The bankruptcy of First Brands Group in late September was a surprise to the fixed income market, and an absolute shock to the automotive aftermarket. First Brands carries a large portfolio of well-known brands under its umbrella. Despite billions in reported sales, First Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 24, 2025 due to an inability to meet its debt obligations. From 2018 to 2025, First Brands completed over 20 acquisitions for approx. $4 billion, increasing its total debt by more than $5 billion in the process. The funding was done via incremental term loans and supply chain finance, then supplemented with capital facilities that were kept off its balance sheet and therefore opaque.

Now under regulatory investigation, First Brands has had its former executives indicted for fraud involving allegedly inflated invoices, double- and triple-pledged collateral, and falsified financial statements to deceive lenders. Brake Parts Inc (including e.g. Raybestos and Vortex), Autolite, and Cardone are among the first casualties, winding down operations due to the inability to find a buyer. Automakers Ford and GM are currently in negotiations to secure a financing package for First Brands, as their supply chain would be significantly impacted by the full closure of the company. Undoubtedly, their situation is far from an isolated one in the industry.

In an industry that is constantly grappling with supply chain, economic, and demand uncertainties, the collapse of a giant such as First Brands will undoubtedly disrupt supply chains and erode commercial trust. Many customers are likely scrambling in their search for alternatives to make up the gap. The collapse was not caused by bad business per se, but rather the financial misdeeds of an overleveraged colossus.

At Inroble, we focus on agile operations and reliable product quality. We manufacture and distribute aftermarket brake parts, with a focus on brake rotors, drums, and calipers. Our product lineup includes both light and MDHV offerings, and we have plenty of experience supplying in volume to large corporate customers.

Considering the wide-reaching effects of the First Brands fallout, we believe that customers would truly appreciate partners who are consistent, innovative, and reliable. The larger a company gets, the easier it is for them to get caught up in playing with financing; that is precisely what happened with First Brands. In this case, its unchecked growth also proved to be a downfall.

If you’re a vehicle owner who’s not sure where to turn after Raybestos is gone from the market, ask for Inroble parts from your local mechanic or parts shop. If you’re a distributor or wholesaler scrambling to make up the difference with a reliable ally, feel free to give us a call. We truly believe the future belongs to companies that prioritize sustainable, down-to-earth operations—and always put the customer first, beyond any corporate ambitions.