“This is an excellent opportunity and I am excited to take this next step with the CTA (Continental Tire the Americas) team," Etzel says. “Matthias Schoenberg guided CTA to a strong and successful business model in manufacturing, product and sales. I look forward to the challenge of continuing to lead CTA to further volume growth, as well as significant new product launches.”
Approaching 20 years with the company, Etzel started his career as a lawyer in the corporate law department. Only a few years later, he took over a financial manager position, responsible for developing Continental’s tire business in regions outside of Europe and the NAFTA nations. In this position, he enhanced his knowledge about international tire business and drove expansion into countries such as Russia, Brazil, Argentina, the Middle East and China. Additionally, he was involved in the negotiation and implementation of technology license agreements.
From 2003 onwards, Etzel was leading the corporate mergers and acquisitions and corporate real estate departments. Specific to the company’s tire operations, Etzel has consequently developed the international footprint by adding Continental Tyres South Africa and Matador Rubber, Slovakia, as well as numerous distributors, wholesalers and retailers.
“We are excited to welcome Jochen as head of CTA and are confident in his leadership and diverse experience from previous roles,” says Nikolai Setzer, executive board member and head of passenger car and light truck tires for Continental, AG. “His deep knowledge of the international tire business and outstanding accomplishment in successfully developing our company make him an ideal choice to lead the CTA team.”Etzel earned a law degree and a doctorate in law from the University of Freiburg in Germany. He will relocate from Continental’s headquarters in Hanover, Germany to the South Carolina area for his new position.
For more information, visit www.continental- corporation.com.
