Elena Domínguez: "As long as we have mechanics and machines, lubrication will remain essential"

For over more than three decades, Elena Domínguez has played key roles with Repsol Lubricants, holding various positions of responsibility at Technical Assistance and Development and as head of Lubricants Operations. She started out in 1991 in lubricant products development, a field with very little female representation at the time. Now, she's retiring after a 33-year career with the Company. 

In this interview, she walks us through her experiences at Repsol, the evolution of the lubricants industry, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the sector.

What were the greatest challenges you faced at the beginning of your career, being one of the first women in the business?

When I was hired in 1991, there was barely any female presence in industrial engineering, my specialization. At Repsol the situation was similar, it was a predominantly male world. Nevertheless, I felt respected and valued. Throughout my career working with customers in Spain and internationally, I never felt discriminated against because of my gender. I consider myself privileged in that respect.

What would you say to young women who are considering a career in the world of lubricants?

The lubricants sector has a bright future ahead of it. As long as we have mechanics and machines, lubrication will remain essential. The lubricants and greases that Repsol manufactures are indispensable for them to work and there's no widely-available substitute for their role. It's a dynamic and diverse field that's constantly evolving. 

At Repsol, from our start as a monopoly limited to the Spanish market, we've seen the market open up to competition, international expansion to over 90 countries, the creation of joint ventures, and our adaptation to new forms of demand such as sustainability and electric vehicles.

What factors have been key to this successful adaptation?

Our leadership and our teams. Leaders such as José Barreiro, Antonio Portela, Fran Miranda, Clara Velasco, and Sebastián Mussini, among others, have provided the spark needed to ignite transformation and growth by motivating and inspiring their teams. Their vision, not limited to the business but also encompassing people, has been crucial.

What's one memorable experience you enjoy sharing?

I'm especially fond of recalling this one time at a congress in Germany where Beatriz Domínguez, who is now at TechLab, and I spent three days "chasing down" the head of lubricant approvals for Mercedes. This was a very sought-after figure, always surrounded by people. Thanks to our perseverance, we managed to speak with him and this led to the development and approval of a first fill lubricant for Mercedes vehicles. Though our logistics didn't cover all countries at the time, it was still a major achievement.

What changes in the industry have stood out to you over the course of your career?

I've witnessed the arrival of synthetic oils, reduced viscosity levels... From the 20W-50 manufactured with bases from group 1 at Puertollano or Cartagena to our current 0W-16 made with synthetic bases such as polyolefins and, later, our group 3 base oil derived from crude refining. The creation of a joint venture with a Korean company, a leader in the production of these base oils, was a vital step on the way to producing these products on our own.

What was the milestone that you think made Repsol Lubricants' international expansion possible?

It was a gradual process that began in the '90s. The creation of a business development department was key, with creative strategies such as "do it for me," which was third-party manufacturing with a license for our distributors. However, what really marked a milestone was the creation of joint ventures that gave us access to local markets with local production and knowledge.

After so many years with the business, what would you say are your core values?

Enthusiasm, a clear road map, and most of all, people. Inspiring leadership and the dedication of our teams has been essential to our success. The ability to grow, take on new challenges, and be part of an expanding business has truly made the difference.

These 33 years have given me so much: knowledge, challenges, experiences, an excellent workplace environment... I'd repeat my entire career with Repsol in a heartbeat.