First Brands news?

[ZeeOSix]

If PGI is going to fire up and start cranking out Frams and Champion Labs branded filters with the leaf spring design, I hope they know about the ruffled leaky leaf spring issue and get it fixed. PGI .. you read this forum?

 

[Hootbro]

I didn't know the plant was union. That definitely won't help them if that's the case.

I think all the legacy FRAM USA manufacturing operations were Unionized. Champion Labs in Albion was not and part of the reason many of the FRAM SKU's were transferred to the Albion plant after First Brands acquired both companies because it was cheaper to operate due to labor costs in Albion and not having to deal with Union pushback if they were to automate more operations.

While PGI would not legally be required to recognize a Union in a prior ownership FRAM operating plant if they were to resume operations, but history has shown the Union local or International would likely do harassing methods to be recognize outright or push for immediate NLRB monitored vote, especially if PGI was to rehire many of the former FRAM workers that were prior Union members.

I do not think PGI wants to deal with that dynamic.

 

[motorguy222]

Read the "Premium Guard Phase 2" post regarding the latest info in General Automotive Topics.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Read the "Premium Guard Phase 2" post regarding the latest info in General Automotive Topics.

Here's the link for those who don't want to go look for it.

M

Thread 'Premium Guard Phase 2'

Jun 19, 2026

Premium Guard announced on June 17 that they had completed phase 2 of the acquisition of Fram and other brands from First Brands. The statement said that they were going to merge the the Albion Illinois and the Greeneville OH facilities and keep around 300 jobs. They also leased a 730,000 square foot distribution center and equipment in Hebron Kentucky from FB. The center will be PGI's fifth distribution center in the US. You can read the full press release here...

• motorguy222
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

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[Mainia]

If PGI is going to fire up and start cranking out Frams and Champion Labs branded filters with the leaf spring design, I hope they know about the ruffled leaky leaf spring issue and get it fixed. PGI .. you read this forum?

I would think any engineer worth one's salt, can see that design is an epic failure, and should be scrubbed from being manufactured.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I would think any engineer worth one's salt, can see that design is an epic failure, and should be scrubbed from being manufactured.

It's more of a manufacturing quality issue. Before First Brands took Fram sideways they were making nice smooth and flat leaf springs. Lots of older C&P threads show that evidence.

 

[Mainia]

It's more of a manufacturing quality issue. Before First Brands took Fram sideways they were making nice smooth and flat leaf springs. Lots of older C&P threads show that evidence.

Yes, I know that, and did it not also have some form of seal/gasket there too they took away in the lower quality/reduced cost to them (not to the customer) redesign? That accordion was designed in for some reason, because it was there as part of the stamping die set design, not just a causation of an inadequate full cycle of the stamping die, IE "quality issue".