McHenry's Brake Parts sold to Cleveland-based group

McHenry-based Brake Parts Inc. was sold late last month to a Cleveland-based firm, marking an end to the manufacturer of automotive brake products being locally headquartered.

The new owner, First Brands Group, was interested in adding Raybestos-branded brake parts and Champion Laboratories Inc. products to its offerings, according to a news release.

Champion is a filtration manufacturer that makes a brand known as LuberFiner. Each product line had been manufactured by Brake Parts.

“Both Raybestos and LuberFiner are important and natural complements to our current vehicle maintenance and vehicle repair product solutions,” First Brands chief marketing officer Guy Andrysick said in the release. “We have strengthened our supplier position to support all customers with one of the most comprehensive portfolios of replacement products in the North American automotive aftermarket.”

With more than 400 employees, Brake Parts was among the city’s five largest employers, McHenry Economic Development Director Douglas Martin said.

“Brake Parts has been an extremely positive company to the city of McHenry for numerous years,” Martin said, adding that the business under President and CEO David Overbeeke was a significant contributor to the United Way of Greater McHenry County charitable organization.

It is unclear whether local jobs that had been with Brake Parts have been or will be affected by the transaction. Overbeeke referred questions to a First Brands representative who did not respond to a request for an interview Friday.

Overbeeke is staying on for 90 days to advise the company’s board chairman and CEO, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“[Brake Parts] is a big part of a our community considering their workforce,” McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said. “I think change is good at times, and [I] hope to see Brake Parts go to the next level to be bigger and stronger. I appreciate David Overbeeke’s relationship with the city of McHenry and wish him and his partners nothing but the best.”

The Brake Parts acquisition marks First Brands' third this year, according to a report issued last month by the Moody's credit rating service. First Brands Group was known as Trico Group LLC before the
acquisitions.