Was at our local Walmart today to get a jug of Rain-X 2-in-1 Orange washer fluid, it was up a buck from the last time I got some $4.97 Had a chance to eyeball the filter shelves, pretty much gutted. Even the Mobil1 filters mostly gone, haven't been restocked. Availability is costing them a lot of sales and dollar volume, hopefully there's something going on behind the scenes to remedy this. Obviously, there's lots of money to be made, im just hoping all the business won't go overseas.
Fram website down
- Thread starter bigdavep140
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No, PGI Northstar - which is somehow owned partially or fully by Premium Guard, bought the name and all IP only. They did not acquire any physical equipment or plant space.
What are the 'Assets' they say are part of the deal then?
What are the 'Assets' they say are part of the deal then?
I'm good with that.
Is the e-core patented do you know. That could be a significant cost saver for PG possibly.
Here is the full press release. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ands Group across multiple product categories.
I assume "assets" are the IP. I have seen several blurbs and a couple specifically mention no equipment, and since this press release directly from PGI does not mention any specific plants, I assume not.
Given PGI I think manufacturers everything off shore, presumably through contract manufacturers, it makes sense.
"The addition of these intellectual property assets enhances PGI's ability to further develop its product offering, accelerate innovation, and support customers across multiple segments and geographies.
"This is a meaningful step forward for PGI," said Anan Bishara, Founder and CEO of PGI. "The know-how, patents, and engineering capabilities we are acquiring, particularly in wiper blades, spark plugs, and diesel filtration, significantly strengthen our platform,"
Basic E-core design is over 20+ years old. Doubt there is any patent coverage still valid unless they had a new patent issued when they went from fiber end caps and combo valve to metal end caps and dome in leaf spring bypass valve.
From what I ready today the sale is on hold. NOCO cried to a judge they where not allowed to bid.
I think the eCore center tube when it first came out was patented by Champion Labs, but I think others have used similar nylon cage center tubes. All they have to do is change the design details to a degree to not look like a direct copy.
Yep, and here come the $16 and $18 oil filters.
Can you think of a non Champ Labs without a nylon tube? I can not?
They may have something like "nylon tube as center core for oil filter" as the patent, which someone might be able to challenge in a lawsuit but you have to fund the lawsuit which might not be worth it?
Either way PGI owns it now if its not expired and could do what they want.
I keep wondering who GM is going to source from for all their oil filters.
Can't off the top of my head, but vaguely recall seeing someone use a non-metal center tube. I don't think someone could simply patent the basic concept of a non-metal/nylon center tube with openings, but probably could on certain design aspect details. That would be like patenting a rubber ADBV that is round to prevent oil from draining back, and nobody else could design an ADBV in that same basic configuration. For what it's worth, this is what Mr. Chat says if asked specifically about Champ Labs patent on the nylon center tube (their eCore): HERE
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I would think PGI had prior discussions with GM lining up work with them prior to even sealing the deal with the bankruptcy folks.
Also it’s obvious so much of the deal had nothing to do with oil filters at all.
Also it’s obvious so much of the deal had nothing to do with oil filters at all.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
FRAM shelves at Walmart i frequent hasn't been restocked in a week. Not a good sign for them.
They can patent a lot of crazy things and I have seen it done. You can maybe defeat the patent but often no worth the time and money. You couldn't patent a ADBV given they have been around in common use for 100 years.
Thanks for the link!
From this thread, it looks like they already had a deal with PGI. Maybe they'll start painting them blue?
I work at a GM dealer and we started getting these. Are they PGI? They sure look like it.
More digging shows that Champion Labs did have patents on the nylon center tube, but looks like they are now over 20 years old so probably expired these days ---> info HERE
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I’d trust it
The FRAM web site is truly gone for now so we will see what happens now maybe a clue to the future for sure
