ACL Distribution Acquires ACL Bearing Company - Engine Builder Magazine

ACL Distribution Acquires ACL Bearing Company

ACL Distribution, Inc. has announced the acquisition of the assets of ACL Bearing Company of Tasmania, Australia. ACL Distribution of Grand Rapids, MI, is a manufacturer and distributor of engine bearings for the automotive aftermarket.

ACL Distribution, Inc. has announced the acquisition of the assets of ACL Bearing Company of Tasmania, Australia.

ACL Distribution of Grand Rapids, MI, is a manufacturer and distributor of engine bearings for the automotive aftermarket. ACL Distribution of Grand Rapids, MI, is a manufacturer and distributor of engine bearings for The Bearing Company, a supplier of ACL Distribution.

OEM-Bimetal-Bearings-header

The company was a manufacturer of bearings and other automotive components for the original equipment and replacement markets throughout the world until entering receivership in 2009. The Bearing Company is the primary source for the U.S. company’s Race Series brand performance bearings.

ACL plans to open a plant and manage production in Tasmania by the end of the year. The new company will focus exclusively on manufacturing performance bearings as well as traditional bearings for car and light truck. There will be no OEM production.

In announcing the transaction, Tim Vehlewald, President and CEO of ACL Distribution, remarked, “The acquisition is a serious event for ACL Distribution. We now have  control of our destiny in that the output of three factories in Tasmania is at our command,” he said.

Vehlewald said the purchase will allow his company to oversee production and allows them to produce Race Series bearings as required.

“That was not always the situation since our race series orders took a back seat to OEM needs,” Vehlewald said. “That circumstance frequently resulted in delivery delays for us and, subsequently, for our customers. And when you factor in the required shipping time from Australia to the U.S., the problem compounded.”

Vehlewald said too often, the bearing producer we had to air-freight containers from Tasmania to Grand Rapids to meet deadlines.

“That’s all changed – for us and our customers,” he said.

You May Also Like

Toyota, TRD Launch GR Supra Jr. Roadster for NHRA Racing

Toyota and Toyota Racing Development (TRD, U.S.A.) have unveiled the first-of-its-kind GR Supra Jr. Roadster set for National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) competition. NHRA will establish a new Jr. Roadster class for the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, although a launch date has yet to be set.  “The motivation behind developing the GR

Toyota and Toyota Racing Development (TRD, U.S.A.) have unveiled the first-of-its-kind GR Supra Jr. Roadster set for National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) competition. NHRA will establish a new Jr. Roadster class for the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, although a launch date has yet to be set. 

IMS Hall of Fame to Induct Tim Cindric, Tony George

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has announced the IMS Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Inductees Tim Cindric and Tony George. The inductees will be formally celebrated at a ceremony and dinner on Friday, May 26, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Related Articles – Legends Nitro Funny Cars Series Announces Nine Races for 2023

Legends Nitro Funny Cars Series Announces Nine Races for 2023

Officials with the Legends Nitro Funny Cars series have announced its schedule will feature nine events in 2023. Teams campaign Funny Cars fueled by Nitromethane with body styles from the 1960s and 1970s, ranging up to 1982 and older.  Related Articles – Discover Pro Tips & More at Drag Racing Sponsorship Summit – AAM Group Hires Jeff

Bill Introduced in U.S. House of Reps. to Prevent ICE Bans

U.S. Representative John Joyce (R-PA) has introduced H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act,” a bill designed to protect Americans’ right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. The bill was introduced in response to the California Air Resources Board’s plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles

More Details Revealed for the Future of Auto Club Speedway

More details have been revealed about the recent sale of NASCAR’s Auto Club Speedway—the 2-mile, low-banked D-shaped oval superspeedway near Fontana, California. It was previously reported that NASCAR had sold 433 acres of the 522-acre site.  Related Articles – Chip Ganassi Racing Announces Women in Motorsports Internship Class – Race Winning Brands Adds Bob Cook Sales –

Other Posts

Liqui Moly Sponsors Formula 1 for Fifth Year

The German oil manufacturer, LIQUI MOLY, announced it will return to the “pinnacle of motorsport” with renewal for 2023 season of Formula 1 after signing a 1-year contract with the racing series. This will be the company’s fifth consecutive year sponsoring Formula 1. Related Articles – Liberty Engine Parts Hosts Tech & Skills Conference –

Liberty Engine Parts Hosts Tech & Skills Conference

AERA recently teamed up with Liberty Engine Parts to offer a regional Tech & Skills Conference on February 25th with presentations from several different aftermarket manufacturers and brands. Related Articles – MotorTrend’s 19th Annual Hot Rod Drag Week – BorgWarner Announces New Aftermarket Segment Spin-Off – Don Schumacher Motorsports Announces $10.5M Expansion The conference was

NASCAR Sells California’s Auto Club Speedway

According to published reports, NASCAR has sold land on the site of Auto Club Speedway, the 2-mile, low-banked D-shaped oval superspeedway near Fontana, California. Approximately 433 acres of the 522-acre site is said to have been sold to an unknown buyer at an undisclosed price. Reported plans include the demolition of the famed track, which

Sonoma Raceway Names Karen Davis VP, Marketing and Events

Officials with Sonoma Raceway—the road course and drag strip located in Sonoma, California and owned by Speedway Motorsports—have appointed NASCAR industry veteran Karen Davis as the vice president of Marketing and Events. Related Articles – WISSOTA Names New Director of Operations, Executive Assistant – NASCAR Announces New Campus Lab Program at Bethune-Cookman University – NASCAR