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Jim Carroll on Leadership, Legacy and Lubricants
From the steelworks of St. Louis to the boardrooms of the lubricant industry, Jim Carroll’s journey is one of service, discipline and discovery. As Executive Vice President of Schaeffer Manufacturing and newly appointed ILMA President, his story is layered with heritage, military precision and a clear passion for progress. In this episode of Beyond the Blend, Jim reflects on the lessons that have shaped him, the advocacy that drives him, and the vision that will help the lubricant sector tell its story with greater confidence and clarity.
A Deep-Rooted Industrial Legacy
Jim paints a vivid picture of Schaeffer Manufacturing’s beginnings in 1839. The company’s early work supplying oil for riverboats and grease for wagon wheels helped build the frontier economy. Its connection to Anheuser-Busch, born from the same founders, weaves Schaeffer into the industrial fabric of America itself. Today, it remains family-owned after six generations, something Jim values deeply. That heritage, he says, gives the business its soul — a sense of responsibility to innovate without losing sight of where it came from. For him, the story of Schaeffer isn’t nostalgia; it’s a benchmark for endurance and integrity in modern manufacturing.
From the Military to Manufacturing Leadership
A 30-year military career forged Jim’s mindset. Rising to the rank of full colonel, he served in both Desert Storm and Afghanistan in military service that included Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. The experience taught him that plans rarely survive first contact, that leadership means clarity under pressure, and that progress often starts at 80 percent, because waiting for perfect means standing still. His ability to lead complex operations transferred directly into business.
In his words, “No good deed goes unpunished,” but those who step up and take responsibility usually grow fastest. The military instilled a culture of discipline and teamwork that now guides how he builds people and processes at Schaeffer.
Advocacy and Leadership within ILMA
Jim’s route to the ILMA presidency came from equal parts frustration and conviction. After challenging the growing influence of OEMs over oil specifications, he was told to “get involved.” He did — first joining the board, then leading committees, and now steering the association itself. His focus is advocacy: ensuring independent manufacturers have a voice in regulatory discussions that too often favour global giants. Jim believes regulation should reflect intent and practicality, protecting small businesses that make up the heart of the lubricant market. His presidency aims to champion common sense, collaboration and the real-world realities of lubricant production.
Sustainability and Storytelling in Lubricants
Few subjects spark Jim’s passion like sustainability. He argues the lubricant sector has failed to tell its story — one that already delivers vast energy savings by reducing friction and extending machinery life. The industry, he says, deserves credit for its invisible but vital role in efficiency. He calls for better communication of data, smarter regulation and coordinated marketing to shift perception. True sustainability, he insists, isn’t about slogans or box-ticking; it’s about tangible outcomes and long-term thinking. His challenge to peers is simple: start telling the story, back it with evidence, and show the world the difference lubricants make.
Curiosity, Lifelong Learning and Innovation
Jim’s curiosity started early, taking apart discarded appliances to see how they worked. That same instinct drives his approach today. He believes innovation begins with asking “what would happen if…?” and being unafraid to fail along the way. For newcomers to the industry, his advice is to learn both sides of the equation: the chemistry of lubricants and the mechanics of the machines they protect. It’s in that crossover, he says, where true understanding lives. Knowledge and curiosity, not hierarchy, are what push progress forward. “Keep learning,” he advises. “If you stop learning, you stop moving.”
Legacy, Purpose and What’s Next
Despite decades of achievement, Jim has little interest in slowing down. Strategic planning now fascinates him — how to capture value, stay relevant and keep businesses competitive. His legacy, he says, won’t be a monument or title; it will be the continued growth of the people and ideas he’s helped shape. Retirement, for Jim, simply isn’t on the radar. “I’ve got a half-day scheduled for my funeral,” he jokes, but behind the humour lies purpose — a belief that work, service and curiosity are lifelong companions. His story reflects an industry built on endurance and driven by progress.
Summary
Jim Carroll’s conversation is a masterclass in leadership through action. From humble beginnings to commanding armies and steering a 185-year-old company, his message blends discipline with curiosity, tradition with change. He represents the bridge between what built the lubricants industry and what will sustain it next: innovation, advocacy and storytelling.
Listen to the episode today on your favourite podcast platform.
🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CN0y9AYZHskqxb6FeJmlR
🎙️ Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-blend/id1782106682
🎬 YouTube : https://youtu.be/SRGd6lzrgJkv
Beyond the Blend continues to share the human stories behind the science of lubrication. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to hear more conversations like this; insights, humour and honesty from the people who keep the lubricant world moving.
