Executive Interview with David Mestdagh, Director, North American Aftermarket Business, Continental Automotive Systems
David Mestdagh is director of North American aftermarket business for Continental Automotive Systems. He is responsible for overall business strategy, product quality, and performance; as well as development of effective sales and marketing activities in North America for the Continental, ATE, and VDO brand of products. Join us as Mestdagh brings us up to speed on Continental’s plans for the future, following last year’s acquisition of Siemens VDO.
Continental Names Kathryn Blackwell Vice President of Communications for NAFTA
Continental has appointed Kathryn Blackwell vice president of communications and marketing for its NAFTA Region. Blackwell comes to the company with almost 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing in the transportation sector, with the majority of that time spent working within the automotive industry. In her new position with Continental, Blackwell is responsible for public relations, employee communications, marketing communications and market research for Continental’s three automotive divisions in North America. She will also be responsible for corporate communications for the Continental Tire and ContiTech Division operations in North America.
The Top Ten News Stories of 2007
For the fourth year in a row, the editorial staffs of aftermarketNews and Counterman magazine have selected what they determined to be the most significant events to impact the automotive aftermarket in the past year. News stories are presented in chronological order.
Continental Splits CAS Division to Integrate Siemens’ VDO
From AFX News Limited FRANKFURT — Continental AG has announced that it plans to split Continental Automotives Systems (CAS), its largest division, into three divisions in order to integrate the recently acquired Siemens AG VDO unit. After the restructuring, Continental plans to have six divisions including chassis and safety, powertrain and interior to complement the
Continental AG and Siemens VDO Automotive AG Join Together to Form Automotive Supplier at Forefront of Global Market
With the biggest acquisition in its 136-year history, Continental AG, Hanover, is investing itself with what it calls excellent prospects for the future in a global market that, while demanding, is equally rich in opportunities.Continental is buying the Siemens VDO Automotive AG from Siemens AG, Berlin/Munich, for $15.6 billion. Today, the supervisory boards of Siemens AG and of Continental AG, in Munich and Hanover respectively, gave their consent for the transaction. Execution of the acquisition is contingent on the approval of the appropriate antitrust authorities. As per 2006, Continental and Siemens VDO Automotive AG realize aggregate annual sales of around $34 billion with a worldwide workforce of close to 140,000.
Continental AG Plans Acquisitions in North America and Asia
From AFX News Limited HANOVER — Continental AG chief executive Manfred Wennemer said the company’s ContiTech unit is interested in acquisitions in Asia and North America as part of its expansion plans in those regions. "We are looking for additions for our ContiTech unit in North America and Asia and our tire division in Asia,"
Continental Honored by General Motors as a 2006 Supplier of the Year
Continental was named as a General Motors Supplier of the Year for its overall business performance in providing GM with world-class parts and services in two categories. 2006 marked the third year in a row that Continental’s brake systems (Automotive Systems Division) received the honor and the sixth time in the past seven years in the area of body mounts (ContiTech Division). The 15th annual award — themed the "Best of the Best" — was given during ceremonies Saturday, March 31 at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL.
CRP Selects Chick Capoli Sales as New Sales Agency in the Northeast
CRP Industries Inc. has appointed Chick Capoli Sales as its sales representation for eastern Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia. CRP, a partner of Continental AG, supplies ContiTech branded belts in North America. Chick Capoli Sales will be responsible for the direct management of current CRP domestic market accounts as well as new account acquisition efforts within the region. They will be looking to extend CRP’s product offering into areas that have not been traditionally serviced by the company.
CRP Announces New Sales Rep Agency Relationship
CARTERET, NJ – CRP Industries has announced the appointment of Sherman Pearson Company as sales representation for Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. CRP is a longtime partner with Continental AG as an importer of ContiTech branded belts in North America. Sherman Pearson Co. will be responsible for the direct management of
CADNA Automotive Selected by Canadian Tire to Supply Belts, Hose Products
CADNA Automotive, a North American automotive parts distributor, has been selected by Canadian Tire to supply its various lines of automotive belts and hoses to the company’s retail outlets and PartSource stores. CADNA will supply complete lines of Prestone automotive belts and radiator hose, and ArmorMark fuel and cooling system hose to all participating retail centers throughout Canada. It was announced last month that CADNA would supply ContiTech timing belts to the same retail network.