The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) has honoured Luc Girard of Sanjuro Solutions in Ontario, Canada, with its prestigious John A. Bellanti Award today. The award was presented during the general session of the 2026 ILMA Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge hotel.
The Bellanti Award recognizes prolonged service and outstanding achievement by an ILMA member representative or an individual serving ILMA and the industry. Originally known as the Distinguished Service Award, it was renamed in 2004 to honor the legacy of ILMA Past President John A. Bellanti of Battenfeld Grease & Oil Corporation of N.Y.
Girard has worked with ILMA for nearly 12 years, beginning primarily with the Association’s Ethics testing program before expanding his role to represent ILMA in technical and standards-setting activities. The ILMA Ethics program is a core association initiative designed to preserve market integrity by ensuring independent lubricant manufacturers operate transparently and produce safe, high-quality products. Today, he represents ILMA at roughly 20 industry meetings each year, ensuring independent lubricant manufacturers have a consistent voice in discussions that can directly affect their businesses.
A chemist by training, Girard spent 17 years with Petro-Canada Lubricants in positions spanning research and development, technical sales and industry liaison. During his time there, he served as chair and vice chair of the American Petroleum Institute’s Lubricants Group and represented Petro-Canada in SAE and ASTM activities, among other industry standards work. His technical experience has included base oils, process oils, hydraulic oils, automatic transmission fluids, gear oils and passenger car engine oils.
That background has given Girard an understanding of both the technical resources available to large organizations and the realities facing smaller independent manufacturers. It has also helped him navigate technical and standards discussions on behalf of ILMA members that may not have the staff or resources to participate directly themselves.
“ILMA could never reasonably dedicate a staff person to attend that many technical and standards meetings,” said Jim Carroll, ILMA president, while presenting the award. “But because of Luc, ILMA has a consistent voice at those tables. He has also handled difficult ethics work with fairness, consistency and integrity, earning the respect of ILMA members, our staff and our industry partners.”
Girard described receiving the Bellanti Award as “extremely flattering” and said he also feels a responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who received it before him. He credited the people who came before him, as well as the Ethics Committee members and colleagues who have supported his work with ILMA over the years.
“I’ve tried to live up to the legacy of the people who came before me,” Girard said. “I’m grateful for the people who helped set me up for success.”
