At Greg’s Petroleum Service, we continue to take proactive steps where possible to ensure our employees are safe and to ensure the continuity of business operations including no disruption in supply and deliveries of our products or quality of service and support to our customers.

As many of you know, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a California statewide “Shelter-in-Place.” This will affect many companies and people across our state, however, Greg’s Petroleum Service is exempt from the “Shelter-in-Place” order because we are considered an “Essential Business.”

We have implemented several precautionary measures for both employees and visitors to reduce the risk of exposure to our workforce and the community.

Our office is in process of transitioning to service all customers primarily from remote, home offices with no in-person meetings. We will still be running business as usual, but we will be doing it from home with limited staff on-site. Please be prepared for more phone, email and video communication until further notice during these uncertain times. If you have any questions, please give us a call. If no one answers, follow the prompts and you will be directed to the person you need.

While we work on transitioning, we are practicing social distancing, consistent sanitization and minimal in-person contact in order to protect our staff, our customers and our families.

Please rest assured, we do not expect any disruption to our services. We remain committed to providing exceptional reliability and are taking several actions to help continue meeting your supply expectations.

Product Deliveries

• Delivery services will continue to operate as normal.
• Please contact your Sales representative or call our Warehouse to place orders.

Customer Pick-up Protocol

• We will be limiting in-office visits, please call ahead for pick-up orders.
• Dispatcher will issue pick-up time.
• Order will be staged and ready for pick-up.
• Customers should call us to notify when they arrive for the pick-up.
• Greg’s Petroleum Service employee will load the order.
• Customer will sign.
• Greg’s Petroleum Service employee to follow standard sanitary procedures after each transaction is complete.

CFN Cards

• For the time being, all CFN cards will be mailed directly to the customer.

We are part of an essential industry, and outside of health and safety, we take the servicing and support of our customers as our top priority. As always, please reach out to me directly or one of our team members if you have any questions or concerns.

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, and there is increasing concern and questions, Greg’s Petroleum Service will continue to keep communication high where necessary to avoid any concern or questions related to our business as there is enough to worry about already.

Stay safe and please let us know anything we can do to assist during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Ron Mariani
President
Greg's Petroleum Service

Once again, the City of Bakersfield Animal Care Center is teaming up with KGET 17 NBC to find loving homes for pets in need with the Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign. We are proud to announce we are a supporter of the cause and hope you help us bring a little happy to our community!

To help individuals and communities continue to practice safe social distancing measures, the month-long “Adopt & Donate” effort will feature virtual pet adoptions and make it easy for people to donate online to participating shelters and rescues. The process will be simple. Pick your pet, fill out the application, then once you are approved, they will arrange a time to come pick up your pet. So join the online party and help us Clear the Shelters!

The campaign runs from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2020. Help us find forever homes for animals in need!

As you know, many of us at Greg’s Petroleum Service have been working remotely from home the past few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, we temporarily implemented an auto-attendant phone system to help handle calls with limited staff.

Well now, we’re back! We wanted to let all of our customers know that our team is back in the office. You will no longer receive our auto-attendant when you call our main line. We’re here and ready to direct you to the right place.

To get service even more directly, please use this directory to immediately reach the individual relevant to your inquiry!

Inquiry	Contact	Phone Number
Fuel Orders/Dispatch	Bob Harris	661-535-4901
Bakersfield Oil Orders/Dispatch	Jon Adams	661-535-4903
Delano Oil Orders/Dispatch	Luis Vaca	661-535-4920
Fresno Oil Orders/Dispatch	Jeremiah Speer	559-293-3477
Pay a Bill, Invoice Inquiries & Cardlock Questions	Tristan Regan	661-535-4999
Request a Credit App & New Account Setup	Patricia Helvaci	661-535-4907
Safety, Compliance and Equipment Inquiries	Todd Hall	661-535-4904

Since 1961, our commitment to deliver value through customer service, high quality products, reliability, and safety has set us apart. We hope by providing you with a direct line to your go-to person within our Company will help expedite your process of connecting with us!

Business vehicles and machinery have different engine needs than a typical car. A farmer runs his tractor and other equipment in a rough, unforgiving environment. It’s easy for plant debris, dust, water and dirt to contaminate the engine and cause problems later on. Farmers must consider these conditions when they choose lubricant and maintenance options.

Farmers aren’t the only ones who have to consider the working conditions of their vehicles. Every industry from truckers to construction to manufacturers has to factor in the working conditions of their equipment, especially when it comes to lubricant selection. If you choose the wrong type of lubricant for the working conditions of your machinery, you may end up facing increased equipment breakdowns and maintenance issues.

One of the most critical areas to protect on any piece of equipment is the gearboxes. A gearbox is a universal term for a type of machinery that contains a system of gears that rotate together to generate torque and speed. A transmission on a car can be considered a gearbox, as can the axle of a vehicle and other moving engine parts. These moving components in an engine or piece of machinery are vulnerable to breakdowns and repairs because they are always in motion. The use of a gear lubricant can help protect the lifespan of gears and keep the machine running smoothly.

Choosing the right industrial gear lubricants for the different gearboxes in your equipment or vehicles is a complicated process. It’s not as simple as following the manual. You have to take into consideration the working conditions of your equipment. For example, a semi-truck driving through mountain passes needs a lubricant that can handle temperature swings, heavy load-hauling and stop and go traffic. Your owner’s manual may not have the right recommendation, so it’s essential to educate yourself on proper gear lubricant selection.

The three most important things to consider when choosing a gear oil are:

1. Viscosity grade: Viscosity is commonly referred to as the ‘thickness’ of the oil, and it affects how it performs and protects the equipment. Follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) method when selecting viscosity grade. These charts will help you take into consideration the various conditions that could influence the viscosity of your lubricant and its effectiveness.
2. Additives: Many lubricants contain additives designed for specific conditions and performance properties. You can choose oils with special additives for the unique circumstances and needs of your equipment.
3. Base Oil Type: The base oil is like the foundation of the lubricant. It’s the primary ingredient the lubricant is made from, such as crude oil. There are many types of base oils used to produce lubricants.

Once you’ve established the parameters of what type of lubricants you need, it’s time to consider the conditions your equipment runs in and how they may affect your lubricant’s performance. Some factors to consider are:

• Environment: Harsh environments are hard on engines and machinery. Just ask any truck driver who’s tried to start his rig on a snowy day in the mountains, or a farmer who has a tractor engine flooded with water from heavy rainfall. The wide variety of lubricant specialization can help you choose the right gear oil for your equipment in whatever environment you use it in. Need some help selecting the proper oils? Chevron’s Delo® lubricants have prepared these great diagrams for gear oil selection for semi-trucks, tractors, and construction equipment. These guidelines may help you order just what you need.
• Gearbox size: There’s a big difference in the size of a semi-truck transmission and a pick-up truck. Make sure you consider the size of your machinery when choosing your gear oil.
• Fluid cleanliness: Contamination happens quickly to every type of equipment and lubricant, no matter how careful you are. The constant movement of gears ensures this, and that’s why it’s essential to make sure you are using clean fluids that are regularly tested for contamination. Contaminated lubricants will lead to engine breakdowns, especially in the moving parts of gearboxes.
• Durability: Over time, lubricants will begin to break down, especially in harsher conditions. Oils used on machinery that operate under heavy pressure, extreme speed, or in a harsh environment are prone to reduced performance over time. You can select gear oils that are formulated for increased durability if this is a concern.
• Water protection: Keeping water out of your lubricants is a universal problem. It’s called fluid demulsibility, and it can affect the chemical makeup of your gear oil and how it performs. Regular testing can help to make sure your lubricants are free of water and other contaminants, as well as following proper storage procedures and practices.

The process of choosing the right industrial gear lubricants can be tricky. There are so many factors to consider. As your local fuel and lubricants supplier, our team is here to help. We can provide recommendations based on your equipment, how you use it, where you use it, and provide the necessary products from some of the top manufacturers like Chevron. Call us today if you have questions about choosing the right gear oils!

It's been a rough few months for many businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences on our society and affected nearly every aspect of our lives. The new normal of lockdown procedures, social distancing, mask regulations, widespread unemployment and economic uncertainty can be overwhelming, especially for business owners.

In our home region of Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley, the situation is particularly challenging. High unemployment rates are expected to last for two or more years. Recent research from McKinsey & Co. on the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region has revealed some sobering facts such as:

• Kern County’s unemployment rate is currently 18.6%
• Experts say the numbers are probably closer to 22.4% because more than 16,000 people have stopped looking for work.
• 50% of jobs in food service are at risk, while 41% in arts/entertainment sector, and 17% in the retail industry
• Government planning agencies have projected an unemployment rate of nearly 20% this year for six regions including Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties
• Government revenues are expected to drop by at least $264 billion until 2021

These statistics are worrying. The situation is troubling for many of us, but especially for small business owners. The economic hit of losing a small business can be devastating, but there are steps you can take to weather the storm. These strategies may help.

• How you react and grow matters. While clearing and cleaning shelves and purchasing protective equipment, such as extra steering wheel covers, masks and latex gloves, comes at a significant cost, there are also rewards as a result of these efforts in the form of customer perception (and loyalty). Make the time to ensure your business is safe for all and communicate changes to your employees and customers.
• Remember, you are not alone. No one is immune to the effects of this pandemic, and every business is hurting in some way. If you feel overwhelmed or require help, reach out to your fellow small business owners or your local business association. There is strength in numbers, and other business owners may have ideas to help or even just understand what you are going through.
• Communicate clearly with your employees. Employees are fearful for their health right now. As a business owner, it’s your job to communicate the steps you are taking to protect their health. Communicate the safety steps you are taking to keep employees safe and practice social distancing. Many are also worried about losing their jobs or facing reduced wages. Make a plan to communicate how your company will handle the economic strain of the pandemic. If you must impose wage cuts or layoffs, be transparent with your team. Poorly informed ideas or rumors can cause resentment and anger.
• Reduce waste. It’s time to tighten your business belt. Take a good look at your budget and look for extraneous expenses you can cut or reduce. Look for budget cuts that will help your business run more efficiently, and that will have the least effect on your employees.
• Look for opportunities. It might not seem like it, but there may be opportunities for your business to grow if you are willing to pursue them. Brainstorm with your team for ideas on how you can pivot your business model or take advantage of current market trends. For example, many independent breweries have found success in producing alcohol-based hand sanitizers to fill the shortage. Unexpected opportunities like this have been an excellent way for independent breweries to help the community and make up some of the deficits they are experiencing during the pandemic. Companies that are willing to adapt to the extraordinary circumstances and take advantage of market trends will most likely survive this crisis.
• Watch your competition. Your competitors are in the same boat that you are. What are they doing to weather the storm? They may have thought of ideas that you haven’t. Pay attention to the promotions and risks your competitors are taking. You may see opportunities to pursue or mistakes to avoid.
• Take advantage of your downtime. Unfortunately, you may still suffer some reduced hours or pay. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, use this time to improve yourself and your business. Pursue education or business upgrades. Complete maintenance work or jobs that you have been avoiding. Or, like Bill Floyd of Lucas Oil Centers, use your extra time to be proactive in promoting your “business, staff, and customers through this time.” If you use your time wisely, you and your business could come out of this situation stronger than you were before.
• Take care of yourself. Small business owners are under a lot of pressure, and this situation only makes it worse. So much of what we are going through right now is out of our control. Make sure to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. If you don’t, you may begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Rates of depression and anxiety are skyrocketing during this crisis, so it’s more important than ever to seek help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to medical professionals if you need it.

Things may be starting to open up, but the pandemic is far from over. We know that this situation is stressful, and our hearts go out to those who are suffering. Our community has met tough circumstances before, and together we can make it through this pandemic.