Press-Releases

Luber-finer Experiences Successful 2012 MATS

2012-03-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Winners of SiriusXM™ satellite radio and prepaid subscription card announced

Albion, IL, March 29, 2012 – During the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), Luber-finer® gave away a SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio with a $50 prepaid subscription card each day of the show. Winners were announced on Luber-finer’s Facebook and Twitter channels. Luber-finer would like to congratulate the following winners:

Eric Jackson, Owner, Jackson Transportation, Fleetpride
T.J. Echols, Owner, Echols Trucking
Chris Padella, Driver, Muma Logging

The roughly 70,000 visitors to this year’s MATS event, which was held from March 22-24 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, had an opportunity to learn more about Luber-finer’s comprehensive range of filtration products while registering for a chance to win the satellite radio. Luber-finer would like to thank all attendees that registered.

During MATS, Pete Haskell and John Casanova, Luber-finer’s Director of Heavy Duty Sales and Vice President of Sales, respectively, participated in an interview on WLW/XM166 that reached an audience of over one million listeners. Luber-finer enjoyed one of its most successful MATS events in recent memory. Following a successful launch of its new brand image during the 2011 MATS event, today’s Luber-finer heavy-duty filter brand continues to prove why it’s Built To Do More™.

“The Mid-America Trucking Show is important to us because it reaffirms the fact that Luber-finer has the best customers in the industry,” said Casanova. “It’s great to hear stories from our customers about their dedication throughout the years to Luber-finer filters. So many owner/operators, fleet managers and service providers trust and rely on Luber-finer filters and we owe our success to them.”

Experiencing more visitors to its booth than ever before, Luber-finer was provided with a great opportunity to showcase many of its newest digital communications platforms, including its recently updated website, ShowMeTheParts online parts look-up tool, and Facebook and Twitter channels. Luber-finer was also able to showcase its mobile site and parts look up tool. Located at www.luberfiner.com/app, Luber-finer’s mobile site is supported on smartphones and other mobile devices, including Android™, iPhone® and Blackberry®.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luber-finer.com or call (800) 851-3641.

Luber-finer is Built To Do More™ at Mid-America Trucking Show

2012-03-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

MATS visitors can enter to win a SiriusXM™ satellite radio at Luber-finer’s booth 17044

Albion, IL, March 16, 2012 – The Luber-finer® brand of heavy-duty filters will be on display at the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) from March 22-24 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. Following a successful launch of its new brand image during the 2011 MATS event, today’s Luber-finer heavy-duty filter brand continues to prove why it’s Built To Do More™. Luber-finer continues to maintain its focus on stringent OEM-quality filters for heavy-duty trucking, construction equipment, mining, oil and gas, marine, farm machinery and industrial applications. Today, Luber-finer continues to broaden its product coverage by offering the industry high quality lube, fuel, air, coolant, hydraulic, and cabin air filters.

As Luber-finer develops new heavy-duty filtration products it utilizes some of the newest digital communications platforms to deliver the most up-to-date product information available. In addition to seeing Luber-finer’s comprehensive range of filtration products at MATS, customers can learn about the newest products through various announcements, product summary hot buttons on the Luber-finer website, the ShowMeTheParts online parts look-up tool, and Luber-finer’s Facebook and Twitter channels. These channels have been created to provide visitors with fast and easy information about Luber-finer products and upcoming events. Luber-finer also launched its mobile site and parts look-up tool in 2011. Located at www.luberfiner.com/app, the new mobile site is supported on smartphones and other mobile devices, including Android™, iPhone® and Blackberry®. All new products are searchable via Luber-finer’s online look-up tool through the website and accessible via any mobile device.

Luber-finer will be giving away one SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio with a $50 prepaid subscription card per day during the MATS show in Booth 17044. Visitors to the show can enter to win by stopping by Luber-finer’s booth to receive a ticket. Official contest rules are posted on Luber-finer’s website and Facebook page.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

Luber-finer® Keeps Customers Informed Through a Variety of Communication Channels

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – September 28, 2011 – Luber-finer®, a leading brand from Champion Laboratories, Inc., is pleased to announce that it has developed a wide array of communication channels to keep its customers informed about any new product offerings and changes made to its lines of automotive, heavy-duty, and on- and off-highway filtration products.

As a leader in customer communications on a global level, Luber-finer utilizes some of the newest digital communications platforms to deliver the most up-to-date product information available. Customers receive the latest in new product announcements, product summary hot buttons on all global websites, the ShowMeTheParts Knowledge Center and the new ShowMeTheParts online parts lookup tool.

Located at www.luberfiner.com, the Luber-finer website is designed to provide visitors with a customer-friendly, ease-of-use experience and a wealth of valuable information concerning the Luber-finer products. All new filter models are posted on the Luber-finer Home page under the New Products banner. Also accessible from the website are Luber-finer’s Facebook and Twitter channels. These channels have been created to provide visitors with fast and easy information about Luber-finer products and upcoming events. ShowMeTheParts.com, the leading online aftermarket parts catalogs, serves as a one-stop resource to help global customers and distributors discover and learn more about Luber-finer products (located at www.showmetheparts.com/luberfiner). In addition, the new ShowMeTheParts online parts lookup tool is now available on smartphone and other mobile devices to provide customers one-click access to filter product searches and cross-reference information (located at www.showmetheparts.com/luberfinermobile).

More traditional communication methods are also available to Luber-finer customers to help keep them up-to-date. These traditional methods include contacting the Luber-finer product hotline around the clock at (800) 882-0890 or +1 (618) 445-5392.

For more information on Luber-finer, please visit www.luberfiner.com.

Champion Laboratories, Inc., is a quality and technology leader and one of the world's largest manufacturers of filters and filtration products and related services to the automotive, retail, on-highway and off-highway fleet, heavy-duty and petroleum dispensing industries. Champion Laboratories, Inc., has been a trusted name in filters since 1955, providing high-efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information on the company or its products, please visit www.champlabs.com.

Luber-finer® Releases New Mobile Website and Online Parts Look-up Tool

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, September 13, 2011 — Luber-finer®, a leading filter brand from Champion Laboratories, Inc., is excited to announce the release of its latest filter change productivity enhancement tool – the new ShowMeTheParts mobile website and online parts look-up and cross reference tool. Accessed at www.luberfiner.com/app, the new mobile site is supported on smartphones and other mobile devices, including Android™, iPhone® and Blackberry®.

The new Luber-finer mobile site and parts look-up tool is designed to provide installers and other Luber-finer partners with one-click access to filter product search and cross-reference information to help speed filter change productivity and operators turn bays quicker.

“We are very excited at Luber-finer to be introducing this new communication tool so that our distributors and end-users have quick and easy access to the filter information they need,” said John Casanova, Vice President-Marketing & Sales for Champion Laboratories. “This new mobile site and cross reference tool is designed specifically to help installers of Luber-finer filters get access to filter information right at their fingertips so they can turn their bays faster and make more money.”

In addition to providing quick product search and cross-reference information, the new Luber-finer mobile site allows users to quickly and easily look up their nearest Luber-finer distributor or reseller. The site covers the entire range of Luber-finer filters for the automotive, medium-duty, off-road and on-road heavy-duty markets, and allows users to conveniently conduct product searches for the correct filter by nearly any make, model and year with up-to-date specifications and data for all filter applications.

For more information on the complete Luber-finer family of products, please visit www.luberfiner.com.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luberfiner.com or call (800) 851-3641.

Champion Laboratories Participates in Junior Achievement Program

2011-06-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Champion Laboratories, Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automotive and heavy-duty filtration products, has continued to exhibit its commitment to the communities in which it serves. This commitment was recently highlighted when Champion employees volunteered to teach Edwards County, IL, youth the importance to dream big and reach their potential. This is the third year that Champion employees participated in the program, with volunteers teaching at Albion Grade School and West Salem Grade School.

“Our volunteers have exceeded our expectations again this year,” says Mary Blair, VP Global Procurement, Champion. “The benefit Junior Achievement brings to our children, schools and community is priceless. We are bringing additional dynamics of financial literacy to our community.”

Champion employees that took the initiative to volunteer included Ginger Boewe, Sydney Gracyalny, Amanda Groff, Christy Kieffer, Carol Knackmuhs, Kristie Kolb, Tiffany Larkin, Mark McDaniel, Connie McKinney, Tina Phelps, Ellen Sams, Jacob Smith, Jenny Spencer, Shelly Thomason and Kent Vinson.

“Junior Achievement continues to grow in Edwards County, with additional classes at West Salem Grade School,” says Theo Boots, President, Junior Achievement of South-western Indiana. “During the 2010-2011 school year, Junior Achievement provided 22 programs to students K-8 at Albion Grade School and West Salem Grade School, serving over 44% of the students, one of the highest penetration rates in Junior Achievement’s service area. Junior Achievement attributes the success of this organization in Edwards County to the dedication of the volunteers, advisory board and donors of the community.”

For more information on Champion Laboratories, or its leading brands such as Luber-finer®, please visit www.champlabs.com or www.luberfiner.com.

Luber-finer Product Catalogs—Great Reference Tools

2011-06-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Comprehensive product listings available online and via Luber-finer’s smartphone app

Albion, IL – June 7, 2011 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., a leading manufacturer of filters and filtration products for the automotive, retail, on-highway and off-highway fleet, heavy-duty and petroleum-dispensing industries, offers a comprehensive series of reference catalogs for its Luber-finer® brand of premium filtration products.

Our Luber-finer catalogs are a great resource for your filter needs:

Luber-finer Automotive and Light Trucks Applications Catalog
Luber-finer Medium/Heavy-Duty Applications Catalog
Luber-finer Cross Reference and Principal Applications

All three catalogs can be accessed online by visiting www.luberfiner.com/catalog/parts-catalog.aspx. This portal is powered by ShowMeTheParts.com, which gives customers and end-users one-click access to the most popular brands, fastest-moving part numbers and millions of applications in the automotive industry.

Our catalog data is also available through Luber-finer’s Android™ Smartphone app, which covers the entire range of Luber-finer filters for all markets. The app has been designed specifically to give installers of Luber-finer filters access to filter information right at their fingertips so that they can turn their bays faster. In addition to providing quick product search and cross-reference information, the Luber-finer Smartphone app allows users to quickly and easily look up their nearest Luber-finer distributor or reseller. Android users can download the free Luber-finer app now at www.luberfiner.com/app.

“Luber-finer has a well-earned reputation for offering a broad range of products and coverage for our customers,” said Paul Ankenbrandt, Technical Resource Manager for Luber-finer/Champion Laboratories. “These catalogs exhibit just how extensive the Luber-finer product line is and, by taking advantage of the latest productivity tools like our Droid Smartphone app, we are making the process of getting that information into the hands of our customers faster and easier than ever before.”

For more information on Luber-finer, please visit www.luberfiner.com.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

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Matthew Byars Receives Luber-finer National FFA Scholarship

2011-06-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Cisne, IL, high school student receives $1,000 award for continuing education

Albion, IL, June 9, 2011 — Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the Luber-finer brand of automotive and heavy-duty filtration products, has continued to exhibit its commitment to the communities in which it operates by awarding a $1,000 National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program award to Matthew Byars. A resident of Geff, IL, and a 2011 graduate of Cisne High School in Cisne, IL, Byars plans to continue his education in the fall at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL, where he will pursue a course of study in Agricultural Business Management.

The National FFA was founded in 1928 as the “Future Farmers of America.” In 1988, the name of the organization was changed to The National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity of the agricultural industry. Today, membership exceeds 500,000 and the organization is part of agricultural-education programs at the middle and high-school levels throughout the United States. Every year, approximately $2 million in scholarship money is made available to National FFA members through the organization’s Scholarship Program with the help of companies like Luber-finer, which has been a sponsor of the National FFA and its Scholarship Program for over 15 years now.

Byars, who is the son of Ritchie and Anita Byars, was chosen as the recipient of the Champion Laboratories/Luber-finer scholarship based on his 3.45 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, rank of 5th in a graduating class, and commitment to seeking a degree in an agriculture-based discipline. The selection process also took into account Byars’ FFA involvement, work experience, community service and leadership skills.

Luber-finer serves the agricultural market with a broad line of heavy-duty filter applications. Champion Laboratories, through its Luber-finer brand, has been a proud sponsor of the National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program since 1996.

For more information on Luber-finer, please visit the new website at: www.luberfiner.com. For more information on the National FFA Organization, go to www.ffa.org.

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Luber-finer Filters, ARS Keep Trucks Rolling on the “Ice Road”

2011-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

When the temps reach 70-degrees below zero, ARS Trucking counts on Luber-finer

Albion, IL – May 9, 2011 – For fans of the History Channel program Ice Road Truckers, Allen Scraba’s name may be familiar. He and his company, ARS Trucking & Welding of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, were featured in an episode from the famous “ice road” that helps connect Yellowknife to the Diavik Diamond Mines. While his work in relation to the trucks that traverse the ice road has gathered the lion’s share of attention, Scraba has committed equipment and manpower to projects in some of the harshest conditions in the world. To keep these projects from turning into nightmares, Scraba has turned to the Luber-finer® brand from Champion Laboratories, Inc., for all of the filtration needs for his vehicles.

“We’ve been using Luber-finer filters for at least 25 years,” says Scraba. “Luber-finer is just quality, and if you don’t have quality, you don’t have anything. After 25 years on the ice, I know what I’m doing, and when you start getting down to the 40, 50, 60, 70 belows you have to be able to count on the equipment you use. I’ve always been able to count on Luber-finer. If it doesn’t say Luber-finer, it doesn’t go on my trucks.”

The reliability and dependability Scraba gets from all of the Luber-finer lines is of the utmost importance to his drivers. In conditions as severe as those in which his vehicles operate, breakdowns must be avoided at all costs. However, if they do occur, it can put the driver at extreme risk when you’re dealing with temperatures that can easily reach -70ºF. That’s why the only labels you’ll see on the shelves at Scraba’s shops in Edmonton and Yellowknife say Luber-finer.

“When I have to count on it, I have to count on it, and we’ve been running Luber-finers for years and years and have had no issues with them,” says Scraba. “That’s why all you’ll find in my shops is Luber-finer. It’s what I buy and it’s what I use. I tell my customers they have two choices: use Luber-finer or go somewhere else.”

For a short video on ARS Trucking, go to www.youtube.com/LuberFinerFilters.

For a full Case Study on ARS Trucking, go to www.luberfiner.com/documents/case-studies/en/LF_Scraba_CaseStudy031011.pdf.

For more information on Luber-finer, please visit the new website at: www.luberfiner.com.

Servicing the Deadliest Catch Fleet

2011-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Ballard Oil, Luber-finer filters supporting marine industry for decades

Albion, IL – May 2, 2011 – From his base of operations in Seattle, WA, Warren Aakervik takes a sense of pride in the performance of the Deadliest Catch vessels involved on The Discovery Channel’s series that chronicles the lives of Alaskan King Crabbing boats. You see, as the owner of Ballard Oil, Aakervik provides diesel fuel, lubricants and Luber-finer® filters to the captains of many of those boats.

“We’ve been here for 73 years and our primary business is to service and respond to the needs of the maritime fishing industry,” says Aakervik. “Almost all of the Deadliest Catch boats have been in here at some time. Every one of those boats, regardless of which one they are, has taken Luber-finer filters on board.”

The relationship that Ballard Oil has with the Luber-finer brand of filters has played a key role in Ballard’s success and goes back to its founding in 1937. Over the years, Ballard Oil has tried other filters, but always returns to the brand it knows, and trusts, best. Ballard Oil currently features Luber-finer filters and filter assemblies for heavy- duty marine, commercial and industrial applications.

“Over the entire history of the company, we’ve sold Luber-finer filters, and we’ve used them as our preferred full line since 1997,” says Aakervik. “We have never had a failure with a Luber-finer filter, and the guys really depend on them. In all the years we’ve been dealing with Luber-finer and the thousands of filters we’ve gone through, I don’t think we’ve had a warranty claim or a filter that wasn’t of the best quality; we haven’t had any complaints.”

And make no mistake, these filters get pushed to the limit when forced to perform under the harsh conditions and unique circumstances in which these fishing boats operate. Take the critical need to keep a boat’s fuel supply clean and water-free, for example. The main obstacle to keeping a boat running smoothly and reliably is the saltwater and spray that can get into the fuel system, and Luber- finer filters play a key role in this crucial operation.

For a short video on Ballard Oil, go to www.youtube.com/LuberFinerFilters. For a full Case Study on Ballard Oil, go to www.luberfiner.com/documents/email-downloads/LF_BallardOil_CaseStudy_pgs011811.pdf.

For more information on Luber-finer, please visit the new website at: www.luberfiner.com.

Warren Aakervik, Ballard Oil

Properly Maintaining the Lifeblood of Your Vehicle With Luber-finer

2011-04-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

With National Car Care Month upon us, it’s important to remember that filters are our friends

Albion, IL, April 14, 2011 — April is National Car Care Month and the perfect time of year to take an active role in educating motorists on vehicle maintenance, in order to avoid costly repairs and potential breakdowns. For example, checking the vehicle’s oil, filters and fluids is one of the most recommended and basic maintenance procedures to ensure superior performance. After all, it’s not much of a stretch to think of your car as a rolling version of the human body. Both contain filtering components designed to remove impurities from the system, helping prolong life while improving peak performance.

Champion Laboratories, Inc., is an active member of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and a supporter of the Be Car Care Aware® program. The following helpful tips are provided as a way to remember that properly maintained vehicles, and the correct filter, are key to performance and longevity of any vehicle.

By now everybody should know that a vehicle’s oil and oil filter needs to be changed based on the manufacturer’s recommendation, or every 3 months or 3,000 miles. But did you know that if the oil isn’t maintained on a regular schedule, it loses good chemical properties and picks up impurities, which can adversely affect the engine’s performance? Hand in hand with that, dirty oil contains contaminants that bombard the oil filter. As the filter itself gets older and dirtier, more and more of these contaminants escape the filter media and enter the oils stream, putting the engine in danger. In addition to the owner’s manual, the Car Care Guide from the Car Care Council is a great reference.

Air quality is another important consideration for the long life of a vehicle. Since dirt contaminants are capable of getting all the way past the piston rings, air filters help to provide protection from harmful airborne contaminants that can foul the engine. According to a U.S. Department of Energy report, changing the air filter every 12,000 miles can also improve engine performance, so it is recommended that the air filter be changed during every third of fourth oil change, depending on its cleanliness. Do you have more questions on air filters? Learn how to Make the Most of Your Air Filter.

One last tip; make sure you take part in Be Car Care Aware events in your area. For more, go to www.carcare.org/events.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luber-finer.com or call (800) 851-3641.

Luber-finer Front and Center at Mid-America Trucking Show

2011-03-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

New Look, Long Heritage, Drawing for Android™ Tablet and more…all at Booth 17044

Albion, IL, March 10, 2011 – Luber-finer, a Champion Laboratories brand approaching its 75th anniversary in heavy-duty filtration, announced it will display its new look, trailer wraps, electronic tools and great products at the 2011 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS). MATS will be held from March 31-April 2 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville.

MATS attendees can enter a drawing for an Android™ Tablet by stopping by Luber-finer’s booth 17044 to receive a ticket. MATS attendees can receive an additional entry into the drawing by posting a “comment” on Luber-finer’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/luberfiner) by the end of MATS (4pm EST, April 2, 2011). Official contest rules are posted on Luber-finer’s website and Facebook page.

Visitors to the show will be presented with two opportunities to interact with Luber-finer as representatives will greet attendees in Booth 17044 in the North Wing of the Expo Center, while a truck adorned with Luber-finer’s new trailer wraps will be located at the Expo Center’s main entrance.

The company’s fleet of heavy-duty delivery vehicles recently hit the interstates and highways featuring brand new trailer wraps displaying Luber-finer’s new brand identity. This new look is carried through to the new Luber-finer booth at MATS, allowing guests to become more familiar with many of the components of the brand’s new Built To Do More™ campaign, which was launched last fall. In addition to its industry-leading heavy-duty filtration products, Luber-finer will showcase its new electronic tools at MATS, including:

The new Luber-finer Android™ phone app, which can be downloaded free from the Luber-finer web site (www.luberfiner.com/app) or from the online Android™ Market. The phone app provides installers and other Luber-finer partners with one-click access to filter product search and cross-reference information that can enhance filter-change productivity and help operators turn bays quicker.
A redesigned Web site (www.luberfiner.com) that embodies Luber-finer’s forward-thinking vision and commitment to going the extra mile for its customers. The new site provides visitors with a customer-friendly, ease-of-use experience and a wealth of valuable information about Luber-finer filtration products.
Luber-finer’s social media network, which allows customers to keep up-to-date on news, the latest time saving tools and upcoming events. Luber-finer can be viewed, liked, followed and linked on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luber-finer.com or call (800) 851-3641.

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Luber-finer Introduces Progressive New Brand Image and Marketing Campaign for European Market

2011-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mansfield, England, January 14, 2011 – Luber-finer, a leading brand in heavy-duty filtration since 1936, is rolling out a new marketing campaign that includes a progressive new logo, tagline, advertisement program, promotions, website and sales tools. The new tagline – “Built To Do More” – expresses Luber-finer’s core value proposition of going the extra mile for its distributors and customers.

“This is a very exciting time for the Luber-finer brand and for expected growth throughout the European market,” explains Paul Lyons, Director & General Manager for Champion Laboratories (Europe) Ltd, manufacturer of the Luber-finer brand. “We achieve the highest level of personalized customer care coupled with world-class engineering, manufacturing and logistics expertise in our traditional markets and we are clearly focused on emulating this in Europe. Our abilities enable us to build high-quality filters with the highest response and fill rates in the industry. We will utilize the existing facilities within Champion UK and France together with our sister company Airtex in Zaragoza to ensure we are able to achieve our goals. As a result…we’re literally built to do more for our customers than any other.”

The new Luber-finer campaign will roll out throughout Europe in the 1^st quarter of 2011. The new logo, tagline and other marketing support materials will be displayed in locations where all Luber-finer products are sold.

Luber-finer has been a global leader in heavy-duty trucking, construction equipment, mining, oil and gas, marine, farm machinery and industrial engine filtration for roughly 75 years. Today, high-quality Luber-finer lube, fuel, air, coolant, hydraulic, and cabin air filters are available for automotive, high-performance, light and medium commercial, heavy-duty, agriculture, construction, mining and marine applications.

For more information on Luber-finer products, please go to www.luberfiner.com.

New Luber-finer Phone App Helps Installers Quickly Find the Filters They Need – Right From the Bay!

2011-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL, January 12, 2011 — Luber-finer, a leading Champion Laboratories, Inc. filter brand, has released its latest filter change productivity enhancement tool – the new Luber-finer “phone app” for smartphones that run on Android™ operating systems. This exciting new app can be downloaded for FREE from the Luber-finer website or online from the Android Market.

The new Luber-finer phone app is designed to provide installers and other Luber-finer partners with one-click access to filter product search and cross-reference information to help speed filter change productivity and operators turn bays quicker. Android users can download the free Luber-finer app now at www.luberfiner.com/app.

“This new phone app is designed specifically to help installers of Luber-finer filters get access to filter information right at their fingertips so they can turn their bays faster and make more money”, said John Casanova, Vice President-Marketing & Sales for Champion Laboratories. “Smartphones are becoming more and more prevalent in our lives and we are proud that the Luber-finer brand is able to make use of this technology to offer leading-edge productivity tools that go the extra mile for our customers in the automotive, light truck, medium-duty and, off- and on-road heavy-duty markets.”

In addition to providing quick product search and cross-reference information, the new Luber-finer app allows users to quickly and easily look up their nearest Luber-finer distributor or reseller. The app covers the entire range of Luber-finer filters for the automotive, medium-duty, off-road and on-road heavy-duty markets, and allows users to conveniently conduct product searches for the correct filter by nearly any make, model and year with up-to-date specifications and data for all filter applications. To watch a demo video of the new phone app in action, please go to www.youtube.com/luberfinerfilters and click on the Luber-finer Phone App link.

Luber-finer apps for other brands of smartphones are in development and will be available soon. For more information on the complete Luber-finer family of products, please visit www.luber-finer.com.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

Wolfgang Winzer Named President of Champion Laboratories

2011-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL, January 7, 2011 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., a UCI International company and a worldwide leader in filters and filtration products, announced today the appointment of Wolfgang Winzer to the position of President. In this role, Winzer will be responsible for worldwide growth of leading filtration products from Champion Laboratories—including well-known brand names such as Champ®, PetroClear®, Kleener® and Luber-finer®.

“I am extremely proud to be part of the Champ Labs team,” stated Winzer. “Not only is Champion a company with an excellent leadership reputation for quality and performance, but it is a company on the move with an aggressive vision for the future and that’s very exciting to me.”

Winzer joins Champion Laboratories after serving for the past two years as President of Webb Wheel Products, Inc., Cullman, AL – a leading manufacturer of wheel-end solutions for the heavy-duty truck and trailer market. As the head of Webb Wheel Products, Winzer was responsible for four business units with five manufacturing facilities for OEM, aftermarket, transit and brake parts, as well as being accountable for Webb’s research-and-development facility.

Winzer’s career has included positions with Siemens VDO Automotive Corp.-North America, where he served as Vice President and General Manager for both the Aftermarket and Specialty OEM Business Units. Prior to moving to the United States, he served in various executive assignments for VDO in Germany.

New Luber-Finer Website Designed to Optimize Customer Experience

2010-12-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

Website Provides Intuitive Navigation, One-Click Access to Comprehensive Heavy and Light Duty Filter Information, Cross-Reference Tool, Downloadable Phone App, Technical Data, and Much More!

Albion, IL – December 8, 2010 – Luber-finer, a Champion Laboratories, Inc. brand and a leader in original equipment grade heavy duty and automotive filters, has launched its new website located at www.luber-finer.com. The dramatically redesigned site embodies Luber-finer’s forward-thinking vision and commitment to going the extra mile for its customers.

The new website reinforces Luber-finer’s recently launched “Built To Do More™” marketing campaign. The new site is designed to provide visitors with a customer-friendly, ease-of-use experience and a wealth of valuable information about Luber-finer filtration products. Key features of the new site include:

Intuitive navigation for visitor’s ease-of-use
Robust filter cross-reference tool (featuring thousands of specific model/part numbers)
Comprehensive product feature/benefit information and vital technical data and specifications
Expansive technical information that includes articles, white papers, FAQs, tech bulletins, and more
Complete Luber-finer catalog of products with online ordering option
Latest news and events from Luber-finer
Extensive training aids and videos
Detailed list of contacts, including: sales representatives, customer service, order entry toll-free numbers and tech services hotline
Important information about Luber-finer’s history, product warranty, terms, policies and procedures
Promotional showroom – featuring a wide selection of Luber-finer apparel, caps, bags, promotional products, banners, and more
Access to Luber-finer’s social media sites on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

For more information on Luber-finer and its extensive line of air filters, cabin air filters, coolant filters, fuel filters, hydraulic filters and lube filters, please visit the new website at: www.luber-finer.com.

Luber-finer Social Media Sites Launched on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube

2010-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL, November 18, 2010 — Champion Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide leader in filtration-products, is proud to announce it has launched social media sites for its Luber-finer brand of automotive, medium-duty and heavy-duty lines of filtration products on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Luber-finer’s social media presence has been designed to connect with channel partners, installers and end-users in a cutting-edge way that provides quick access to information about the Luber-finer brand, its filtration products and how they can be used, as well as offering a portal to connect with fellow Luber-finer users.

Luber-finer’s social media presence takes advantage of four of the most popular social media channels available today:

“There’s no question that the creation of social media networks has changed the way we communicate, not only in our private lives but on a business level as well,” said John Casanova, Vice President Marketing & Sales for Champion Laboratories. “We are confident that its new social media presence will enhance Luber-finer’s place in the markets it serves while strengthening our relationship with our channel partners, installers and end-users. This is another example of how Luber-finer is ‘Built To Do More’ for our customers.”

The Facebook and Twitter channels have been created to provide visitors with access to the latest news and information concerning Luber-finer’s lines of heavy-duty, medium-duty and automotive filtration products. People with questions on a wide variety of topics can find the answer on Luber-finer’s Facebook and Twitter channels. The YouTube channel has been designed to be a repository for instructional and informational videos that can be accessed quickly and easily. Luber-finer’s LinkedIn channel connects with professionals in the automotive aftermarket and heavy-duty industries.

For more information on the complete Luber-finer family of products, please visit www.luber-finer.com.

Luber-finer Rolls Out New Brand Campaign at AAPEX

2010-11-10T13:42:18.923-05:00

Albion, IL, November 10, 2010 – Luber-finer, a Champion Laboratories filtration brand, officially unveiled its new look at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas on November 2-4, 2010. The new Luber-finer campaign includes everything from a progressive new logo and tagline, new ads, promotions, sales support tools, counter mats and POS displays, to one-of-a-kind electronic tools designed to make doing business with Luber-finer the easiest in the industry.

“AAPEX was the perfect platform to re-launch the Luber-finer brand to the automotive aftermarket,” explains John Casanova, Vice President Sales & Marketing for Champion Laboratories. “The response from everyone that stopped by the booth at AAPEX was absolutely priceless. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”

Luber-finer has been a global leader in heavy-duty trucking, construction equipment, mining, oil and gas, marine, farm machinery and industrial engine filtration since 1936. Today, the new Luber-finer includes one of the most comprehensive lines of heavy-duty and automotive filtration lines in the world.

The new Luber-finer tagline – “Built To Do More” – expresses the company’s core value proposition of going the extra mile for its distributors and customers. Various marketing support materials will continue to be rolled out and displayed in locations where all Luber-finer products are sold.

For more information on Luber-finer products, please go to www.luberfiner.com.

Luber-finer Receives Top Search Ranking on ShowMeTheParts.com Online Parts Catalog

2010-09-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, September 22, 2010 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide leader in filtration-product technology and quality, is pleased to announce that for the second consecutive month its Luber-finer brand of filtration products received the top search ranking on ShowMeTheParts.com. As one of the leading online aftermarket parts catalogs, ShowMeTheParts.com features parts from numerous suppliers covering nearly all ranges of aftermarket segments, such as automotive, medium duty, heavy duty, agriculture equipment and power sport, to name a few. The Luber-finer page on ShowMeTheParts.com is located at www.showmetheparts.com/luberfiner and serves as a one-stop resource for global customers.

ShowMeTheParts.com, which is administered by Vertical Development, Inc., Downers Grove, IL, gives customers one-click access to the most popular brands, fastest-moving part numbers and millions of applications, from filters and hoses to belts and wiper blades. ShowMeTheParts.com site has had more than 630,000 total visitors with Luber-finer ranking No. 1 in most visits among the 114 brands on the site.

Since 1936, Luber-finer has been a global leader in heavy-duty trucking, construction equipment, mining, oil and gas, marine, farm machinery and industrial engine filtration. Today, Luber-finer lube, fuel, air, coolant, hydraulic and cabin-air filters are Built To Do More™ for automotive, high-performance light and medium commercial, heavy-duty, agriculture, construction, mining and marine applications.

For more information on Luber-finer products, please go to www.luberfiner.com.

Champion Laboratories Names Pete Haskell New Director of Heavy-Duty Sales

2010-09-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, September 17, 2010 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide leader in filtration-product technology and quality, is pleased to announce that Pete Haskell has joined its team as Director of Heavy-Duty Sales. In this role, Haskell will spearhead Champion Laboratories’ initiatives to grow sales for its Luber-finer brand of heavy-duty filters. Luber-finer has been a leading brand in heavy-duty filtration since 1936 and today, through its quality filtration products and first-class customer service, Luber-finer is Built To Do More™.

Haskell joins Champion Laboratories from Liberty Bell Equipment, Philadelphia, PA, where he was an Area Manager for the company’s largest-volume territory, which consisted of southeast Pennsylvania, south New Jersey, Delaware and central New York.

“Pete’s years of experience give him a strong background in marketing, sales and operations, which will be invaluable in his new role as he looks to grow the Luber-finer brand,” said John Casanova, Vice President Sales & Marketing for Champion Laboratories. “We are excited to welcome Pete to the Champ Labs family and look forward to the potential growth he will bring to his new position.”

Haskell, a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, entered the automotive industry in the late 1970s when he joined Dayco Products. After several years with Dayco, he joined Monroe Auto Equipment Company where he began as a local automotive sales representative before being promoted to District Manager for the southeastern Pennsylvania territory. From there, he became Monroe’s first-ever Heavy-Duty Regional Manager, with responsibilities for the Northeast United States territory. From Monroe, Haskell moved to PENDA Corporation, where he was a Regional Manager before being promoted to OE Sales Manager for the Northeast and, ultimately, to Eastern Sales Manager for PENDA’s Smart Ditch Division.

For more information on Luber-finer products, please go to www.luberfiner.com.

Luber-finer Introduces Progressive New Brand Image and Marketing Campaign

2010-08-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, August 12, 2010 – Luber-finer, a Champion Laboratories brand and a global leader in heavy-duty filtration since 1936, announced today that it is rolling out a new marketing campaign that includes a progressive new logo, tagline, advertising program, promotions, website, packaging and sales tools. The new tagline – “Built To Do More” – expresses the company’s core value proposition of going the extra mile for its distributors and customers.

“At Champion, going the extra mile for our customers is part of our corporate DNA,” explains John Casanova, Vice President Sales & Marketing for Champion Laboratories. “We offer the highest level of personalized customer care coupled with world-class engineering, manufacturing and logistics expertise. This enables us to build high-quality filters with the highest response and fill rates in the industry. As a result…we’re literally built to do more for our customers than any other.”

The new Luber-finer campaign will roll out in the 3^rd quarter of 2010. The new logo, tagline, packaging and other marketing support will be displayed in locations where all Luber-finer products are sold.

Luber-finer has been a global leader in heavy-duty trucking, construction equipment, mining, oil and gas, marine, farm machinery and industrial engine filtration since 1936.

Today, high-quality Luber-finer lube, fuel, air, coolant, hydraulic, and cabin air filters are available for automotive, high-performance, light and medium commercial, heavy-duty, agriculture, construction, mining and marine applications.

For more information on Luber-finer products, please go to www.luberfiner.com.

Luber-finer Awards National FFA Scholarship to Randall Marks from Edwards County (IL) High School

2010-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, May 17, 2010 — Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the Luber-finer brand of filtration products, has always exhibited a strong commitment to the communities in which it operates. This commitment was recently highlighted with the Luber-finer $1,000 National FFA Organization scholarship award to Randall Marks, a resident of West Salem, IL, and a 2010 graduate of Edwards County High School in Albion, IL. Marks plans to continue his education in the fall at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL, where he will pursue a course of study in Farm & Ranch Management.

Marks was chosen as the recipient of the Luber-finer scholarship based on his 3.84 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, rank of 11th in a graduating class of 76 and commitment to seeking a degree in an agriculture-based discipline. The selection process also took into account Marks’ FFA involvement, work experience, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), community service and leadership skills.

For more information on the Luber-finer family of products, please visit www.luberfiner.com.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luberfiner.com or call (800) 851-3641.

Champion Laboratories Appoints John Casanova Vice President of Sales & Marketing

2010-04-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – Champion Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide leader in filtration-product technology and quality, is proud to announce that effective April 1, John Casanova has joined its team as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In this role, Casanova will spearhead Champion Laboratories’ initiatives to enhance sales growth and increase brand awareness for the company’s leading filtration products worldwide—including well-known brand names such as Champ®, PetroClear®, Kleener® and Luber-finer®.

Casanova joins Champion Laboratories from Liberty Bell, Inc., where he was most recently Vice President of Sales and Customer Service. Prior to Liberty Bell, Casanova held varying and progressively responsible positions at Remy International, Visteon and Monroe Auto Equipment.

“John’s experience has given him a strong background in sales, marketing and operations, which will be invaluable in his new role with Champion Laboratories,” said Michael D. Gibbons, Acting President and Vice President-Finance for Champion Laboratories. “We heartily welcome John and are excited about all of the positive attributes he will bring as we look to move the company forward.”

Casanova, who received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Michigan University, is married to his wife Elizabeth and has three children, daughters Mattie and Hannah, and son Ben.

For information on Champion Laboratories, or any of its products, go to www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Earns No. 11 Spot on Quality Magazine's 2010 Leadership 100 List

2010-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – Champion Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide leader in filtration-product technology and quality, is proud to announce that it has been listed at No. 11 in Quality Magazine’s 2010 “Leadership 100” list. This prestigious list honors the companies that have encouraged their employees to take an active role in ensuring quality, while also using and integrating employee ideas and opinions in the production process. This is the first year that Champion Laboratories has been included on Quality’s Leadership 100, and it was the only company from the filter industry listed.

“We’ve made significant improvements in our quality-control system over the last few years and every one of those improvements has been the result of a committed joint effort from all of us here at Champ Labs,” said John Gaither, Vice President of Engineering & Quality. “We’re proud to be recognized for all of the strides our team has made over the last few years.”

Quality Magazine chose the honorees after surveying more than 800 manufacturers on criteria such as scrap and rework as a percentage of sales, warranty costs as a percentage of sales, rejected parts per million shipped, and contribution of quality to profitability and shareholder value. Companies were also evaluated based on the number of quality programs in place; registration to various standards; percentage of employees dedicated to quality responsibilities; average number of hours monthly that employees receive quality training; and the role that quality professionals play in the acquisition of test, measurement and inspection tools, software and services.

For information on Champion Laboratories, or any of its products, go to www.champlabs.com.

Luber-finer to Display Light, Medium and Heavy-Duty Filter Products at the Upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show

2010-03-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL, March 5, 2010 — Champion Laboratories, Inc., a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty filtration products for the transportation, off-road/mining, marine, agriculture and automotive light truck industry, has announced that it will be exhibiting its Luber-finer brand of products at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Booth No. 17044. This year’s MATS event will be held from March 25-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY.

At MATS 2010, Champion Laboratories will be showcasing all of the new Luber-finer branded products that have recently been added to its Light, Medium and Heavy-Duty filter categories for use in new domestic and import late-model applications. Product families that will be highlighted include lube, air, fuel, coolant, transmission, hydraulic and its growing line of cabin air filters, PCV valves, breathers and the standard-setting Imperial XL line of lube filters for extended drain intervals.

All of these products and their full range of coverage capabilities have helped Luber-finer gain a reputation as one of the industry’s most-trusted filter brands worldwide. And not only does Champion Laboratories supply the products that end-users value most, in 2008 and 2009 the company received a “Best in Class” award from the Filter Manufacturer’s Council in the areas of service, deliver and inventory management.

For more information on the Luber-finer family of products, please visit www.luberfiner.com.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded light, medium and heavy-duty filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luberfiner.com or call (800) 851-3641.

Luber-finer Unveils New Enhanced Domestic and International Web Distributor Locator System

2009-11-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL, November 13, 2009 – Luber-finer, the leading brand of heavy-duty filtration products for the transportation, off-road/mining, marine, agriculture, automotive and light truck industry, and the flagship brand of Champion Laboratories, Inc., continues to demonstrate its commitment to its customers all over the world with the announcement of an upgraded format for the “Where to Buy” distributor-lookup section on the www.luberfiner.com Web site.

The key component of the upgrade highlights Luber-finer’s growth in the global marketplace. The new platform makes it easier for current and prospective Luber-finer customers to find the distributor nearest to them, no matter where they are located in the world. The new site now searches by domestic and international postal codes and tracks distributors within a 100-mile radius of the user, with those distributors nearest the user listed first. Additionally, a link to Google maps and location finder views are also available to make for the most user-friendly and accurate global search possible.

This upgrade also includes another new feature called “Drupal.” The new Drupal format allows Luber-finer and its parent company, Champion Laboratories, Inc., immediate access to update the distributor database in real-time with no waiting period. Since Luber-finer and Champion add new distributors and refine the listings on a daily basis, this means that visitors to the “Where to Buy” section will always have the most up-to-date product and distribution information at their fingertips.

For more information on Luber-finer or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.luberfiner.com.

Luber-finer Marks 50-Year Relationship with Carolina Rim & Wheel Company

2009-10-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, August 19, 2009 – The year was 1959. Alaska and Hawaii had just joined the Union as the 49th and 50th states.

It would be another 10 years before man would walk on the Moon. It was also the year that Luber-finer first began supplying its heavy-duty filtration products for the heavy-duty, light- and medium-duty truck markets to the Carolina Rim & Wheel Co., a Charlotte, NC-based distributor of parts and accessories for the trucking, automotive and small-trailer industries.

“I remember that Steve Norris was the Luber-finer representative that originally set us up in 1959 and that he used to periodically visit us while riding on his motorcycle,” recalled Tom Stewart, President of Carolina Rim & Wheel.

Since then, Carolina Rim & Wheel, which was founded in 1926, has grown into an operation that features a state-of-the-art, 32,000-square-foot warehouse and corporate headquarters in Charlotte, with branch operations in Fayetteville, NC; Columbia and Charleston, SC; and Suwanee, GA. For its part, Luber-finer had developed into the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty filtration products for the transportation, off-road/mining, marine, agriculture and automotive & light truck industry. But one thing has remained constant in the ensuing 50 years and that is the ongoing business partnership between the two companies, which is something you don’t see much of these days.

“In this day and age it is unusual that two companies have been business partners for more than five decades,” said Steve Horn, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Champion Laboratories, Luber-finer’s parent company. “It has been our privilege to enjoy their business for all these years. Carolina Rim & Wheel is an exceptional company that has survived and grown throughout its very long history. We are thankful for this special relationship and wish Tom and his team continued success.”

For more information on Luber-finer or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.luberfiner.com. For more information on Carolina Rim & Wheel Co., please visit www.carolinarim.com.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded light, medium and heavy-duty filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luberfiner.com or call (800) 851-3641.

Champion Laboratories Donates Care Packages to Troops in Iraq

2009-07-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

ALBION, IL, July 14, 2009 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the most trusted brand names in the automotive, fuel-dispensing and heavy-duty filtration industries, continues to demonstrate its commitment to the communities in which it operates by announcing that is has created and delivered “care packages” for United States troops stationed in Iraq. The 30 care packages—20 for men and 10 for women—consisted of wish-list items such as shampoo, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, hard candy and books. They were put together in the third week of June and then sent overseas so they could be in the hands of the troops on Independence Day, July 4.

The project was initiated and completed by members of Champion Laboratories’ Global Procurement department. This was the second set of care packages delivered to troops in Iraq in the last year and just the latest in a series of altruistic events undertaken by Champ’s nine-member Global Procurement team. Others include the “Adopt a Family for Easter Dinner” program and delivering care packages to nursing homes in the Albion, IL, area.

“We don’t take our freedom for granted,” said Mary E. Blair, Vice President, Global Procurement for Champion Laboratories. “We are fortunate to have jobs during this economy and want to give back to our community. I am very proud of our team. They participate in these programs on a volunteer basis and graciously donate their time, their money and their efforts.”

For more information on Champion Laboratories, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Announces Recipient of 2009 National FFA Organization Scholarship

2009-06-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

ALBION, IL, June 23, 2009 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the most trusted brand names in the automotive, fuel-dispensing and heavy-duty filtration industries, continues to demonstrate its commitment to the communities in which it operates by announcing that is has once again funded a $1,000 continuing-education scholarship through its Luber-finer Heavy-Duty Filter brand. The scholarship is administered by the National FFA Foundation, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, which is dedicated to making a positive influence in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The recipient of this year’s Champion Laboratories/Luber-finer National FFA scholarship is Emily Hatfield, the daughter of Richard and Paula Hatfield of Wayne City, IL. Emily recently graduated from Wayne City High School and will continue her education in agricultural studies at Rend Lake College, Ina, IL. Emily qualified for the scholarship as a high-school graduate seeking a four-year degree in Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Business Management or Agricultural Sales and Marketing who resides in the counties of Edwards, Wayne or White in Illinois, or York County in South Carolina, all areas where Champion Laboratories facilities are located.

In 2009, more than 7,800 students across the country took part in the National FFA Organization’s Collegiate Scholarship Program and approximately 1,800 of those students received a total of more than $2.2 million in scholarship money. Founded in 1928, the National FFA Organization, with more than 7,000 chapters currently operating in the country, represents 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industries, while using agricultural education to create real-world success.

For more information on Champion Laboratories, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Luber-finer to Offer Davco Fuel-Filter Products

2009-06-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL, June 12, 2009 – Luber-finer, a division of Champion Laboratories, Inc., and the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty filtration products for the transportation, off-road/mining, marine, agriculture and automotive light truck industry, has announced that it will now offer replacement elements for its line of DAVCO fuel/water separator fuel filters across all current market applications, including on- and off-highway, industrial, gen set, construction, military, marine, bus and coach.

The DAVCO fuel filters will be available in two media types: cellulose, with micron ratings between 2 and 50, and capacities of 37 to 52 grams, and synthetic, with micron ratings between 2 and 50, and capacities of 60 to 63 grams. The synthetic filters also feature a pressure differential valve.

For more information on Luber-finer or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.luberfiner.com.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Luber-finer branded light, medium and heavy-duty filtration products. Luber-finer provides premium filtration solutions for all fleets and on highway, as well as all off-road applications such as heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas industry and marine. Luber-finer has been a trusted name in filters since 1936, providing high efficiency performance in the most demanding work environments. For more information visit www.luberfiner.com or call (800) 851-3641.

New Corporate Brochure Highlights How Champion Laboratories Remains the Gold Standard in the Filtration Industry

2009-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

ALBION, IL, May 7, 2009 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the most trusted brand names in the automotive, fuel-dispensing and heavy-duty filtration industries, continues to demonstrate its hard-earned reputation as a customer-centric company with the release of its new corporate brochure. This 12-page document, which features a tagline of “The Engine Set the World in Motion…We’ve Been There to Keep the Engine Running,” explains how the roots of Champion Laboratories go back more than half a century, to the day in 1955 when Howard Gaither bought Kleen Pak Manufacturing, a one-man filter manufacturer, and teamed it with Champion, a filter assembly company from Connecticut. The rest, as they say, is history.

And that history keeps growing, while leaving noteworthy landmarks along the way. Starting with the spin-on oil filter, Champion Laboratories has continuously delivered 50 years of product innovations and breakthroughs. It has also grown into a family of brands—Champ, Luber-finer, Kleener and PetroClear—that offers best-in-class filtration, fuel and cooling products for the automotive, trucking, marine, mining, construction, agricultural, fuel-dispensing, and oil-and-gas industries. These companies have gone from designing one revolutionary filter in 1959 to producing more than 2.5 million filters per week.

The brochure describes the seriousness with which Champion Laboratories takes its role as the world’s preeminent filter manufacturer and distributor. This includes a commitment to the global market, product performance that meets the needs of tough-duty operations no matter the industry, respect for the environment, ongoing research and development, and second-to-none customer service.

To download a copy of this new corporate brochure, go to: http://www.champlabs.com/pdf/company/CorporateBrochure.pdf

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Enhances Online Product Catalog Through Implementation of ShowMeTheParts.com Program

2009-03-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

ALBION, IL, March 30, 2009 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the most trusted brand names in the automotive, fuel-dispensing and heavy-duty filtration industries, continues to demonstrate its hard-earned reputation as a customer-centric company with the March 2, 2009, launch of its new-and-improved Champion Laboratories Online Catalog through the ShowMeTheParts.com private-label catalog program. Posting the catalog through the ShowMeTheParts.com program offers increased collaboration between suppliers and their customers—be they distributor, retailer or OEM—while enhancing the traditional parts look-up process.

Already, Champion Laboratories has received positive feedback from customers using the new online catalog, while the ShowMeTheParts.com process allows any necessary changes and modifications on the supplier end to be made quickly and accurately. This creates faster inventory turnaround and optimized sales growth opportunities for Champion Laboratories and its customers.

“The key benefit to this online-catalog application for our clients is their ability to access updated catalog data on a timely basis,” said Paul Ankenbrandt, Supervisor of Technical Resources for Champion Laboratories. “We found this gives us the ability to communicate more product and technical data to the end-users of our filters.”

Specifically, the enhanced online catalog provides the following features:

New, improved look
Easier and faster catalog applications search
New products features, including a buyer’s guide
New partial-parts number search capability
Improved cross-reference and part-search features, including image, product, attributes and a complete application list
A new comprehensive knowledge center, including tech bulletins and installation instructions

“We had offered our online catalog for years as a value-added service to our clients when we realized that this enhanced program was something the industry was driving toward,” said Ankenbrandt. “We have a great partnership with Vertical Development, the developers of ShowMeTheParts.com, and the investment in online cataloging is worthwhile since it benefits the long-lasting relationships we have with our customers.”

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Promotes Darren Phillips to Director of Sales - Retail Markets

2009-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL – As Champion Laboratories continues to enhance the corporate image it presents to a changing market, the company has announced the promotion of Darren Phillips to the position of Director of Sales – Retail Markets. In this new role, Phillips will be responsible for the sales management and growth of Champion Laboratories’ retail and installed-market customers.

Phillips joined Champion Laboratories in 2002 as a OEM/OES Sales Manager. In this position, he delivered new business and fostered lasting relationships with a wide array of clients.

“Darren is an accomplished sales executive and has done an excellent job of working and communicating effectively within our organization to achieve positive results,” said Steve Horn, Vice President of Sales for Champion Laboratories. “He will now be heading our efforts in a very important market channel.”

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Promotes Shannon Sullivan to Director of Sales - Heavy Duty

2009-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Albion, IL – As Champion Laboratories continues to enhance the corporate image it presents to a changing market, the company has announced the promotion of Shannon Sullivan to the position of Director of Sales – Heavy Duty. In this new role, Sullivan will be responsible for the sales of Luber-finer products to the heavy-duty aftermarket in the United States and Canada. Luber-finer, a division of Champion Laboratories, Inc., has been a trusted name in premium filtration and the manufacture of heavy-duty filters since 1936. Luber-finer filters are used by fleets in on-highway and off-road applications in a variety of industries, including heavy construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, and marine.

Sullivan joined Champion Laboratories in 2002 as a National Account Manager before being promoted to Director of Brand Management in 2004. In 2007, he was promoted to the position of Western Division Manager. Prior to joining Champion Laboratories, he held sales and management positions with Fram, Baldwin and Donaldson.

“During his tenure with Champion, Shannon has demonstrated the ability to build sales organizations and be an effective sales manager,” said Steve Horn, Vice President of Sales for Champion Laboratories. “He is very driven and has the attitude, work experience, education and knowledge of the filtration business to succeed in this role.”

Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Missouri State University and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Business.

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Streamlines Customer’s Ordering System, Enhances Customer Service With Vendor Managed Inventory

2008-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

ALBION, IL, September 24, 2008 – Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the most trusted brand names in the automotive, fuel-dispensing and heavy-duty filtration industries, continues to prove its hard-earned reputation as a customer-centric company with its recent announcement that it has begun offering product ordering, inventory management and tracking services to its customers through a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) platform.

VMI is a streamlined approach to inventory management and order fulfillment that uses increased collaboration between suppliers and their customers—be they distributor, retailer, or OEM—to enhance the traditional ordering process. Instead of sending purchase orders, customers electronically send daily sales and demand information that generates replenishment orders for the customer based on the sales and demand activity. This creates a streamlined supply-chain operation for both the supplier and the customer.

“We had talked internally about VMI being a value-added process that we should be entering into with our customers,” explained Tom Cantwell, Champion Laboratories’ Customer Service Manager, who oversaw the launch of the VMI program on July 31. “We realized that this is something the industry was driving toward. We have a great partnership with Datalliance and the investment in VMI is worthwhile since it benefits the long-lasting relationships we have with our customers.”

Thanks in part to the reports that can be generated by its new program, Champion Laboratories has received very positive feedback from customers currently using the VMI platform. Fewer “stock outs” and more inventory turns are two realized benefits that are achieved through the VMI system. This new process also allows Champion Laboratories to make any necessary modifications in its production planning…a true win-win for all.

After two months in use, Champion Laboratories’ VMI program is “already managing more than one million dollars in yearly sales, with many more customers showing interest,” according to Cantwell.

For more information on Champion Laboratories and its new VMI program, please contact Susan Tuggle at (800) 851-4316 or susan_tuggle@champlabs.com

CHAMPION LABORATORIES NAMES TIM CLAREY NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES, TRADITIONAL AFTERMARKET

2008-07-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – As Champion Laboratories continues to refine the corporate image it presents to a changing market, the company has added Tim Clarey to its team as Director of Sales, Traditional Aftermarket. Brought in to manage Champion Laboratories’ business in this market channel, Clarey, in his new position, will oversee the sales of the full line of Champ and PetroClear brands, as well as several private-label brands.

Clarey brings to his new role more than 20 years of industry experience. For the majority of that time, he was with Moog/Cooper and Federal Mogul in several positions of increasing responsibility, culminating with the role of Regional Manager for the Upper Midwest and Mid-South territories. In the two years prior to joining Champion Laboratories, Clarey was National Sales Manager and Director of Traditional Aftermarket Sales for Perfection Clutch.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work at Champion Laboratories at this level with an outstanding team of professionals,” said Clarey. “I am looking forward to the many challenges that lay ahead for our fuel, air and lubrication products that continue to shape the industry and our company.”

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Announces More Winners in Online Ordering Promotion

2008-06-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – Champion Laboratories, Inc., the company behind the most trusted brand names in the automotive, fuel-dispensing and heavy-duty filtration industries, has released the names of the latest winners in its Online Ordering Promotion. Utility Trailer of Knoxville, Kodak, TN; Mr. Lube #110, Maple Ridge, British Columbia; and Mr. Lube #117 of Oakville, Ontario, are the recipients of $500 in free goods, courtesy of Champion Labs.

Champion Laboratories implemented the year-long Online Ordering Promotion to encourage customers to place their orders either online or through the Transnet integrated business-to-business service that Champ Labs offers. By ordering online, Champion Laboratories’ customers are ensured fast and accurate order entry, excellent turnaround times on all orders and easy access to online order status. Anyone that places an order with Champion Laboratories through these methods will be automatically entered into the quarterly drawing for $500 in free goods.

Entering the contest is as easy as logging on to the Champion Laboratories Web site (www.champlabs.com), going to the online ordering page and placing an order, or by using the Transnet service. Then, at the end of each quarter from now through the end of the year, the names of three (3) companies will be drawn to receive the $500 prize, which will be credited to their invoice. In addition to being eligible for the quarterly prize drawings, all first-time users of the online ordering or Transnet systems will receive a $20 Wal-Mart gift card.

For new online or Transnet ordering set-up information, contact Teresa Schnautz, EDI Coordinator for Champion Laboratories, at (800) 851-4285 or e-mail teresa_schnautz@champlabs.com. For further information about this special offer, contact Customer Service at (800) 851-3641.

Luber-finer Appoints Hugo Morales International Sales Manager

2008-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – Luber-finer, a division of Champion Laboratories, Inc. and the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty filtration products for the transportation, off-road/mining, marine, agriculture and automotive light truck industry, announces that Hugo Morales has been appointed the new International Sales Manager for the Luber-finer Aftermarket Sales Team. In his new role, Morales will be responsible for the management of filtration sales worldwide.

“Hugo brings a wealth of industry-specific knowledge and experience to Luber-finer and we are proud to welcome him to our team,” said Steve Horn, Vice President of Sales for Champion Laboratories. “As a brand, Luber-finer has tremendous opportunities in several regions of the world and we are looking forward to Hugo growing our brand in those areas.”

Prior to joining Luber-finer, Morales held various sales and product management positions with Thermadyne Industries, Clore Automotive, Lincoln Automotive and Moog Automotive. He will be based in St. Louis, MO.

For more information on Luber-finer or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.luberfiner.com.

Champion Laboratories Names Mary E. Blair New Vice President, Global Procurement

2008-04-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – As Champion Laboratories continues to refine the corporate image it presents to a changing market, the company has added Mary E. Blair to its team as Vice President, Global Procurement. Brought in to execute Champ Labs’ corporate initiatives and goals, Blair, in her new position, will be responsible for leading all procurement activities into one centrally-led body while reducing spending, generating greater speed, and improving processes and relationships with key supplier partners in the Company's worldwide supply chain. Blair will lead worldwide procurement with a more strategic focus.

Blair brings to her new role more than 21 years of procurement experience at Navistar International, Warrenville, IL, and General Motors, Detroit, MI. Over the years, she has held a variety of supply-chain positions within global purchasing at both companies and has been a recognized speaker within the automotive industry. Her expertise in global sourcing and corporate raw material enabled her to become a Professional Fellow in Corporate Raw Material while at General Motors.

Blair holds a Bachlelor’s Degree from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, and a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, specializing in Global Leadership.

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.

Champion Laboratories Names Mike Boyer New Director of Aftermarket Sales

2008-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Albion, IL – As Champion Laboratories continues to refine the corporate image it presents to a changing market, Vice President of Sales Steve Horn recently announced that Mike Boyer has been appointed the new Director of Aftermarket Sales. In his new role, Boyer will be responsible for the management of filtration sales to both the Retail and Traditional market channels.

Boyer joined Champion Laboratories in January 2005 as Director of Retail Sales & Marketing. In that position, Boyer spearheaded Champ’s retail sales efforts, developed strategic plans for retail sales growth, implemented a new category-management culture, managed customer and industry data to facilitate growth, developed promotions and sales support and assisted on other key initiatives for parent company UCI.

Prior to joining Champ Labs, Boyer compiled 19 years of experience in the automobile aftermarket with AutoZone, Memphis, TN, where he was a director responsible for in-store merchandising, category management and commercial merchandising.

For more information on Champion Laboratories or any of its products, please contact Averi Goodman, Marketing Coordinator, at (618) 445-5410, or visit www.champlabs.com.