Cometic Gasket Acquires Klotz Synthetic Lubricants
Cometic Gasket, a supplier of gaskets and engine sealing solutions for the automotive, powersports, original equipment and remanufactured engine industries, has acquired Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, the company announced.
Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and founded by John C. Klotz Jr., in 1959, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants specializes in providing lubricants to racers, performance enthusiasts and traditional end-users and has serviced the automotive, kart, marine, motorcycle, RC scale model, personal watercraft and snowmobile markets.
“Cometic Gasket is exceptionally proud to announce the acquisition of Klotz Synthetic Lubricants and to add one of the most recognizable and trusted lubricant brands in the industry to our portfolio,” said Cometic Founder and CEO Bob Gorman. “I’ve known John Klotz since I was a teenager and we’ve become far more than friends. John is one of the most genuine, passionate and caring individuals I’ve ever met, and he’s built this company from the ground up, with his own hands. Becoming the caretaker of a brand as rich in history and proud as Klotz is a humbling moment for the entire Cometic family. We’re grateful to the Klotz family for allowing us to lead this iconic company.”
Brad Kruckenberg, a powersports industry veteran who comes to Klotz from the LeMans Corporation with over 30 years of experience, will serve as president, while Klotz has been named Chairman Emeritus and will continue serving in a leadership role.
Klotz will remain at its Fort Wayne headquarters, where all products are engineered, formulated and packaged in its purpose-built facility.
“After sixty-plus years, it’s time to turn over the reigns,” stated Klotz. “The Gorman and Klotz families have been very close for many, many years. Bob and I have watched each other’s families grow and blossom. I think that’s a very important component of what makes this a good fit. Secondly, I’ve always been very impressed with how Cometic Gasket has grown over the years into perhaps the most reputable and nimble gasket company in the industry. They have the skills, the product knowledge and the resources to carry the Klotz name well into the future. I’m not going anywhere but it’s time to leave the heavy lifting to a team with a fresh set of eyes and great expectations. I know that Klotz is in the very best of hands.”
Kruckenberg, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, began his career with the LeMans Corporation in 1987 as a part-time warehouse worker and forged a path over the next 33 years to become the General Manager of Moose Racing, Moose Utility Division, Z1R helmets and apparel and Arctiva snow clothing and accessories, the company said.
“I am very excited and thankful for my new opportunity to lead this incredible team,” explained Kruckenberg. “The Klotz name has been associated with performance, quality and customer service since 1959. Our focus is to charge into 2021 aggressively and keep building on the already solid foundation Mr. Klotz has laid before us.”
