EARTH CITY, Mo., and BRANFORD, Conn. — Heavy Duty America and Truck Pride Partners will merge their organizations into a new North American marketing and distribution organization. The new organization, which will be initially known as HDA Truck Pride, will commence operations effective Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010.

A jointly developed merger plan was recently presented to the memberships of both organizations and has received overwhelming approval, the organizations said. Integration of staff and services will begin Sept. 1 and continue through the remainder of calendar 2010.

Both organizations view the joining of the two premier heavy duty marketing organizations as the initial step of a comprehensive plan to unify and expand their distribution network, consolidate product and program offerings and maintain the independent aftermarket channel as a viable alternative to the OE dealership networks.

The combined organization will offer a vastly expanded footprint, providing marketing, training, fleet, service partner and vendor programs to our customer base. The new entity will create the largest independent provider of parts and services to the Commercial Vehicle aftermarket in the U.S. and Canada.