Continental has shipped the first tires from its greenfield plant in Clinton, Mississippi.

The Clinton plant produces large truck and bus tires for the North American market, and will employ 500 people by the end of 2020, the company says. It is Continental’s second location producing truck tires in the U.S., along with Mount Vernon, Ill.

“This plant will produce 750,000 tires annually, enhancing our ability to service the North American market and deliver tires faster to our customers,” said Tom Fanning, Continental’s U.S. market manager for truck and bus tires