Accuride Reports 4th Quarter Loss Despite Higher Sales
Accuride Corp. on Tuesday reported higher revenues in the final quarter of 2014 compared to a year earlier, but moved from a profit to a loss.

Accuride's Accu-Lite aluminum wheel. Photo: Accuride

Accuride Corp. on Tuesday reported higher revenues in the final quarter of 2014 compared to a year earlier, but moved from a profit to a loss.
Fourth quarter net sales from continuing operations for the commercial vehicle components supplier were $172.8 million, an increase of 19.4%. This primarily reflected the impact of stronger industry conditions in the company’s Wheels and Brillion segments during the quarter, according to Accuride.
The company reported a net loss of $5.1 million, or 10 cents per share during the quarter, compared to net income of $1.9 million, or 4 cents per share a year earlier. Accuride’s operating income was $3.7 million for the quarter, as compared to an operating loss of $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Net sales from continuing operations 2014 were $705.2 million, an increase of 9.7% from the year before. This primarily was due to higher vehicle production by North American commercial vehicle manufacturers and strengthening in certain industrial end-markets with its Brillion Iron Works business, according to Accuride.
The company reported a net loss of $2.3 million for 2014 compared to a loss of $38.3 million a year earlier, or 4 cents per share versus 56 cents per share during the same time frame. Operating income was $32.6 million compared to an operating loss of $1.2 million.
"We are pleased with the strong fourth-quarter and full year results Accuride delivered in 2014, and expect 2015 to be an even better year for us," said Rick Dauch, president and CEO. “As favorable freight volumes and fuel prices have enabled many fleets to expand their operations, truck and trailer production levels have climbed to the best we’ve seen in a decade.”
Accuride Wheels segment net sales were $102.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, up 21.5%, from the same period in 2013. This was primarily due to stronger OEM demand and market share gains in the aftermarket, according to the company.
The company’s Gunite segment, which consists of the Accuride’s wheel end business, had net sales of $36.6 million, down 2.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2013. The company said this was due primarily to slightly lower aftermarket demand for brake drums.
Accuride’s Brillion Iron works saw net sales increase nearly 48% to $34.1 million.
The company reaffirmed its goal for 2015 net sales to be in the range of $725 million to $775 million, an increase of 6% from its 2014 results.
More Equipment

Putting Mack’s Command Steer to the Test
A test drive of Mack’s Command Steer active steering system evaluates how it can make truck driving easier and less tiring.
Read More →
Mack, Volvo Expand DEF Derate Software Updates
The updated software gives Mack and Volvo truck owners more time to address DEF-related issues before the engine derates or the vehicle goes into reduced-speed inducement, following new EPA guidance.
Read More →
Rush, MCT Team Up to Grow Refrigeration Service Network
The joint venture will operate MCT's network of Carrier Transicold dealerships and mobile service locations, with the companies promising greater service capacity and uptime for refrigerated fleets.
Read More →
Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal
The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.
Read More →
Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight
Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.
Read More →
Peterbilt 589 Spotlight: A Close Look at a Custom Working Truck [Video]
There's more to this customized Peterbilt Model 589 and Great Dane refrigerated trailer than chrome and stainless (although there's plenty of that too!) A veteran driver explains the design choices and practical features behind this working truck.
Read More →
Continental Expands Retread Lineup With New ContiTread HDL 5 EP
New long-haul drive retread is designed to improve fuel efficiency, extend tread life, and lower fleets' cost per mile.
Read More →
EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty
The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.
Read More →
Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance
Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.
Read More →
America at 250: How the Truck Helped Connect a Continent
America was founded on revolutionary ideas, but it was built by movement. For 250 years, the nation has depended on ever-better ways to move people, products, and prosperity across a vast continent. No machine has carried that mission further — or more faithfully — than the truck.
Read More →

