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Continental Barum Tire Plant
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Continental Barum, located in Otrokovice, is the largest tire factory in Europe and a major pillar of the Czech automotive supply industry. The company's roots go back to 1948 when Baťa's tire division merged with Rubena and Matador, creating the Barum brand. Since 1993, the plant has been part of the German Continental Group, leading to massive expansion and technological upgrades. Today, over 20 million passenger car tires are manufactured in Otrokovice annually, along with specialized tires for trucks and agricultural machinery. The factory is characterized by highly automated manufacturing processes and its own research center. As the largest employer in the Zlín region, Continental Barum not only shapes the local economy but also sets benchmarks for production efficiency and logistics within the global tire industry.
- Location: Czech Republic
- Top sights: Beseda Otrokovice · Veteran Muzeum Praga · přírodní památka Na Letišti
- Nearby: Zlín (10 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -3 | -1 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 4 | -2 |
| Rain mm | 47 | 40 | 41 | 39 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 67 | 65 | 52 | 46 | 46 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
Situated in Otrokovice, this massive facility is among the world's largest tire manufacturing plants, producing vital components for cars and trucks. It acts as a dominant economic force and a major industrial employer in the Zlín Region.
Visiting
Because it is a highly active and heavily utilized industrial site, the interior production lines are generally not accessible for general public tourism. Factory access is typically restricted entirely to business partners and essential employees.
Where to view it
The immense scale of the industrial complex can be readily appreciated from the main public roads and railway lines passing through the Otrokovice industrial zone. The relentless flow of logistics traffic alone indicates the site's vast daily output.
Local products
While heavy industrial tires are not sold directly to casual tourists at the factory gates, the regional automotive heritage remains strong. Related industrial history and modern automotive developments are often celebrated in regional exhibitions.
Active season
Manufacturing operations typically run continuously on a multi-shift basis all year round to meet global automotive industry demands. The factory exterior is perpetually busy regardless of typical holiday or tourism seasons.
Nearby
A trip passing this impressive facility is ideally combined with exploring the nearby city of Zlín. That city is internationally famous for its unique functionalist Bata shoe company architecture and fascinating 20th-century industrial history.
Geography
Facts
- Continental Barum in Otrokovice is the largest tire plant in Europe.
- The Barum brand was formed in 1948 through the merger of three firms.
- The plant has been part of the Continental Group since 1993.
- Annual production capacity exceeds 21 million passenger car tires.
- It employs approximately 5,000 people in the Zlín region.
- Tires for brands like Continental, Barum, Matador, and Uniroyal are made here.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Continental Barum Tire Plant (3)
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Continental Barum tire factory located?
In Otrokovice, right next to the city of Zlín in Moravia.
Is it one of the largest factories of its kind?
Yes, it is one of the world's largest tire plants within the Continental Group.
Can I visit the factory?
There are occasional open days or professional tours by prior arrangement.
Which tire brands are produced there?
Mainly Barum, Continental, Uniroyal, and other group brands.
Is there a factory shop there?
Yes, there is an official tire sales shop right in Otrokovice.
Continental Barum Tire Plant: where is it located?
Continental Barum Tire Plant is located in Czech Republic.
Continental Barum Tire Plant: what is there to see?
Highlights include Beseda Otrokovice, Veteran Muzeum Praga, přírodní památka Na Letišti.
Continental Barum Tire Plant: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Continental Barum Tire Plant: why is it worth visiting?
Continental Barum, located in Otrokovice, is the largest tire factory in Europe and a major pillar of the Czech automotive supply industry.
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