First Brands Group: A Global Automotive Parts Manufacturer with a Diverse Portfolio of Market-Leading Brands

Introduction

First Brands Group is a global automotive parts manufacturer that develops, markets, and sells premium products through a portfolio of market-leading brands. The company serves the worldwide automotive aftermarket industry with best-in-class technology, engineering, manufacturing, and customer service. Some of the well-known brands under First Brands Group are Raybestos®, LuberFiner®, FRAM®, TRICO®, Carter®, ANCO®, StrongArm®, and Autolite®.

History and Acquisitions

First Brands Group was formerly known as TRICO Group, which was founded in 1917 as the Tri-Continental Corporation. The company started as a windshield wiper manufacturer and later expanded into other product categories such as fuel and water pumps, lift supports, and spark plugs. In 2017, TRICO Group acquired FRAM Group, a leading filtration products manufacturer with brands such as FRAM®, LuberFiner®, and Prestone®.

In 2020, TRICO Group changed its name to First Brands Group to reflect its diversified portfolio of automotive parts brands. The company also acquired Brake Parts Inc., which manufactures and markets brake products including the full line of Raybestos® branded brake parts, and Champion Laboratories Inc., a full-line filtration manufacturer with LuberFiner® as a leading brand These acquisitions enhanced First Brands Group’s position as a supplier of complete brake solutions, filtration products, wiper blades, gas springs, spark plugs, and fuel and water pumps.

In 2023, First Brands Group completed the acquisition of Horizon Global Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of branded towing and trailering equipment. Horizon Global’s portfolio includes pioneering brands such as Reese®, Draw-Tite®, Bulldog®, Tekonsha®, Fulton®, Wesbar®, and ROLA®. The acquisition added towing and trailering products to First Brands Group’s comprehensive offering of vehicle maintenance and vehicle repair products.

Products and Services

First Brands Group offers a wide range of products and services for various segments of the automotive aftermarket industry. The company’s products include:

• Brake products: brake pads, rotors, calipers, hoses, hardware, master cylinders, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, drums, parking brakes, hydraulics, fluids, and accessories.
• Filtration products: oil filters, air filters, cabin air filters, fuel filters, transmission filters, coolant filters, hydraulic filters, and heavy-duty filters.
• Wiper blades: conventional wiper blades, beam wiper blades, hybrid wiper blades, rear wiper blades, winter wiper blades, specialty wiper blades, washer pumps, washer fluid reservoirs, and accessories.
• Gas springs: lift supports for hoods, trunks, tailgates, hatchbacks, windows, doors, seats, sunroofs, and tonneau covers.
• Spark plugs: copper spark plugs, platinum spark plugs, iridium spark plugs, double platinum spark plugs, and racing spark plugs.
• Fuel and water pumps: mechanical fuel pumps, electric fuel pumps, fuel pump modules, fuel pump assemblies, fuel pump strainers, fuel pump hangers, fuel pump regulators, water pumps, and water pump kits.
• Towing and trailering products: hitches, ball mounts, couplers, jacks, brake controls, wiring harnesses, connectors, adapters, lights, mirrors, cargo management systems, bike carriers, roof racks, and accessories.

First Brands Group also provides various services to its customers such as technical support, training programs, warranty programs, marketing programs, and online catalogs.

Conclusion

First Brands Group is a global automotive parts manufacturer that has a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands. The company has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic growth to offer a comprehensive range of products and services for the automotive aftermarket industry. First Brands Group is committed to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service to its customers around the world.