MILTON, Ga. -- Exide Technologies has announced a new supply agreement with Truck Pride Partners LLC. Under the new agreement, Exide has been designated as the preferred vendor for the Truck Pride Partners battery line.

Truck Pride Partners LLC is one of the largest heavy duty parts distribution and marketing organizations in North America. Truck Pride Partners LLC was recently formed from the dissolution of the former program distribution group Independent Warehouse Distributors LLC. While Exide has had a long-time supplier relationship with the original Truck Pride organization, this new agreement marks the first time that Truck Pride has selected a sole preferred battery line supplier.

Exide will supply a full aftermarket line, including automotive, heavy duty, marine, golf cart, electric vehicle, lawn and garden and power sport products. The two-year agreement includes Exide branded and Truck Pride private label batteries sold in the U.S. and Canada.

"This initiative in the area of product management was a critical strategy, allowing the new Truck Pride Partners to strengthen ongoing vendor relationships," said product committee chairman and member Bruce Greer. "Our goal was to gain supply chain efficiencies on certain product categories, with commercial batteries being a principal focus."

According to Truck Pride, aligning its members with Exide as the preferred battery supplier offered a number of benefits.

"Truck Pride now is laser-focused on bringing increased value to its members," said Jeff Sandt, director of product management for Truck Pride Partners LLC. "Exide, which offered the most robust procurement strategy, sales and marketing support and a vast technology base, was a clear choice."

The new agreement provides incentives for members that previously purchased from other battery vendors, plus loyalty incentives for members that continue to purchase from Exide.

"Truck Pride's selection of Exide illustrates our strength in tailoring a sophisticated battery program for each customer, balancing a range of variables including pricing, depth of product offering, marketing and sales support, distribution efficiency and recycling capability," said E.J. O'Leary, president and chief operating officer of Exide Technologies. "These capabilities will help Truck Pride members serve their customers more effectively while streamlining their own procurement processes."