The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Pennzoil-Quaker Names R. Richard Wrabel President of Axius Business Unit

25 June 1999

Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Names R. Richard Wrabel President of Axius Business Unit 
    HOUSTON, June 25 -- Pennzoil-Quaker State Company
announced today that R. Richard (Rick) Wrabel has joined the company as
president of its Axius(TM) business unit in Moorpark, California.  He will be
responsible for providing the leadership to continue building the company's
competitive position, ensuring maximum growth and profitability through
innovation, new product development and improved efficiency.  He will report
directly to Clyde Beahm, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company executive vice
president of consumer products, lubricants and marketing.
    Most recently, Wrabel served as president of Oral-B Laboratories North
America.  During his six-year career at Oral B, he held positions of
increasing responsibility and was instrumental in increasing North American
sales from $117 million in 1993 to more than $300 million in 1997.  Wrabel
also served for a time as general manager of Oral B's operations in Australia,
New Zealand and the South Pacific, where he created an integrated marketing
plan that significantly boosted the brand's regional market share.  Prior to
Oral B, Wrabel held senior sales management positions with the A. H. Robins
Company division of American Home Products.  He holds a bachelor's degree in
economics from Quinnipiac College.
    "Rick is an experienced business manager, who brings strong leadership to
our Axius team," said Beahm.  "I'm very confident in his ability to enhance
the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven Axius to the top of the automotive
accessories industry."
    Axius is one of the fastest-growing companies in the field of automobile
accessories, which includes sun protection, window tint film, steering wheel
covers, auto organizers and winter windshield covers.  The Axius(TM) brand has
an extensive product portfolio, with over 200 innovative auto accessories in
these categories.  Through creative marketing, product innovation and category
management Axius has established a commanding 95 percent market share in the
sun protection category it pioneered.
    Pennzoil-Quaker State Company is a leading worldwide automotive consumer
products company that markets Pennzoil(R) and Quaker State(R) brand motor
oils, the number one and number two selling motor oils in the United States.
Jiffy Lube, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, is the
world's largest fast lube operator and franchiser.  Pennzoil-Quaker State
Company also markets a complete line of automotive car care products including
Blue Coral(R) and Classic(R) waxes and washes, Black Magic(R) and Westley's(R)
tire and wheel care products, Fix-A-Flat(R) tire sealants, Medo(R) air
fresheners, Rain-X(R) glass treatments, Gumout(R), Snap(R) and The Outlaw(R)
maintenance chemicals and Slick 50(R) engine treatments.