Royal Purple (lubricant manufacturer) Royal Purple (lubricant manufacturer) Royal Purple is an American manufacturer which produces lubricants for automotive, industrial, marine, motorcycle, and racing use. It is known primarily for its line of synthetic Royal Purple Motor Oil products used in gasoline and diesel engines. They also produce other fluids including gear oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and industrial gear, bearing, engine, and hydraulic oil. Other products include chassis and bearing grease, lubricant aerosol, aerosol chain lubricant, and firearm lubricant. The company was founded in 1986 by John Williams, a synthetic oil developer and later consultant. Due to a customer who said he
KTM founded in Lorain, Ohio. In 1980, the company was renamed "KTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KG". One year later, KTM had about 700 employees and a turnover of 750m. Schilling (about 54.5m. euros). International business then amounted to 76 % of the company turnover. However, scooter and moped turnover sank rapidly, and production had to be halted in 1988. Erich Trunkenpolz died in 1989. Takeover of a 51 % interest in the company by the Austrian investment trust GIT Trust Holding controlled by Austrian politician Josef Taus in 1989 was followed by unsuccessful attempts to turn the indebted company around, and in 1991,