Strategic Move Aims to Expand Global Reach and Strengthen Brand Value
First Brands Group, LLC, a leading global supplier of aftermarket automotive parts, has announced the launch of a formal sale process to explore strategic alternatives for its business, either as a whole or in individual segments. The initiative aims to maximize stakeholder value, support the Company’s transition to new ownership, and facilitate its emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings.The decision follows significant inbound interest from both strategic and financial counterparties. As part of the process, First Brands is also engaged in discussions with an ad hoc group of lenders regarding a comprehensive agreement to provide additional debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing. The lenders are also expected to act as stalking horse bidders for select business units, subject to final agreement and court approval. The proposed financing would help ensure uninterrupted supply and service for customers throughout the sale process.
According to Interim Chief Executive Officer Charles Moore, the launch of the marketing process marks a critical step toward securing long-term stability for the Company’s well-established brands. He noted that recent months have highlighted the strong underlying value of First Brands’ portfolio and the growth potential within its core aftermarket businesses, supported by continued lender backing and robust market interest.
First Brands’ portfolio includes a broad range of mission-critical automotive products, such as brakes, filters, spark plugs, wipers, pumps, lighting, towing equipment, and accessories. The Company owns several well-known aftermarket and OEM brands, including FRAM, Raybestos, Trico, Autolite, and Reese, each supported by long-standing customer relationships across retail and commercial channels. Its global manufacturing and distribution network, combined with operational and financial improvements implemented during the restructuring process, positions the Company to capitalize on long-term demand trends in the North American automotive aftermarket sector, valued at approximately $410 billion.
As part of the next steps, First Brands expects to seek court approval to conduct a sale and marketing process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Company intends to pursue the highest or otherwise best offers for its assets, with the goal of completing the process in the first quarter of 2026, subject to court approval.
Additional details regarding the Chapter 11 proceedings are available through the Company’s claims agent, Kroll. First Brands is advised by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as legal counsel, Lazard as investment banker, Alvarez & Marsal as financial advisor, and C Street Advisory Group as strategic communications advisor. The ad hoc group of lenders is advised by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Evercore, and Huron Consulting Group.
About First Brands Group
First Brands Group™ is a global automotive parts company that develops, markets and sells premium products through a portfolio of market-leading brands including: Raybestos® complete brake solutions, Centric Parts® replacement brake components, StopTech® performance brakes, FRAM® filtration products, Luber-finer® filtration products, TRICO® wiper blades, ANCO® wiper blades, Michelin® licensed wiper blades, Carter® fuel and water pumps, Autolite® spark plugs, StrongArm® lift supports, Carlson® brake hardware, CARDONE® new and remanufactured replacement parts, and our towing & trailering portfolio composed of REESE®, DRAWTITE®, BULLDOG®, TEKONSHA®, FULTON®, Westfalia® along with Hopkins® universal owned and licensed brands and Philips® licensed aftermarket lighting. The First Brands Group™ portfolio of world-class brands offers best-in-class technology, industry-leading engineering capabilities and superior customer service.
