Accuride Corp. has announced its Gunite business unit is consolidating North American production into its facility in Rockford, Ill., where the unit is based. Consequently, Gunite will phase out its machining operations at Brillion Iron Works in Brillion, Wis., and close its plant in Elkhart, Ind., by the first quarter of 2013. This consolidation is part of Accuride’s “Fix and Grow” strategy to improve the profitability and competitiveness of its business through a combination of investment and restructuring.
“While this action will be difficult for our associates and the community in Elkhart, it is necessary to return our Gunite business to profitability and meet the competitive challenges we are facing in a changing marketplace,” says Rick Dauch, Accuride president and chief executive officer. “Consolidating Gunite’s operations into a single site in Rockford will greatly improve production efficiency, strengthen quality and delivery performance, reduce operating costs and make the business more profitable. We will treat our associates affected by this decision with dignity and respect, while working closely with our customers and suppliers to ensure uninterrupted supply throughout the transition.”
