Continental relocates Middle East headquarters

HANOVER, Germany—Continental A.G. has relocated responsibility for its consumer and commercial tire business in the Middle East and North Africa to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Hannover.

“In line with our motto, ‘In the market for the market,' through this step we are sending out a signal to our customers and to drivers in the region,” said Hartmut Wöhler, head of marketing and sales PLT Replacement EMEA.

“We are aiming to use the new proximity to help us gain a better understanding of local requirements in more than 15 countries—and offer optimal solutions.”

The region Middle East and North Africa comprises 29 countries, Conti said.

This move will locate relevant tire marketing, sales, customer service and controlling functions for the passenger and light truck tire and commercial vehicle tire replacement business in Dubai, Conti said, under the leadership of Jon Ander Garcia, head of PLT and CVT Replacement Middle East and North Africa.

Ander Garcia said all employees associated with this business who previously worked in the Hannover location had the chance to move to Dubai or to take another position at Continental. The company did not say how many employees were affected nor quantify its sales volume in the region.

The business unit also maintains a second sales base in Casablanca, Morocco.

This move ties into the tire maker's long-term “Vision 2025” strategy and takes account of the cultural, commercial and legal context in the Middle East region and in North Africa.

Having the business units functions under one roof will allow Continental to respond more rapidly to customer enquiries, according to the tire maker.

Ander Garcia reports to Wöhler and Herbert Mensching, head of marketing and sales, CVT replacement EMEA.