Almeida to lead sustainability efforts at Conti Tire

HANOVER, Germany — Continental A.G. has promoted Jorge Almeida to head of sustainability at Continental Tires, succeeding Claus Petschick, who's retiring after 33-plus years with the German tire maker.

Almeida brings 28 years of "extensive experience" at Continental in the areas of finance, human resources and purchasing to his new position, which includes responsibility for strategic positioning and global management of the tire maker's sustainability activities.

Most recently, he was responsible for all business activities of the tires group sector in a region covering Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Prior to that, he was head of purchasing and strategic sourcing for rubber sector and group indirect materials.

Almeida will report to Christian Kötz, head of Continental's Tire Group.

"We want to become the most progressive tire manufacturer in terms of environmental and social responsibility," Kötz said. "Almeida will now consistently develop our sustainability strategy and ensure its global implementation."

Continental established the tire group's sustainability department in 2020 by bundling a handful of sustainable business activities, including its worldwide retreading and recycling businesses and its efforts in natural rubber and dandelion latex.

Petschick, an engineer with over 35 years of experience at Conti, was named at that time to oversee the new department.

In a prepared statement, Kötz thanked Petschick for his "outstanding commitment," noting he "contributed significantly" to the success of Continental Tires in various functions over his 30-plus with the firm.

"Most recently," Kötz said, "he strategically realigned and drove forward our sustainability activities. Our comprehensive sustainability strategy bears his signature," says.

He started at Conti in the research and development and product development for the original equipment (OE) business before becoming manager of the Hanover-Stöcken, Germany, tire plant in 2007. He was vice president, quality management for 10-plus years before being named to the sustainability role.