FORT MILL, S.C. (Aug. 2, 2016) — Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. has initiated sales of OTR tires in the Americas markets, marking the return of Conti to the sector for the first time in a decade.
The re-entry coincides with the expiration of a 10-year General-brand licensing agreement covering OTR and farm tires with Titan International Inc.
Conti is focusing initially in the Americas — covering the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil and the Andean markets — on the earthmover segment of its Commercial Specialty Tires (CST) business unit.
The tire maker is marking the occasion with an employee event at its U.S. headquarters in Fort Mill, where it will have on display a Caterpillar 980 loader and an OTR tire service truck.
Conti is planning a broader, more public launch of its expanded ContiEarth radial OTR portfolio at this year's MINExpo 2016, scheduled for Sept. 26-28 in Las Vegas, according to Fedérico Jiménez, manager, the Americas for the CST business unit, speaking with Tire Business at the recent Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo in Panama City. The company is planning to roll out four sizes initially and expand the portfolio into 2017.