Continental’s group sector ContiTech hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new state‑of‑the‑art compounding center at the ContiTech Mount Pleasant, Iowa plant on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. 

The ceremony marked the next step in the company’s previously announced more than $85 million investment to expand its manufacturing operations in Mount Pleasant. The new compounding center will strengthen ContiTech’s production capabilities across its hose and belt businesses and reinforce its long‑term commitment to manufacturing in the United States.

“Our investment in Mount Pleasant reflects a clear vision for the future of ContiTech in the Americas region, building a manufacturing ecosystem that strengthens regional supply chains and supports long‑term growth across our businesses,” said Philip Nelles, Member of the Continental Executive Board and Head of ContiTech. “This compounding center is an important step in creating the capacity and capabilities we need to advance our material expertise and serve our customers with greater speed and reliability.”

The planned facility will integrate production, warehouse and office operations, enhancing material production efficiency, product quality and manufacturing flexibility. It will feature advanced mixing lines and an automated warehouse designed to support growing customer demand across multiple industrial sectors.

“Breaking ground on this compounding center is an important milestone in ContiTech’s growth strategy,” said Andreas Gerstenberger, CEO of ContiTech USA and Head of the Industrial Solutions Americas business area. “This investment strengthens our U.S. manufacturing footprint and adds some of the most advanced mixers in the country. It also supports our vision to be our customers’ first choice for material‑driven solutions as part of our “in the region, for the region” approach. By building more flexibility, consistency and responsiveness into our operations, we’re enhancing customer centricity and mutual value creation opportunities with our customers and partners. We’re proud to deepen our commitment to Mount Pleasant, Iowa and support the long‑term success of our customers, our community, and our employees.”

The new compounding center will play a central role in ensuring consistent quality and efficiency in the production of rubber-based materials used in hoses, belts and other engineered products. The Mount Pleasant plant remains a critical part of ContiTech’s global supply chain.

“Our new compounding center is designed to significantly elevate our operational performance in the U.S. and across the region,” added Tomas Kostenec, Head of Operations, Industrial Solutions Americas, ContiTech. “By integrating modern mixing technology with automated material handling, we will improve throughput, enhance consistency and strengthen supply reliability for our customers. This investment gives our teams the tools and capacity they need to operate more efficiently and respond to market demand with greater speed.”

The expansion is expected to create approximately 50 new high‑quality jobs in Mount Pleasant. Construction is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2026.