The leading technology company Continental is world-renowned for its industry-defining technologies, as well as the exceptional performance and quality of its products – and this is certainly true of the automotive aftermarket fan and multi-V belts which were rebranded during the second half of 2019 for South Africa and sub-Saharan African markets. This change aligned the local product line-up with global markets.
“We received great feedback regarding the rebranding of our fan belts and multi V-belts since we began phasing the new-look product lines into our markets this year,” says Lynne Dunn, National Sales Manager for automotive aftermarket belt products in Africa. “The standardized and attractive new packaging designs reflect the premium status of the Continental brand and reaffirms our commitment to meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations.
“Although production of the belts shifted from our plant in Uitenhage, South Africa, to the company’s facility in Sonepat Haryana, India, all of the products manufactured by this plant conform to Continental’s global production standards, and customers are assured of the very best quality and performance from all our fan belts and multi-V belts,” Dunn adds.
The India plant in Sonepat was established in 1985 and currently measures almost 45,000m2. It boasts high-tech research, development and testing facilities, and boasts the latest technologies for each stage of the manufacturing process, including an automated carbon feeding system and state-of-the-art presses for the curing of its rubber components. It has achieved the highest level of global ISO certifications, including the ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems, the IATF 16949 quality certification developed specifically for the automotive sector, as well as ISO 14001 for environmental management. In addition, the Sonepat plant is OHSAS 18001 certified for occupational health and safety management.
“Production at the Sonepat plant caters for a wide range of leading vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket companies across the world, including Europe and the US, and all of our belts meet the most stringent industry requirements,” Dunn adds.
In-depth testing is a crucial part of the Sonepat plant’s operations, and the belts are subjected to the most rigorous dynamic bench tests to assess their durability, including industry standard accelerated three and four-pulley V-belt life tests. All belts produced at Sonepat far exceed the industry requirements, thereby providing tried and trusted performance, reliability and longevity.
Continental fan belts and multi V-belts are sold through the major national automotive spares outlets, larger independent spares retailers and export houses.
