Shell Completes Sale of Jiffy Lube Business to Monomoy Capital Partners

Shell's United States lubricants business has completed the previously announced sale of Jiffy Lube International and its subsidiary Premium Velocity Auto LLC business to an affiliate of Monomoy Capital Partners, as shared in a recent press release.

The $1.3 billion sale includes the Jiffy Lube brand and a network of franchised stores which are owned and operated by independent franchisees, in addition to franchised stores that are owned and operated by PVA.

Shell will retain its Pennzoil Quaker State, Rotella, and other Shell Lubricants brands, along with marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of lubricants in the U.S. and Canada that serve consumer, commercial, and industrial sectors.

As part of the transaction, Pennzoil Quaker State Company will also retain a long-term lubricants supply agreement with Monomoy.

RelaDyne Acquires Chart Distribution Group to Expand Regional Reach

RelaDyne has acquired Chart Distribution Group, as shared in a recent press release.

Founded in 1974, Chart Distribution Group is a regional distributor based in St. Louis, Missouri, that supports automotive, commercial, and related markets.

“RelaDyne is a perfect fit for our employees, customers, and the markets we serve,” said Frank Palazzo, president of Chart Distribution Group. “By joining RelaDyne, we will be able to build on the customer relationships we’ve established while gaining access to expanded resources, product offerings, and support. This partnership will allow us to continue serving our customers with the same local commitment they know and trust, backed by the scale and capabilities of a national organization like RelaDyne.”

“The RelaDyne team is thrilled to welcome Chart Distribution Group to the RelaDyne family,” said Eric Royse, chief executive officer of RelaDyne. “Chart Distribution Group has built meaningful customer relationships across the Midwest market, and the team brings valuable regional expertise to our organization. As we bring our teams together, we look forward to expanding the resources, capabilities, and support available to Chart’s customers while continuing to build on the service they have come to expect.”

Ford Issues Recalls for Multiple Vehicle Defects Affecting Thousands of Models

Ford has issued recalls for three separate defects, reports CBS News.

42,784 of Ford’s Mustang Mach E vehicles, from 2021 through 2023 model years, were recalled for a pinion shaft issue.

The issue can cause vehicles to experience a loss of power, or lead to a parked vehicle moving without the park brake engaged.

Also recalled were 67,842 Ford Mustang (2024 through 26 model years) and Ford Mustang GTD (2025 through 26 model years) vehicles, due to a windshield wiper and washing system malfunction.

Ford’s third recall covered 66,383 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid (2024 through 27 model years) and Explorer Hybrid (2025 through 27 model years) vehicles, citing a software defect preventing pedestrian warning sounds from playing.

ASE Expands Support for Service Professionals Through WrenchWay Integration

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence has announced the acquisition of WrenchWay. Under the agreement, WrenchWay’s co-founders and employees will join the ASE team. Their expertise will help ASE fully realize its charter to support the transportation industry by strengthening connections between schools, employers and industry partners while expanding support for current and future service professionals.

“Modernizing ASE has always meant more than updating our tests. It means rethinking how we serve technicians, shops, educators and the next generation entering the industry,” said Dave Johnson, president and CEO of ASE. “WrenchWay has built something remarkable, and together, we can deliver on that vision at a scale neither of us could achieve alone.”

The acquisition reflects ASE’s continued commitment to embracing technology and a customer-first mentality. Earlier this year, ASE and WrenchWay launched ASE Connects to help build a stronger technician pipeline. The platform strengthens connections between schools and industry, expands access to workforce data and supports automotive, diesel and collision career pathways. As the organizations integrate, ASE Connects will remain a major focus, while WrenchWay’s technology and expertise support additional areas across ASE’s growing portfolio.

“Growing up in the industry, ASE has always been a brand I admire and respect,” said Jay Goninen, co-founder and president of WrenchWay. “The opportunity to now be part of ASE’s future is both humbling and exciting. It is a true honor to help build on that legacy while creating new ways to support service professionals.”

“There are not many brands in this industry that every technician and every shop instantly recognize. ASE is one of them,” said Mark Wilson, co-founder and CEO of WrenchWay. “We have enormous respect for what's been built here and equally high expectations for what comes next.”

ASE and WrenchWay will share additional details in the coming weeks on integration timelines and what the transition means for current users.

Premium Guard Inc. Completes Phase 2 of First Brands Group Acquisition

Premium Guard Inc. announced the successful completion of Phase 2 of its acquisition of key assets of First Brands Group in a recent press release.

The transaction included advanced production lines for oil, air, and cabin air filters located in Albion, Illinois, as well as key manufacturing equipment from the legacy FRAM facility in Greenville, Ohio. The Greenville assets will be consolidated into the Albion facility.

As part of the transaction, PGI has also acquired a state-of-the-art R&D center and laboratory dedicated to filtration technologies and water separation systems. The facility will serve as a center of excellence for product engineering, materials science, testing, validation, and advanced filtration technologies.

PGI plans to initially reinstate close to 300 jobs as part of the integration and restart of operations, with additional employment opportunities expected to be created in later phases as the business continues to scale. These positions include key management and technical talent across engineering, manufacturing, product management, production, and operations. The acquisition also included inventory assets located in both the United States and Mexico.

To support the expanded portfolio and future growth initiatives, PGI has entered into a lease agreement for a 730,000-square-foot distribution center in Hebron, Kentucky, and, as part of the transaction, acquired the machinery and equipment located at the facility from FBG. The facility will become PGI's fifth distribution center in North America.

The new distribution center will serve as the primary hub for several of the company's strategic brands, including Autolite, TRICO, and FRAM, and will play a key role in the relaunch and expansion of PGI's Luberfiner heavy-duty and industrial filtration programs. 

WIX Filters Boosts FFA Chapters with $44,500 Fundraising Success

WIX Filters has awarded $44,500 to local FFA chapters through its annual box top fundraising program in partnership with the National FFA Organization, the company shared in a recent press release.

This year, 106 individual FFA chapters collected box tops from WIX Filters’ line of filters, including oil, air, cabin air, fuel, transmission, air compressor, hydraulic, and coolant filters. The total cash earned is 51% more than last year.

Four FFA chapters earned a $1,000 bonus check for collecting the most box tops per member:

• Dixon FFA; Dixon, Missouri
• Durham FFA; Durham, California
• Pendleton FFA; Pendleton, South Carolina
• Lapeer County FFA; Attica, Michigan

Additionally, Wyndmere FFA in Wyndmere, North Dakota, earned a $1,000 bonus for the highest percentage increase per member.

WIX Filters has been a long-term partner of FFA, donating nearly $800,000 throughout the country since the start of the box top program. In addition, Jennifer Gibson, senior key account manager for WIX Filters, was recently appointed to be a national level judge for the National FFA Organization. In this role, she will help select award winners, grant recipients and chapter ratings.