Continental is winding down part of its production of consumables for the printing industry

By the end of 2024, Continental will discontinue the production of rolls and sleeves for the printing industry and other sectors, as the "market situation for the ContiTech division remains challenging for a number of years due to high competitive pressure". It is noted that a cost optimization program was launched in 2021, but it did not bring the desired results, resulting in the production being stopped, and around 20 employees will lose their jobs in Waltershausen (Thuringia, Germany).

Continental says that management was forced to make this decision due to the "persisting tense economic situation" and the fact that "the search for alternative options did not yield practical results". Employees were informed on September 9.

"We regret having to take this step for economic reasons," said Andreas Bakenhus, head of Continental's elastomer coatings division in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). "We would also like to thank our colleagues who worked on the production of rolls and sleeves. Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, the negative trends were too strong."

Continental will continue to produce products for the printing industry, such as offset blankets, and Bakenhus emphasized that "despite the obvious challenges, we believe in the future development of this industry, so we are adapting our range to offer customers high-quality products at attractive prices".