BARNESEVILLE, Ga. — ContiTech North America Inc. is consolidating its textile reinforcements business in the U.S. to one plant, in Barnesville, and has budgeted $9 million to cover the move and modernize the 129-year-old Barnesville plant.
The facilities produce single-end yarns and fabrics for technical reinforcement applications that adhere to specific rubber compounds, including tires, ContiTech said.
Fairlawn, Ohio-based ContiTech — part of Continental A.G.'s North American operations — plans to relocate the yarn-processnig operations at its Porterdale, Ga., plant by year-end 2018 to its Aldora Mills facility in Barnesville.
The consolidation will allow the company to maximize efficiencies and optimize its manufacturing footprint, ContiTech North America President Jim Hill said. The investment — to modernize equipment and improve efficiencies and production at the Barnesville location — will ensure the company's continuity in its business as well as extends its long-term viability.
"We are committed to remaining in yarn and fabric production to support our North American manufacturing operations for our customers and associates," Mr. Hill said.
The Aldora Mills plant opened in 1888 as a cotton mill and began producing tire cord in the early 1920s. It was part of Continental's acquisition of General Tire in 1986.
Employees at the Porterdale plant — which operates as Specialty Yarn & Converting Inc. — will be given the opportunity to transfer to the Barnesville location, or if eligible, elect to retire, ContiTech said.
Conti anticipates that the consolidation of the textile operations at the Barnesville plant will result in 106 new jobs on top of about 200 in place there now. Barnesville is located about 45 miles south of Porterdale.