Gerd Bartels Heads Continental’s Specialty Tires Business

Hanover, Germany, November 8, 2023. Gerd Bartels (55) was appointed head of Continental’s Specialty Tires business area effective November 1, 2023. He is now responsible for business with tire solutions and services for a variety of industrial applications as well as for two-wheeler and racing tires. In his new role, Gerd Bartels reports directly to Christian Kötz, a member of the Executive Board of Continental and Head of Tires. Gerd Bartels succeeds Wolfgang Thomale, who was recently appointed head of the Surface Solutions business area in Continental’s industrial group sector.

“Gerd Bartels is a proven tire specialist. 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,” said Christian Kötz.

Gerd Bartels joined Continental Tires in 1994, shortly after graduating with a degree in business administration. During his time with the company, he has acquired wide-ranging experience both in Germany and abroad. He has held management positions at plant level as well as in the original equipment and tire replacement businesses. He was most recently responsible for controlling in the tire replacement business for passenger car and commercial vehicle tires in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.

Continental’s Specialty Tires business area pools the company’s global activities in the development, production and sale of agricultural, earth-moving and port vehicle tires as well as material-handling, bicycle, motorcycle and racing tires. The Vision 2030 strategy program underscores Specialty Tires’ position as a strategic growth area within Continental Tires.