SUMTER, S.C. – Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) yesterday kicked off construction of its new tire plant in Sumter, S.C. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by state and local governmental officials, marked the beginning of the construction process, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2013. By early 2014, the plant will manufacture passenger and light truck tires to meet the increasing demand for Continental and General brand tires from both aftermarket business and automotive manufacturers.
The first phase of the plant will reach a production capacity of approximately 5 million units per year in 2017. A second phase in this announced project is expected to bring the plant’s full production capacity to approximately 8 million units per year by 2021. Altogether, CTA says it will invest more than $500 million into the Sumter plant and create about 1,600 new jobs.
"Today’s groundbreaking ceremony for our new Sumter plant is a celebration of collaboration," said Jochen Etzel, CEO of Continental Tire the Americas. "This project would not have been possible without the support of the state of South Carolina and Gov. Nikki Haley. I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Governor Haley, the state of South Carolina, the Port Authority, Sumter County and the city of Sumter. We are very delighted to bring to Sumter approximately 1,600 new, well-paying jobs with excellent benefits. The outstanding commitment of our employees to quality and efficiency paved our way to this investment."
Overall, CTA says it plans to create 1,700 new jobs in South Carolina in the coming years. Approximately 80 of these new jobs are part of the expansion of CTA’s headquarters located in Lancaster County.
