In the 1940s, my grandfather Harry played a significant role in the oil filter refurbishment industry through his company, Kleen-Pak Manufacturing Company. After getting our of World War II in 1946, he took a job a Cheffords (now Airtex) in southern Illinois. Him and his dad were rebuilding fuel pumps and that gave him the idea of what else could be rebuilt. One of the first ideas was cleaning and resell spark plugs, but he finally landed on his ideal product, the oil filter. His commitment to recycling and reusing oil filters was truly remarkable, especially during a time when most considered these filters to be disposable.

Harry was an innovative and determined individual who believed that used oil filters could be given a second life with the right tools and techniques. He envisioned a future where he could save customers money on maintaining their cars. One of the by products is that it would also help save the environment but that wasn’t something that people at the time really thought about.

One of the most formidable challenges Harry encountered was figuring out how to efficiently disassemble used oil filters. He often fondly recalled, “It almost ate my lunch on how to make that machine to do that!” This task required precision and care to avoid damaging the filter housing while ensuring that the filter could be refurbished effectively.

In response to this challenge, my grandfather dedicated himself to developing a specialized tool. He spent countless hours tinkering, experimenting, and collaborating with skilled engineers until he finally crafted a machine that could delicately and effectively disassemble the filters. It was a testament to his unwavering determination and commitment to his vision.

With the new disassembly tool in place, Kleen-Pak Manufacturing Company streamlined its oil filter refurbishment process. They would carefully disassemble the used oil filters, remove the old filter media, clean and repaint the housing, and install fresh filter media. The refurbished filters not only looked and performed like new but also reflected Harry’s dedication to sustainability.

My grandfather’s success in refurbishing oil filters not only extended the life of these components but also inspired others to consider the value of reusing and recycling in the automotive industry. Harry and his company became a symbol of innovation and sustainability in an era when such practices were not as commonplace as they are today. His ideas and engineering know how is what turned this little company into Champion Laboratories of today.

Link to our first blog post on From Humble Beginnings to Industry Giant: The Inspiring Journey of Champion Laboratories (Part 1)