Conti restarts tire production in Russia to protect local workers

FRANKFURT — Continental said it has resumed production at its Russian plant in Kaluga to protect local workers who could otherwise face criminal charges.

“Our employees and managers in Russia face severe criminal consequences should we refrain from serving local demand,” the German supplier said on Tuesday.

Continental did not elaborate on the potential charges staff might face.

“In order to protect our employees in Russia from prosecution, we are temporarily resuming the production of passenger tires for the local market at our tire plant in Kaluga if necessary,” the supplier said.

“The basis for this step is the duty of care for our employees in Russia,” the company said.

Continental said resumption in production was not a profit-driven decision.

Continental had said on March 8 said that production at the Kaluga plant had been suspended.

Continental, based in Hanover, Germany, ranks No. 6 on the Automotive News list of top 100 global suppliers, with 2020 sales to automakers of $29.7 billion.