Continental officially opens tire production plant in Czech Republic
Hanover, Germany – Continental has officially opened a fully automated high-bay warehouse at the tire production plant in Otrokovice, Czech Republic. It has a storage capacity of more than 930,000 tires. With the facility, the premium tire manufacturer is centralizing its warehouses in the area of Otrokovice. As a result, Continental’s logistics processes could be further optimized while lowering CO2 emissions of its operations.
“With our fully automated warehouse, we once more improve our logistics processes. We can serve our customers even faster, while further reducing our CO2 footprint”, explained Dr. Bernhard Trilken, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, at the inauguration of the storage facility. He added: “Sustainable logistics is one key to a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly supply chain.” Continental systematically reduces the environmental footprint of its logistics operations. To do so, the tire manufacturer integrates innovative technologies, optimizes storage capacities, and routes and uses renewable energies to manage scarce resources as efficiently as possible.
The new warehouse is 43 meters high – which equals approximately to the height of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA. On an area of 10,000 square meters, the building can store more than 930,000 tires. High racks with small aisles allow vertical and horizontal storage. Mobile stackers automatically move the tires stored on pallets around the warehouse area.
The electricity used to power the warehouse derives from renewable sources. As it is the case at all Continental production facilities worldwide since late 2020, in accordance with the criteria of the global RE100 initiative.
Continental consistently invests in the digitalization and automation of its global manufacturing operations at its 20 tire plants in 16 countries worldwide. The focus lies on research and development of new technologies, alternative materials, environmentally friendly production as well continuous improvements of the overall efficiency of logistics processes. By 2050 at the latest, the tire manufacturer aims to achieve 100 percent climate neutrality along its entire value chain.
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2022, Continental generated sales of €39.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 57 countries and markets.
Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental delivers top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2022, the Tires group sector generated sales of 14 billion euros. Continental’s tire division employs 57,000 people worldwide and has 20 production and 16 development sites.