Kötz, Du Granrut elected to top ETRMA posts

BRUSSELS (Oct. 8, 2014) — The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA)  has elected Christian Kötz, a Continental A.G. executive vice president, as president of the association, starting Jan. 1, 2015, succeeding Patrick Lepercq of Michelin Group, who has been president since 2012.

Upon being elected, Mr. Kötz, who is responsible for Continental's passenger and light truck tires replacement business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, called on the new European Commission to shift its focus from regulating to enforcement of existing legislation.

“Only through the enforcement of the very ambitious laws previously adopted, can the industry enjoy a level playing field and maintain its competitiveness,” he said.

The ETRMA board also elected Thierry du Granrut from the Syndicat National du Caoutchouc et des Polymères (SNCP) as vice president, succeeding Mr. Kötz.

“The new chairmanship of ETRMA comes at the time of the new EU legislature,” noted ETRMA secretary general, Fazilet Cinaralp, who thanked Mr. Lepercq for his “strong leadership.”

The ETRMA noted that Mr. Lepercq presided during a period of economic difficulties and intense legislative activity.

Relaying a message from the ETRMA board, Mr. Kötz also emphasized the need for a balanced trade policy that fostered export-led growth for the industry on the global level.

The European tire and the rubber industry generates about $65 billion in revenue annually, or about 0.5 percent of the European economy, the ETRMA said, providing jobs for about 360,000 people across Europe.

The ERTMA's board also expressed their desire to work with the new European Commission and Parliament on issues relevant to the industry to achieve a more competitive, more sustainable industry and policy making.

ETRMA corporate members are: Apollo Vredestein; Bridgestone Europe; Bridgestone Brisa; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe; Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.; Marangoni; Group Michelin; Mitas A.S.; Nokian Tyres P.L.C.; Pirelli & C. S.p.A.; and Trelleborg Wheel Systems.

Its association members include Federplast (Belgium); RMAF (Finland); SNCP (France); WDK (Germany); HTA (Hungary); FGP (Italy); PTIA (Poland); Consorcio (Spain); NVR (the Netherlands); and BTMA (U.K.).