Albion's Second Chance: PGI Revives a Factory and Bets on America

ALBION, IL – June 24, 2026 – In a move that sends ripples far beyond this small Southern Illinois community, Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) today announced the revival of the historic Champion Laboratories facility, breathing new life into a factory left dormant and bringing nearly 200 manufacturing jobs back to a town that desperately needs them. The decision is more than a simple business expansion; it is a calculated bet on American manufacturing, a strategic reinforcement of domestic supply chains, and a direct challenge to the corporate philosophies that led to the plant's closure just months ago.

For the roughly 6,000 residents of Edwards County, the reopening is a tangible sign of hope. The original Champion Labs facility, founded just down the road in 1955, was not just an employer but the economic bedrock of the region for generations. Its closure earlier this year under previous owner First Brands Group was a devastating blow, creating a void of jobs and certainty. Now, PGI's acquisition of the plant assets is set to reverse that course, rewriting a narrative of industrial decline into one of renewal.

A Lifeline for a Town's Industrial Heart

The impact of Champion Labs' shutdown cannot be overstated. In a county where manufacturing is the largest employment sector, the loss of hundreds of jobs was a crippling event. The announcement of PGI's investment has been met with a wave of relief and cautious optimism. The company's plan is not a vague promise; it is a concrete strategy that is already in motion. Hiring has begun for roles ranging from Filter Assemblers and Pleater Operators to Maintenance Technicians and Team Leaders, with competitive wages that signal a serious commitment to building a skilled workforce.

PGI aims to have 200 manufacturing workers on the floor within the next one to two years, a significant number that will have a profound multiplier effect on the local economy. The company is also making a concerted effort to welcome back former Champion team members, a move that both honors the facility's legacy and shrewdly preserves generations of specialized manufacturing expertise. This focus on retaining local talent underscores a deep understanding of what made the original Champion Labs a respected name in the filtration industry: its people.

A Deliberate Rebuke to 'Financial Engineering'

In today's announcement, PGI CEO Anan Bishara delivered a pointed critique of the practices that led to Albion's predicament. "In the last decade, trust was lost by a company that prioritized financial engineering over all else," Bishara stated. "Our philosophy is different — we are a customer, team, and product-focused company." This isn't just corporate rhetoric; it's a direct reference to the 2025 bankruptcy of former parent company First Brands Group, a collapse that shuttered 17 facilities and eliminated over 4,000 jobs across the country.

Where First Brands saw assets to be liquidated, PGI appears to see a foundation to build upon. Bishara's vision frames the acquisition as a strategic investment in talent, technology, and community. By re-establishing a filtration-focused R&D center and laboratory alongside manufacturing, PGI is signaling a long-term commitment to innovation, not just production volume. This approach suggests a belief that sustainable value is created through product excellence and operational stability, not just balance sheet maneuvers. It is a philosophy that positions the well-being of the community and the workforce as integral to corporate success, a stark contrast to the model that previously failed them.

Forging a Resilient American Supply Chain

PGI's investment in Albion is a key piece in a much larger puzzle. The move is a powerful example of the growing "reshoring" trend, as companies across industries seek to insulate themselves from the vulnerabilities of sprawling global supply chains. By establishing the Albion facility as a key domestic manufacturing hub within its nine-country network, PGI is enhancing its own operational resilience and gaining a significant competitive advantage.

This isn't an isolated move. The acquisition of the Champion Labs assets was part of a larger deal that included a new 730,000-square-foot distribution center in Kentucky and manufacturing equipment from the legacy FRAM facility in Ohio. This multi-state investment demonstrates a coordinated strategy to build a robust domestic manufacturing and logistics footprint. By bringing production closer to its North American customer base—which includes major retail, commercial, and e-commerce channels—PGI can improve supply chain flexibility, enhance on-time delivery, and build up the safety stock needed to navigate future disruptions.

The acquisition also brought powerful brands like Autolite, FRAM, and TRICO under PGI's control, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the automotive aftermarket. The decision to revitalize a historic American factory to produce these iconic brands is a potent symbol. It suggests a future where the path to market leadership runs not through outsourcing and financialization, but through strategic investments in American workers, infrastructure, and innovation. The revival of the Albion plant is a test case, watched closely by a nation grappling with how to rebuild its industrial base for the 21st century.