Fram/First Brands bankrupt....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,860
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Fram/First Brands bankrupt....
Just heard this, and it may have been posted previously, but Fram/First Brands filed Chapter 11 last September. I use Wix. But Fram apparently manufactured filters for many other companies. However, I don't believe Wix was one of them. Anyway, it has really hit Wally World hard. In my area, they wont even make appointments because they are running out of filters! So I had to get the proper filter from Autozone for the daily driver, then Walmart refunded the cost of the filter off the normal rate. FWIW......
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 87
Likes: 22
From: SW CO
Just heard this, and it may have been posted previously, but Fram/First Brands filed Chapter 11 last September. I use Wix. But Fram apparently manufactured filters for many other companies. However, I don't believe Wix was one of them. Anyway, it has really hit Wally World hard. In my area, they wont even make appointments because they are running out of filters! So I had to get the proper filter from Autozone for the daily driver, then Walmart refunded the cost of the filter off the normal rate. FWIW......
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 266
Likes: 63
From: Virginia
Just heard this, and it may have been posted previously, but Fram/First Brands filed Chapter 11 last September. I use Wix. But Fram apparently manufactured filters for many other companies. However, I don't believe Wix was one of them. Anyway, it has really hit Wally World hard. In my area, they wont even make appointments because they are running out of filters! So I had to get the proper filter from Autozone for the daily driver, then Walmart refunded the cost of the filter off the normal rate. FWIW......
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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IDK.... I live not far from Cass City, Michigan, where, IIRC, Walbro was founded. Don't know any more than I've posted. I hate when these big damn companies start buying up all these smaller ones. Then when all those eggs are in one basket, it all goes down if the main company goes down. If you're an older person with prescription needs, you see this same thing with Walgreens. Walgreens is still around, but they bought out all the other competitors, and now they're overwhelmed because everyone that went to Rite Aid and wherever else now must go to Walgreens...
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Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: CT
IDK.... I live not far from Cass City, Michigan, where, IIRC, Walbro was founded. Don't know any more than I've posted. I hate when these big damn companies start buying up all these smaller ones. Then when all those eggs are in one basket, it all goes down if the main company goes down. If you're an older person with prescription needs, you see this same thing with Walgreens. Walgreens is still around, but they bought out all the other competitors, and now they're overwhelmed because everyone that went to Rite Aid and wherever else now must go to Walgreens...
I believe we need to knock down the mega corps. Others have run the titles, however, and the reality today is that they all inter-own one another massively. The western market basket of primary companies really is one giant mega corp behind the scenes. Humans own a very minor percentage in each vs cross ownership by other companies.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Yes, I think I remember seeing that China has purchased Wix. Hopefully they'll leave them alone. These big conglomerates have NEVER heard of the adage if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Helen Keller had more foresight, and a higher IQ, than these get rich quick, wet behind the ears whiz kid CEO's. You should see the YT video on what has happened at Vernors, another company founded in Michigan, famous for their once great ginger ale......
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 637
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From: San Jose CA
Wix has been owned by MANN+HUMMEL (German) for more than a decade. Many people say their quality has gone down in the last couple of years.
I use Baldwin oil filters almost exclusively now - they are the only US made filter on the market. The LSx oil filter is Part # B31, You can buy them at FleetPride stores for less than $10.
https://ph.baldwinfilters.com/baldwi...be-filters/b31
Fortunately for all of us, the GM/Isuzu NPR Trucks with gas engines use a LS 6.0, so the filters are stocking items at most HD truck stores
The First Brands collapse is scary - GM and Ford are in a panic as those were a lot of OEM parts.
I use Baldwin oil filters almost exclusively now - they are the only US made filter on the market. The LSx oil filter is Part # B31, You can buy them at FleetPride stores for less than $10.
https://ph.baldwinfilters.com/baldwi...be-filters/b31
Fortunately for all of us, the GM/Isuzu NPR Trucks with gas engines use a LS 6.0, so the filters are stocking items at most HD truck stores
The First Brands collapse is scary - GM and Ford are in a panic as those were a lot of OEM parts.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
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From: Dyer, IN
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 87
Likes: 22
From: SW CO
Wix has been owned by MANN+HUMMEL (German) for more than a decade. Many people say their quality has gone down in the last couple of years.
I use Baldwin oil filters almost exclusively now - they are the only US made filter on the market. The LSx oil filter is Part # B31, You can buy them at FleetPride stores for less than $10.
https://ph.baldwinfilters.com/baldwi...be-filters/b31
Fortunately for all of us, the GM/Isuzu NPR Trucks with gas engines use a LS 6.0, so the filters are stocking items at most HD truck stores
The First Brands collapse is scary - GM and Ford are in a panic as those were a lot of OEM parts.
I use Baldwin oil filters almost exclusively now - they are the only US made filter on the market. The LSx oil filter is Part # B31, You can buy them at FleetPride stores for less than $10.
https://ph.baldwinfilters.com/baldwi...be-filters/b31
Fortunately for all of us, the GM/Isuzu NPR Trucks with gas engines use a LS 6.0, so the filters are stocking items at most HD truck stores
The First Brands collapse is scary - GM and Ford are in a panic as those were a lot of OEM parts.
https://www.baldwinfilters.com/conte...on_Ratings.pdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 244
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 637
Likes: 334
From: San Jose CA
Being unfamiliar with Baldwin filters, I used the link you provided to visit their website. The link shows the B31 micron ratings as 18 and 40 for, respectively, the nominal and absolute ratings. I contacted Baldwin, asking what the filtration efficiencies of the B31 are for 18 and 40 microns. They say the efficiency at 18 microns is 50% and for 40 microns it is 98.7%.
https://www.baldwinfilters.com/conte...on_Ratings.pdf
https://www.baldwinfilters.com/conte...on_Ratings.pdf
Hate to tell you, but those have functionally been the same products for about a decade.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 244
I have been in this "game" 55+ years so knew them (RAYBESTOS) when they made good stuff.
I haven't been in need much of anything the last 10 years as my needs are in decline versus new people on the scene
I have LOTS OF STOCK that I am working down including FRAM filters from back when they were good
I haven't been in need much of anything the last 10 years as my needs are in decline versus new people on the scene
I have LOTS OF STOCK that I am working down including FRAM filters from back when they were good
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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I haven’t bought a Fram filter since the Nixon administration, so whatever…