EDITOR INTERVIEW
In conversation with...
Steve Mayo, Host of The Lubricants Live Podcast
Steve Mayo has had a distinguished career in the lubricants industry that has spanned over three decades. He is now the host of the Lubricants Live podcast, which aims to engage with the lubricants community to share news, debate provide insight into the topics of the day.
Where were you born and where did you spend your early years? I was born in Manchester. My father worked in the automotive engineering business mainly specialising in commercial vehicles. He also spent a lot of time coaching the local junior football team which I played for and he also did some scouting for Manchester United.
What did you want to be growing up? I was a keen sportsman; football, cricket and athletics. Football was my first passion and I played for the youth team of Rochdale FC but sadly not quite good enough to make a career out of it.
Education – where did you go, what subjects did you choose and why?
My education was at the local secondary school and through I sandwich course I did my degree in chemistry.
And where was that first job? What did you like about it and what did you not?
My first job was with a large paper mill which made high quality lightweight papers such as cigarette papers. I started in quality control and then moved into product development.
Career mapping how has it led to where you are now?
After completing my degree, I moved into a procurement role in a paints and coatings manufacturer. I was primarily responsible for purchasing chemicals, solvents, dyes and pigments and developed a relationship with a wide cross section of supplier. It was one of those suppliers who manufactured emulsifiers and surfactants that
52 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.188 AUGUST 2025
tempted into my first commercial sales role looking after the UK and export sales. This was my first exposure to the lubricants industry with most of the UK lubricant blenders being in my customer portfolio.
The metalworking and additive supplier Polartech Limited became my largest customer. When they acquired the ex-Shell Lubricants blending plant in Trafford Park Manchester. I joined them as Commercial Manager where I had responsibility for procurement and manufacturing as well as account management. The business achieved significant international growth over the 14 years I was with them. The business was sold to the Swiss company Blaser and after 12 months or so I left to work in an ester manufacturing business, which for various reasons didn’t work out and I ended up working for Blackburn Chemicals; a family-owned business which specialised in antifoam manufacturing. I was focussed on growing their business in the metalworking fluid market. It was a great bunch of people to work with a fabulous culture, but just not challenging enough for me at the time. Then, when Houghton International came calling, I couldn’t wait to get back into the front end of the lubricants industry.
I joined Houghton as UK Sales & Marketing Director it was here where I had the opportunity to work with the most talented and committed people in the industrial lubricants industry. I progressed to become Regional Director for Northern Europe and as a result I travelled extensively around the world with Houghton and in every place, was just so lucky to find people who were a pleasure to work with.
I absolutely loved my job and spent almost 15 years with the business under three different owners.
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