Continental Corporation, one of the leading automotive supplier and tire manufacturer in the world, announced the official start of the serial production at the new tire plant in Kaluga.

 

The construction of the plant started in November 2011 and was successfully completed within less than two years time and therewith according to the schedule. Nikolai Setzer, head of the Tire Division and member of the Continental AG executive board, said, ʺThe new Greenfield in Kaluga, as of now the most modern and technically advanced manufacturing site in Continental’s manufacturing footprint, is a key pillar of Continentals long-term growth strategy in Russia. This is a major step toward our replacement clients and the fulfillment of our commitment to the leading car manufactures who have established plants in this region as well.” “I am excited to take part in today's plant opening ceremony after I attended the groundbreaking ceremony in 2011. It is great to see that such a substantial project has been realized so fast with such a precision and I express my gratitude and pride on behalf of the executive board to the whole project team as well as to our partners and the local administration for the great support and extraordinary result.” For the targeted annual capacity of four million tires in the first phase in which Continental invests EUR 240 million in total a workforce of more than 800 employees will be established until 2015. "With the opening of the Continental plant in Kaluga automotive cluster in the region has grown to three dozen companies. Here is a very high value added, because this product will be produced in Kaluga, and our engineers will be able not only to apply their knowledge, but also to improve our products as a result of scientific and technical international cooperation. I am glad that with the successful cooperation of specialists of the Kaluga region and Continental’s experts such a significant project was accomplished successfully in a short time,” said the Governor of the Kaluga region Anatoly Artamonov.