First Brands (Fram) bankruptcy

[jkasch]

As an old codger, that seems so weird to say that out loud. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way things are going.

This old codger remembers when Made in Japan was synonymous with junk.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

This old codger remembers when Made in Japan was synonymous with junk.

Yep. Japan was once noted for production of cameras, stereo equipment and motorcycles. Automobiles? No way! LOL. That certainly changed didn't it?

 

[Fair enough]

Plus they can get a Pardon!

Probably not going to be on anyone’s radar. I have to disagree with not innocent, it’s innocent until proven guilty with no interpretations. Of course a witness to a bank robbery knows the robber is guilty but what if the witness lies.

They are deemed to be considered innocent until proven guilty or not guilty which has not yet been determined.

Even then, a verdict of Not Guilty does not necessarily mean they are innocent, just that the state failed to prove guilt.

That’s why I said it’s hard, but innocent they are under the laws in America.

 

[Hootbro]

This old codger remembers when Made in Japan was synonymous with junk.

That was because they were forced to deal with making what they could while their industrial infrastructure was getting rebuilt from the ground up post WWII. By the 1960's, that was left behind and any perception of cheap junk in the West was more related to lingering prejudices.

Germany went through a similar thing during the same time frame.

 

[ZeeOSix]

... it’s innocent until proven guilty with no interpretations.

Betting there will be enough evidence to show crimes were being conducted by the scammers running First Brands. Do crime, get convinced and go to jail.

 

[jkasch]

That was because they were forced to deal with making what they could while their industrial infrastructure was getting rebuilt from the ground up post WWII. By the 1960's, that was left behind and any perception of cheap junk in the West was more related to lingering prejudices.

Germany went through a similar thing during the same time frame.

Yeah, I have a pair of binoculars that say, “Made in Occupied Japan”. Pretty bad optically.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Found a Advance Auto FRAM Clearance air filter for my teens 2015 Honda Accord yesterday.
A Fram TITANIUM FSA11476 for $6.75! Some good FRAM deals if you can find any still in stock...

 

[bullwinkle]

Found a Advance Auto FRAM Clearance air filter for my teens 2015 Honda Accord yesterday.
A Fram TITANIUM FSA11476 for $6.75! Some good FRAM deals if you can find any still in stock...

View attachment 327556

Lucky-just about the time I cleaned out almost all the Fram Drive oil filters I could use from the local AAPs here, they jacked the FD oil filters back up to $5.99! They will go in the AAP dumpster at that price…

 

[jim302]

This is playing out in the headlines because it isn't just a normal buy it, suck it dry, and close it or sell off the parts as is often the course with investment companies.
Patrick and Edward James were arrested and charged in federal court in New York with conspiracy, money laundering and wire and bank fraud. They defrauded investors, stole from the subcompanies they controlled, and played where's the peanut with the money as they stole it.
Otherwise, it would just be another big name brands go bankrupt.

I suspect this is complicating the sale of Fram and other First Company owned brands. They made such a mess of things that buyers might not know what they are getting into and what equipment in the plants has been used as collateral for loans. This includes the possibility of the same assets being used as collateral for more than one loan according to the DOJ press release.

Potential buyers have walked away from multiple First Company brands. Just awful for the workers and local economy. Patrick and Edward James can rot in hell along with anyone who enabled their fraud.

 

[DirtJunky]

Okay, 100 years out was hyperbole. The rest I find true. Name me one American manufacturing company the people are actually happy to work for? They are not that common.

 

[Fair enough]

Yeah, I have a pair of binoculars that say, “Made in Occupied Japan”. Pretty bad optically.

Some of those are rare could be worth something. Actually optics in Japan were at a very high quality level. GI’s bought the early Nikon screw mount lenses for their Leicas, and the Nikon legend was born. Most were optical formula copies of Zeiss and Leitz lenses, but the manufacturing quality was so high camera bugs thought the Nikon Nikkors to be even better. Canon joined in too.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Okay, 100 years out was hyperbole. The rest I find true. Name me one American manufacturing company the people are actually happy to work for? They are not that common.

I know many here the Southeast. But I am bound by NDA's - even though you don't know who I am, I don't kiss and tell.

I have also known plenty of people that did not fit well with the Kaizen style of the Japanese. Not saying its bad - its just a different philosophy and quite different than Western worker norms.

The Euro plants here do seem to have the overall best environment for workers in general, or at least the happiest workers.

Of course these are broad stereotypes and every place is unique.

 

[Pablo]

Okay, 100 years out was hyperbole. The rest I find true. Name me one American manufacturing company the people are actually happy to work for? They are not that common.

Freedom Vans
A local herbal pharma company Flora
There are others You should get out more often and follow Mike Rowe

 

[4wd]

This old codger remembers when Made in Japan was synonymous with junk.

Lexus reflect upon that for a moment

 

[nthach]

Honda has an alternative filter made in Japan part # ends in A03, they also have HAMP (Honda aftermarket auto parts) which may be sourced here. Regardless, between Fram, Champion and others, there's a really big hole in the US supply chain. I'd really like to see a US based company step in here, there's a real opportunity, with existing factories and trained workforce ready to go back to work.

Honda would likely ramp up their contract with Toyo Roki USA(Filtech) or source from Indonesia, also Roki.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

This old codger remembers when Made in Japan was synonymous with junk.

And In can remember when Made In China was limited to Fireworks and those little drink umbrellas...
I then watched high end AV move from Japan to Malaysia and now China...

 

[addyguy]

If Fram does actually disappear, the filter market is in huge trouble.
Who can actually replace the volume of Fram filters sold in NA?? We are talking tens of millions of filters a year.
Most of my oil filter aisle, and all Canadian Tires and Walmarts and other parts stores are all orange box Frams. People know nothing about cars, but will know to buy an orange Fram.
Yes, we got in Wix filters, but I have 1 of each, and the Fram section is still bigger, plus hundreds in overstock.
Repair shops grab them when they can’t get anything else..if the disappear the parts industry is in HUGE trouble.
Add to that oil supply problems, and the huge oil change industry in NA might just collapse.

 

[Pablo]

If Fram does actually disappear, the filter market is in huge trouble.
Who can actually replace the volume of Fram filters sold in NA?? We are talking tens of millions of filters a year.
Most of my oil filter aisle, and all Canadian Tires and Walmarts and other parts stores are all orange box Frams. People know nothing about cars, but will know to buy an orange Fram.
Yes, we got in Wix filters, but I have 1 of each, and the Fram section is still bigger, plus hundreds in overstock.
Repair shops grab them when they can’t get anything else..if the disappear the parts industry is in HUGE trouble.
Add to that oil supply problems, and the huge oil change industry in NA might just collapse.

There hadn’t been been that much orange in O Reilly’s for awhile now
The big winner is already on the shelves.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Who can actually replace the volume of Fram filters sold in NA??

China. No problem. Will be called this:

 

[Pablo]