First Brands Group files for bankruptcy (Fram, Autolite, Raybestos)

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You've probably never heard of First Brands Group, but if you've spent much time in an auto parts store, you've heard of some brands it owns: Fram filters, Autolite spark plugs, Trico wipers, and Raybestos brake pads, among many others. With that in mind, the news from Reuters that First Brands has filed for bankruptcy takes on a new level of seriousness for home mechanics and independent auto shops.

Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/1984356/first-brands-aftermarket-parts-supplier-bankrupt/
 
This from Bloomsburg

(Is off-balance-sheet financing like "cooking the books?"). Any CPA can explain?

Lenders to the parent company of the Trico and Fram brands burned by the auto parts supplier’s use of off-balance-sheet financing quickly assembled a $1.1 billion emergency lifeline to prevent the business from completely unraveling.
 
An article in the WSJ.

The company got loans from Wall Street using inventory and accounts receivable from companies like AutoZone. Sound like they got more than one loan against the same collateral. But read the article and draw your own conclusions.

https://www.wsj.com/business/first-brands-collapse-patrick-james-306d7869?st=zFM8rb
Decent summary, for me at least. I was not following this at all and I had some earlier assumptions which were quite wrong. For example I knew nothing of James.

Even a 2bit investor such as myself wouldn't have loaned this clown a dime. There must be some shame, something for the people who did. Beyond bye-bye dollars.
 
Patrick James, the chief executive of bankrupt auto-parts supplier First Brands, has resigned and will be succeeded by one of the company’s restructuring advisers.

James led the company through a rapid expansion in recent years and used debt to accumulate 25 auto-parts brands. James was the company’s founder and sole equity owner.

He will be succeeded as interim CEO by Charles Moore, an executive at advisory firm Alvarez and Marsal, who took over as chief restructuring officer when First Brands entered bankruptcy protection.

Over the weekend, Jefferies Financial sought to reassure investors that it can absorb any potential losses related to the First Brands bankruptcy, after its shares fell 18% last week.

Last Wednesday, the Wall Street bank disclosed its Point Bonita Capital investment fund had about $715 million of exposure to First Brands.
 
Rainy season is here-- who's gonna supply our wiper blades? These guys own Anco and Trico.
 
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