Accessory Company Announces Restructuring Moves

Vehicle accessory supplier Lund International has announced several moves to restructure the company’s operations into three business units, and to consolidate some of its facilities.
The company has already consolidated its Duluth, Ga. corporate offices, its Lund Accessories Division in Lawrenceville, Ga. and its warehousing function at the Ventshade Accessories Division into the company’s new Corporate Center in Suwanee, Georgia. These moves were completed in August, 2006.
The new initiatives include the closure of two of the company’s facilities and a new business structure leading to reduced fixed costs, increased management effectiveness and improved customer service.
The Autotron Accessories Division in Longmont, Co., is expected to close by May 31, 2007. Approximately 75 employees work in the Longmont facility producing plastic accessories for light truck and automotive vehicles. Production is being transferred to the Ventshade Accessories Division in Lawrenceville, Ga. where customers will benefit from additional manufacturing processes, well established and proven product quality systems and timely response to customer needs.
Offices in Anoka, Min. will also close by the third quarter of 2007. Approximately 35 employees are engaged in administrative support functions at the Anoka facility. The majority of these positions will be relocated to the Company’s Corporate Center in Suwanee, Ga.
Lund International has also reorganized into three strategic business units for improved management effectiveness.
Light Truck and Automotive Accessories marketed under the company’s leading brands Lund, AVS, and Nifty, sold through warehouse distributors, specialty retail chains and mail order distributors, is the company’s largest business unit.
Light Truck and Automotive Accessories sold through original equipment manufacturers under their brands has been established as a strategic business unit to improve the company’s position in this important channel. The third strategic business unit is Heavy Truck Accessories sold through original equipment manufacturers and their aftermarket distribution centres. Management is being realigned into these three business units for improved focus on satisfying customer needs.
As part of this restructuring, Terry Cole, vice president of sales and marketing for Light Truck and Automotive Accessories and Steve Treichel, corporate vice president responsible for Information Systems and the Corporate Distribution Center, have left the company.
Jerry Schomaker, previously vice president and general manager, Ventshade Accessories Division, becomes vice president of product supply and engineering. Schomaker joined Lund International in 2000 as vice president and general manager of the Deflecta-Shield Accessories Division in Howe, Indiana.