In April, Helmut Engel, head of ContiTech Power Transmission Group’s global Automotive Aftermarket business, celebrated 40 years with the Continental Group. After his commercial apprenticeship with the Hanover, Germany-based supplier and subsequent study of business administration, Engel worked for the Power Transmission Group in various capacities. Since the early 1990s, he has been one of the driving forces behind building up the aftermarket business into an important mainstay for the company. In today’s Executive Interview, Engel tells us about some exciting new product from ContiTech and also discusses the important fight against piracy. 
Just in time for AAPEX, ContiTech recently introduced two new products, the first of which is the new Overruning Alternator Pulley (OAP). Tell us about this new product and the advantages it offers.
Overrunning alternator pulleys absorb the vibrations caused by rotational irregularities of the crankshaft in auxiliary unit drives and protect the V-ribbed belts and other components. In modern engines, they are used instead of rigid belt pulleys on the alternator shaft. Regular checking of the overrunning pulley safeguards the service life of all the belt drive components and protects against failure.
As a drive systems provider, ContiTech is expanding its range and offering workshops and even more components from a single source. Workshops benefit from both the reliability of the brand and our comprehensive technical service.
How was the product designed to work in tandem with ContiTech V-ribbed belts?
ContiTech buys the new products from leading OE suppliers to the auto industry because our expertise exists in the drive belts themselves. When choosing the manufacturer, top priority was given to quality and the extent to which the design matched our products. And, I can say that these drive components and our belts definitely make a perfect match. Auto workshops rely on us for this, just as they rely on getting original equipment quality for all the products in our range.
The other product recently introduced by ContiTech is the new Torsional Vibration Damper, which was designed to be replaced at the same time as other drive components. What benefits does this product offer in that regard?
Torsional vibration dampers (TVD) perform a key function in drive systems by damping vibrations from the crankshaft, thereby protecting drive belts and assemblies. If the TVD fails, the resonant vibrations caused by rotational irregularities of the crankshaft are no longer absorbed and can damage both the belt and the driven auxiliary assemblies. This is why ContiTech recommends the inspection and replacement of the TVD at regular intervals.
ContiTech frequently states in marketing materials that “original quality is the best replacement.” How does the company achieve original quality in its aftermarket products?
ContiTech’s leading position in the automotive OE business gives the ContiTech Power Transmission Group the requisite platform for the international spare parts market. Drive belts and kits made by ContiTech for the automotive aftermarket comply with OE standards. Our manufacturing operations for power transmission belts are certified worldwide to ISO/TS 16949 quality management standards. Furthermore, we test the products on special test rigs prior to product distribution
ContiTech is very proactive in the fight against counterfeiting, and drive belts in particular seem to be a popular item to copy. In fact, the company just reported on the seizure and destruction of 10,000 fake ContiTech drive belts in the United Arab Emirates. What is involved in protecting ContiTech’s IPR on a global scale? Tell us about the “holistic” approach the company takes to protect against pirated products.
In protecting against pirate products, ContiTech pursues a holistic concept consisting of organizational, technical, legal and communication measures. Indeed, we ensure that legal action is taken in cases of counterfeiting and product piracy, and that such cases are made public.
ContiTech is, among other things, active at trade fairs in its fight to protect its products and brands. A regular and open exchange with our customers helps us increase the effectiveness of measures against product piracy. We are currently working on a comprehensive identification system that is designed to protect the belts from being copied.
As a 140-year old company, what are the keys to keeping ContiTech at the forefront of technology and progress?
In the automotive aftermarket business, it can be said that nowadays it’s no longer enough to just supply parts. ContiTech offers a full range of services with special tools, technical training sessions, installation tips and a technical hotline, which helps workshops in their tough fight against the competition. In this way, our customers profit not only from our 111 years of experience in producing drive belts but also from the extensive knowledge we have gathered in the original equipment business. Over and over again, ContiTech sets new standards and creates added value for its customers thanks to innovative solutions, just as we are now doing with our drive belts for low-emission, fuel-efficient engines.
