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German tire giant Continental Tire of the Americas LLC is closing a plant in Barnesville, Ga., by the end of 2026, a move that will cost Lamar County 235 jobs.
The plant, which has been in the Continental portfolio since 1988, is situated alongside a railroad track on Aldora Street. It turns out tire cord fabric, hose yarn and knitted fabric used in both tires and its ContiTech unit, which provides materials for non-automotive industries.
In a November release, Continental blamed “ongoing changes in global market dynamics and supply chains” for the action, noting that the plant “has not been cost competitive for many years despite continuous turnaround efforts.”
Allison Zora, a spokesperson, would not say whether recent trade upheaval had any direct bearing on the closure.
“Our decision is based on a comprehensive review of our operations and supply chain with the goal of strengthening Continental’s long-term competitiveness. We regularly evaluate our global production footprint to ensure efficiency, quality, and sustainability across our business,” Ms. Zora told Global Atlanta.
The German firm emphasized that the closure will not dampen its commitment to the U.S. market, pointing to $1.5 billion in investments in tire manufacturing in the U.S., including facilities in South Carolina, Illinois, Mississippi and Indiana that produce 16 million tires per year, with the company employing 8,800 people overall. It also nodded to a recent $85 million investment in upgrades to an Iowa ContiTech factory and a new tire distribution center set to open in Dallas. ContiTech retains some operations in Georgia, though Continental Tire has no tire facilites in the state.
In Barnesville, the layoffs will be phased in starting in March, with the final separation date falling on the last day of the year, the company noted in a WARN notice filed with the Georgia Department of Labor in January.
The company says it will aid employees with career counseling and access to employment resources, starting with on-site resume writing workshops and informational workshops Feb. 10-12, followed by a job fair on March 25, Ms. Zora said.
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