February 20, 2008

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2008
Continental Tire North America, Inc.
Contact:  1-800-553-5906


Continental Tire to move corporate headquarters to Lancaster County, SC

Charlotte, NC – Continental today announced they will move their corporate headquarters for Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Lancaster County in South Carolina in 2009.

The new facility will be located approximately 12 miles from the current facility and will house CTNA’s corporate workforce of more than 300 employees.  CTNA’s production/warehouse facility, which employs approximately 160 employees, is under lease and will remain at its current location in Charlotte.

“The move to South Carolina is an important step in our overall growth strategy at Continental Tire,” said President of CTNA and CFO of the Continental Group, Dr. Alan Hippe.  “We will be able to put CTNA in an enhanced competitive position and continue to invest in growing our business and our customer base.”

“This is an exciting move for CTNA and one that’s good for employees, our business and the region,” said Matthias Schoenberg, CEO of CTNA.  “We are grateful to Governor Sanford and so many others in the State of South Carolina for the opportunity to relocate there, and we look forward to calling Lancaster County home.”

“As South Carolina works to compete in a global economy, our ability to attract world-class companies is increasingly important.  Continental’s decision to locate here certainly speaks to our success in that regard.  As well, today’s announcement is another sign that our efforts to improve the economic soil conditions and enhance the state’s business climate are working to attract new investment and increase job opportunities throughout South Carolina,” said Gov. Mark Sanford.  

Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor added, “The Continental Corporation is a leading worldwide automotive supplier with manufacturing and research facilities in 27 countries.  The company’s decision to locate their corporate headquarters in South Carolina is a strong testament to the state’s business-friendly climate.  Thanks to the commitment and work of state and local officials, South Carolina has gained a valued new member of the state’s business community.  We look forward to a long and constructive partnership in the years ahead.”

“We are certainly pleased to have Continental Tire locate the company’s North American office in Lancaster County,” said Keith Tunnell, President of Lancaster County Economic Development Corporation.  “The project is one of several headquarters and back-office operations that have recently located in Lancaster County.  We look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with the company.”

CTNA will invest approximately $11 million in land and development of the approximately 75,000 square-foot facility.  Construction is already underway and is expected to be complete in early 2009.  The facility is being developed by Forsite Development Inc. and will be located in MacMillan Business Park in Lancaster County.          

Once complete, the Lancaster County facility will be in addition to Continental’s North American facilities in Columbia and Blythewood, SC, bringing the total number of employees to more than 750 statewide.  


With annual sales of $33 billion (based on 2006 figures), the Continental Corporation is one of the top five automotive suppliers worldwide.  As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes toward enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate.  Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication.  The corporation currently employs 150,000 at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

Kara Borie
SC Department of Commerce
1201 Main St., Suite 1600
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-1998 direct
(803) 806-3458 fax