Company representatives said the Axis and AL-KO brands will continue to remain independent under the AL-KO Axis umbrella. The independence will allow both companies to offer expanded benefits without disruption to business procedure.

The announcement was broadcast through a live stream to all locations for both companies across the U.S. and Germany the Lerner Theater in Elkhart, Ind.

Presiding over the event were Roland Kober and Harald Kober, from AL-KO Kober’s executive board in Germany, and Kevin Fort, Axis Products COO, and Eric Overbey, Axis Products president and CEO.

“This is an historic day for AL-KO,” Roland Kober said.

Roland also announced Overbey’s appointment as the new president for AL-KO USA.

Overbey gave a speech outlining the strategic advantages AL-KO Axis brings to current and prospective customers. He praised the value and stability of AL-KO Kober’s third-generation ownership, according to the AL-KO.

“This organization is not owned by the New York Stock Exchange, a faceless holding group or investment bankers,” he said. “These men are grandsons of the founder and have delivered on his goal to become the No. 1 axle supplier in the world.”

AL-KO Axis now has seven locations nationwide and nearly 500 employees, according to the companies.

“There is no us and them; we are one company with one mission,” Overbey said.