- Investments in the new Technology Center in Púchov amount to EUR 7.5 million
- The number of research and development employees in Púchov will increase by about 15% until 2016
https://autocomponentsindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/From-left-to-right-Libor-Heger-Director-of-Technology-Center-in-Púchov-Nikolai-Setzer-Member-of-the-Executive-Board-of-Continental-and-Head-of-the-Tire-Division-Robert-Fico-Prime-Minister-of-Slovak-Republic-and-Anton
The international tire manufacturer, automotive supplier, and industrial partner Continental, expands its research and development capacity within the Division Tires at its location in Púchov, Slovakia. The official opening ceremony of the new Tires Technology Center took place today in the presence of Róbert Fico, the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, local governmental officials, as well as Nikolai Setzer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental and Head of the Tire Division, together with representatives of the local Continental management and employees. The investment for the further extension of the research and development facilities amounts to around EUR 7,5 million and is part of the 1 billion Euro growth investment program announced in 2011 by the Division Tires. It is planned to increase the number of emploeyees in the technolgogy center by about 15 percent until 2016 to accomodate the increased demand of technology within the worldwide portfolio of the Tire Division.
Nikolai-Setzer
“Today’s celebration marks another successful step towards reaching our Vision 2025 and establishing Continental as global tire manufacturer of choice. With the Tire Technology Center in Puchov and its highly motivated employees we will be able to further enhance our research and development capabilities and lift our premium, top technology products on the next higher level for our customers”, declared Mr. Nikolai Setzer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental AG and Head of the Tire Division. “The long tire tradition and expertise in the Puchov plant, the high commitment of its workforce and the constant very close collaboration with the national and local government has driven our decision to invest here in Puchov and we are very confident, that as well this project will be another success. To all involved, I would like to express my sincere “thank you”, added Setzer.
In April 2013, Róbert Fico and Nikolai Setzer, have signed the Memorandum of understanding on the further expansion of the tire manufacturing capacity for passenger cars, light trucks and 4×4 vehicles in Púchov by more than five million pieces according to the market development in the upcoming years. The new Technology Center will support the development of the tire plant, enabling Puchov to combine extended research and development know-how with advanced tire manufacturing expertise at one location.
Libor-Heger-
“The new building of the division of the Technology center Púchov (TCP) is part of the project called TCP/GEP Campus. This project, running from 2012 until 2016, exceeds the value of 7,5 million euro and includes the reconstruction of the facade of the existing TPC building as well as the construction of the new Technology Center building Púchov (TCP). It does comprise also the construction of the new Testing Center performing drum tests for tire durability, tire analysis and ContiKit tests, as well as the interconnection of the existing and new TCP building by a so called “Skywalk on the top floor” – said Libor Heger, Director of Technology Center in Púchov. The cornerstone for construction of the building was laid in June 2013. It is a state of the art 3-floor building with ground-floor. There are 53 offices and 10 meeting rooms with full acoustic system and video-projection in the building. Every office and meeting room is equipped with air-conditioning with the possibility of regulation. Furthermore IP telephone exchange is installed in the building. Both the new premises and the new equipment provide excellent working conditions for the tire experts.
Continental is present in Slovakia with both Automotive and Rubber Group in the cities of Puchov, Zvolen and Dolne Vestenice. The tires plant Continental matador Rubber in Puchov manufacture tires for passenger cars, 4×4 cars, light trucks and trucks, as well as conveyor belts. The production capacities of the Puchov plant were enlarged to currently more than 15 million tires per year and the number of employees increased significantly to over 3,700, since Continental became shareholder of the company in 2008. Various group brands are produced here, among which: Continental, Matador, Semperit, Barum, Uniroyal, Viking, Gislaved and many others.
