Continental strengthens manufacturing footprint of specialty tyre production

• Investment of 13 million Euro further enhances local pre-production capabilities
• Material Handling Business field is set for further growth worldwide

Continental is expanding the global manufacturing footprint of its Specialty Tyre business area in Sri Lanka and signed an  agreement with the BOI valued 13 million euro by further enhancing local pre-production capacities. 
This ensures an optimized manufacturing process and limits cross-country dependencies in the logistic supply chain. Continental will be investing around 13 million euros over the next three years, creating around 200 additional jobs. Customers will benefit from better product availability due to the optimized supply chain. 
“Our Kalutara plant is an integral part of our global production network. The most recent investment decision is a testament to that. At Kalutara, we manufacture tailor-made specialty tyre products for our customers worldwide”, said Klaus Framenau, Head of Business Field Material Handling.  
Continentals Material Handling Business Field is looking to further expand its share of the growth markets worldwide. “We continue to systematically grow our Specialty Tyres business, as laid out in  our Vision 2030 strategy programme.” 

Since 2009, the Kalutara plant has produced industrial solid tyres for forklifts and other material  handling vehicles. The plant manufactures Press-on-Band tires and Super Elastic tyres with a  strong focus on serving American, Asian and selected European markets. With its specialty tyre  brands Continental, General Tire and Barum that cover a wide range of applications, Continental serves the many different requirements of its customers worldwide. 
Continental’s Specialty Tyres business area develops, produces and markets a great variety of different tyre applications. From agricultural, earth-moving and port vehicle tires to material handling, bicycle, motorcycle and racing tyres. It also offers tailor-made digital tyre solutions that enhance its customer’s efficiency, helping to sustainably reduce their operational costs.  Continental is continuously working to advance innovative technologies and sustainable products and services along the entire tire value chain, from the procurement of sustainable materials to the recycling of end-of-life tyres.