Conti picks Setzer as interim head of tyre unit

ERJ staff report (TB)

Hanover, Germany -- Continental AG has selected Nikolai Setzer, currently executive vice president of replacement tyres in Europe and Africa, to oversee Conti's global passenger and light truck tyre activities on an acting basis, effective March 1.

Setzer, 37, steps in to fill the void being created by the Feb. 28 resignation of Alan Hippe, who asked Conti's supervisory board on Jan. 24 to be released from his duties as head of Conti's Rubber Group, to take a position on the supervisory board of German steel and machinery maker ThyssenKrupp AG.

Mr. Setzer will keep his current duties - which he assumed last September - as well, Conti said. He will report to Hans-Joachim Nikolin, who assumes overall responsibility temporarily for both the commercial vehicle tyres division - which he currently oversees - and the passenger and light truck tyres division.

In addition, Conti named Gerard Cordonnier, currently head of finance and controlling for the vehicle-interior division, to fill in as chief financial officer until a permanent replacement for Hippe is found.

Conti continues to seek a permanent replacment for Mr. Hippe, who's resigning amidst a plan to set up the firm's rubber activities - tyres and non-tyre - as a separate business entity.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)