In 1986, we launched the Q8 brand. 40 years later, Q8 has grown into an international energy and mobility company present in more than 90 countries worldwide, providing customers across industries and markets with our tech-enhanced lubricants.

After all these years, we are still innovating and changing the game, as shown by the recent win of our Q8Oils Metalworking Fluids team at the Lubricant Expo Europe 2026.

Still, behind every milestone in our 40-year journey lies a story of lasting partnerships. Some of these partnerships have been with us from the very beginning. It is partnerships with companies like Bouts, Van Hertum, Schaffeld Markenschmierstoffe and Prova that make us especially proud. They have been part of the Q8 journey since the very beginning, growing alongside us since the launch of the Q8 brand.

When Q8Oils was introduced all those years ago, companies such as Van Hertum became the point of contact for Q8 lubricants in their region. We have been proud to be part of the story of Van Hertum, a family-owned company active since 1954. Together, we have built a lasting partnership rooted in trust and shared values. Their technical expertise and efficient distribution network make them a valued partner, and we look forward to continuing to grow together.

Another great example of a long-standing, family-owned Belgian business is Bouts. With over 60 years of experience in fuel supply, lubricant distribution and service station operations, Bouts has been a loyal Q8Oils partner for 40 years. We greatly value Bouts’ continued dedication to distributing Q8Oils products and bringing our lubricants to customers across Belgium. Their loyalty over four decades is a testament to the strong bond we have built, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone together.

Few partnerships illustrate the strength of our Q8Oils family quite like the one with Schaffeld Markenschmierstoffe. Founded in 1951, this German family business has built decades of expertise in lubricant distribution. A trusted Q8Oils partner since 1983, Schaffeld has shown its commitment to our brand through the years, proudly representing Q8Oils across its business and working closely with our specialists to deliver the right solutions to its customers. We are proud of this enduring partnership and grateful for the trust that has kept us growing together for more than four decades.

Another 40-year partner of Q8Oils is Prova, a Belgian company specialised in fuel and lubricant distribution. Serving customers across sectors ranging from agriculture to transport and industry, Prova understands the importance of high-performance products and bringing them closer to the people and businesses that rely on them. Prova plays a valuable role in keeping operations running smoothly.

These long-standing relationships are more than a part of our history. So, while we are proud to highlight some of our long-standing partnerships, our gratitude extends to every distributor who puts their trust in Q8Oils. Each of them plays an essential role in our journey, bringing our products, expertise and commitment to quality closer to customers every day. Their dedication, loyalty and belief in our brand are what make our shared success possible. We don’t just grow alongside our distributors; we grow because of them. Our 40-year milestone is as much theirs as it is ours.

From supplier to partner

Lubricants are a technical business. Engines, machines and industrial processes are constantly evolving, and so are the demands placed on lubricants. That means that simply supplying a product is not enough.

We believe in working closely with our customers and partners to understand their challenges, anticipate what is coming next and develop solutions that create real value.

That is why Q8Oils continues to invest in research and development, technical expertise and innovation. Our own R&D capabilities and modern blending facilities allow us to develop customer-specific solutions across automotive, energy, metalworking and general industry.

And innovation is not only about developing the next product. It is also about responding to changing customer needs, improving efficiency and working towards more sustainable solutions.

40 years of growth, together

Long-term partnerships create a shared experience that cannot be created overnight.

Over four decades, our customers have witnessed changes in technology, evolving regulations and industry transforms. Thes changes we have experienced together—learning from one another and continuously adapting.

That, to us, is what customer centricity means: not simply pushing sales but understanding what our customers need and how we can help move them forward.
The history of Q8Oils is therefore not only a tale of products and technologies, but a tale of people, businesses and partnerships.

Looking ahead

40 years of history is a milestone worth celebrating, and it also serves as a reminder to look forward.

The challenges our customers face today are nothing like those of 1986. Efficiency, sustainability, changing regulations, new technologies and increasingly demanding applications have become the factors shaping the future of lubrication.

We want to face those challenges together.

Because the strongest partnerships are not built on looking back at what we have achieved. They are built on asking what we can achieve next.

Thank you to all our customers and partners who have been part of the Q8 journey, whether for 40 years or more recently.

Here’s to the next chapter: innovating together, pushing boundaries together, and moving forward together.