Related: Accuride's New Accu-Lite Wheel Lineup Sheds 4 Pounds
Accuride Comes Close to First Quarter Profit
Truck component supplier Accuride Corp. nearly broke even the first quarter of the year after losing more money a year earlier.


Truck component supplier Accuride Corp. nearly broke even the first quarter of the year after losing more money a year earlier.
It reported a net loss Monday of $600,000, or 1 cent per share, compared to a loss of $3.3 million, or 6 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2014.
First quarter 2015 net sales from continuing operations were $183.7 million, compared with $166.8 million in the same period in 2014, an increase of 10.1%, primarily reflecting the impact of stronger industry conditions in the company’s wheels and Brillion Iron Works segments during the quarter.
The company said its Accuride Wheels net sales were $108.3 million, up $16.1 million, or 17.5% from the same period in 2014, primarily due to stronger OEM demand and market share gains in the aftermarket, with additional shifts being added to meet rising customer demand for aluminum wheels.
Its Gunite segment's net sales of $37.7 million were down $6.2 million, or 14.2%, from the first quarter of 2014, due primarily to lower aftermarket demand for brake drums and OEM demand for hubs, according to the company.
Accuride’s Brillion Iron Works’ first quarter net sales were $37.6 million, up $7 million, or 22.8% from the first quarter of 2014 on higher customer volumes.
These latest figures follow a net loss of $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, which compared to net income of $1.9 million a year earlier. In the third quarter of 2014 it posted a profit of $1.2 million, which marked its second consecutive quarter of positive numbers, which compared to a 2013 net loss of $4.8 million
The past few years have been rocky for the Indiana-based operation, which filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 2010 and emerged from it five months later. Since then it has reorganized and restructured, with President and CEO Rick Dauch in 2013 saying the company was ready to grow. Since then it has launched new products.
“Accuride had a strong first quarter,” Dauch said. “Our industry-leading quality, delivery and lead-time performance allowed us to renew and secure new long-term customer agreements at our wheels and Gunite businesses. We are experiencing near-term headwinds at Brillion due to macro industry conditions.”
More Equipment

How Volvo Updated Its D13 for EPA 2027 [Watch]
Volvo’s updated D13 promises lower emissions without sacrificing performance or fuel economy. Take a closer look at what changed inside the engine in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →
Michelin Tire Improves Efficiency and Durability for Regional Fleets
The Michelin X Multi Energy D2 is a regional haul drive tire engineered to help fleets improve fuel efficiency, durability and traction in demanding stop-and-go operations.
Read More →
ZF Expands Commercial Vehicle Push in North America
ZF is expanding its North American commercial-vehicle presence with new transmission applications, electrification, trailer technology and autonomous-driving systems.
Read More →
Tesla Wants a Self-Driving Semi. Are Cameras Enough?
Could Tesla’s camera-only autonomous driving technology work on an 80,000-pound Semi? In this commentary, HDT's Deborah Lockridge takes a look at Tesla, Cybercab, and how autonomous trucks see the road.
Read More →
Kodiak: Driverless Long-Haul Truck Launch on Track for 2026
Kodiak AI says its driverless long-haul safety case is 93% complete and it remains on track to begin commercial operations by year-end 2026.
Read More →
What DOT’s Automated Vehicle Strategy Means for Trucking
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a new automated-vehicle strategy that outlines plans for driverless-truck regulations, cross-state freight corridors, and federal safety standards.
Read More →
East Coast Port Launches $45M Electric Truck Push
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced millions in incentives for zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and new charging hubs near the port.
Read More →
PlusAI Going Public to Fund Autonomous Truck Launch
A SPAC deal could provide PlusAI with up to $300 million as it works toward a 2027 commercial launch of factory-built autonomous trucks.
Read More →
NHTSA Moves to Rewrite Truck Fuel-Economy Rules
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it lacks authority to regulate medium- and heavy-duty truck engines separately from complete vehicles, but the existing standards have not yet been eliminated.
Read More →
Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines
Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
