Press Release
Continental celebrates the groundbreaking of its tire
plant expansion project in Hefei, China
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Groundbreaking for 3rd tire plant expansion milestone celebrated at Hefei location with
authorities, management and employees
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Investment of around €250 million will boost the plant’s production capacity to around 14
million premium tires and more than double the existing workforce of around 1,150 by 2017
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Civil works for Continental’s 3rd tire plant expansion project start in November 2015
Hanover/Hefei, 16 November 2015 – Continental, one of the leading automotive suppliers, tire
manufacturers and industrial partners worldwide, celebrated the groundbreaking of its 3rd
expansion project of the tire plant located in Hefei, China. Honored guests like Mr. Qingjun Wu,
Mayor of Hefei, Mr. Bing Han, Deputy mayor of Hefei, Mr. Xiufa Chen, Secretary General of
Hefei City Government, Mr. Burkhardt Koeller, Executive Vice President Controlling Tires and
Mr. Philipp Von Hirschheydt, Executive Vice President of Tire Business Unit Replacement
APAC Passenger and Light Truck Tires as well as employees and media have been welcomed
by Mr. Michael Egner, the General Manager of the tire plant at the site.
With the investment of around €250 million in the course of the coming two years, the total
investments in Hefei, China will reach around €570 million. The production capacity will
increase to around 14 million tires and a substantial amount of new jobs will be created. The
civil works will start in November 2015 and expand over 80,000 square meters. This
investment is part of Continental’s Tire Division “Vision 2025” long-term strategy in which
Continental has since 2008 systematically invested more than €2 billion in the establishment
and expansion of global production capacities and high-tech projects for tires.
“We are delighted that Continental is continuing its investment in our city”, declared Mr. Qingjun
Wu, the Mayor of Hefei. “Since its first ground breaking in 2008, in only 7 years, Continental
Tires Hefei Plant has grown very fast. The current investment confirms Continental’s strong
vision and confidence in the future business development in China and Hefei as well. The
government of Hefei will continue to support Continental”, added Mr. Qingjun Wu, during his
speech.
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“Continental’s tire business has been growing substantially for the past years at global level
and Asia is one of our key growth markets. The Continental Tires Plant in Hefei is our first
Greenfield project in tire manufacturing in China, which represents a major step that
Continental took to enhance its position significantly in the tire industry in China as well as in
Asia Pacific region. The continuous investment in the expansion of the plant is a sign of our
confidence in Continental’s success in China and Asia”, remarked Mr. Burkhardt Koeller,
Executive Vice President Finance & Controlling Tires, honored citizen of Hefei.
In the context of the Tire Division’s Vision 2025, along with the annual investments of some
€350 million in its existing plants, Continental has earmarked a further €1 billion for the largest
special investment program in the history of the Corporation, so that in total more than €2
billion is being invested in laying the foundations for long-term growth, particularly in the BRIC
states (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and in the United States.
“Since 2008, when we started the Greenfield project for the tire plant, Continental Tires Hefei
has developed very fast, marking one milestone after another. In May 2015, we have reached
10,000,000 Passenger and Light Truck tires which were delivered from our plant to the
Chinese market. This achievement and the further growth of our plant has only been possible
by the joint efforts of our employees and the continuous support of the local government in
Hefei, therefore I would like to express my sincere appreciation on this occasion. With Phase
III, we will continue to drive innovation and make top quality premium tires for the Chinese
customers”, highlighted Mr. Michael Egner, General Manager of Continental Tires (China) Co.,
Ltd. and the tire plant at Hefei.
Continental’s Hefei tire plant was officially opened in 2011 and since then the plant has made
special efforts to be a good citizen of the region through proactively investing in environment
protection measures and community engagement. The plant is much recognized for its efforts
to be a green plant. For example, the production roof is covered with 70,000 square meters
solar power panels which provide 5.5 million KWH green electricity each year. Its zero waste
water and emission control also sets an example in the industry to protect the environment.
Besides environment protection, the plant is promoting cycling safety and driving safety among
children and young drivers, and supports educational projects in the local community.
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Your contact
Vivian Wei +86 0551 6279 6811
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Continental AG
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner,
the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe,
comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated preliminary sales of
approximately €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tires, and
ContiTech. Continental currently employs approximately 208,000 people in 53 countries.
Continental commenced its business in China in 1994 and has built successful partnership with all major
customers in China. So far, Continental has expanded its presence in 26 production locations and 16 R&D
centers, representing a workforce of over 23,000 in the country. Continental offers market specific solutions
to the Chinese market with all of the corporation's five divisions.
www.continental-corporation.com
Tire Division
As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers with more than 44,000 employees, the Tire Division
achieved sales of €9.6 billion in 2013. Today, the division has 24 production and development locations
worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to costeffective and ecologically efficient mobility.
Passenger Car and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of Europe's leading passenger car and light truck tire manufacturers and is the world's
fourth-largest passenger car and light truck tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement
business sectors. The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safetyrelevant characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
www.continental-tires.com
Sponsorship
Continental's Tire division is an official sponsor of the German DFB Cup, Major League Soccer in the
U.S.A. and Canada and the UEFA EURO 2016TM in France.
www.ContiSoccerWorld.com
Media database
www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
www.continental-tires.cn.
For more information:
Vivian Wei
Tina Chen
Location Communication Manager
Head of Continental Communications China
Continental Tires (China) Co., Ltd
1588 Dabieshan Road, Nangang Technology
Zone, Hefei 231283, Anhui, China
Tel.: +86 551 6279 6811
Mob: +86 157 1551 2266
E-mail: qingxia.wei@conti.cn
Continental Automotive Holding Co.Ltd.
538,Dalian Road
200082 Shanghai,P.R. China
Tel: +86 21 6080 4551
Mobile: +86 186 1633 0627
Email: tina.chen@continental-corporation.com
Your contact
Vivian Wei +86 0551 6279 6811