Continental has announced that the company will cease the production of agricultural tyres and focus its Commercial Specialty Tyres business on tyres for material handling, earthmoving, and port applications. This means that it will discontinue its agricultural tyre business by the end of 2025. This decision was preceded by a comprehensive business evaluation.
The agricultural tyre segment has undergone fundamental changes in recent years. As a result, Continental’s addressable market has shrunk significantly and is therefore no longer compatible with the company’s ambitions.
This decision follows a comprehensive business review. As the market for agricultural tires has undergone strong disruptions in recent years, Continental’s ambition is no longer compatible with the increasing commoditization of the market. Employees affected by this strategic repositioning are mainly located at its tyre plant in Lousado, Portugal. Continental will support each one through this transition and is confident to offer most of the affected employees an alternative job within Continental.
“We are proud of the contributions we as a team have made to the agricultural industry and the trustful relationships we have built with our customers and partners,” says Paul Williams, Head of Continental Commercial Specialty Tires. “Sharpening the focus of our Commercial Specialty Tires business will further leverage our resources towards our strengths in Material Handling, Earthmoving and Port Operations Tires.”
Until end of 2025, Continental will fulfil all contractual delivery obligations towards its customers of Agricultural Tyres, namely with its tyre lines TractorMaster, Tractor70, Tractor85, CombineMaster and CompactMaster. The successful Multi-Purpose Tyres lines will continue as part of Continental’s Commercial Specialty Tyres Business.
The employees affected by this strategic realignment work primarily at the plant in Lousado, Portugal. Continental is supporting each individual during the transition phase and is confident that it will be able to offer most of the affected employees alternative jobs within the company.
