Continental names Goudswaard head of tyre R&D

Starting 1 September 2023, Edwin Goudswaard is heading up research and development activities at Continental Tires. He succeeds Dr Boris Mergell, who on that date took over as head of the User Experience business area at Continental Automotive.

“Edwin Goudswaard has acquired an incredible depth and breadth of experience in a range of different positions worldwide. This will stand him in good stead as the new head of our R&D department. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish him all the best and every success in his new role,” says Christian Kötz, head of Continental’s Tires group sector.

“I would like to thank Boris Mergell for his many years of dedication to Continental Tires,” adds Kötz. “Together with the global Tires team, he has implemented numerous development projects with enormous success, frequently breaking new technological ground in the process.”

Goudswaard began his career at Continental in 2006, shortly after completing his mechanical engineering studies. Following an international R&D trainee program, he worked in virtual development and product development for original equipment tyres. Between 2013 and 2021, Dutch-born Goudswaard assumed various management roles in R&D and in the production facilities for two-wheeler and passenger car tyres in Europe and Asia. In 2021, he was appointed head of the Two-Wheel tyre business area. He was most recently responsible for Continental’s global research and development activities in the passenger car tyre replacement business.