Gov. Bruce Rauner visited the world headquarters of Continental Tire in Hanover, Germany yesterday, to meet with company leaders and discuss support for their growing operation in Illinois. Continental is one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world and the fourth-largest tire manufacturer, and it is the state’s largest private sector employer south of Peoria.

“Continental Tire has built a significant manufacturing presence in Illinois, and they are a valued investor in our economy,” Gov. Rauner said. “They are making high quality products and providing high quality jobs across the state. We are proud to be a part of their world-class operation and Illinois stands ready to support their continued growth and success.”

In conjunction with the governor’s headquarters visit, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti met with company officials at the Continental Tire plant in Mt. Vernon to discuss the importance of foreign direct investment and international trade.

“Our location, workforce, and transportation infrastructure make us an ideal candidate for foreign investment,” Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti said. “It is important that we continue to grow our manufacturing sector. The governor and I are working hard so that companies like Continental locate and thrive here, bringing with them more jobs and opportunity.”

Manufacturing is the third largest industry in Illinois, which is the fifth largest manufacturing state in the U.S. by output. Nearly 12,507 manufacturing firms call Illinois ‘home’ and together they employ more than 570,000 workers.

CTA employs 3,500 employees in Mt. Vernon. The company recently added capacity for retread rubber production at its Mt. Vernon facility, which will expedite delivery times of ContiTread premium retread products to North American customers. The ContiTread line offers a retread solution that “looks like new, runs like new,” to cut down on cost and extend the life of the tire, as part of Continental’s ContiLifeCycle cradle-to-grave approach to tire management. Prior to the addition, ContiLifeCycle licensed retread partners were supplied pre-cured tread rubber from a plant in Mexico.