time, it is stepping up investments in EV charging infrastructure, advanced fluid engineering, digitalisation and sustainable mobility solutions.

 

The milestone is being celebrated with a new brand film, 'Born to be Behad', featuring brand ambassador MS Dhoni. The campaign captures Gulf's ambition to challenge boundaries and take its legacy into new growth territories.

 

The celebrations were kicked off with a special evening in Mumbai, bringing together key customers, distributors and partners who have contributed to the brand's journey in India. The occasion was graced by Gulf Oil International Chairman Sanjay Hinduja, along with brand ambassadors MS Dhoni and Smriti Mandhana.

 

Founded in 1901, Gulf is a globally recognised brand with a presence in more than 100 countries. In India, GOLIL has grown at two to three times the market rate over the past 15 years, establishing itself as the country's No. 2 private lubricant brand.

 

But the company is now looking beyond its traditional strengths. Its growth strategy spans sustainable oils, data-centre cooling solutions, EV charging technologies and industrial applications, supported by partnerships with more than 50 OEMs and a global R&D hub in Chennai.

 

Reflecting on the milestone, Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, said, “Gulf’s 125-year legacy is a story of evolution, built on the strength of its values and the trust it has earned across generations. Across the more than 100 countries we operate in, India has been one of our fastest growing and most consistent markets for over 15 years. 

 

"It holds significant opportunity to accelerate growth, by strengthening our leadership in lubricants while building new avenues in value-added services, e-mobility and other allied areas on the strategic fit. We intend to lead this journey with superior and cleaner technologies, bold innovation and a workforce built for tomorrow. India’s growth story will be an important part of Gulf’s next phase.”

 

For Gulf Oil Lubricants India, the 125-year milestone is as much about the future as it is about its legacy. The company is looking to combine manufacturing scale, technology and deeper customer engagement to capture emerging opportunities across India's evolving mobility and industrial landscape.

 

Ravi Chawla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said, “Our 125th anniversary is a testament to our commitment, bold decisions, relentless innovation and enduring partnerships. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also defining where we want to go next. 

 

"While looking ahead to an evolving future, these partnerships will matter more than ever. ‘Born to be Behad’ reflects who we have always been, a brand that goes beyond the limits set for it. Going forward, our brand platform, ‘Kuch Behad Kar’, will carry that spirit into everything we do.”

 

A major highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the launch of Generation Behad, an ambitious initiative through which Gulf has pledged to empower 125,000 women in mobility. Launched by Smriti Mandhana, the initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in the mobility sector by equipping women with knowledge, training and opportunities to pursue careers as drivers, mechanics and other mobility professionals.

 

Aarthy Sridhar, Chief Marketing Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said, “Smriti has shown what happens when the field opens for women in cricket, the talent was always there; it just needed the space. Now it is time for mobility, where women continue to be under-represented. With Generation Behad, we want to create that space, helping women train for and step into roles from behind the wheel to under the bonnet.”