Continental to Add 7,000 Jobs Globally in 2014 Expansion
Continental AG plans to increase its workforce by 7,000 in 2014, focusing on growth markets including China, the US and Romania, alongside a €1bn investment programme.
Continental AG will create around 7,000 new jobs worldwide in 2014, increasing its global workforce from 178,000 to 185,000 by year-end. The German automotive supplier is targeting growth markets and expanding production capacity as part of a wider investment strategy.
Focus on growth markets
Continental is directing much of its hiring to China, the United States and Romania. The company plans to add 1,800 jobs in China, 1,500 in the US and another 1,500 in Romania across sites in Iasi, Brasov, Sibiu and Timisoara. This approach reflects Continental’s strategy to strengthen its presence in markets with strong growth potential and to support rising demand for automotive technology and components.
The recruitment drive comes as Continental seeks to boost annual sales by 5 percent, aiming for around €35bn in 2014 compared to €33bn the previous year. The company is investing heavily in new plant construction, capacity expansions and high-tech testing facilities. According to its own statements, more than €1bn will be spent by 2016 under this programme, which is the largest investment in Continental’s history.
What it means for Continental and the sector
The hiring plan signals confidence in continued growth for automotive suppliers, especially in emerging and recovering markets. Continental’s expansion in Romania mirrors recent moves by other suppliers to increase production in Eastern Europe, attracted by skilled labour and competitive costs. The company’s focus on China and the US aligns with global shifts in automotive demand and supply chain strategy.
Continental’s workforce expansion follows a period of strong sales and major acquisitions, including the purchase of Siemens VDO in 2007. The company’s global headcount stood at over 170,000 in 2013, with the new jobs representing a substantial increase in capacity and capability. The move places Continental among other major automotive employers expanding their global footprint, such as BMW and Porsche in recent years.
- BMW to create 1,000 new jobs across UK plants
- Porsche to create 3,000 new jobs by 2018 in global expansion push
- Bosch investing €60m in new Romanian electronics plant
Investment and future outlook
Continental’s €1bn investment is expected to fund new plant construction, upgrades to existing facilities and the expansion of testing and production technologies. While most of the new jobs are in manufacturing and engineering, the company’s growth also supports local economies and supply chains in its target regions. The scale of the investment underlines the competitive pressures facing global suppliers to innovate and localise production.
The company’s stated goal is to further develop in growth markets, with recruitment and investment focused accordingly. Continental’s expansion reflects a broader trend among automotive suppliers to position themselves for rising demand and technological change in the sector.
