Wiksten spent years trying to find lubricant products that would be environmentally sensitive for use in the company’s fishing vessels, trucks, tractors and production facility. She didn’t have any success.

“The philosophy behind the other products was great but the performance was poor,” she says. “When you work on the water you have a responsibility. You don’t want to be in a position at any time that could have adverse effects on the ecosystem. It’s the future that’s where you derive your livelihood.”

That’s when Wiksten turned to Petro-Canada. She was not familiar with the products but given the company’s reputation, she felt it was worth giving them a try. In 2003, she began using Petro-Canada’s PURITY FG Grease and AW Hydraulic Fluids in her production facility, which depends on constant-use under high grit and grime conditions.

Petro-Canada’s PURITY FG Grease is an advanced food grade lubricant specially formulated to deliver superior performance and food grade purity under the highly demanding conditions of food processing operations. PURITY FG AW Hydraulic Fluids extend equipment life and reduce operational downtime. They are tough enough to handle wet food processing environments with acidic contaminants and wide temperature swings.

She was delighted with what she saw. In fact, Wiksten was so impressed with their performance she approached the captains of her company’s vessels and suggested they use the products on the hydraulic winches of the high-duty working barges that run seven days a week, often double time.

“There were a lot of disbelievers at first because it sounded too good to be true, an environmentally friendly product that would hold up under the most extreme conditions.”

Minterbrook also began using the PURITY AW Hydraulic Fluids in its largest fishing vessels in May 2004 and six months later the hydraulic fluid exhibited no sign of breaking down. As a result, the company has switched to the PURITY AW Hydraulic Fluids and FG Grease products in its trucks and tractors.

“PURITY FG AW Hydraulic Fluid is one product that can be used in all of our equipment so there is a cost saving,” said Wiksten. “Plus, there has been no downtime and no effect on productivity as a result of the change in product. The hydraulic fluid is simply terrific and the PURITY FG grease has superior water resistance; the bearings are constantly in salt water and exposed to high levels of grit; there has been no visible signs of moisture seeps into the bearings. It is a very durable product.”

And, she is very happy with the protection it provides from wear and corrosion, especially since Minterbrook’s equipment operates in salt water, sand and in a wide range of temperature and weather conditions.