News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Name: Jackie Pobiega
Phone: 704-583-8564
Email: jackie.pobiega@conti-na.com
Continental’s Commercial Vehicle Tire Division Announces
Retreading Cooperation
INDIAN LAND, S.C. (May 7, 2009) – Continental Tire North America (“Continental”) today announced
its cooperation with Marangoni® Tread North America (MTNA), a leading provider of tire retreading
systems, to produce a total lifecycle solution for commercial vehicle tires with optimum fuel efficiency.
Continental’s new ContiTread®, a retread product manufactured by Marangoni with the same
rubber compounding, tread designs and fuel-saving technologies as new Continental tires, will be
available in the U.S. and Canada for fleet customers through current Continental and MTNA dealers. In
Mexico, Continental is developing a total retreading business model for its dealers that will include
setups of retread operations with Marangoni equipment, and sales of the ContiTread products.
ContiTreads will be available in designs based on the Continental HDL Eco Plus (Heavy Drive
Long-Haul) and the HTL Eco Plus (Heavy Trailer Long-Haul) tires, both of which are certified for
increased fuel efficiency through the U.S. EPA SmartWay program.
ContiTread products are initially available using Ringtread technology, a retread in the form of a
ring that is cured in a centripetal press. This summer, Continental will launch ContiTread Premium Cut
–To- Length treads, a flat tread that fits the tire casing perfectly with no waste in tread rubber.
“Continental customers choose our truck tires for their innovations in tread design, exceptional
performance in fuel efficiency, and advanced tread compounds,” said Paul Williams, executive vice
president of CTNA – The Americas, commercial vehicle tire division. “But the lifecycle of these benefits
should not end when the casing is retreaded. Today with ContiTread, customers will be able to receive
a retread product that can last through multiple lifetimes and is produced with the same treads and
technologies as their new Continental truck tires.
“By using the tread designs and advanced compounding of the HDL Eco Plus and HTL Eco
Plus tires, ContiTreads will be one of the least rolling resistant, and therefore, most fuel-efficient,
retread products on the market today,” said Williams.
“ContiTreads not only look the same as new Continental tires, but they will perform like new
tires and still provide excellent fuel economy. You should never have to expect anything less
throughout the entire lifecycle of a tire,” Williams said.
Continental chose Marangoni to produce the ContiTread product based on its expertise as one
of the world’s most technologically advanced retreading manufacturers, Williams said. In Europe, the
parent companies Continental AG and Marangoni S.p.A. have a tread rubber manufacturing
cooperation which also includes production of private label tires for Italy.
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About Continental
With sales exceeding €24 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive
suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and
chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the
corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate.
Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation
employs nearly 140,000 at approximately 190 locations in 35 countries.
For media information, visit www.ctnamedia.com.
About Marangoni
Marangoni S.p.A. is a worldwide leader in retreading technology and systems. Marangoni® Tread N.A.
manufacturers and distributes its premium retread product RINGTREAD® through RINGTREAD®
Dealers, a network of independent tire dealers across North America. RINGTREAD® is a spliceless,
contoured procure tread that excels in mileage, reliability and wear characteristics. The contour of the
RINGTREAD® is designed to match the natural curvature of a casing to maintain balance, cool running
and even wear. RINGTREAD® is available in multiple tread designs, based on application demands,
for optimum performance. The revolutionary process of eliminating the tread splice in precure treads
eliminates a weak spot, a heavy spot and likely place for contamination leading to failure.
RINGTREAD® has been manufactured and distributed in Europe, by Marangoni® since 1976 and
manufactured in the U.S. since 2004.