Conti to Close Austrian Rubber Mixing Site

As a consequence, the company states, the demand for raw materials is also markedly lower.

“Today, June 16, we are informing workers at the Traiskirchen site (in Austria) that we are forced to phase out the mixing and gumming activities in Traiskirchen, which employs a total of 195, by the end of this year,” explained Bernhard Trilken, in charge of worldwide production for the Continental Passenger and Light Truck Tires division. “We assume that in the coming years we will not again reach the high level of production attained in 2007 and the first half of 2008. Therefore we must adjust capacity within the European passenger car tyre division to current market conditions.” The production of rubberised steel cord will then, as noted, cease by year’s end.

“We will support all affected employed as quickly as possible in the acquisition of new skills and employment. The operating agreements from 2002 and 2005 are still fully valid. The financing of these instruments has been secured,” added Conti’s European personnel chief Thomas Winkelmann.

The former Semperit factory was designated a Modular Manufacturing Process plant in late 2000, however tyre production at the site ended a couple of years later. The mixing facility is the last production operation based in Traiskirchen. Following its closure only a sales division, employing around 100, will remain there. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)

GRI recently conducted programs in Sri Lanka to empower women and motivate children under its Green x Circle initiative. The company said these endeavors aimed to address the needs of the community, focusing on both women empowerment and youth motivation.

GRI recently organized a training program titled "Management of household finance under current economic conditions" at the Ingiriya Rubber Collecting Center in Sri Lanka, South Asia led by Shashika Nimali, an NLP practitioner and life coach. The company said this initiative provided women in the industry with essential skills and knowledge to effectively manage household finances. GRI's tailored training sessions equipped participants with tools for informed decision-making, ultimately fostering greater financial security and independence, the company said.