Kerax

Founded by Tom Wilcox in 1962, Kerax Ltd has been producing wax blends and lubricants for over sixty years. In that time, it has been associated with a number of renowned businesses in lubricants, waxes and fuels, including Duckhams, Burmah Castrol and BP. In 2014, the Euro-Oils business became part of Kerax while continuing to trade as Euro-Oils and the following year, it was merged entirely into Kerax. Kerax as a whole has continued to grow, increasing from a 4/4.5 million pound turnover and 20 employees in 2004 to a 21 million pound turnover from wax alone and 50 employees, with an additional 8.5 million from lubricants and 30 employees in based in the Redditch manufacturing facility. Ian Appleton, Chief Executive Officer, Kerax Ltd, has been involved in the petrochemical industry since 1986. Prior to that, he trained in mechanical engineering with the Ministry of Defence Royal Ordnance Factories. With spells at Mobil and BP, he entered the 'wax business' in 2002 as BP Global Special Products European asset manager. In 2006, he completed a management buy-out of Kerax Ltd and has helped take our business from imminent closure to being on the the UK's pre-eminent wax blenders, exporting products internationally.