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First Brands (Fram) bankruptcy
- Thread starter Alien
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That second article was sad to read, but they are delusional if they think any potential buyer is going to reopen that exact location and let the Union back in honoring any previous contracts.
From the link I posted above:
"Nick Hoskins, president of UAW #2413, shared the plant closed sooner than the anticipated April 30 date due to a dispute between Honda and the company that owns the FRAM factory, First Brands, LLC. Honda felt they owned some of the equipment, and First Brands felt they owned the equipment. The result was Honda, who the FRAM factory was currently producing filters for, pulled its contract."
If they were making Honda filters there, maybe Honda should have just bought that production facility and kept it running to make just Honda filters and keep it running with the current employees. Sounds like they wanted to take the equipment they supposedly owned to go start production some place else.
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Your second article says different. It says "Onset" private capital, had a dispute with First Brands. So I am unsure why Honda would pull a contract over a Private Equity dispute not involving them? Trust me the equipment isn't going anywhere. There in Chapter 11, so nothing moves unless a judge says so.
"Onset claimed to own some of the equipment on the line that was used to produce for Honda The result was Honda, who the FRAM factory was currently producing filters for, pulled its contract."
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Companies depreciate their equipment for income tax deductions. That’s probably the only reason anyone would want to claim it. It would be a total loss.
The other point is persons have to be more careful when individuals are making statements, it isn’t necessarily correct, like calling someone on the phone.
The other point is persons have to be more careful when individuals are making statements, it isn’t necessarily correct, like calling someone on the phone.
Honda's contract is still connected to the equipment investment, so probably why the confusing statements in the article. If that equipment was leased by Fram, then it's possible that Onset/Honda could take the equipment back. But since nobody here has such details then who knows. Bottom line is Honda obviously wasn't happy and wanted to get out of any relationship with Fram and take any equipment they thought was theirs.
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Nobody knows how old or how much depreciation was on that equipment. Fram may have been leasing it, and if so the real owner(s) wanted it back. If Fram owned it all, nobody outside of Fram would be wanting it back.
Is this why my Walmart does not carry any more
Fram ? I was shock how many empty space.
So what every one budget oil filter now ?
Fram ? I was shock how many empty space.
So what every one budget oil filter now ?
What's your definition of a "budget filter"? In your signature you show using STP XL and Fram Endurance. Those aren't super cheap filters (like $3 to $5), so why not just keep using something like the STP XL or the other similar brands under PGI?
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Comment from South Main Auto on parts that has a tie to the bankruptcy of First Brands.
Of note- something we are all increasing focus on, a significant effort is mandatory in the selection of auto parts. The effort is deliberate, labor intensive, and time consuming:
Trying to order a brake controller and wiring today reminded me again just how much things have changed lately.
The bankruptcy and collapse of First Brands Group sent a shockwave through the aftermarket world. This is the parent company behind names like Draw-Tite, Reese, Tekonsha, Hopkins, Raybestos, Centric, Wagner, Autolite, FRAM, Carter, and more… brands we’ve all trusted for years.
What that means on my end isn’t just delays—it’s the constant headache of trying to find an alternative that’s actually still good quality.
Truth is, the older I get, the less tolerant I am of change… especially when it means gambling on parts I don’t fully trust. Anyone can slap something on a vehicle. That’s easy. Standing behind it and knowing it’s not coming back with a problem? That’s what matters.
Lately, that ’s been the real challenge. Digging, double-checking, and trying to make sure I’m not putting junk on something just because it’s “available.”
I’m figuring it out like always, but this has definitely made things more difficult than they should be.
Just know, a lot more goes into getting the right part right now than most people realize
Of note- something we are all increasing focus on, a significant effort is mandatory in the selection of auto parts. The effort is deliberate, labor intensive, and time consuming:
Trying to order a brake controller and wiring today reminded me again just how much things have changed lately.
The bankruptcy and collapse of First Brands Group sent a shockwave through the aftermarket world. This is the parent company behind names like Draw-Tite, Reese, Tekonsha, Hopkins, Raybestos, Centric, Wagner, Autolite, FRAM, Carter, and more… brands we’ve all trusted for years.
What that means on my end isn’t just delays—it’s the constant headache of trying to find an alternative that’s actually still good quality.
Truth is, the older I get, the less tolerant I am of change… especially when it means gambling on parts I don’t fully trust. Anyone can slap something on a vehicle. That’s easy. Standing behind it and knowing it’s not coming back with a problem? That’s what matters.
Lately, that ’s been the real challenge. Digging, double-checking, and trying to make sure I’m not putting junk on something just because it’s “available.”
I’m figuring it out like always, but this has definitely made things more difficult than they should be.
Just know, a lot more goes into getting the right part right now than most people realize
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Nowhere does it say the equipment is leased. Onset is a PE firm not an equipment supplier. I have never heard of leasing assembly equipment although I can’t say it never happened.
If Honda didn’t already want out I don’t see this happening. They likely wanted off the sinking ship like everyone else. Probably had a new supplier lined up.
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I'm NOT huge FRAM fan but hate to see FRAM go and this FRAM story truly upsets me but is nothing new as my recent road trips passing through many old small towns across the USA, I see main streets with EVERY old store, factory is now boarded up and closed or leveled and now a grass field.
EMPTY Main Street USA!
IF someone was ever in or thinking about being in the oil filter business NOW would be the time I guess to jump in as empty shelves at Walmart spells OPPORTUNITY for someone with a oil filter vision.
With the recent Tariffs ( I hear so much about ) and the push for returning Manufacturing to the USA my hope is could we see something positive come out of all this bad?
Personally, I feel oil filter quality ( like many other things we buy ) just walk down any isle at Walmart, look left and right and find me one thing one can say is TRULY BUILT WELL, Built with pride and is not just China Junk? ( perhaps a USA made car battery is all that comes to my mind ).
I would love to see a new oil filter brand that IS perhaps the most expensive on the shelf but built to the HIGHEST standard, the Box and filter would have Made In The USA printed in BOLD and perhaps we will see those top mounted bypass valves return that you can tell cost more money, time and pride to design and build vs the bottom mount bypass filters of today...
I know the average Walmart Shopper was tricked years ago that low price is EVERYTHING but I know we got plenty people on this forum that would love to see a company supply a better ( The BEST grade of filter,) Made in the USA with some Pride and yes its gonna cost more.
If a Five Guys Burger, fries and a drink can cost me $30 in 2026, I would be happy to pay the cost of lunch for a proper, USA well made oil filter that I in turn would get great fit and finish and great QC but as I see it we will get some China or India company fill tthat market void, those empty oil filter shelves will be filled with questionable Quality, Zero American Pride products and perhaps actually charge MORE than the price of lunch...
I'm afraid all we will see is more made in China oil filter options.
EMPTY Main Street USA!
IF someone was ever in or thinking about being in the oil filter business NOW would be the time I guess to jump in as empty shelves at Walmart spells OPPORTUNITY for someone with a oil filter vision.
With the recent Tariffs ( I hear so much about ) and the push for returning Manufacturing to the USA my hope is could we see something positive come out of all this bad?
Personally, I feel oil filter quality ( like many other things we buy ) just walk down any isle at Walmart, look left and right and find me one thing one can say is TRULY BUILT WELL, Built with pride and is not just China Junk? ( perhaps a USA made car battery is all that comes to my mind ).
I would love to see a new oil filter brand that IS perhaps the most expensive on the shelf but built to the HIGHEST standard, the Box and filter would have Made In The USA printed in BOLD and perhaps we will see those top mounted bypass valves return that you can tell cost more money, time and pride to design and build vs the bottom mount bypass filters of today...
I know the average Walmart Shopper was tricked years ago that low price is EVERYTHING but I know we got plenty people on this forum that would love to see a company supply a better ( The BEST grade of filter,) Made in the USA with some Pride and yes its gonna cost more.
If a Five Guys Burger, fries and a drink can cost me $30 in 2026, I would be happy to pay the cost of lunch for a proper, USA well made oil filter that I in turn would get great fit and finish and great QC but as I see it we will get some China or India company fill tthat market void, those empty oil filter shelves will be filled with questionable Quality, Zero American Pride products and perhaps actually charge MORE than the price of lunch...
I'm afraid all we will see is more made in China oil filter options.
I said "if the equipment was leased" ... I didn't say "it was" leased in any article or other source. If it was totally owned by Fram (instead of owned by or leased from Onset/Honda), then why would they be asking for it to be returned to them. Maybe they just recently bought some new equipment to make nice smooth leaf springs, and now they want it back.
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Who knows. Everyone is grabbing anything they can because they know there won't be much left. Lots of people are going to be left with zilch. The same collateral including pending receivables was pledged to multiple parties. There are all kinds of articles in the finance world, which would normally not care at all about an auto supplier going kaput - even a big one.I said "if the equipment was leased" ... I didn't say "it was" leased in any article or other source. If it was totally owned by Fram (instead of owned by or leased from Onset/Honda), then why would they be asking for it to be returned to them. Maybe they just recently bought some new equipment to make nice smooth leaf springs, and now they want it back.
The only option for the Honda was a genuine Honda filter in the Honda box at the local Walmart; the shelves have become scarce.
One problem with your premise of it costs the most is just that. Fram at one time made quality products and that was not very long ago. When Jay Buckley (Motorking) was at Fram and a frequent visitor and poster here Fram had some pretty good filters and a very good price too. There are millions in this country that want to have a good product and would prefer American Made but can not afford the "highest priced" option on the shelf no matter how much they prefer American. We know that Fram was capable of good quality and they could do so again and still have the cost of those filters close to what they are now. There is a huge problem in all of this in that the First Brands brothers and whoever else was involved have pretty much destroyed several big names in the auto repair industry. While there may be someone or some company that will buy the rights to some of these names they most likely will be nothing like the actual product is or was. It would be nice if Fram was bought and returned to the Jay Buckley days but I don't really see that happening.
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I guess I'm the exception as I tend to buy what I can't afford, The American way LOL, Its called Credit! I kid... ...
However, as example, I may buy a inexpensive car but buy the most expensive oil and filter for it but for that high expense I expect a better or best grade product and personally I will pay more for American made but its not always the consumers choice anymore and with everything made in China / India. As just one example, my medications, most all are now made in India...
However, as example, I may buy a inexpensive car but buy the most expensive oil and filter for it but for that high expense I expect a better or best grade product and personally I will pay more for American made but its not always the consumers choice anymore and with everything made in China / India. As just one example, my medications, most all are now made in India...
The best oil filter is a short OCI. Very small particles that no filter can catch - well maybe a micron bypass filter - have been shown to cause wear. Best is to dump the oil and start new again if you’re really concerned.
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I want to buy American as much as everyone else, but American companies have to be competitive, in price, quality, or preferably both.
Unfortunately in this case, failure to compete wasn’t the reason for their demise. Regardless of the actual quality of their products, good or bad, FRAM was still highly competitive, had a large share of the market, enormous brand recognition, massive distribution, and at least one OEM contract. This the result of corporate greed, fraud and corruption. A few really bad people who maybe not intentionally, but knowingly, ran it into the ground and didn’t care as long as they made out in the end.
In the end, it hurts the consumer. One less competitor, one less reason for other manufacturers to be competitive, less incentive for other manufacturers to innovate, less options for consumers to choose from.
Unfortunately in this case, failure to compete wasn’t the reason for their demise. Regardless of the actual quality of their products, good or bad, FRAM was still highly competitive, had a large share of the market, enormous brand recognition, massive distribution, and at least one OEM contract. This the result of corporate greed, fraud and corruption. A few really bad people who maybe not intentionally, but knowingly, ran it into the ground and didn’t care as long as they made out in the end.
In the end, it hurts the consumer. One less competitor, one less reason for other manufacturers to be competitive, less incentive for other manufacturers to innovate, less options for consumers to choose from.
