A change of leadership will occur within Continental’s business in China in June. On the first of the month, Enno Tang will become president of the Continental organisation for China. The current head of the Chassis & Safety division, China, and the Vehicle Dynamics business unit, China replaces Dr Ralf Cramer, who will conclude his contract as planned by mid-August 2017 and pursue new career opportunities outside of Continental. In his new role, Tang will report to the chairman of Continental AG’s Executive Board, Dr Elmar Degenhart.
“On behalf of the entire Executive Board and the global Continental team, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ralf Cramer for the many years of excellent service to our organisation,” Degenhart said. “As the former head of the Chassis & Safety division and most recently as the president of our organisation in China, he has contributed invariably and in an exemplary fashion to the success and best interests of Continental. We wish him all the very best for the future.”
Continental states that the Chinese market has delivered above average growth in profitability over the past four years. “We have succeeded in strengthening our local organisation in China and positioning ourselves as a leading technology company in this important market. Our strategy of being ‘in the market for the market’ has clearly paid off,” commented Degenhart.
“We intend to manage our business in China in the same way that we do in other major global markets, including Europe and North America,” the Executive Board chairman added. “With Enno Tang, we are delighted to have found a Chinese colleague for this important job. He knows the country and Continental very well – the best prerequisite for us to continue along our successful path. We wish Enno Tang every success going forward.”
During the past five years, Continental’s investments in China have amounted to €1.3 billion. In the same period, the company’s workforce in the country grew to more than 25,000 employees (including employees from joint ventures) at the end of 2016. Furthermore, the cultural balance of local executives improved to about 60 per cent in 2016. Enno Tang joined Continental in 2004 to build up and lead the Body & Security business unit in China. He held several managerial positions in different divisions in China and Germany.
