Accuride International, a designer and manufacturer of sliding hardware, has launched an online store to expand access to a wide range of its products to both B2B and B2C customers.
“Customers have told us that they need to be able to order a broad selection of our slides anytime, anywhere and on any device,” said Sid Kalantar, senior VP of sales and marketing for Accuride. “Our e-commerce channel enables us to close geographical distribution gaps, allowing customers to purchase a full assortment of specialty products, as well as popular slides, including undermount and heavy-duty options. … We have invested serious time and effort to design and build a customer-friendly e-commerce website, supported by personalized assistance to help customers choose the right products for their needs. Customers may also consult an extensive array of online resources, including a slide glossary, FAQs, videos, guides, CADs and case studies.”
Accuride’s move into e-commerce, initially available to U.S. and Canadian customers, aligns with a growing trend among B2B companies, including manufacturers. About 40 percent of manufacturers have an e-commerce site, and 69 percent of those that don’t expect to launch one within two years, according to a recent survey by B2BecNews. In addition, Forrester estimates total business e-commerce at $1.1 trillion, or 12 percent of total B2B sales in the U.S., now, and it projects an increase to $1.8 trillion, or 17 percent of U.S. B2B sales, by 2023.
The Accuride online store will be particularly useful to customers in transportation sectors, such as trains, automotive and aerospace; engineering and machinery; emergency vehicles; boating; industrial contracting; data enclosures; healthcare; cabinetry and woodworking; home improvement; and STEM education.
Here are a few examples of users who will benefit:
- An in-house design engineer who develops prototypes for various industries, from aerospace to automation to machinery to healthcare
- A maintenance or facility manager seeking replacement parts
- An engineer who wants to test and validate customized products in early design stages, perhaps for an emergency vehicle or a data enclosure
“The website was super-easy to navigate and order from,” said Kris Gaughran, who handles construction project management for Cinergy Construction. “We use Accuride all the time for our high-end home theaters. We love the new online store. Not only was shopping quick, but the product also arrived so fast.”
