Parts supplier SKF USA has announced plans to transfer its North American Automotive Vehicle Service Market Distribution and Packaging operations in Hebron, Ky., to its Crossville, Tenn., facility by July 2016.

The move is seen as a way to streamline operations and improve efficiency for the company and it will result in the eventual closure of SKF’s Hebron distribution center.

The SKF Vehicle Service Market Distribution Center packages, warehouses and distributes bearings, hub bearing units, seals and u-joints for the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarkets.

The consolidation process is expected to take place in the first six months of 2016 and will affect 145 employees.

“It is an extremely difficult decision to close our Hebron facility - however, as the North American aftermarket further consolidates and becomes increasingly more competitive, it is critical that SKF provides the foundation for exceptional customer service in the most efficient way possible,” said Tom O’Brien, president of SKF Vehicle Service Market. “Consolidating our distribution and packaging operations in Crossville will place SKF in the best position possible to do this for many years to come.”

SKF is a global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems and services including technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting, and training.