Continental moves ‘MENA’ replacement tyre operations to Dubai

Continental has relocated its replacement market PLT (passenger and light truck tyre) and (CVT) commercial vehicle tyre business operations for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from the company’s headquarters site in Hanover, Germany to Dubai. This shift relates to the 29-country region’s marketing, sales, customer services and controlling functions.

“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,” stated Dr. Hartmut Wöhler, head of marketing and sales for PLT Replacement in the EMEA region. “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 tyre maker says it has moved the operations to Dubai to drive forward the expansion of its passenger car and commercial vehicle tyre businesses in the region, and adds that a desire to take account of the cultural, commercial, and legal context in the Middle East region and in North Africa was also an important factor. As the new location brings all of the business unit’s functions under one roof, Continental says it will now be able to respond more rapidly to customer enquiries and wishes.

“We are not only delighted that all of our systems are now up and running in Dubai, too,” commented Jon Ander Garcia, head of PLT and CVT Replacement Middle East and North Africa (Garcia reports to Dr. Wöhler and Herbert Mensching, head of Marketing & Sales CVT Replacement EMEA). “We are also pleased to say that all of the employees who previously worked at our Hanover location had the chance to either move with us to Dubai or to take up another challenge within Continental Group. Our second base in MENA is now in Casablanca.”