2008.07.15

Hanover, July 2008. The innovative CSEasy wheel/tyre system developed by Continental Industrial Tyres and und KTS has won a further award, this time the silver 'IQ Innovation Prize Central Germany 2008'. The award ceremony was held in mid-June. Continental Industrial Tires entered this competition together with its development partner KTS Kunststoff Technik Schmölln GmbH in the Chemicals/ Plastics cluster.

It took a full three sesssions to determine the winners of the Chemicals/Plastics cluster prize. The award ceremony took place on 19th June 2008 in the factory belonging to the Technische Dienste Espenhain (TDE) near Leipzig. "We were self-confident and optimistic when we took part in this competition and we will now also be entering the current contest for the 'Innovation Prize Thuringia' " said Hans-Jürgen Sauerwald, head of the test station at Continental Industrial Tires. Dr.-Ing Wolfgang Markgraf, managing director of KTS, used this opportunity to thank Continental for the positive co-operation.

Back in February this year, the CSEasy won the internationally acclaimed 'Archie' award, nominated by the readers of the trade media for the materials handling industry and by members of the Fork Lift Truck Association.

The CSEasy is a solid tire which, unlike conventional fork lift tyres, is quite easy to change. All that is needed is a torque wrench. This frees the user from the tire press normally required and reduces downtimes to a minimum. The tire's lower rolling resistance makes it the most energy-efficient on the market.

Continental is the only tyre manufacturer to supply a comprehensive range of industrial tyres, making it the No. 1 in Germany and Europe, and one of the top three worldwide.

With targeted annual sales of more than €26.4 billion for 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

The Commercial Vehicle Tyres division, which designs, produces and supplies lorry, bus and industrial tyres worldwide, and employs more than 8,000 people, achieved a turnover of approximately €1.5 billion in 2007.

For further details, visit the website www.conti-on­line.com.