Fort Mill, South Carolina – Continental Tire the Americas (Continental) opened a new green building in Fort Mill, on March 21, celebrating with local officials, people who worked on the building, and corporate social responsibility partners, the said in a press release. The building covers 90,000 square feet and is located on a 33-acre site in the northern part of Lancaster County. It has room for 350 workers and was made with the idea that it could grow bigger in the future.
“Another great moment for Continental and for the State of South Carolina,” said Jochen Etzel, CEO Continental Tire the Americas. “Who would have imagined when we moved to the Palmetto state in 2009, that we would have invested over $800 million in our facilities across the state. The U.S. is a strategic growth market for Continental and particularly for our Tire business.”
“This new structure is so much more than the typical office building,” continued Etzel. “In the past, the office was a place you had to come to — our objective for this building was to create a workplace destination that you want to come to.”
Everything about this place, from how the site is laid out to the building’s aim to get a gold star for being green and eco-friendly (LEED Gold Certification), shows how serious Continental is about being sustainable. The office’s design brings in natural materials and work from local craftspeople, making a unique and collaborative environment. LED lights, carpets made from recycled stuff, and low VOC paint prove the company’s eco-friendly commitment.
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Outside, the parking lot is optimized for a decreased heat signature and offers 10 spots to charge electric cars or bikes. There are 840 solar panels on the roof and around the parking lot that can cover about a quarter of the energy the building uses. They even collect rainwater to water the plants and grass around the building. The project was designed by Gresham Smith and constructed by Edifice.
“I want to personally recognize the countless hours by all of the trades who made this vision a reality. On behalf of the executive team and the entire Continental family, I want to again thank the project team, the building partners, the county, and the state of South Carolina,” continued Etzel.
