Manufacturer and technology company Continental AG (Continental) plans to invest more than US$4 million to expand its ContiTech Vibration Control business unitin DeKalb County, Indiana. Aside from increasing efficiencies in its anti-vibration systems at the 100-sq. ft. facility, Continental plans to accommodate the consolidation of existing technical centres in Canada and Michigan, to be fully moved into the facility by the end of 2024.
In addition, Continental will also expand its research and development (R&D) operations in northeast Indiana by advancing innovative technologies to reduce noise vibrations for the automotive and commercial sectors. It is expected to create more than 45 new jobs by the end of 2023.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has offered Continental up to US$650,000 in conditional tax credits based on its plans for the 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.”
Continental acquired its Auburn facility in 2019 from another major automotive manufacturer but continues to develop products and systems for in-car vibration and noise technology.
UPDATE: Continental said it will phase out operations at its suspension and vibration control products manufacturing site in Ontario, Canada, by March 2021. The site’s business, all under the ContiTech brand name, will be transferred to another manufacturing location in North America.