First Brands Prepares for Bankruptcy

[donjetman]

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/first-brands-bankruptcy

 

[Charlie207]

Firesale on wiper blades and crappy oil filters.

 

[Doubeleive]

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/first-brands-bankruptcy

ya that's been in the news for a minute now they own a lot more stuff/products/brand names than just wiper blades and filters

First Brands Group (formerly Crowne Group and TRICO Group) is a global supplier of aftermarket automotive parts, known for its extensive portfolio of market-leading brands across filtration, brakes, wipers, and towing accessories.

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Key Brands Owned by First Brands Group​

The company's strategy has been based on rapid acquisition, consolidating many well-known automotive brands under one roof. The brands are primarily focused on the automotive aftermarket (replacement parts sold to consumers and repair shops) rather than original equipment (OE) parts.

Filtration Products​

• FRAM: One of the most recognizable names in oil, air, and cabin air filters in North America.
• Luber-finer: Specializes in heavy-duty filtration products for truck and off-road applications.
• PetroClear: Filters used in fuel dispensing and bulk storage.
• Champion Laboratories (Champ Labs): Primarily known as a manufacturer of private-label and branded filters.

Brake Components​

• Raybestos: Offers a complete line of brake solutions, including rotors, drums, pads, and calipers.
• Centric Parts: A massive brake parts company offering components across various price points, including rotors, pads, and other brake hardware.
• StopTech: Centric's performance division, focused on high-performance and racing brake systems.
• Carlson: Known for its brake hardware kits.
• International Brake Industries (IBI)

Wipers and Visibility​

• Trico: A dominant brand in the windshield wiper industry.
• ANCO: Another prominent wiper blade brand.
• Michelin: First Brands holds the license to manufacture and market Michelin-branded wiper blades.

Engine and Electrical​

• Autolite: A major supplier of spark plugs and ignition wire sets.
• Carter: Specializes in fuel pumps and water pumps.
• Airtex

Towing and Accessories​

• First Brands acquired Horizon Global, bringing several major towing brands into its portfolio:
  • Draw-Tite (Towing hitches and accessories)
  • Reese (Fifth-wheel hitches and towing systems)
  • Tekonsha (Brake controllers and wiring)
  • Bulldog
  • Fulton
  • Wesbar

Other Products​

• Cardone: A major remanufactured parts giant, providing rebuilt engines, drivetrain components, and other large assemblies.
• StrongArm: Provides lift supports (gas struts) for hoods, trunks, and hatches.

 

[intheburbs]

Hopefully someone else buys some of the pieces. Tekonsha is kind of the leader in aftermarket trailer brake controllers.

 

[j91z28d1]

First Brands is owned by Patrick James, a businessman with a limited public profile. The company has grown through debt-funded acquisitions of products that are sold through mainstream retailers like Walmart and O’Reilly Auto Parts, according to Moody’s.

Walmart ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America.


I guess selling God awful quality parts at triple prices still isn't enough for these companies that have bought up everything. they need a $1B bail out.