Automotive filter manufacturer and supplier Premium Guard Inc. has completed the second phase of its acquisition of key assets from bankrupt aftermarket parts supplier First Brands Group, a move that includes a major expansion of PGI’s North American distribution network.

Memphis, TN-based PGI said June 17 that it has leased a 730,000-square-foot distribution center in Hebron, KY and acquired machinery and equipment at the facility from First Brands. The site will become PGI’s fifth distribution center in North America and will serve as the primary hub for several strategic brands, including Autolite, TRICO and FRAM.

PGI said the additional capacity will support safety stock buildup, improve supply chain flexibility and help maintain customer service levels and on-time delivery performance. The company added that the facility will play a key role in relaunching and expanding its Luberfiner heavy-duty and industrial filtration programs.

The transaction also includes production lines for oil, air and cabin air filters in Albion, IL; manufacturing equipment from the legacy FRAM facility in Greenville, OH; a filtration-focused R&D center and laboratory; and inventory assets in the U.S. and Mexico. PGI said it plans to initially reinstate close to 300 jobs across engineering, manufacturing, product management, production, operations and other functions.

“This transaction is much more than an acquisition of assets; it is a strategic investment in the future of Premium Guard and our customers,” PGI Founder and CEO Anan Bishara said in a news release. “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.”

The deal follows PGI’s earlier acquisition of First Brands intellectual property and related assets, including assets tied to well-known automotive maintenance brands such as Autolite, FRAM, TRICO, ANCO, LuberFiner and StrongArm.

First Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2025, along with more than 100 affiliates. The company’s restructuring has continued to generate scrutiny, including federal pension agency involvement. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation said June 15 that it had assumed responsibility for three terminated First Brands pension plans covering 1,630 current and future retirees.