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· Premium tyre manufacturer announces 11% growth in sales since 2015
· Partners will have strong platform for growth in 2017 with 58 new retail outlets planned
Middle East – Continental, the German premium tyre manufacturer and international automotive supplier, has announced an 11% growth in net sales in the Middle East at its annual regional retail partner conference. In a fiercely tough market, where consumers seek premium design and value for money, this 2016 growth is testament to the ongoing support of the brand’s partners and customers’ recognition of the high quality of the tyres produced by Continental.
At the three-day conference, held in the United Arab Emirates in December, Continental also outlined its plans for the Middle East market in 2017, which included opening some 58 new retail outlets across the region. This increased investment will see a rise in numbers of staff, enhanced storage and distribution facilities and new products designed especially for the region.
With Continental’s regional partners anticipating the added infrastructure to boost sales, the new stores will give consumers the level of service and tyre expertise they might not expect to find at a standard garage or tyre shop. With highly trained tyre specialists offering advice on the best product to meet their needs, at the new retail outlets customers will enjoy a full range of services, all delivered to Continental’s exacting, German standards.
Highlighting a new way that end consumers can access the brand, in 2016 Continental opened a number of new retail outlets across the Middle East, most recently in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, to help address the growing demand for the brand’s ultra-high performance products. Continental also collected an award for ‘Best Public Awareness Campaign’ from the Qatar Transport Safety Forum for its efforts in the field of transport safety through its Vision Zero campaign.
Senior executives in attendance at the conference included Dr. Hartmut Woehler, Head of Marketing and Sales PLT Replacement in EMEA, Jon Ander Garcia, General Manager for Spain and Business Development for Middle East and Africa, and Jose Luis de la Fuente, Managing Director of Continental Middle East. They were joined by representatives from the company’s sister brands: General Tire, Barum, Matador and Uniroyal.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Hartmut Woehler said: “We are very fortunate to have a strong retail network in the region, with partners who truly know what Continental and our customers need. Our retailers are perfectly placed to better understand the market via their experience and the availability of premium facilities. This conference is a prime opportunity for us to continue to build on our relationships.”
Jon Ander Garcia commented: “The Middle East region is a key growth market for Continental, and our investment in both the region itself and in products designed specifically for the region demonstrates our commitment to better understanding the needs of customers here and to deliver them the quality of service and products that they seek.”
Jose Luis de la Fuente added: “Continental has gone from strength to strength in the region since opening its Middle East headquarters in 2015, while our collaboration with our partners across the region has grown deeper and more fruitful. The planned launches across the Middle East for 2017 will give us a strong platform for future growth.”
Founded in Hannover, Germany, in 1871, Continental is one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers and a leader in tyre development and technology, backed up by its position in Europe as the leading OEM supplier for tyres. The company’s tyre division produces tyres under a variety of brand names including General Tire, Barum, Matador and Uniroyal in the Middle East.
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About Continental
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier, tyre manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2015, the corporation generated preliminary sales of approximately €39.2 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tyres, and ContiTech. Continental employs more than 208,000 people in 53 countries.
Continental’s Tire Division is an Official Sponsor of the German DFB Cup.
For more information, contact:
Natasha Baker
Performance Communications
Senior Account Executive
Tel: +971 (0) 4 551 5472
NatashaB@performancecomms.com
© Press Release 2017
