Several Hundred Jobs in Danger at Conti

Continental AG is currently contemplating the possibility of phasing out passenger car tyre production at its primary facility in Hanover-Stöcken, chairman Manfred Wennemer told a works meeting yesterday. Now, the company will examine whether or not passenger car tyres can still be produced profitably. The problem, according to a company spokesman, is the “development of the market and of the costs.” Currently Continental is producing at full capacity, but it is difficult to say whether or not it will be in the same position in a year’s time, added the spokesman. Therefore Mr Wennemer has already informed the staff “we are reviewing the situation at the moment.” One possibility in order to improve the competitiveness of Hanover as a production base, in comparison with Otrokovice (Czech Republic) and Timisioara (Romania), would be to increase worker’s hours without increasing wages.

350 people are employed at the Hannover-Stöcken facility where 1.5 million passenger car tyres are produced each year. According to the company, the announcement only refers to passenger car tyre production – other segments will remain unaffected.