While Engen is well-represented in southern Africa, to date the company has not had any formal representation in the Malawian market. Engen Petroleum, a subsidiary of PETRONAS Malaysia, is an African energy multinational with independent operations in 18 sub-Saharan countries.

The company will supply the Malawi market through its Durban blend plant (which has an output of 145 000 kilometric tons per annum), augmenting this supply chain with imports, where needed.

Patrick Khembo, Managing Director of Chemicals and Marketing, comments that the addition of the Engen brand to C and M’s portfolio will further enhance its reputation as a dependable supplier of quality products, and will also boost its market position.

“We welcome the opportunity to distribute a new quality range from Engen and its alliance partners, and look forward to making further impact on our customers’ businesses with it.”

Hartmann notes that Engen has over the year built up globally-competitive product development expertise, stemming from its relationships with leading global car makers and other equipment manufacturers. In addition, it has gathered extensive local development know-how in product lines that can withstand harsh African operating conditions. “With this arrangement we undertake to bring our very best products to Malawi – quickly, efficiently, in the right quantities and with a wide range of choice,” he says.

Chemicals and Marketing Company Limited is a wholly owned Malawian company. The company sells and distributes a diverse range of high-quality proprietary and commodity pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial and agricultural chemicals.

It will distribute Engen’s lubricants through its own branches in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, and through reputable partners throughout the country.