Wheel Pros, a designer, marketer and distributor of branded automotive aftermarket wheels, performance tires and accessories, today announced plans to establish new U.S. manufacturing and distribution operations. To establish its new U.S. footprint, Wheel Pros has purchased an existing 220,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, formerly owned by Eagle Alloys Inc./American Eagle Wheel Corp. in York County, South Carolina. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The South Carolina facility will have the capacity to produce more than 750,000 wheels per year, and is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2019. Founded in 1995, Wheel Pros currently serves more than 10,000 retailers with a global network of 33 distribution centers spanning North America and Australia. Wheel Pros has a portfolio of 12 proprietary brands with more than 300 custom wheel styles, including some of the most recognized designs in the industry.

“We are thrilled to bring automotive aftermarket wheel manufacturing to the United States,” said Jody Groce and Randy White, co-founders and co-CEOs of Wheel Pros. “With the backing of Clearlake, we’ve been able to execute on our strategy of driving growth both organically and inorganically. Our customers will benefit from being able to purchase the highest-quality, American-made aftermarket wheels through our global network of distribution centers.”

“Wheel Pros continues to exhibit its industry leadership by completing this investment to manufacture its products domestically,” said José Feliciano, co-founder and managing partner, and Colin Leonard, a partner at Clearlake. “With this investment, Wheel Pros will be able to provide its customers with innovative new styles rapidly and adapt to changing market dynamics. This acquisition illustrates how Clearlake partners with world-class management teams to deploy its O.P.S. approach and execute on a strategy of investing for growth.”