Continental investing in Sri Lanka solid tyre plant

With an investment of around 13 million euros over the coming three years, Continental will enhance pre-production capacities at its Speciality Tires plant in Kalatura, Sri Lanka, thereby optimising the manufacturing process and limiting cross-country dependencies within the logistic supply chain. Continental anticipates that customers will benefit from better product availability. The investment will also create some 200 additional jobs.

“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 tire products for our customers worldwide,” says Klaus Framenau, who heads the Material Handling business field at Continental. The Material Handling business field is looking to further expand its share in growth markets around the world. “We continue to systematically grow our Specialty Tires business, as laid out in our Vision 2030 strategy programme.”

The Kalutara plant began producing solid industrial tyres for forklifts and other material handling vehicles in 2009. It manufactures Press-on-Band and Super Elastic tyres with a strong focus on serving American, Asian and selected European markets. Continental markets its specialty products under the Continental, General Tire and Barum brand names.