HANNOVER, Germany -- For nearly nine years, responsibility for Continental AG’s global communications has rested in the hands of Heimo Prokop, and during this time the senior vice president of corporate communications has, in Conti’s words, been “a formative influence on communication in decisive phases of the corporation’s development.”

On Nov. 17 Continental announced that Prokop will leave his position with the company at the end of 2009.

During Prokop’s tenure, Conti made numerous acquisitions, buying Temic, the automotive operations of Motorola, Phoenix and Siemens VDO, and weathered the storm with the Schaeffler Group’s 2008 run at the company.

“In keeping with the developments since Schaeffler became a major shareholder, corporate communications should also be given the opportunity for a new start,” said Prokop. “In this way, future projects can now be tackled in an unprejudiced manner and without preconceived notions.”

Until a successor is appointed, the current press spokesman and vice president of media relations Hannes Boekhoff will head corporate communications on a temporary basis. (Tire Review/Tyres & Accessories)