BRUSSELS—Top executives of Continental A.G. and the Syndicat National de Caoutchouc et des Polymeres have been elected to the top leadership posts of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association, ETRMA said in a press release.
Christian Kotz, Continental executive vice president, will assume the presidency of Brussels-based ETRMA effective Jan. 1, according to the association. Thierry du Granrut of the Syndicat will become ETRMA vice president on the same date.
In his first act as ETRMA president-elect, Kotz sent the following message to the European Commission on behalf of the ETRMA Board of Directors: “There is the need for a paradigm shift from regulating to enforcing. Only through the enforcement of the very ambitious laws previously adopted can the (tire) industry enjoy a level playing field and maintain its competitiveness.”
Meanwhile, ETRMA said it looked forward to working with the newly elected European Commission and Parliament on creating a more competitive, more sustainable tire industry.
Besides ETRMA corporate members include Apollo Vredestein, Bridgestone Europe, Brisa, Cooper Tires, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe, Hankook, Marangoni, Michelin, Mitas, Nokian Tyres, Pirelli and Trelleborg Wheel Systems.
Its association members include Federplast (Belgium), RMAF (Finland), SNCP (France), WDK (Germany), HTA (Hungary), FGP (Italy), PTIA (Poland), Consorcio (Spain), NVR (the Netherlands) and BTMA (U.K.).