Continental Tire American Headquarters Campus

American Innovation: Gleeds Partners with Continental Tire the Americas for a LEED-Certified Building.

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A glimpse into the bright future of commercial construction, the project represents the peak of functional, creative and flexible design driven by a strong environmental commitment.

2023 was a busy year for our Atlanta team as they were called into action by a giant in the vehicle manufacturing space, requiring project management, cost control services and scheduling support.
 
Continental Tire the Americas sought our expertise during the construction of their headquarters expansion in South Carolina. With a heavy focus on creative functionality and sustainability, the project saw the construction of a state-of-the-art, three-story facility totalling 90,000 SF with some 420 workspaces.

Following clear and ambitious sustainability targets set by stakeholders, renewable energy was a large driver of the program and design. From the outset, our team and project partners integrated LEED building standards, strictly monitoring water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality. The building uses LED lighting to reduce energy costs and contains recycled content carpet tiles, as well as low VOC paint.
 
In all, 840 solar modules were installed on the property, underscoring the company’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality globally. Further infrastructural changes were integrated to support this goal, such as electric vehicle and motorcycle charging stations.

90,000

 SF

420

Workspaces

840

Solar modules installed

135,000

Person-hours

Zero

Recordable incidents

The challenge

Though crucial for preserving the natural world and protecting future generations, building green is not without its challenges. The ambitious sustainability goals created by stakeholders at Continental Tire the Americas, combined with the emphasis on achieving LEED Gold certification, were tested with tight budgets and material delays. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters, forcing drastic schedule changes and a workspace redesign to accommodate a hybrid work model. As the pandemic raged on, it became clear this build would need to adapt to future ways of working, requiring greater flexibility than previously imagined.
 
Our team managed ongoing schedule and budget risks by driving closer collaboration between the client, design team and contractor. We managed the critical path, working together to chase approvals and mitigate risks as they arose.

The solution

Our team’s adaptability is shown through in the way they responded to COVID-19. They collaborated closely with the project team to devise a plan that embraced the global changes in work dynamics. This solution sought to align the workspace with emerging trends post-pandemic. At the same time, the solution significantly enhanced employee satisfaction and led to the creation of a truly dynamic and adaptable work environment.
 
Solid project management during COVID-19 saved Continental Tire the Americas money, allowing for upgrades such as better soundproofing. The eco-friendly design features EV stations, solar panels–offsetting 25% of energy use, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation. There were zero recordable incidents during the 135,000+ person-hour construction phase.

At Gleeds, our commitment to the client goes beyond mere dedication to a project; it is a pledge to deeply understand their needs. By effectively addressing challenges and transforming them into opportunities, our team ensured the success of Continental Tire’s U.S. headquarters. For us, it's not just about delivering results – it's about exceeding expectations and forging lasting partnerships.

Suzan Talley
Vice President of Operations for Gleeds Americas SE, Atlanta, United States

I want to personally recognise 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.



Jochen Etzel
CEO Continental Tire the Americas
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