Although Continental AG merged its Passenger & Light Truck Tires and Commercial Vehicle Tires divisions into a single unit – the Tires division – on Aug. 1, both remain as business units within the combined division. 
At the start of next year, management of the commercial tires unit will be handed over to Andreas Esser, who is currently responsible for Continental’s passenger car and van tire replacement business in the Asia-Pacific region. In his new role, the 52-year-old will report directly to tire division chief Nikolai Setzer.
“Andreas Esser has been part of the management team of the tire division in Hanover for over 10 years,” commented Setzer. “He knows both the industry and our product portfolio very well. After five years in a management position in Shanghai, he also brings along experience from one of the most important growth regions to his new task. This will be extremely valuable for our set goals. Furthermore, China, his current location, is the world’s largest commercial vehicle tire market.”
Esser, who holds a PhD in chemistry, began his career at Continental in 1989 in research and development. After a range of management posts in tire development, quality management and OE business in Europe, he served at Continental’s North American headquarters. Following this, Esser was in charge of global car tire OE business at Continental for six years. In 2007, he moved to the Asia headquarters in Shanghai. There he took on leadership of the company’s replacement car tires and replacement truck tires Asia.
Until Esser takes over on Jan. 1, 2012, management of the commercial unit is being handled by Setzer, who has served in this role in an interim capacity following the merger of Conti’s tire divisions. When he takes up his new post, Esser will be responsible for over 8,000 staff members at 10 production and development sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. (Tyres & Accessories)
