Premium Guard announced that it has completed Phase 2 of its acquisition of key assets from First Brands Group.
The transaction expands Premium Guard’s U.S. manufacturing capabilities, engineering resources, North American distribution network, and workforce base.
The acquired assets include advanced production lines for oil, air, and cabin air filters in Albion, Illinois, as well as key manufacturing equipment from the legacy FRAM facility in Greenville, Ohio.
Premium Guard said the Greenville assets will be consolidated into the Albion facility, creating one of the filtration industry’s most advanced manufacturing operations in North America.
As part of the transaction, Premium Guard also acquired an R&D center and laboratory focused on filtration technologies and water separation systems. The facility will serve as a center of excellence for product engineering, materials science, testing, validation, and advanced filtration technologies.
Premium Guard plans to initially reinstate nearly 300 jobs as part of the integration and restart of operations. Additional employment opportunities are expected in later phases as the business continues to scale.
The positions include management and technical roles across engineering, manufacturing, product management, production, and operations.
The acquisition also includes inventory assets located in the U.S. and Mexico, which Premium Guard said will help ensure supply continuity and provide additional capacity to support the acquired brands.
Premium Guard has also entered into a lease agreement for a 730,000-square-foot distribution center in Hebron, Kentucky. As part of the transaction, the company acquired machinery and equipment located at the facility from First Brands Group.
The Hebron facility will become Premium Guard’s fifth distribution center in North America and will serve as the primary hub for several strategic brands, including Autolite, TRICO, and FRAM. It will also support the relaunch and expansion of Premium Guard’s Luberfiner heavy-duty and industrial filtration programs.
Premium Guard said the added distribution capacity will allow the company to build safety stock, increase supply chain flexibility, and maintain customer service and on-time delivery performance.
The Phase 2 acquisition builds on Premium Guard’s broader investments in domestic manufacturing, distribution infrastructure, and product development capabilities for the automotive aftermarket.
KEY QUOTES:
“This transaction is much more than an acquisition of assets; it is a strategic investment in the future of Premium Guard and our customers. The addition of advanced manufacturing capabilities, world-class engineering resources, expanded distribution infrastructure, and experienced industry talent significantly accelerates our strategy of building a robust domestic manufacturing base and an even more resilient, diversified supply chain. By expanding our manufacturing and distribution footprint in North America, and by reinstating close to 300 jobs across key functions, we are better positioned to support our customers with industry-leading service levels, greater supply assurance, faster innovation, and long-term sustainable growth.”
Anan Bishara, Founder and CEO of Premium Guard
“We are incredibly excited to bring this transaction to a successful conclusion. The acquired assets, combined with the dedication and expertise of our team, position PGI to further strengthen iconic brands such as Autolite, TRICO, and Luberfiner while continuing to invest aggressively in product innovation, customer service, and supply chain excellence.”
Anan Bishara, Founder and CEO of Premium Guard
