Continental: Russia traction coefficient
Athletic runners shod in "tire" sneakers are increasingly winning world-class competitions. Authors of automobile "shoes" help out the creators of shoes for sports of high achievements. The next collection will be presented this year. Athletic runners shod in "tire" sneakers are increasingly winning world-class competitions. Authors of automobile "shoes" help out the creators of shoes for sports of high achievements. The next collection will be presented this year.
Running shoes with super-soled soles have gained popularity since the recent time that Kenyan Patrick Macau won the Berlin International Marathon - he ran the distance in them. Shoes appreciated - and practical fashion has rolled around the world.
This achievement is pleasant, however, Continental Tires Rus CEO Yaron Widmeier did not call it the main one, telling about preliminary results of work last year.
Conti Gender 2
Continental Tires Rus CEO Yaron Widmeier. Continental Tires Rus CEO Yaron Widmeier.
Although the situation in the European car market, we know, is not simple, the year was successful for the company. The corporate turnover increased by more than 7% and reached 32.7 billion euros; net operating profit growth was 10.7% (a decent leap compared to the previous year - plus 0.6%). Despite a 10 percent drop in demand for winter tires in Europe, the psychological barrier of selling 20 million winter tires was overcome: 20.1 million were sold. The Russian market played an almost decisive role in this. Here, such items were sold in units by 14% more than in 2011, and in monetary terms - by 28%.
Evaluating these indicators, one involuntarily recalls that everywhere in the world, in our market, there is also fierce competition with well-known companies, as well as with impudent, dynamic companies, history not so rich.
But the results of one year are the launching pad for the next. The experts of the corporation scrupulously evaluated the future, and their calculations are also important for us: Continental is more and more insistently declaring itself in Russia as a long-term partner. Suffice it to say that in October it is planned to launch tire production at the plant under construction near Kaluga. But will we need its 4 million tires per year (and in the subsequent production volume will be 16 million), for the production of which the enterprise is designed?
Continental: Russia traction coefficient
Responding to a question from the correspondent of “Behind the Wheel. RF”, Yaron Widmeier said:
- As soon as they began to build the plant, local automakers reached out with applications for rubber supplies to us. First of all, foreign ones, working under contracts on the so-called industrial assembly. In order to comply with the conditions of the Russian government, it is important for them to increase the level of production localization - to use in cars the maximum components produced in the Russian Federation, and not imported. We will give them. That is, we are not worried about sales.
Continental: coefficient of adhesion with Russia
The first, or rather, the zero tire Conti, just made in Kaluga. She is still smoking. The first, or rather, the zero tire Conti, just made in Kaluga. She is still smoking.
What part of the production will go to conveyors?
- I won’t tell you the exact number yet - negotiations are ongoing. But, in practice, a third of the produced tires usually goes to conveyors, two-thirds - for free sale.
Special tire models in the “Russian version” will not have to be developed. In the country, of course, there is a specificity due to poor roads. However, the company has a backlog of models created by the practice of working in other countries, this rubber is quite adapted to local conditions. Buyers will probably choose it.
In addition, Russia is our main marketplace for tires with studs. In most states, they are either not needed due to climatic conditions, or are banned for use. Here, “studding” is popular, and Continental will try to put it into trade as much as necessary. I note that last year they were not enough for everyone.
Continental: Russia traction coefficient
Molding equipment awaiting launch Molding equipment awaiting launch
Continental: Russia traction coefficient
Foreign adjusters are busy. Foreign adjusters are busy.
The main trends of 2013 by Continental experts consider the following.
- Increase in the average cost of tires that consumers are willing to pay.
- Increased demand for 4x4 tires.
- The most popular type size in Russia 175/70 R13 is gradually being squeezed by tires with parameters 185/65 R15 and 205/55 R16.
In 2013, the company will provide three new models to car owners: the ContiCrossContact LX2 for four-wheel drive SUVs, the ContiVanContact 100 and the ContiVanContact 200 for minivans and light trucks.
Continental: Russia traction coefficient
ContiVanContact 200. ContiVanContact 200.
Before talking about the price, we recall the trends in demand.
The economic situation in the world leads to the forecast: against the background of the stable development of the markets of previous years in 2013, we should expect only a slight increase in the production of cars. Naturally, this will affect the demand for tires. The situation in Russia is no exception. But contrary to these expectations, the concern intends to demonstrate a financial turnover growth of 5% at the end of 2013, which is equivalent to 34 billion euros in monetary terms, as well as a 10% increase in net operating profit.
Both are monetary indicators. Hence the question:
There is an assumption - is it not due to the rise in price of goods that the company is going to earn?
“We will not raise prices artificially,” the director general of the “Russian” Continental explained. - The price is not formed arbitrarily, but depending on how many unrealized products were left in the previous year, which competitors choose a pricing policy, there are other factors … We are going to make money by increasing sales. Say, in Russia, after a number of years of rapid development of the car market, it will cool. Nevertheless, the growth will still be and will be about 1%. We will try to sell more studded tires, order more rubber for trucks, industrial tires - for heavy machinery working in mining, etc. This is in demand by the Russian economy.
Continental: Russia traction coefficient
Yaron Widmeier Yaron Widmeier
“But we have no right to earn money,” the general director continued. - Over the past few years, we have invested 1 billion euros in the construction of new industries (which means the creation of jobs), including near Kaluga, and the modernization of old ones. This is a constant level of innovation spending. Notice, Continental enterprises are located in 46 countries, and we are responsible for their success, they have become part of the economies of the states.
“To be sure of your future,” Yaron Widmeier concluded, “you need to look at different markets.” For us, Russia is the market in which we would like to work in the future.
Continental: Russia traction coefficient
The same ones. Patrick Macau tested the Adidas Adizero adios2 sneakers a couple of days before the start and shod them for the competition. “They are light and comfortable - I didn’t feel them in the race. And after the first turn, I realized that the grip is so cool that it somehow accelerates unusually easily.” “The rubber compound provides a high grip, with less foot slippage on the corner or in the corner,” said David O'Donnell, Head of Continental Car Tire Development. The two-year cooperation between the company and Adidas continues, the creators will present a new line of models of sports shoes this year. The same ones. Patrick Macau tested the Adidas Adizero adios2 sneakers a couple of days before the start and shod them for the competition. “They are light and comfortable - I didn’t feel them in the race. And after the first turn, I realized that the grip is so cool that it somehow accelerates unusually easily.” “The rubber compound provides a high grip, with less foot slippage on the corner or in the corner,” said David O'Donnell, Head of Continental Car Tire Development. The two-year cooperation between the company and Adidas continues, the creators will present a new line of models of sports shoes this year.
Patrick Macau tested the Adidas Adizero adios2 sneakers a couple of days before the start and immediately decided to put on their shoes for the competition. “They are light and comfortable - I didn’t feel them in the race. And after the first turn, I realized that somehow it was unusually easy to accelerate.”
