Valvoline Inc. says it’s not leaving Lexington amid confusion over Cincinnati move

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Valvoline Inc. said its corporate headquarters is staying in Lexington, moving to clear up confusion after Valvoline Global Operations announced it is relocating its global headquarters to downtown Cincinnati.

Valvoline Inc., a separate, publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, said the August 24, 2026, announcement about the Cincinnati move does not apply to it. Valvoline Inc. owns and operates retail quick lube facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

Two separate companies

Valvoline Inc. said it and Valvoline Global Operations are separate companies with different ownership, leadership and business strategies. Valvoline Inc. said it holds the long-term lease on the building at 100 Valvoline Way and continues to operate its headquarters there.

“Valvoline Inc. is proud to call Kentucky home,” said Lori Flees, president and chief executive officer of Valvoline Inc. “Our headquarters, our people and our commitment to this community remain firmly rooted in Lexington. While we understand the confusion caused by similar names and shared history, Valvoline Inc. is a separate company, and our focus remains on serving our customers, growing our business, and contributing to the Commonwealth.”

Lexington to remain Americas hub for Valvoline Global

Valvoline Global Operations in Lexington is creating a new global headquarters in downtown Cincinnati. The Lexington location will become the central hub for the Americas region and will keep 400 of its employees to focus on supporting the company’s growing operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

Valvoline Global says the change will move fewer than 100 roles to downtown Cincinnati.

Nine years ago, the company celebrated a $34 million building off Palumbo Drive that served as its new world headquarters.

In a press release, the company said Valvoline Global has expanded its employee base nearly 20% over the last three years. The company said the move gives space for its global and Americas teams to better work together, and it said Kentucky remains a critical part of Valvoline Global.

State and city react

A statement from Gov. Beshear’s administration reads in part, “Valvoline remains an important Kentucky partner and the administration continues to work with the company. The administration continues to support the 400 good jobs within the company.”

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, who was not available for an on-camera interview, gave a statement saying it’s sad to lose some leadership positions, but “this move will allow them to add more jobs to the Lexington site in the near future.” Gorton also said Lexington’s diverse economy is booming.

Gorton’s mayoral opponent, Raquel Carter, shared her thoughts.

“As many of us know that occupational tax is our main source of revenue and we’ve got $10 million of payroll that could have been Lexington’s that Cincinnati is going to get now, they are going to build that headquarters right in the center of Cincinnati’s downtown, that’s how much they are vested in a different city and that’s just sad,” Carter said.

Commerce Lexington responds

Commerce Lexington also released a statement, saying in part Valvoline’s decision “provides an important opportunity for Commerce Lexington and local leaders to examine what we should be doing differently to attract and retain more global operations.”

A Valvoline Global spokesperson said company executives will still be in town and philanthropy will continue in central Kentucky, including a program that will bring up the next generation of skilled mechanics.