Barum has evolved from its origins as a subsidiary of Bata Shoes in 1934 to become one of Europe's leading tire manufacturers under Continental AG ownership since 1993. Originally created when Bata decided to produce tires for its own fleet to reduce import costs, Barum was officially established in 1948 through the merger of three major Czechoslovakian rubber companies: Bata in Zlín, Rubena in Náchod, and Mitas in Hrádek nad Nisou. The company built its modern production facility in Otrokovice, Czech Republic in 1966, where it continues manufacturing over 22 million tires annually with 4,771 employees, making it Continental's largest tire manufacturing plant by production volume.
Barum offers comprehensive tire solutions for passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, commercial vehicles, agricultural equipment, and diverse applications through advanced tire technologies developed under Continental AG's research and development capabilities. The company produces more than 21 million tires annually across various categories, leveraging Continental's experience, competence, and high-tech manufacturing technologies. Barum maintains ISO 9001 certification for quality production processes and was the first Czech Republic company to receive ISO 14001 and EMAS environmental certifications in 1997, demonstrating commitment to environmental compliance and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Barum maintains competitive positioning through Continental AG's global automotive supplier network spanning 49 countries with 178,000 employees, ensuring access to cutting-edge tire technologies and manufacturing excellence. The brand serves motorcycles, aircraft ground support, commercial vehicles, and specialty equipment through tire solutions engineered for consistent performance across challenging operational environments. With Otrokovice facility producing truck and agricultural tires alongside passenger car applications, Barum continues advancing tire innovation while leveraging Continental's research capabilities and high-efficiency manufacturing technologies to deliver dependable solutions across diverse transportation needs requiring exceptional quality, performance, and environmental responsibility.