Continental celebrates the return of the Off The Road (OTR) sales and product lines to the Americas markets beginning in August 2016. This will be the first time Continental has entered the Americas OTR markets in 10 years. Continental will reenter the OTR/earthmover segment of Commercial Specialty Tires in the Americas markets, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as Brazil and the Andean markets.
The decision to reenter the markets after the long hiatus was based upon several factors, including dealer enthusiasm for Continental products. “From a tire dealer’s perspective Continental is a great partner,” said Dan Rice, President of Piedmont Truck Tires, a longstanding Continental truck tire seller founded in 1978, with nine locations located in and around the Carolinas. “Continental has trouble-free products at fair prices that allow the dealer to make money and still offer a great value to the customer. We’re all very excited to see them bring OTR back into the mix."
The OTR/earthmover product segment is part of a rapidly evolving business unit at Continental, Commercial Specialty Tires (CST). The addition of the OTR segment will increase the reputation CST has as a supplier of material-handing tires, including forklift, airport, port and container handling segments. Continental is planning to roll out with four sizes initially and intends to add to the product portfolio over the coming months and into 2017.
To celebrate the reentry into the Americas market, the Off The Road team hosted an employee event at the Continental U.S. headquarters in Fort Mill, SC, on August 2. Activities included a cookout, a Caterpillar 980 loader on display, an OTR tire service truck and a formal update on the new direction of the CST business unit.
“This is a tremendous occasion not just for us, but for all Continental employees," said Federico Jiminez, CST Manager for the Americas. “We are entering the very robust market after a decade and we are in a position to do truly great things for our customers across the Americas. Everyone has worked hard to make this day a reality, it really deserves a celebration."
