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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Germany-Based Continental Expands Operations at Auburn, Indiana, Manufacturing Campus

08/06/2020
Germany-based Continental, a manufacturer and distributor of rubber products for a variety of applications, plans to invest more than $4 million to expand its ContiTech Vibration Control business unit, renovating and equipping a facility in DeKalb County, Indiana.

The 100,000-square-foot building will accommodate the consolidation of existing technical centers in Canada and Michigan, while supporting the company’s efforts to increase efficiencies in its anti-vibration systems. Continental plans to be fully moved into the facility by the end of 2024.

Continental also plans today to expand its research and development operations in northeast Indiana, advancing innovative technologies to reduce noise vibrations for the automotive and commercial sectors. To support its growth, the company plans to create more than 45 new jobs by the end of 2023.

“We are excited and grateful about this opportunity to grow in the region,” said Scott Bykowski, head of research and development for vibration control technology and noise insulation for Continental North America. “Thank you to the Continental management team as well as state and local governments in Indiana for their strong partnership and support throughout this process.”

As an incentive the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered the company up to $650,000 in conditional tax credits based on its plans to create up to 46 new jobs in Indiana. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. The city of Auburn approved additional incentives at the request of the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership.

“Continental’s decision to expand in DeKalb County continues a long-standing trend of German companies picking Indiana for growth,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. “With operations all around the world, we're grateful that Continental is choosing to grow in northeast Indiana, developing innovative products that are used across the globe while providing quality career opportunities for Hoosiers."

In 2019, the technology company acquired its Auburn location from another major automotive manufacturer. The facility has a long history in the community dating to 1896 when it was operated by Auburn Rubber Corp. Continental operates production sites as well as development and application engineering centers for its vibration control technology and noise insulation solutions in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Slovakia and the U.S.

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