A major acquisition is bringing new hope to Albion following the closure of Champion Laboratories earlier this year.
Memphis Tennessee based Premium Guard, Inc. announced it has acquired key intellectual properties and facilities connected to bankrupt First Brands Group, including Champion Labs, through a reported $25 million deal.
During this week’s Albion City Council meeting, officials said PGI has purchased the main manufacturing plant along Illinois Route 130, as well as the company’s engineering building, formerly known as the Johnnye Manufacturing building. However, the former LuberFiner facilities in Albion’s industrial park are not currently part of the expansion.
City leaders were also informed that PGI has already hired approximately three dozen employees and could employ as many as 200 manufacturing workers within the next one to two years. The company’s human resources office in Albion has also resumed operations.
In a statement released Wednesday, a company spokesperson said PGI is committed to rebuilding the Champion Laboratories legacy and supporting the local community.
“Premium Guard, Inc. is working hard to restore the legacy of Champion Laboratories and find a way forward to help both the employees and the Albion community,” the statement read. “Our team truly appreciates the generations of local employees who have exceptional knowledge and manufacturing know-how.”
Champion Labs ceased operations on February 23 after First Brands Group filed for bankruptcy and failed to secure a buyer for the Albion facility. The closure left as many as 1,000 workers unemployed.
Founded in 1996, Premium Guard is a global supplier of aftermarket filtration products, including air, oil, cabin, and marine filters. The company markets products under brands including Pureflow, PwrSteer, Ecogard, 5Micron, and Silblade. Through the First Brands acquisition, PGI also gains control of brands including Autolite, Fram, Trico, Anco, and StrongArm.
The collapse of First Brands Group resulted in the shutdown of 17 manufacturing plants nationwide and the loss of roughly 4,000 jobs. The company filed for bankruptcy in September 2025, reporting approximately $5 billion in annual sales but only $12 million in available cash while claiming liabilities totaling $9 billion.