Gerd Bartels leading Continental’s Specialty Tires business

As of 1 November 2023, Gerd Bartels takes over responsibility for Continental’s Specialty Tires business area. He succeeds Wolfgang Thomale, who Continental recently appointed head of the Surface Solutions business area within its ContiTech group sector.

Specialty Tires covers Continental’s activities within the agricultural, earthmoving, industrial, port, two-wheeler and racing tyre segments. In his new role, Bartels reports directly to Christian Kötz, head of Continental’s Tires group sector. “Gerd Bartels is a proven tyre specialist,” comments Kötz. “His almost 30 years of international experience in a wide variety of roles at Continental will stand him in good stead for his new responsibilities. I wish him all the best on behalf of the entire management team.”

Joining Continental Tires in 1994 after graduating with a degree in business administration, Gerd Bartel has acquired wide-ranging experience both in Germany and abroad during his time with the company. He has held management positions at plant level as well as in the original equipment and replacement tyre businesses. Prior to taking on his current position, Bartels was head of controlling within the passenger car and commercial vehicle replacement tyre business in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.