Continental Tire has announced plans for a major investment in its Mount Vernon plant with the construction of a highly automated finished-goods warehouse. The approximately $76 million project represents another significant expansion for the company in Southern Illinois and further strengthens Continental’s manufacturing and distribution presence in North America.
The new warehouse will support growing demand across North America while improving distribution speed, efficiency, and customer service capabilities. According to Continental Tire, the warehouse will span an area larger than six football fields and will have storage capacity for approximately 500,000 passenger car tires.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with operations anticipated to start in 2027.
“Our new highly automated finished-goods warehouse underscores our growth ambitions in North America,” said Tansu Işık, CEO of Continental Tires Americas. “The new facility will enhance our ability to serve customers with greater speed and flexibility while strengthening our overall distribution network in the region.”
The announcement comes as Continental Tire recently celebrated 50 years of manufacturing in Mount Vernon, highlighting the company’s long-standing commitment to Southern Illinois and the region’s workforce. The facility first opened in 1974 and was later acquired by Continental in 1987. Over the decades, the site has grown into Continental’s largest tire manufacturing plant in the United States and one of the region’s largest employers.
Today, the Mount Vernon plant spans more than 3.4 million square feet and produces tires for passenger cars, light trucks, and commercial vehicles, with annual production capacity reaching approximately 11.4 million tires. More than 3,500 employees currently work at the facility, making the plant one of the largest manufacturers in Southern Illinois and drawing workers from communities across the region.
Continental’s history in Mount Vernon reflects the broader evolution of Southern Illinois manufacturing. Over the years, the company has continued investing in modernization, automation, workforce development, and operational expansion. The Mount Vernon facility has become a cornerstone of the regio
n’s industrial economy while supporting generations of local families and careers.
“This investment is a strong signal for the future of our Mount Vernon plant,” said Nik Pearce, plant manager of Continental Tire’s Mount Vernon facility. “It enhances our capabilities, further modernizes our operations, and makes our plant logistics more efficient.”
The expansion also reflects the competitive advantages Southern Illinois continues to offer manufacturers and distribution operations. With interstate access, rail connectivity, and workforce availability, Southern Illinois is increasingly positioned to support advanced manufacturing growth and supply chain expansion.
Continental Tire currently operates 19 tire plants across 16 countries and continues investing globally in digitalization, automation, logistics efficiency, and advanced manufacturing technologies.