| Motul S.A. | |
| Type: | Limited company |
| Location: | Aubervilliers, France |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Industry: | Oil refining, Lubrication, Chemistry |
| Products: | Motor oils, coolants, metalworking fluids |
| Key People: | Olivier Montage |
Motul S.A. is a global French company which manufactures, develops and distributes lubricants and other specialized products for engines (motorcycles, cars and other vehicles) and for industry.
Founded in 1853 in New York, the Swan & Finch company started its activity in the sector of high quality lubricants. As of 1920, it turned to the international markets by exporting some of its portfolio brands like Aerul, Textul, Motul.
In 1932, Ernst Zaug negotiated the distribution in France of products of the Motul brand with Swan & Finch via his company Supra Penn.[1] In 1953, the Swan & Finch centenary was celebrated with the worldwide launch of Motul Century, which became the first multigrade oil on the European market. However, Swan & Finch suspended its activities in 1957. Supra Penn bought back all title deeds and patents pertaining to the Motul brand, which was renamed for the company's chief product, becoming Motul S.A.
As a specialist in synthetic oils, Motul has become the partner of many manufacturers and sports teams for its technological developments in mechanical sports, car and motorcycle racing. Motul is present in many international competitions as official team supplier: MotoGP, Road racing, Trial, Enduro, Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, Rallycross, World Rally Championship, FIA GT, Le Mans 24 Hours, Spa 24 Hours, Le Mans Series, rally raid, Paris-Dakar, F3, etc. In 1977, Motul won its first Motorcycle World Champion title, in the Road Racing category, with Takazumi Katayama on a Yamaha 350.