Press Release
Continental Tire the Americas Plans to Invest $129
Million in Illinois Facility, Adding More than 100 Jobs
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Commercial Vehicle Tires investment is largest portion with almost $95 million
Investment in Mt. Vernon facility totals more than $615 million since 2006
Investment reflects Continental’s confidence in the Mt. Vernon facility and community
Mt. Vernon, Ill., January 28, 2013 – With dedicated employees, a business-friendly
community and success of previous ongoing expansions, Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
(CTA) announces plans to invest $129 million in its Mt. Vernon, Illinois tire facility and create
more than 100 new full-time jobs over the next three years. This announcement
demonstrates Continental’s continued confidence in the Mt. Vernon facility and community.
The driving forces behind this investment are an increased demand for Continental and
General brand tires, the need for better complexity management in the plant and emerging
technologies in tire production. The investment is defined in three segments and supports
Continental’s comprehensive growth strategy for its tire operations worldwide.
“Continental Tire the Americas continues to grow our business in the U.S. and across the
Americas,” said Jochen Etzel, chief executive officer, Continental Tire the Americas. “This
investment will support our efforts to provide an outstanding line-up of passenger, light truck
and commercial vehicle tires for our customers.”
Commercial Vehicle Tire benefits from $95 million investment and increased capacity
With a volume of almost $95 million, the largest portion of this investment is the expansion of
the Commercial Vehicle Tire (CVT) production area, which will increase production to an
annual volume of more than 3 million truck tires when completed. Included in this investment
is a new mixer to support the additional tire production and the introduction of equipment for
emerging tire technologies, including wide base truck tires. The CVT investment supports the
addition of more than 80 new full-time positions and is expected to be completed in mid2015.
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“This investment will help us continue to produce some of the most technologically advanced
commercial vehicle tires on the market, and also addresses our growth in the region,” said
Paul Williams, executive vice president, Truck Tires – the Americas. “Our research and
development engineers for the Americas, working at our Truck Tire Technology Center in Mt.
Vernon, have developed tires and technologies for a complete lifecycle solution that begins
with excellence in new tire production. In turn, our customers have responded with increased
demand for our tires.”
“With the investment in the Mt. Vernon CVT production area, we are adding volume to
support the current market, enhancing our capabilities for advanced technologies and
increasing our ability to anticipate the market demands of the future. This investment is
further commitment to Continental’s strategy for growth in the Americas,” Williams said.
Additional investments for technology and warehouse
Two additional segments will create a total investment of $34 million, encompassing
technology and equipment for the mixing building, and a warehouse expansion. These
investments bring with them more than 30 new full-time jobs and are expected to be
complete during 2014.
Details about the Mt. Vernon facility
Employment at the plant has grown as a result of the most recent Passenger and Light Truck
tire expansion, announced on May 12, 2011. That expansion brought nearly 450 new fulltime positions to the Mt. Vernon area. To date, Continental has hired approximately 350
people, and the hiring process is ongoing.
“We fight for investments and expansions and are excited to make this announcement
today,” said Benny Harmse, Continental Tire Mt. Vernon plant manager. “Our employees
and the Mt. Vernon community make our continued success possible and we hope these
investments demonstrate our appreciation and dedication to them.”
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With preliminary sales of €32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive
suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for
powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires,
and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global
climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile
communication. Continental currently has more than 170,000 employees in 46 countries.
As one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, with more than 41,000 employees, the Tire
Division achieved cumulative sales of more than €8.8 billion in 2011. Today, the division has
22 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and
continuous investments in Research and Development make a major contribution to costeffective and ecologically efficient mobility.
Continental’s Tire Division is an Official Sponsor of the German DFB Cup, 2014 FIFA World
CupTM in Brazil and the UEFA EURO 2016TM in France.
Media Contact:
Jackie Pobiega
Communications Manager, Commercial Vehicle Tires
Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
1830 MacMillan Park Drive
Fort Mill, SC 29707
Phone: 704-583-8564
Fax: 704-583-8737
E-mail: jackie.pobiega@conti-na.com
Casey Cunningham
Communication Specialist, Continental Tire Mt. Vernon
casey.cunningham@conti-na.com
(618) 237-0062
Media Database: http://mediacenter.conti-online.com
Continental Passenger & Light Truck Tires Website: www.continentaltire.com
Continental Truck Tires Website: www.continental-truck.com
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