Accuride Corp., a supplier of components to the North American and European commercial vehicle industries, announced it has strategically extended its North American Distribution network to provide targeted customer coverage in key regional markets and offer aftermarket customers the full range of Accuride wheels and KIC and Gunite-branded wheel end components.

Acquiring wheel and wheel end component supplier KIC in May 2017 has enabled Accuride to further strengthen its network of distribution centers to supply customer locations across North America, according to the company. Through an in-depth analysis of its combined customer ship-to locations, purchasing patterns, product stocking requirements and lane optimization, Accuride has strategically realigned its distribution resources to more efficiently serve its customers in North America.

During the first quarter of 2018, Accuride will quickly phase in operation of five additional North American distribution centers, augmenting its primary Batavia, Illinois, distribution facility. Nearly all facilities in the optimized network will offer customers the opportunity to order mixed-load shipments of Accuride wheels and KIC and Gunite-branded wheel end components. More importantly, the company says, is the fact that the network’s regionally targeted footprint and inventory stocking plan will allow Accuride to offer reduced lead times on the majority of its high-volume products across industry channels.

“Combining the complimentary product and technology offerings of Accuride, KIC and Gunite this year enables us to provide customers a greater range of solutions than ever before,” said Rick Dauch, Accuride president and CEO. “With our expanded distribution network, our products will be available when and where customers need them, on shorter, competitive lead times for our most popular, in-demand products.”