Lubrizol spends millions on HQ upgrade in time for centenary

To mark its 100th anniversary in 2028, and secure its future, Lubrizol has announced a multi-million-dollar investment in its Wickliffe, Ohio headquarters. This investment aims to elevate the company’s operations and solidify its position as a leader in innovation and impact.

The investment will integrate Lubrizol’s Brecksville employees and capabilities into its Wickliffe campus. This will enable over 1,000 Northeast Ohio employees to collaborate from a single location. This strategic project aims to boost teamwork and accelerate decision-making by increasing in-person connectivity and expanding development opportunities. It brings together Lubrizol’s innovators leading breakthrough science in a modernised workplace.

Lubrizol’s investment in Lake County solidifies its commitment to the region. As one of the county’s largest employers, it injects economic activity and fosters community engagement. Furthermore, this investment bolsters Lubrizol’s global footprint, with its work in Northeast Ohio influencing operations and customers across approximately 100 countries.

“Lubrizol’s innovation legacy began in a Cleveland garage when Lubrizol invented its first automotive solutions to lubricate leaf springs on early automobiles,” said Rebecca Liebert, Lubrizol’s president and CEO. “Nearly a century and thousands of patents later, our extraordinary Northeast Ohio talent continues to innovate for breakthrough solutions, enabled by Lubrizol science. By uniting our teams under one roof, we’re building an even more connected and agile organization to drive lasting impact and enhance countless products that consumers across the world use every day.”

“Once again, Lubrizol has chosen Ohio and Lake County for the heart of its operations. By reinvesting in its global headquarters and state-of-the-art labs, Lubrizol is building on its nearly 100-year legacy in Greater Cleveland, reinforcing the company's impact on Northeast Ohio,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Lubrizol stayed in Ohio because its team recognizes the competitive advantage of doing business here. This announcement sends a clear signal to a global audience that our state is built for businesses to succeed.

Investment in the Wickliffe campus will enhance its labs, expand innovation capabilities and introduce a Lubrizol experience centre. Building renovations will improve the employee experience with interactive workspaces, renovated on-site cafeterias and a multipurpose space for meetings and events. Construction will be completed in phases over the next two years.

“Lubrizol is our city’s largest employer and is deeply ingrained in our community. Our residents and fellow manufacturing companies rely on Lubrizol to provide jobs, stable incomes, and a strong, resilient local economy. The core of my administration has always been business attraction, retention, and expansion, and Lubrizol’s expansion builds on the momentum we have seen across the community. We are competing successfully on a national scale,” said Joseph D. Sakacs, Mayor, City of Wickliffe

“This is the largest economic development project in Lake County since the creation of JobsOhio and Team NEO. The project demonstrates the Commissioners’ leadership in streamlining government operations while fostering a business-friendly environment where companies can grow. This enhanced headquarters facility will provide Lubrizol with the competitive advantage needed to continue succeeding in a global marketplace—right here in Lake County. The Commissioners, along with the City of Wickliffe, are excited to see this Lake County business remain local and continue to be a worldclass company,” said Commissioners John T. Plecnik and Morris W. Beverage III.

“Northeast Ohio’s highly skilled workforce has been pivotal to Lubrizol's long-term success for nearly a century, and this investment marks the company’s next chapter of modernization and innovation,” said JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef.

"Investing in the Northeast Ohio Region is a confirmation of Lubrizol’s long-standing commitment to its employees, their families, and the Northeast Ohio Region,” said Team NEO CEO Matt Dolan. “We are grateful for Lubrizol’s confidence in Northeast Ohio to help them continue to thrive.”

“This announcement validates what we in Lake County have long understood – that our community can compete not just regionally, but nationally. We are proud of our ongoing partnership with The Lubrizol Corporation and excited about the growth and momentum that will continue for decades to come,” said Patrick T. Mohorcic, executive director, Lake Development Authority.

The company also will continue its operations in Painesville and Avon Lake as part of its Northeast Ohio footprint.

Photo: © Lubrizol

Lubrizol