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Accuride Corporation's continued
road to global leadership began in 1905 when Firestone Steel Products was
established as the first "spinoff" of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.
A major milestone was reached in 1968 with the addition of the
steel rim and wheel plant at London, Ontario, Canada, the facility now known as
Accuride Canada. Another steel rim and wheel plant was established in
Henderson, Kentucky, in 1974. In 1986, Firestone sold the business which was
purchased two years later by Phelps Dodge Corporation. In 1998, Phelps
Dodge Corporation sold Accuride to the investment firm of Kohlberg, Kravis, and
Roberts.
Throughout its history, to
ensure that customers receive precisely what they want, Accuride has been
willing to expand and create new ventures. For example, in 1992, Accuride
established Assemblies on Time (AOT) as a joint venture with Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Company. AOT was created to custom fit wheels with tires to be
installed on one of the world's most popular heavy trucks. In 2006, AOT
became an Accuride facility.
Realizing that one of the best
methods to sustain its competitive edge was to diversify its product line, in
1997 Accuride entered into an partnership with Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical
Corporation. This partnership solidified a bond first established between
the two companies in 1972. Having already become the North American
leader in steel wheel production, the newly formed joint venture, AKW L.P.,
allowed Accuride to become an emerging leader in the growing forged aluminum
wheel market.
Then, in 1999, as a
demonstration of its increasing commitment to the aluminum wheel market,
Accuride acquired Kaiser Aluminum's 50 percent share of AKW L.P. to become its
sole owner.
In efforts to increase its global presence and further meet
customer needs, Accuride partnered with Industria Automotriz S.A. (IaSa) of
Monterrey, Mexico, in 1997 to create the joint venture Accuride de Mexico. In
1999, to best service the emerging South American market, Accuride purchased
IaSa's share of AdM. Not only did this partnership open the doors to the
emerging South American market, it also afforded Accuride the ability to best
service its customers located within the region.
To increase strategic
opportunities and to grow the business, Accuride acquired Transportation
Technologies Industries, Inc. on Jan. 31, 2005.
In November 2008, Accuride began trading on OTC Bulletin Board
("OTCBB") under the symbol "AURD".
March 2010, Accuride Corporation began trading on OTC Bulletin Board
("OTCBB") under the symbol "ACUZ".
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