Work has begun on an $85 million project that will expand ContiTech's manufacturing operations in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. A new compounding center will enhance the company's competitiveness and support its ability to meet growing market demand.
“It's very exciting to see the start of construction after many months of planning and preparation,” ContiTech Mount Pleasant facility project manager Peter Zehr told Construction Equipment Guide. “As our sales increase, we are requiring more rubber compound volume. To meet these needs, we require additional volume to serve our internal compound consumption.”
The more than 80,000-sq.-ft. compounding center will strengthen ContiTech's production capabilities across its hose and belt businesses by integrating production, warehouse and office operations. Doing so will result in the ability to deliver high-performance, material-based technologies, with a focus on hoses and belts.
“This new compounding center will reduce costs for the compounds,” said Zehr. “It will also give us a near instant response time if a quality concern arises, due to complete inhouse lab testing capabilities.”
According to Zehr, the expansion will enhance operational capabilities and competitiveness, while reinforcing the ability to deliver material-driven solutions.
“The reaction time to quality concerns will be very quick. Also, in-house/ in plant production means flexibility to produce compounds for changing production needs of the hose facility. Our inventory will be reduced as well, as there will be no 'in transit' material.”
Zehr said creating as many as 50 high-quality new jobs in Mount Pleasant is another benefit of construction.
“The city of Mount Pleasant has shown a great interest and enthusiasm for this project. The city officials, including the building inspectors and mayor, visit the construction site asking how they can assist in getting our plant up and running.”
Opus, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., is the design-builder on the project. Opus faces a crucial early milestone this fall, when a portion of the mixing facility must be ready to support the installation of critical mixing equipment arriving from overseas.
Zehr noted one of the main construction challenges for crews so far has been the soggy conditions at the site. This has resulted in slowing or stopping construction at times, as the site dries out to continue operations.
“We had a very wet spring which slowed and delayed construction. Potential delays were accounted for in the timeline, and these allotted weather days have not yet been exceeded.”
The site has been leveled and the provisions for soil erosion have been put in place. The wall footings also are complete. Currently, the building is being erected, with the wall panels and floors being lifted and secured in place. Key tasks remaining include the finalizing of the erection and the start of the mechanical and electrical infrastructure installation.
The facility will feature two mixing lines integrated with an automated warehouse. Designed to withstand high shear forces and temperatures, the mixers enable thorough integration of ingredients. The result is a compound with uniform physical and chemical properties, ready for downstream processes that include extrusion, molding or calendaring. In order to construct the two advanced mixing lines, attention to detail is critical.
“This involves preplanning for large floor loads and the various openings in the walls and floors for material and people movement,” said Zehr.
Workers also are building an automated high-bay, which requires a great deal of coordination to ensure a proper flow of materials. In addition, the digital integration of the high bay warehouse into the production systems digitalization is being mapped out in great detail.
Roughly 42,000 cu. yds. of dirt will be excavated during construction. The chief material required to build the facility is precast concrete panels. The equipment being used on the project is typical earthmoving and excavating machinery. A large crane is also needed to lift the concrete walls and floors into place.
Construction began in March 2026 and will continue until June 2027. For Zehr and others, the completed building will be well worth the wait.
“Our investment in Mount Pleasant reflects our long-term commitment to ContiTech's growth in the Americas, strengthening regional supply chains and expanding our manufacturing ecosystem. It's very satisfying to see a large and diverse group of people work so well together for one common goal.
