LANSDALE, Pa. — SKF USA Inc. announced plans to transfer the North American Automotive Vehicle Service Market Distribution and Packaging operations in Hebron, Ky., to the SKF USA Inc. Logistics, CoLinx LLC, distribution and packaging facility located in Crossville, Tenn., by July 2016. This move will result in the eventual closure of the Hebron distribution center, the company says.

The SKF Automotive Vehicle Service Market Distribution Center packages, warehouses and distributes bearings, hub bearing units, seals, and u-joints for the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarkets, as well as specialized product kitting to compliment its offering to both markets as well as the OE service market.

“The consolidation of our Hebron, Ky., distribution and packaging operation is being initiated to further improve our efficiency and output in common operations already in place for SKF in Crossville, Tenn.,” said Tom O’Brien, president of SKF Vehicle Service Market. “Consolidating these operations will continue to ensure optimized delivery, flexibility and superior customer service as we grow our business in the years ahead.”

“It is an extremely difficult decision to close our Hebron facility, as it will affect 145 employees. SKF established this operation more than 20 years ago and it has been a valuable part of our distribution network,” continued O’Brien. “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. Consolidating our distribution and packaging operations in Crossville will place SKF in the best position possible to do this for many years to come.”

The consolidation process is expected to take place during a period of six months and should be completed by mid-2016.