- Production capacity to increase to 18 million tires per year; 400 additional jobs
- Total investments into Hefei plant stand now at close to 1 billion Euro
- “Our latest expansion further solidifies our ‘in the market for the market’ approach. It enables us to meet the demands of our customers in the Asia-Pacific region even better”, said Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires APAC
Continental has celebrated the grand opening of the fourth expansion phase of its tire plant in Hefei, China. With the extension of its solely tire plant in the country Continental Tires will boost its annual production capacity to 18 million passenger and light truck tires annually by 2027. Total investments into the Hefei production site stand now at close to 1 billion Euro.
This expansion will create 400 additional jobs in the upcoming years. It increases amongst others the overall production capacity of technologically more complex Ultra High-Performance (UHP) tires for the markets in the region Asia-Pacific (APAC). UHP tires are tires from 18 inches and above that are primarily designed for high driving dynamics.
“Our latest expansion further solidifies our ‘in the market for the market’ approach. It enables us to meet the demands of our customers in the Asia-Pacific region even better. Expanding our plant in Hefei for the fourth time is a testament of our business success in these markets,” said Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continental’s replacement tire business in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tire plant combines advanced automation technology with highest sustainability standards
Continental’s Hefei plant is equipped with advanced automation technology, for example used in the curing process to give tires its final shape. This ensures a modern, digital, ergonomic, and sustainable working place. Moreover, the Hefei site meets high standards in the use of renewable energies. The installed solar panels on the roof top of the production site have a capacity of 27 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, contributing 18 percent of the total electricity currently needed for tire production.
The plant has recently been awarded the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS sustainability certification. Combining a high degree of automation with sustainability brings Continental closer to fulfill its ambitions to achieve 100 percent climate neutrality along the entire value chain by 2050 at the latest, while at the same time offering safe and ergonomic workplaces of the future.
Fourth expansion to further boost Continental’s presence in APAC region
The tire plant in Hefei has been manufacturing tires for the APAC region since its opening in 2011. With the latest plant expansion Continental Tires further strengthens its presence in the Asia-Pacific and especially on the Chinese market. “Our Hefei plant is a cornerstone of Continental Tires’ rapid growth in China and the Asia-Pacific region. As with any project of this scale and magnitude, the Hefei plant phase 4 expansion required an extensive amount of collaboration of different parties inside and outside the company, in addition to trust from our local partners,” said Jeff Wang, Plant Manager of Continental tire plant in Hefei.
Continental consistently invests in the digitalization and automation of its global manufacturing operations at its 20 tire plants in 16 countries worldwide. The focus lies on research and development of innovative technologies, alternative materials, environmentally friendly production as well continuous improvements of the overall efficiency of logistics processes.
