As well as displaying its impressive range of top-quality products on its large stand in Hall 3 at Reifen 2010, Continental’s customer service was deemed award-worthy by the judges for the Innovation Awards. The German manufacturer received the Award for its new electronic invoicing system that provides improved recording and exchange of invoicing and credit notes between Continental and customers in the tyre field. Paper and postage have both been squeezed out of the process, saving money and preserving the environment. Invoices are transmitted securely to prevent data from being stolen by unauthorized viewers.

Alfredo Mate, head of Continental business development for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, accepted the prize: “We're very pleased that our new e-invoicing system has been a hit with both our customers and the jury, making a convincing argument for eliminating paper and exchanging data electronically. Data security was our overriding concern when we were designing the system, followed by a quick and uncomplicated workflow.”