Ivybridge, the home of leading retreader, Bandvulc, has been rebranded as a Continental LifeCycle production facility, with new signage installed throughout February. The move sees the factory become more closely aligned to Continental’s Stöcken LifeCycle plant, which produces hot-retread tyres.
Bandvulc employs some 280 people in and around Devon and was welcomed into the Continental portfolio in 2016.  The plant focuses on hot retreading for the UK market, with Bandvulc tyres being designed and manufactured in Ivybridge. The site also produces ContiRe branded tyres in partnership with the Stöcken plant. There is no impact to job security with no redundancies taking place as a result of the Continental rebranding.
Tony Mailling, Head of Hot Retread Production EMEA and Plant Manager of ContiLifeCycle Ivybridge and Stöcken, said:
“Although the name has changed, the values on which Bandvulc was built will continue at our Ivybridge site. The facility is undoubtedly one of the most technically advanced retreading plants in Europe and our people are a testament to this achievement. In becoming a LifeCycle site, Ivybridge’s position is strengthened as part of the wider Continental manufacturing network.”With the Bandvulc tyre range set to grow further during the next 12 months, staff and customers can rest assured that the brand will continue to be a major player in the Continental tyre range.”
ContiLifeCycle is Continental’s cradle-to-grave approach to maximising tyre longevity and sustainability. New Continental truck and bus tyres are designed with retreadability in mind, and casings are engineered for multiple service lives. The LifeCycle plants in Stöcken and Ivybridge sit at the core of Continental’s retread operations.
Bandvulc’s innovative retreaded tyre range services a diverse array of road haulage applications, including long-haul, regional distribution, construction and urban waste.