AMN Drivetime: Vange Proimos (VIDEO) -

AMN Drivetime: Vange Proimos (VIDEO)

It was Vange Proimos’ experience as a tech and shop owner that has informed much of his success as CEO of AP Emissions.

Returning from the first in-person AAPEX since 2019, AMN Drivetime host Bill Babcox sits down with Vange Proimos, CEO of AP Emissions, to talk about his journey from technician and shop owner to leading a privately owned, family run business. A well-known industry advocate for many years, it was Proimos’ experience as a technician and shop owner that has informed much of his success as business owner as well.

Right out of high school, Proimos and his brothers started in the gas station business, “when Jimmy Carter was president and the gas shortages were in effect. We really didn’t sell a lot of gas, so we got into auto repair and 24-hour towing, doing that for many years,” he said. 

Eventually Vange and his brothers turned the business into a specialty muffler shop, and over a 10-year period grew the business to about 21 shops. After that, EPA laws were created for aftermarket converters and according to Proimos, “no one was really doing a good job at it from the installer’s point of view,” he says. “There were about 50 different kits to make it fit and the installer really wanted a direct fit converter.” So Proimos and his brothers began building catalytic converters, under the brand name CATCO. 

From there, the Proimos brothers grew the catalytic converter business. They sold their muffler shops to their employees, and in 1998 purchased the aftermarket division of AP Emissions, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. In 2014, his brothers wanted to retire but Vange stayed on board and sold the business to a private equity (PE) firm, which consolidated AP with a brake business. A number of factors – including import tax duties and exploding precious metal costs – led the PE firm to sell the company and Proimos bought his beloved family business back. That was in September of 2020.

“It feels really good,” he says. “The people have really come out and helped us in every aspect.”

“Our whole goal is to understand what our customers want and need and how to get to their wants and needs,” he said. “And by doing that our company becomes successful because they buy more products, and we make more products and our people work harder. That’s how we look at it.”

You May Also Like

Not All Coolants Are Equal – Or Appropriate

Engines have diverse cooling needs. This video is part of the Group Training Academy.

It may be hard to believe, but antifreeze has been around long before the automobile. In the mid-19th century, it was used in dynamite.  Early engine designers tried other means of cooling before antifreeze gained a foothold.  It came to prominence during World War I when it was used in tanks and vehicles to prevent them from freezing in the battlefield.

The Future of MEMA with Bill Long

MEMA looks to the future as it celebrates 120 years making a big impact.

The Importance of Volunteering in the Aftermarket with Jon Owens

Owens shares industry experience and vision for AACF as its current president.

DRiV’s Jeff Koviak: Strategies for a Changing Aftermarket

Koviak considers his industry growth since graduation from Northwood University.

CRP’s Mike Palm: How Close Customer Ties Yields Success

Palm has led the company’s aftermarket product management to ensure CRP’s success.

Other Posts

At the Intersection of Tradition and Innovation with Grace Hovis

Grace Hovis’s journey in the industry blends tradition and innovation.

Tool Time Podcast: SATA USA

Learn about spray gun technology in this episode from TechShop.

Optimize Tesla Performance With E-Fluids

Learn the differences between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ e-axles. This video is sponsored by CRP Automotive.

Understanding Fuel Trims

The fuel trims are what govern what’s going on inside the engine. This video is sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.