The company, owned by CEO Chris Gabrelcik, began modestly as a home-based business in 1997. Gabrelcik, who holds certifications as a Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS) and Oil Management Analyst (OMA), initially developed lubrication solutions for major industrial clients.
In 2003, Gabrelcik was approached by Navistar International, manufacturer of the Power Stroke engine for Ford Motor Company, to help determine why HEUI injectors in the 6.0 and 7.3-liter Power Stroke engine were consistently failing prematurely. To solve the issue, Gabrelcik created Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction Eliminator. Today, Hot Shot’s Secret offers over 50 high performance oil and fuel additives for diesel- and gas-powered vehicles, race products including racing oil, transmission fluid, gear oil, and oils and fluids for specialty needs.
In the past 25 years, LSI has grown both organically and through acquisition adding multiple divisions – LSI Chemical, Frantz Filters and Fluid Recovery. Sixty employees operate at its headquarters and recently acquired shipping distribution center in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. LSI has also expanded its bottling and blending capabilities by building a new facility that included offices, manufacturing, blending, R&D, sales and marketing. In 2020, LSI formed LSI Chemical, a division with a focus on developing high performance additives. Since, LSI Chemical has established 16 distributors in Asia, Africa, Europe and Central and South America. Last year, LSI invested in a new 24,000-square foot distribution and shipping hub to accommodate 50 plus SKUs of Hot Shot’s Secret and LSI Chemical product lines.
LSI President Brett Tennar, says, “At LSI, we only create products that are the best they can be for their designed purpose which is the primary difference between our company and larger manufacturers. Our success has been afforded by staying true to this principle, working with the brightest minds in the industry and being forward thinking about consumer needs and industry trends,” said LSI President Brett Tennar. “Lubrication Specialties is poised to grow again this year with expanded retail distribution of the Hot Shot’s Secret brand and continued growth in independent performance dealers and online sales. This is an exciting time for our company, and we are looking forward to the challenges of the next 25 years.”
