STP (motor oil company)

STP

Company type	Brand
Industry	Automotive aftermarket products
Founded	1953 (1953)
Founder	Charles Dwight (Doc) Liggett, Jim Hill, Robert De Hart
Headquarters	St. Joseph , United States
Area served	United States
Products	Motor oils, oil additives, lubricants
Owner	Energizer Holdings

STP is a U.S.-based brand focused on automotive aftermarket products, particularly lubricants like motor oils and oil additives. The acronym stands for Scientifically Treated Petroleum. Since November 2018, ownership of STP has belonged to Energizer Holdings.

History

In 1953, Chemical Compounds was established in St. Joseph, Missouri by entrepreneurs Charles Dwight (Doc) Liggett, Jim Hill, and Robert De Hart with an initial investment of $3,000. Their flagship product was STP Oil Treatment, named to reflect “Scientifically Treated Petroleum.” The company was acquired in 1961 by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation.

Studebaker briefly promoted STP under the slogan “Studebaker Tested Products,” but CEO Sherwood Egbert recognized STP’s growth potential and appointed Andy Granatelli as CEO to enhance the brand's visibility. Granatelli emerged as a prominent figurehead for STP, vigorously marketing it through motorsports sponsorships, especially at the Indianapolis 500.

Following Studebaker’s exit from automobile manufacturing in 1966, the company shifted focus toward diversifying its portfolio, including expanding STP’s market reach. Due to robust sales performance, STP became an independent publicly traded entity in 1969. The brand changed hands several times: purchased by Esmark in 1976, then Beatrice Foods in 1984, transferred to Union Carbide in 1985, and after a leveraged buyout became part of First Brands in 1986. Clorox acquired First Brands in 1998.

In 2006, STP fuel additives were incorporated into Marathon gasoline to rival Chevron’s Techron formula. Clorox divested Armor All and STP to Avista Capital Partners in 2010, leading to the creation of Armored AutoGroup. Spectrum Brands acquired Armored AutoGroup in 2015. Later, Energizer Holdings bought Spectrum’s automotive care division—including STP—for $1.25 billion in 2018.

This series of ownership transitions illustrates strategic efforts to broaden STP’s international footprint and strengthen its position within the automotive aftermarket sector.

Legal issues

In 1976, STP encountered a consumer protection directive mandating scientific evidence for certain claims and banning deceptive advertising practices. Two years later, it paid a $500,000 civil fine related to these issues. In 1995, STP resolved Federal Trade Commission allegations concerning false advertising with an $888,000 settlement.

Oil treatment

The formulation of STP Oil Treatment contains zinc dithiophosphate as a component that helps prevent wear.

Involvement in motor racing and sponsorships

In 1970, STP CEO Andy Granatelli launched the STP Formula One Team featuring driver Mario Andretti. The team competed in five events and secured a third-place finish at the 1970 Spanish Grand Prix. By 1972, Granatelli began sponsoring NASCAR legend Richard Petty, creating a long-standing association characterized by the distinctive red and blue dual-tone car design.

STP maintained sponsorship of Petty throughout his driving tenure until 1992 and subsequently supported Bobby Hamilton and John Andretti driving Petty Enterprises’ #43 car. This collaboration concluded following STP’s acquisition by Clorox. The partnership between STP and Petty ranks as the second-longest sponsorship relationship in motorsports history (1972–2000).

In August 2012, STP was announced as the title sponsor for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series for the 2013 season. On February 21, 2013, STP confirmed its multi-year return to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship with the STP Gas Booster 500 at Martinsville Speedway and resumed primary backing of Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 car for that event. Additionally, from 2011 through 2013, STP sponsored the Xfinity Series race known as the STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway.