Conti appoints Matic Hydraulic Brake Systems head

Continental has appointed Matthias Matic as its new Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit head, part of the Continental Chassis & Safety Division, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. Matic moves from his current position as Chassis Components Business Unit head on 1 September, succeeding Peter Laier who has assumed a position on the executive board of a German light manufacturer. “I’m looking forward to the new challenge. Hydraulic brake systems have proven their worth a million times over; they’re a key component of automotive safety. Friction brakes will continue to be an important topic for the foreseeable future”, said Matic.

Matic has been with Continental since 1993, having previously worked as project manager for Electronic & Hydraulic Brake Systems, director strategic planning & program management for wheel brakes, director for the Business Center Foundation Brakes & Brake Hoses within the Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit, and vice president for the HBS Business Unit for the NAFTA region. He studied Mechanical Engineering and then earned an Executive Master of Business Administration (E-MBA).

Matic assumed responsibility for the Chassis Components Business Unit in 2011, and Conti says this experience will stand him in good stead as he assumes his new function. He will continue to report directly to the president of the Chassis & Safety Division in his new position.

Conti’s current foci in hydraulic brake systems are on short braking distances, durability and comfort, while preventing parked vehicles from rolling while parked is also essential. Conti says electronic parking brakes are rapidly making inroads in every category of car and are becoming ever more commonplace. Manufacturers also enjoy greater flexibility in designing interiors because there is no more hand-brake lever to protrude into the passenger compartment. “Our know-how in brake systems, plus our ContiGuard integrated safety concept, allows us to furnish customers with a complete package that contains everything needed to make a car safe,” adds Matic.

A global leader in the field, Conti’s Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit develops and manufactures wheel brakes, electronic parking brakes, drum brakes, brake boosters, hoses, plus cleaning systems for windshields and headlights for automotive markets all over the world.