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Quaker State
Quaker State
from Wikipedia

Quaker State is an American brand of motor oils, owned by Shell USA, the US-based division of Shell plc.

Key Information

The former Quaker State Oil Refining Company had been constituted in 1924 after the Eastern Refining Co. acquired rights to the Quaker State brand name to the Phinny Brothers Oil Company, which had been producing the Quaker lubricants since 1912, gaining reputation in the U.S. after a deal signed with automotive manufacturer Franklin in 1914. In 1931, it became the "Quaker State Corporation" after merging with another 18 oil companies.[1] In 2002, Shell acquired Pennzoil-Quaker State for $1.8 billion in cash and $1.1 billion in debt.[4][5]

The Quaker State name is derived from the nickname for Pennsylvania,[6] the state founded by William Penn, an adherent of the Quaker religion.

The Pennzoil-Quaker State brands are sold under SOPUS Products with the address of Shell's office in Houston, Texas.

History

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Brand background

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Quaker State's origins may be traced to the founding of Oil City in Pennsylvania, in the 19th century. The petroleum industry of the city brought prosperity, increasing its population from 12 families in 1860 to 6,000 five years later. The name "Quaker State" was adopted in 1912 when T.G. Phinny (owner of the Phinny Brothers Oil Company) used it to distinguish his products from competitors. One of the first goals of the company was to provide lubricants for Franklin Automotive Company of Syracuse, New York, signing a contract to become exclusive oil provider for the company.[1]

By 1915, Quaker State advertised in The Saturday Evening Post becoming a known brand in the U.S.

"The Franklin requirements were severe. Many oils were tested, but Quaker State alone met these requirements." The notice then went on to explain Quaker State's unique attributes, and asked Franklin owners to ask their nearest dealer for the product. It concluded: "Quaker State is certified and guaranteed to be the highest known quality oil suitable for every engine purpose. It prolongs the life of the motor. Will not burn before lubricating. Gives practically double mileage. Prevents engine overheating. Cuts oil bills."

— Quaker State advertisement in The Saturday Evening Post, 1915

Company formation

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In 1924, the Eastern Refining Company" purchased the Quaker State brand name to rename itself "Quaker State Oil Refining Company". On July 1, 1931, the "Quaker State Corporation" was formed when Charles Pape, stockbroker from Chicago, brought 19 regional oil companies, offering them 55,000 shares in the new corporation that resulted after they merge their business. Some of the companies involved were the Eastern Refining Company, Sterling Oil Company of West Virginia, Ohio Valley Refining Company, Enterprise Oil Company Inc., Independent Refining Company, Lake Erie Lubricants Inc., Iron City Oil Company, Gallagher Bros. Inc., and Appaline Oil Company.[1]

Herry Crawford (former president of the 'President Oil Company') become president of the recently formed Quaker State. During its first year, the company ran up $6.8 million in sales. In 1936, the company signed an agreement with the Standard Oil Company becoming its exclusive sales agent for its oil products in 13 Midwestern states. Standard would later put all Quaker State products in its filling stations. Until 1944, Quaker State did not drill oil but it bought crude from other producers, nevertheless the increasing demand for energy during wartime led the company to buy drilling facilities from the Forest Oil Company in Bradford to produce its own crude oil.[1]

Expansion

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1976 Quaker State ad

By 1960, company's sales surpassed the $50 million. In 1964 Quaker State purchased the Truck-Lite Company of Falconer, New York, to diversify its business. The top sales for the company came in the 1970s, when it had profits of $10.7 million. Quaker State opened a new refinery in Newell, West Virginia, that allowed the company to reach sales of $300 million in 1975. During the following years, Quaker State acquired the Valley Camp Coal Co (1976) and new headquarters on Elm Street in Oil City, also buying car parts suppliers, Corn Brothers of Smyrna, Georgia; National Oil Company of Newark, New Jersey; and Texstar Automotive Corporation, based in St. Louis, Missouri.[1]

In the 1980s, Quaker State continued its expansion with the acquisitions of the Heritage Insurance Group (an insurance company), Helen Mining Company (coal producer), and shares to Minit-Lube Inc. to offer car maintenance services.[1]

Acquisition and bankruptcy

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In 1989, the company reorganized itself into five divisions, including the refining corporation, car maintenance, insurance, trucks, and energy. This operation brought a decrease in sales and profits. In January 1990, the Quaker State Corporation's petroleum business split from the parent company, giving the name "Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation". Months later, Quaker State sold some of its facilities. By 1991, the motor oil business produced 92% of profits for the company, while all other sectors were losing money or barely profitable.

Quaker Motor oil bottles at a store in 2009

By 1992, sales had dropped to $724 million (more than 25%). In 1994, Quaker State sold its insurance business and purchased Speciality Oil Corp. for $90 million. In 1995, the company announced that it would move to Dallas and sell its natural gas business to focus on lubricants.[1]

In 1998, Quaker State was acquired by rival company Pennzoil, becoming "Pennzoil-Quaker State Company".[3][7] In 2002, Shell Oil Company (the US-based subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell) acquired Pennzoil-Quaker State. At the moment of the purchase, Pennzoil-Quaker was the largest motor oil manufacturer in the United States. On the other side, Shell expected to become leader in the U.S. and global lubricants markets.[2]

Sponsorship

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NASCAR's Chevrolet Monte Carlo sponsored by Quaker State

The former Pennzoil-Quaker State Company sponsored the IndyCar race, Quaker State 500 (now known as the ABC Supply 500) in 1988,[8] and is a current sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series race Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.[9]

Quaker State was also the sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports from 1996 to 2013 (Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne) and Paul Menard;[10] the company was also formerly the sponsor of Morgan Shepherd.[11] Quaker State was also official lubricants partner of Italo-American Ferrari-works team Risi Competizione in 2004 until 2008. Quaker State was sponsoring the Force India Formula One team for 2015 until 2018 and Allen "Quaker" Ellis for the 2016 US National Olympic Team.[12]

The restaurant chain Quaker Steak & Lube is a spoof on the brand name.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Quaker State is an American brand of produced by , a division of . The brand, named after Pennsylvania's "the Quaker State" due to the state's Quaker heritage and early oil industry prominence around Titusville where oil was discovered in , was established in 1914 by brothers Thomas and Hopewell Phinny in , who created Phinny's Quaker State Medium Oil and trademarked the name the following year. Originally focused on refining and marketing Pennsylvania-grade crude oil, Quaker State became known for its high-quality lubricants and expanded through mergers, including with in 1998. Acquired by Shell in 2002, it remains a prominent name in automotive products, emphasizing engine protection and performance.

History

Origins and brand creation

The Quaker State brand originated in 1912 when T. G. Phinny, owner of the Phinny Brothers Oil Company in , coined the name to differentiate his lubricants from competitors' products. The moniker drew from Pennsylvania's longstanding nickname as the Quaker State, a reference to the colony's founding by Quaker in 1681 and the significant influence of the Religious Society of Friends in the region. From the outset, Quaker State emphasized the production of high-quality lubricants sourced exclusively from Pennsylvania crude oil, which was prized for its paraffinic composition that yielded base stocks with excellent viscosity stability and low oxidation rates. Refinement processes were tailored to the unique properties of these regional oil fields, involving and treatment methods that enhanced purity and minimized impurities, resulting in oils noted for their clarity and reliability. This focus positioned Quaker State as a premium option amid the early 20th-century shift toward motorized vehicles. Quaker State's initial product lineup centered on motor oils designed for emerging automobiles, with promotional claims underscoring the natural advantages of Pennsylvania crude for superior engine protection, such as reduced wear and better cold-weather performance. A pivotal marketing breakthrough came in 1914 with an exclusive supply agreement between Phinny Brothers and the Franklin Automobile Company, which equipped Franklin vehicles with five-gallon cans of Quaker State motor oil. This partnership elevated the brand's visibility, culminating in national recognition through full-page advertisements in The Saturday Evening Post beginning in 1915, where copy proclaimed the oil's unmatched refinement to meet rigorous automotive demands. These early efforts preceded the company's formal incorporation as the Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation in 1924.

Company formation and early growth

In 1924, the Eastern Refining Company acquired the rights to the Quaker State brand name, which had originated in 1912, and reorganized itself as the Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality motor oils derived from crude. This formation marked the formal establishment of the company as a dedicated operation, focusing initially on producing lubricants for the burgeoning in the . On July 1, 1931, stockbroker Charles Pape orchestrated the merger of 19 independent regional oil companies, including the Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation, to create the Quaker State Corporation, with headquarters established in . Under the leadership of President Harry Crawford, the new entity achieved $6.8 million in sales during its first year, reflecting strong initial performance amid the early and demonstrating the efficiencies gained from consolidated operations. Throughout the 1930s, Quaker State invested in key infrastructure to support expanding automotive needs, including upgrades to existing refineries such as the McKean County Refinery in Farmers Valley, Pennsylvania—acquired through the merger—where processing units were expanded during the decade to enhance lubricant production capacity. The company also developed distribution networks by securing a 1936 exclusive sales agreement with Standard Oil Company, enabling placement of Quaker State products in gas stations across 13 Midwestern states and facilitating a shift from regional to national distribution by the late 1930s. This expansion underscored the company's strategic focus on leveraging partnerships to scale operations while prioritizing premium Pennsylvania-grade oils.

Expansion and diversification

Following , Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation pursued aggressive expansion to capitalize on rising demand for motor oils and lubricants amid the economic boom and increasing automobile ownership . In 1944, the company acquired the drilling facilities of the Forest Oil Company in , which provided approximately 20% of its crude oil supply and enhanced production stability. By 1960, these efforts contributed to annual sales surpassing $50 million, an eightfold increase from the company's early years. The 1970s brought economic challenges from the global oil crises, including the 1973 Arab oil embargo, which disrupted supplies and drove up crude prices, prompting Quaker State to adapt through strategies that secured upstream resources and expanded capabilities. A key initiative was the opening of the Congo Refinery in Newell, , in 1974, which increased the company's overall capacity by 75% and focused on high-quality . This facility, one of the most modern refineries at the time, directly supported peak sales of $300 million in 1975 by enabling greater output to meet domestic demand amid shortages. In parallel, Quaker State diversified beyond traditional oil refining during the and to mitigate risks from volatile energy markets and broaden revenue streams. The company entered automotive parts manufacturing in 1964 by acquiring Truck-Lite Company of Falconer, New York, a producer of vehicle safety lighting. Further expansion into coal production occurred in 1976 with the $50 million purchase of the Valley Camp Coal Company, which held extensive reserves in and . Internationally, Quaker State established operations such as Quaker State Japan Co., Ltd., to market s abroad, while domestically it entered consumer retail channels through mass merchandising partnerships with stores like and in the early , boosting its North American to 20% by mid-decade.

Acquisitions, mergers, and financial challenges

In the late 1980s, Quaker State faced intensifying market pressures from major integrated oil companies and the rise of synthetic lubricants, leading to declining sales and profits amid operational inefficiencies. By 1992, the company's annual sales had fallen to $724 million, a drop of more than 25 percent from earlier peaks, while earnings plummeted to $9.4 million from over $50 million in 1986. In response, Quaker State underwent a major corporate reorganization in 1989, which included cost-cutting measures and restructuring to streamline operations and refocus on core lubricant products. These efforts yielded initial improvements, with sales rising 6.7 percent to nearly $875 million in 1990 and profits increasing 65 percent to $19.5 million. Environmental challenges compounded the financial strains during this period. In 1996, Quaker State reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice, agreeing to pay over $3 million to address violations involving air, water, and soil pollution at its Newell, West Virginia, refinery. The facility, a key asset from the company's 1970s expansion, had become a liability due to ongoing compliance issues. As part of broader asset rationalization, Quaker State sold the Newell refinery in July 1997 to Ergon Inc. for an undisclosed amount, citing environmental remediation needs as a primary factor. Seeking stability and scale, Quaker State pursued consolidation in the late 1990s. In April 1998, it merged with Company's automotive products division in a two-stage transaction valued at approximately $1.25 billion, forming the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company with combined annual sales exceeding $3 billion. The merger integrated manufacturing, distribution, and marketing operations, while retaining distinct branding for and Quaker State motor oils to leverage their complementary market strengths. This union aimed to enhance competitiveness in the consolidating lubricants industry but continued to grapple with legacy inefficiencies. The merged entity's independence ended in 2002 when Shell Oil Company, a of Royal Dutch/Shell Group, acquired Pennzoil-Quaker State for $1.8 billion in cash plus the assumption of $1.1 billion in debt. The deal, approved by regulators including the after divestitures to preserve competition, was completed in the second half of 2002 and resulted in about 1,230 job losses, or 15 percent of the combined workforce. This acquisition integrated Quaker State's brands into Shell's global portfolio, ending its era as an independent refiner and marketer.

Products

Motor oils

Quaker State offers a range of motor oils, including conventional, synthetic blend, and full synthetic formulations designed for various types and driving conditions. Conventional motor oils provide basic protection for older vehicles, while synthetic blends, such as the All Mileage variety, combine conventional and synthetic base stocks to enhance performance for both new and high-mileage engines. Full synthetic options, like the Ultimate Protection line, deliver superior protection through advanced , backed by a for up to 20,000 miles or one year of coverage when used exclusively. These motor oils are formulated in key SAE viscosity grades, including 5W-20, 0W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30, to ensure proper flow and lubrication across temperature extremes. They meet or exceed SN PLUS/SP/SQ and ILSAC GF-6/GF-7 standards (with SQ and ILSAC GF-7 introduced in 2025), which focus on reducing for better efficiency, combating buildup, and providing robust against engine wear in modern engines. For instance, the full synthetic variants emphasize low-speed prevention and timing chain wear reduction, critical for turbocharged and direct-injection engines. Historically, Quaker State motor oils evolved from Pennsylvania-grade crude oil refined in the , prized for its purity and stability in early automotive applications. The brand's origins trace to , when Phinny's Quaker State Medium Oil was developed in , leveraging local crude to create a high-quality . Following acquisition by Shell in 2002, the line advanced to include modern synthetic formulations in the , incorporating gas-to-liquid for cleaner base stocks and enhanced performance. Specific benefits of Quaker State's synthetic motor oils include improved fuel economy, with certain formulations like Ultimate Durability claiming an average savings of 5 cents per gallon through friction-reducing additives that maintain oil integrity over extended intervals. These oils are compatible with contemporary engines, such as those in the and , supporting their recommended specifications for and performance standards.

Other automotive lubricants and fluids

Quaker State's lineup of other automotive lubricants and fluids includes transmission fluids, fluids, gear lubricants, and fluids, all formulated for compatibility with a wide range of passenger cars, trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles. These products emphasize anti-wear protection, thermal stability, and modification to support smooth operation in transmissions, differentials, braking systems, and mechanisms. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF) from Quaker State, such as the Ultimate Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic ATF, utilize premium synthetic base stocks and advanced additives to meet or exceed specifications like GM Dexron-VI, Ford Mercon LV, and Chrysler ATF+4, ensuring compatibility across multiple vehicle manufacturers. This formulation provides exceptional oxidation resistance and consistent shift performance, reducing wear in automatic transmissions and certain hydraulic systems. Similarly, the Multi-Vehicle ATF blends high-quality base oils with additives for broader application in both automatic transmissions and power steering units, offering reliable lubrication under varying temperatures. For older vehicles, the Dexron III/Mercon ATF supports GM and Ford systems with effective viscosity control and anti-foam properties. Gear lubricants, including Quaker State's full synthetic 75W-90 GL-5 options, are designed for differentials, axles, and manual transmissions, delivering extreme pressure protection and anti-wear additives to prevent scoring and pitting in high-load conditions. These multi-grade formulations maintain viscosity across temperature extremes, suitable for both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles in demanding applications like towing or off-road use. Brake fluids, such as the DOT 3 variant, provide high boiling points and corrosion inhibition for hydraulic brake systems, ensuring responsive braking without vapor lock in standard automotive setups. Power steering fluids, often universal blends or compatible ATFs, condition seals and reduce noise while protecting pumps and racks from wear in steering systems. Since its acquisition by Shell in 2002, Quaker State has advanced these fluids through synthetic technologies and re-refined base oils, as seen in the 2022 investment in Blue Tide Environmental, which enabled production of high-performance lubricants with a lower via recycled used processing following the re-refining plant's completion in April 2025. Low-viscosity formulations in select ATFs and gear oils promote by minimizing internal drag, aligning with modern vehicle demands for reduced emissions. The Quaker State Limited covers up to 10 years or 300,000 miles against lubricant-related failures for 15 critical engine parts but is tied exclusively to the use of Quaker State s. Usage guidelines recommend changing transmission fluids every 30,000 to 60,000 miles for systems, or more frequently—every 15,000 to 30,000 miles—in high-performance, , or severe-duty scenarios to maintain fluid integrity and prevent overheating. Gear lubricants should be replaced every 50,000 miles in standard driving or 25,000 miles under heavy loads, while and fluids warrant inspection and change every two years or 30,000 miles to avoid moisture absorption and degradation. These intervals complement maintenance for comprehensive vehicle protection.

Marketing and Sponsorship

Advertising and brand promotion

Quaker State's advertising efforts began in the early with print campaigns that emphasized the superior quality of its crude oil. A pivotal 1915 advertisement in introduced the brand to a national audience, highlighting the "pure" nature of the oil to promote engine longevity and reliability. These early print ads, appearing in magazines from 1915 onward, positioned Quaker State as a premium yet accessible derived from high-grade regional sources, helping to build consumer trust in its protective properties. In the mid-20th century, Quaker State expanded into radio and television campaigns during the and , aligning the brand with the burgeoning American automotive culture. These broadcasts often featured narratives of dependable performance and everyday reliability, appealing to drivers embracing post-war car ownership and road trips. By tying the product to themes of durability and in engine care, the campaigns reinforced Quaker State's role in supporting the era's expanding fleet. Under Shell's ownership following the acquisition of Pennzoil-Quaker State, modern digital promotions have focused on consumer incentives and performance demonstrations. Current initiatives include oil change coupons offering up to $10 off at participating locations, valid through December 31, 2025, to encourage routine . The "Energize Your " campaign, launched in television and online formats around 2022, promotes the brand's ability to provide long-term protection and smooth performance across various driving conditions. In 2009, the "Motor Oil Showdown" initiative involved third-party testing to compare Quaker State against competitors, underscoring its superior wear protection in independent evaluations. Over time, Quaker State's brand positioning has evolved from a regional refiner specializing in Pennsylvania-grade oils to a national leader in affordable, high-protection lubricants backed by Shell's advanced technology. This shift emphasizes value-driven quality, making premium engine care accessible to a broad consumer base without compromising on performance standards. Brief tie-ins with motorsport events have further amplified visibility, linking the brand to high-performance reliability in .

Motorsport partnerships

Quaker State's entry into sponsorships began in 1988 with the title sponsorship of the Quaker State 500, an race held at in . The event highlighted the brand's motor oils in high-performance racing environments, marking an early effort to associate Quaker State with endurance and reliability on the track. In NASCAR, Quaker State forged significant partnerships starting with the sponsorship of Kenny Bernstein's #26 King Racing team from 1986 to 1995, providing primary branding for the operation across multiple seasons. This was followed by a technical alliance and sponsorship with , initiated in 1996 and extended through 2013, which included associate sponsorship on all four cars and primary placement on select races like the No. 5 Chevrolet. The partnership contributed to Hendrick's success, including a Sprint Cup championship in its inaugural year. Quaker State expanded its NASCAR involvement by securing title sponsorship for the Quaker State 400, held at from 2011 to 2020. The race, contested over 400 miles on the 1.5-mile tri-oval, served as a platform to showcase the brand's lubricants under demanding conditions, with winners including in the inaugural 2011 running. Since 2021, the event has been held at and, as of 2025, remains a key event on the Cup Series schedule. Following the end of the Hendrick partnership, Quaker State entered a sponsorship and technical alliance with in 2023, extended through at least 2025. This includes branding on the No. 99 and No. 1 cars, with primary sponsorship for in select Cup Series races, such as four events in 2024. Internationally, Quaker State sponsored the Formula 1 team from 2015 to 2018, featuring the brand's logos on the cars, including the rear wing endplates of the VJM08 and subsequent models. This multi-year deal aligned the oil brand with the team's midfield competitiveness, emphasizing performance in global grand prix events. Earlier, from 2004 to 2008, Quaker State served as the official lubricants partner for Risi Competizione, supporting the Italian-American team's Ferrari entries in . Beyond pure racing, Quaker State extended its sponsorship to non-motorsport athletics in 2016 by backing athlete Allen "Quaker" Ellis for the U.S. National Olympic Team, leveraging his nickname to promote the brand during Olympic trials and events. These motorsport and athletic partnerships formed part of a broader to demonstrate the durability of Quaker State motor oils in extreme conditions, from high-speed ovals to international circuits, underscoring protection against wear and heat. campaigns occasionally amplified race visibility through broadcast tie-ins and fan promotions.

References

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