ContiTech closing automotive hose plant in Romania

Nadab, Romania – ContiTech AG is closing its induction systems plant in Nadab and transferring the operation to its location in Carei, northwestern Romania, the company has announced.

The move was prompted by a ‘steady decline’ in volumes for air induction systems and cooling/heating systems with the automotive industry’s shift towards electric vehicles, ContiTech said 20 May.

The transfer, it said, will be carried out ‘gradually’ until mid-2022, and will impact more than 300 employees.

Most employees will be offered the option to relocate to Carei, while others will be transferred to the company’s operation in Timi?oara..

“We are looking for innovative solutions that allow us new collaboration opportunities,” said Bogdan Ureniuc, general manager of the production units in N?dab and Carei.

The consolidation of the sites, he noted, will allow ConiTech to maintain “our most modern and competitive strengths, to achieve profitable growth and strengthen our position in the car hose production sector.”

According to Ureniuc, ContiTech’s general objective for 2022 is to further develop operations at the Carei factory, as the main location of rubber and assembly operations of automotive hose.

At the same time, the Timisoara location will play an important role in the manufacture and assembly of air-conditioning pipelines.

The Nadab factory manufactures 13 million units per year of curved, straight and convoluted air induction hoses for passenger cars, hybrid vehicles and commercial vehicles. 

The Carei production unit makes 27 million units per year of rubber heating/cooling hoses as well as air induction hoses for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The activities of other Continental locations in Romania will not be affected by the decision.