Continental Tire Plant in Sumter, South Carolina Breaks Ground on Plant Expansion

SUMTER, S.C., Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The technology company Continental has broken ground on the expansion of its Sumter facility, which will increase tire production capacity from approximately four million units planned for 2016 to approximately eight million units and will more than double the current 700 jobs within the facility. Total employment is projected to reach 1,600. Tires produced at the Sumter plant will help meet the increasing demand for Continental and General brand tires from both aftermarket business and automotive manufacturers.

Additionally, Continental named Kajima Building & Design Group, Inc. (KBD) as general contractor of the projected nine-month construction project.

The second phase of construction is expected to bring the plant's full production capacity to approximately eight million units per year by 2021. Altogether, Continental will invest more than $500 million into the Sumter plant and create about 1,600 new jobs. With the expansion, Continental has met the total projected investment of more than $500 million announced in October 2011.

"This announcement celebrates Continental's trust in the Sumter facility to continue delivering quality products to our customers," said Jochen Etzel, CEO of Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA). "We extend our thanks for the sustained support from Governor Haley, the state of South Carolina, the Ports Authority, Sumter County and the city of Sumter."

"We couldn't be more grateful for Continental's continued commitment to its facility in Sumter and to our state," said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. "Our workforce has proven to Continental, and to the entire world, that when you invest in South Carolina and ask us to make your products, we're going to make them well. Continental is a huge reason our state produces more tires than any other state in the country, and we're excited to celebrate a bright future for the partnership between South Carolina and this great company."

To date, CTA has hired more than 700 employees in the Sumter facility. It is expected that the plant will reach an employment level of approximately 800 by the end of 2015. Continental continues to partner with readySC and local technical colleges to assist with staffing and training interested candidates and to develop tailored apprenticeship programs for mechatronics and production positions in the facility.

Key facts about the Sumter Phase II expansion:

• CTA has partnered with design firm SSOE to begin the Phase II expansion, and with KBD as general contractor.
• Phase II will total approximately 720,000 square feet including the new production hall and expanded warehouses for raw materials and finished goods. This is in addition to one million square feet in the existing plant.
• The finished goods warehouse will be expanded to nearly one and a half times its original size.

Key facts about the Sumter Phase I facility:

• Construction started in June 2012.
• 60,000 cubic yards of concrete and 30,000 tons of steel went into the plant structure.
• Machine installation began in March 2013.
• Production began in October 2013.
• More than $100 million were awarded to South Carolina vendors in the construction of the plant's first phase.

Continental has invested more than $1.5 billion in the past five years for manufacturing, technology, facilities and product development in the U.S. Aside from the U.S., Continental has recently expanded production capacity also in Russia, China and Europe to better serve global demand on a long-term basis.

Note to Editors – the quotes below were provided by local government officials:

"We congratulate Continental Tire, The Americas - Sumter Plant on this expansion and I thank my colleagues on County Council for working diligently with the Economic Development team and Administration to create a win-win for the County and the company. We appreciate our industrial partners, and this expansion creates further economic investment and job opportunities for our citizens. Economic Development is and will always be a priority for County Council now and in the future."
Sumter County Council Chair Naomi Sanders.

"On October 6, 2011, we announced the largest single private sector investment in Sumter's storied past, and this is again a momentous day. We appreciate the continued confidence this company has in our community and it is a testament to the resilience of this community that continues to improve and become a great place to live, work and conduct business."
Mayor of Sumter, Joe McElveen

About Continental Corporation
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 sales of approximately €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs more than 205,000 people in 53 countries.

About Continental Tire Division
The Tire division currently has 24 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility. As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers, with more than 47,000 employees, the Tire division achieved sales of €9.8 billion in 2014.

Online Media Database: www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com

SOURCE Continental