Continental hose plant in Wisconsin celebrates 50th anniversary

Continental’s Sun Prairie, Wis., plant, its premier North American manufacturing facility for original equipment automotive hose, celebrated its 50^thanniversary recently.

“The Sun Prairie plant and its employees and retirees – in a storied history that spans 50 years – have been valued contributors to what today is a well-respected and technologically superior global organization,” said Jim Hill,Continental CEO for the North America Region.  “Their dedication and work ethics have enabled us to strategically position ourselves to provide dynamic growth for all of the markets in which we compete in the North America region.  We salute them.”

Purchased in 1968, the 200,000 sq. ft. (18,600 meters) facility rests on a 17-acre plot of land about 15 miles northeast of Madison, Wis., the state capital. The plant produced its first hydraulic brake hose in September of 1968. With a total employment of 224, Sun Prairie primarily produces automotive air conditioning hose and transmission oil coolant hose for the original equipment market and many worldwide brands.

“The employees in our plant are the lifeline for our hose products,” said Bill Chmelka, plant manager.  “There is a long history of cooperation with the union and staff, and this relationship has been a valuable asset to us over the past five decades.”

Since 1968, the plant has manufactured more than 3.7 billion feet (1.1 billion meters), enough to wrap 28 times around the world.