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Ramoabi Moeng promoted to Deputy Plant Manager : Continental Tyre South Africa

vuyi on August 13, 2021

Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) has appointed a new senior management team for its tyre manufacturing plant in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Continental’s only tyre production facility on the African continent.

As the new Deputy Plant Manager, Ramoabi Moeng has gained vast experience in the manufacturing sector since 1997. He spent 11 years in vehicle production, including a one-year training stint in Germany, before joining a pharmaceutical company in 2008 where he headed up the Engineering, Production and Operational Projects portfolios over the ensuing seven years.

I am looking forward to learning more about the tyre manufacturing operations under the leadership of Ahmed and the rest of the CTSA Exco team.

– Ramoabi Moeng, Deputy Plant Manager : Continental Tyre South Africa

Moeng joined Continental Tyre SA in 2016 as Maintenance Manager, and was selected to lead the Manufacturing Engineering Technologies team in 2018, a position he held until his appointment as Deputy Plant Manager in August 2021.

“I am looking forward to learning more about the tyre manufacturing operations under the leadership of Ahmed and the rest of the CTSA Exco team, while ensuring that we produce quality tyres on time and at competitive costs for our local and international customers,” Moeng says.

“Part of my responsibilities includes the role of regional coordinator for Continental’s Sustainable Production of Quality Products initiative for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This involves ensuring that our local plant is fully integrated into Continental’s global quality structures, and that we consistently produce tyres of the highest quality for our customers around the world,” he says.

Moeng has a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, a Diploma in Business Management and a qualification in Advanced Maintenance Management – the latter from the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany. He completed a Management Development programme in 2006, and followed this up with a Master of Business Administration degree from Nelson Mandela University in 2012.

Continental Appoints Ahmed Boualam as new General Manager : Manufacturing

vuyi on August 12, 2021

Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) has appointed a new senior management team for its tyre manufacturing plant in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Continental’s only tyre production facility on the African continent.

Ahmed Boualam is the new General Manager for Manufacturing with responsibility for overall management of the plant operations. Ramoabi Moeng has been appointed Deputy Plant Manager, supporting Boualam with the running of the facility – both of whom have extensive experience in both the manufacturing and tyre industries.

Boualam was seconded from Continental’s South Carolina Sumter tyre plant in the United States, where he served as Plant Manager for the past two years.

Continental Tyre SA’s outgoing GM for Manufacturing, JJ Dowling, has relocated to the US to take up the position of Production Manager for the Sumer plant.

“I want to thank JJ Dowling for all of his hard work and commitment to CTSA over the past five years he was with us, and wish him all the best for his new role at our sister plant in Sumter,” says Martin Buday, MD of Continental Tyre SA. “We extend a warm welcome back to Ahmed who takes over the reins as our new GM for Manufacturing.

“Our Gqeberha plant in South Africa is not new to Ahmed as worked here for three years prior to his move to the US. I am certain that he, along with our newly appointed Deputy Plant Manager Ramoabi Moeng, will be a force to be reckoned with as they use their combined experience and expertise to successfully steer the manufacturing side of our business,” Buday says.

It is fantastic to be back in South Africa, and I look forward to working with the local management team to continue increasing the production of light truck tyres.
Ahmed Boualam, new General Manager for Manufacturing, continental tyres South Africa

Ahmed Boualam is the new General Manager for Manufacturing

Boualam has been involved in the tyre industry since 2007, starting in his native France as a production management engineer before moving up to Production Manager in the curing and final finishing areas. He joined Continental in France in 2011, initially as Area Manager in the Curing and Mold Shop, and later in the hot preparation and mixing room.

A three-year stint as Production Manager for the Continental Tyre plant in South Africa followed in 2016 before he was selected to head up the Sumter plant in 2019.

“It is fantastic to be back in South Africa, and I look forward to working with the local management team to continue the transformation of our facility as we work towards increasing the production of light truck tyres,” Boualam says. “While optimising the output of our current assets, we are working closely with our colleagues in Hanover and will be making further investments in our factory to expand our production capacity for this important sector.

“The goal is to make Continental Tyre SA a major producer of light commercial vehicle tyres within Continental globally, and supply tyres of the highest quality to more markets around the world,” Boualam says. He is a qualified mechanical and production engineer, and has a Master’s degree in Business Management which he completed in 2005.

Continental Tyre SA welcomes Martin Buday as new Managing Director

vuyi on July 13, 2021

Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) is proud to announce that Martin Buday has officially taken over the reins as managing director, bringing with him, almost two decades of experience in the tyre industry with Continental in various roles in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Martin Buday has stepped into the position of Managing Director, replacing Shaun Uys who took up a new assignment with Continental Tire in the United States. Previously, Buday served as General Market Manager and MD for the Czech and Slovak markets.

Now on South African soil, Buday is ready to lead the South African operation, which includes Continental’s only tyre manufacturing facility on the African continent, producing world-class tyres for domestic sales – supplying the original equipment and replacement sectors – along with exports to the Americas, the Asia Pacific region, as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Despite the products being the same around the world, this is a new market for me.
– MARTIN BUDAY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CONTINENTAL TYRE SOUTH AFRICA

As the only tyre company that supplies seven of the major vehicle manufacturers in South Africa, Continental Tyre SA plays an important role in the local automotive industry.

“Last year was very difficult for all of us, but I am looking forward to this exciting new opportunity to be a part of the Continental team in South Africa,” Buday says.

“For 2021, one of the key objectives for the management team is for CTSA to get onto a growth path again and improve our financial results.

“We need to reignite our winning mindset, motivation, energy and focus on achieving our short and medium-term goals, and at the same time show a high level of flexibility and agility to be able to adapt to the changing market environment. The implementation of Continental’s Vision 2030 strategic program for the tyre business will ensure that we have a solid foundation on which to build,” he adds.

Buday has spent his entire working career in the tyre industry. His association with Continental started in 2007 when the tyre manufacturing giant took over Matador, one of the last independent tyre producers in Europe. Buday had been employed by Matador since his graduation in 2002, having held several positions in marketing and sales over the years.

Buday’s decision to join the South African entity was made in February 2020, mere weeks before the pandemic effectively brought the world to a standstill.

“I’m very happy to finally be in South Africa, and I want to use this opportunity to thank to my colleagues from the executive management team for steering the organisation.”

Buday states. “Despite the products being the same around the world, this is a new market for me, and I have to admit that still I need to gain a better understanding of the market environment.

However, it’s already clear that the South African team is committed and has established a strong presence in the original equipment market and the replacement market.

“Now we need to focus on the long-term sustainability of our business and operations in South Africa, capitalising on our strengths, improving where and how we can, and exploiting all growth opportunities. We need to ensure that we make full use of the opportunities provided by Continental’s Vision 2030 strategy.”

Vision 2030 is focused on the systematic customer-centric alignment of the Continental Tires business area and related activities. In addition, the Tires business area is targeting further profitable growth and, in a fast-changing market environment, aiming to set itself apart from the competition in respect of sustainability, and through digital solutions.

Think Safety Even During the Holidays: Part 1

vuyi on November 26, 2020

With the end of 2020 comes a well-earned break after a long and extremely difficult year. In the first installment of our 3-part holiday driving series, we focus on the importance of driver attitude.

With the end of the year comes a well-earned break after a long and extremely difficult year. Typically, there’s a lot of traveling during this period. In keeping with Continental’s Vision Zero strategy that aims to reduce and eventually eliminate road traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities, we encourage all motorists and their families to play an active role in road safety this Festive Season.

One of the most importance elements of road safety is the driver and his or her attitude when behind the wheel. Follow these basics of safe holiday driving:

Rest Before You Drive: Have a good night’s rest before heading on any long journey. Around eight hours of sleep is ideal.
Don’t Drink and Drive: Drunk driving is a major contributing factor in road accidents and deaths in South Africa. Consuming just one or two drinks may put you over the legal limit. It’s simple: if you drink, don’t drive. And if you’re driving, be responsible and don’t drink!
Don’t Drive Distracted: Using a phone while driving has rapidly become one of the biggest causes of accidents around the world, and is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Use a Bluetooth car kit if necessary, and keep your eyes on the road!
Take A Break Every Two Hours: Take regular breaks throughout your trip, stopping approximately every two hours. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of accidents – so if you’re tired, stop to change drivers or have a rest.
Safety Belts: Safety belts must be worn by everyone in the car (both front and rear occupants), at all times. It’s your primary safety device, so don’t take chances! Young children should be strapped into an age-appropriate baby seat or a booster seat.
Speed: Stick to the stipulated speed limits throughout your journey. Speed limits are set with your safety in mind, as well as that of fellow motorists and pedestrians. Rather take it easy and enjoy the journey!
Following Distances: Maintain a 3-second following distance from the vehicle ahead, which gives you space to slow down or stop if necessary. If visibility is reduced due to rain or mist, or when driving at night, increase the gap to 6 seconds.
Keep Left, Pass Right: The age-old rule of driving remains an important one, to ensure the smoothest possible flow of traffic, and to reduce congestion and frustration in traffic. Stick to the left lane, and use the right lane for passing manouevres.
Emergency Access: If there’s an accident ahead, keep the shoulder of the road clear so that emergency vehicles can make their way to the scene as soon as possible. Clogging the entire road only leads to further delays – both for the accident victims who may need critical medical care (you never know, it could be your family or friends), and for all of the affected road users.

Your tyres could help increase your summer driving safety

vuyi on September 14, 2020

Tyre experts at Continental recommend replacing your tyres when they get below three millimetres of tread

Regular tyre checks are vital. Your tyres are what keep your vehicle in touch with the road. It’s the tyres that enable many systems – including ABS, electronic stability programme (ESP) and emergency brake assist (EBA) – to deliver their full potential. Fully functional tyres are decisive when it comes to ensuring the safest possible driving, and especially for regions that experience heavy summer rainfall and sudden downpours.

Have your tyres got enough tread left on them?

One key factor is tread depth. The legal lower limit in South Africa is 1 mm. But tyre experts at Continental recommend replacing your tyres when they get below three millimetres of tread. Seriously worn tyres can turn into a major risk factor, particularly in wet weather as the grooves in the tyre aren’t able to effectively disperse water, thereby significantly increasing the risk of aquaplaning, and contributing to much longer stopping distances. Additionally, after a long dry period, things can get hazardous when the rain mixes with dust, pollen and debris to form a slippery film on the wet asphalt.

Low tyre pressures can extend the braking distance on wet roads − as well as affect the precision of steering

Tests conducted by Continental on its Contidrom track near Hanover, Germany, have shown that the braking distance from 100 km/h is around 12 metres longer in the wet compared to dry conditions. At the point where a car comes to a standstill on a dry road, in the wet that same car is still travelling at 50 km/h despite the driver firmly applying the brakes. This was the outcome of tests with new Continental PremiumContact 6 tyres in size 22 fitted to a VW Golf 7.

Are your tyres correctly inflated?

Low tyre pressures can also extend the braking distance on wet roads − as well as affecting the precision of the steering, as well as the durability of the tyre with excessive heat build-up on underinflated tyres contributing to premature tyre failure.

Tests conducted by Continental showed that running tyres at just 0.4 bar below the recommended pressure can reduce the mileage, or the service life, of a tyre by one third. Before setting off on a long trip, you will also need to adapt the tyre pressures to the extra weight on board – and the higher load on the rear axle if you are towing a trailer or caravan. Checking the tyres (when cold) on whatever you are towing is also necessary, to ensure stable performance at all times.

Remember to make sure that the spare or emergency wheel tyre is correctly inflated. You will find the correct tyre pressures in the owner’s manual, or on a sticker on the driver’s door pillar.