Continental's A-Z Formen unit opens mould factory in Czech Republic

Horsovsky Tyn, Czech Republic — Continental AG's A-Z Formen-und Maschinenbau GmbH subsidiary has opened a factory in Horsovsky Tyn for the production of tire moulds and mould containers.

Conti invested €11 million in building the 80,700-sq.-ft. structure, which will produce moulds and mould containers for Continental's 22 tire factories worldwide.

The unit, which replaces a leased facility near Meclov, Czech Republic, will employ 180 at full capacity.

"Around €3.5 million [worth of] investments in new technologies and equipment will ensure that A-Z and the local team work at (the) highest standards and are able to produce top quality products for Continental's 22 tire manufacturing plants," A-Z Managing Director Lars Busse said during a ceremony at the new plant's opening. "All these investments are made because we, the Tire Division of Continental, are fully confident and trust in the local team here at Horsovsky Tyn to continue writing a success story with Continental."

Busse also is head of finance and controlling for manufacturing tires and tire logistics.

A-Z Director Albert Kaiser said the technology used by A-Z in Horsovsky Tyn converts digital data from mould design using its CAD/CAM system directly in manufacturing applications.

The investment allows A-Z to add 3-D printing and laser engraving to its current operations, and the facility will continue to employ other cutting-edge technologies. These include machining operations such as drilling, turning and milling up to a maximum diameter of 2,500 millimetres, laser cutting and welding, gravity and low pressure casting, CNC measuring, and automated handling, according to Kaiser.

Conti acquired A-Z in late 2014 and committed $7 million in mid-2015 to build a foundry at the firm's Runding, Germany, plant to support the production of moulds with more detailed treads.

A-Z was founded in 1965 and now is part of ContiMachinery, a Continental subsidiary based at the firm's Hanover-Stoecken, Germany, industrial park.

Horsovsky Tyn is a community of about 5,000 inhabitants located between Nuremberg, Germany, and Prague.