Continental to establish bt5-bn plant in Thailand

Germany-based Continental, one of the world's top five automotive suppliers, is investing about ¤100 million (Bt5 billion) in a new manufacturing plant - scheduled to be operational by mid next year - with about 1,000 new jobs being created.

"This investment reflects our strategy to build and strengthen our network and our manufacturing operations in Asia as we intend to make between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of our total sales in this region by 2015. We recognise the importance of Thailand as a manufacturing hub and this new dedicated manufacturing plant in Rayong marks a strategic step toward our goal to become a leading automotive components and systems supplier in Thailand and across Asia," Jay Kunkel, president Asia and member of the Automotive Managing Board of Continental, said.

Kunkel said, "The powertrain and interior electronics manufacturing plant in Thailand represents the latest milestone in Continental's Asean expansion plans, aiming to reinforce its position as a top leading automotive supplier and, importantly, to provide more effective and advanced technical support to leading brands in the Thailand market."

The new powertrain and interior electronics manufacturing plant will occupy a space of approximately 25,300 square metres and comprise two facilities for print room/spray painting, evaluation and section facilities including supplier quality assurance, quality management and assurance, laboratories, production engineering and production tooling.

With targeted annual sales of more than ¤26.4 billion for this year, Continental makes 21 per cent of its sales in North America, while Asia accounts for eight per cent of its earnings. It produces brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tyres and technical elastomers. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication.

Today, the corporation employs about 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

"Despite being only a recent entrant into the Thai automobile market, Continental already has booked orders for business starting in the 2010 calendar year. This confirms that Thailand is the right market to enter, and further growth opportunities exist," Continental Thailand managing director Thomas Chambers said.

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