Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants | Vendor Spotlight

ATCP Vendor Spotlight

Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants

“Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants, America’s oldest lubrication company since 1839! American Source – American Made.”

My name is Laura Ahac and I have been with Schaeffer Oil since May of 2019. I come from a family of excavators, race car drivers, and farmers, so I had the general understanding of what goes where in regard to lubricants. It wasn’t until I started working for Schaeffer that I learned that grease isn’t just grease and oil isn’t just oil.

In May of 2019, I signed on with Schaeffer and embarked on a four-day journey (Schaeffer Fast Track School) to St. Louis, Missouri. It was only then that I realized if I’m going to make it in this business, I better learn what I can or this industry is going to eat me alive. I worked hard, completed my course, got home, and hit the ground running. In my first week, I sold almost $7,000! I used some of my commission to buy a little bit of everything that I thought people would want to purchase for cash. As a new rep, I thought that I should carry a little bit of everything. You know, just in case. It wasn’t until later on that the random buckets and boxes that I purchased would end up changing my career… and my life.

In May of 2020 in Central Michigan, 4 inches of rain fell over the course of 5 days. As a result, we had two dams break, wash away many homes, put a lot of things where they didn’t belong, and that included many, many big trees.

After a couple of weeks, I kept hearing about a tree guy that came with his cranes to help the locals. I was so thankful to him and those that were helping him that I wanted to do something for them. I made contact and told him that I had a few items to give them to help them keep helping. Little did I know that that would mark the beginning of a new adventure.

About 3 days after I donated many cases of grease, degreaser, buckets of hydraulic fluid, engine oil, gear oil, and a couple of cases of Boom Lube, I received a phone call from a guy in Florida looking for Boom Lube.

One out-of-state call turned into a couple hundred out-of-state customers that just so happened to all be in the tree and crane industry.

I’ve worked with many industries, but none can compare to the tree care world. The camaraderie displayed amongst the people in this industry is second to none. And because of that, the word of Schaeffer lubricants and myself spread across the country like wildfire. Somewhere along the way, I acquired the nickname “Laura from Boom Lube,” which I find amusing. Who knew a girl from a little town in Central Michigan that was just out there slinging grease would end up with a cool nickname! To say I’m grateful would be an understatement. (I still chuckle about the name).

It wasn’t until Hurricane Helene reared her ugly head that I was able to really show my appreciation.

I wanted to take it back where it all started. Giving! I put my nose to the grindstone and got to work gathering donations of Schaeffer products. Schaeffer manufacturing even donated a truckload of goods including but not limited to: bar oil, two-cycle oil, Boom Lube, fuel additive, and an entire pallet of empty buckets. In addition to that, I collected another $6,000 worth of goods that included engine oil, hydraulic fluid, more bar oil, more two-cycle oil, Boom Lube, Citrol degreaser, chainsaws, extra bars and chains, safety glasses, high-vis vests, gloves, Dude Wipes, new socks, water, hydration packs, snacks, and anything else that we thought the guys would need.

We set out on October 11, 2024, for what would be a life-changing adventure: to give back. We made several stops in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. We did have designated meeting areas for guys to come and get whatever supplies they needed, but we stopped anywhere that we saw people helping others. In total, I believe that we were able to give away around $8,000 worth of Schaeffer goods. And to get the full effect of living the storm chaser’s lifestyle, we slept in my truck all but 4 nights of the entire trip.

There’s no other industry out there that will at the drop of a hat drive across the country to help others in need. I’m proud to call all of those involved in the tree care industry my friends.

When I’m not out keeping the world slippery, you can find me hanging out with my favorite four-legged animals.

---