The international automotive supplier Continental announced today that it had opened its new Liaison Office for Public Affairs in Brussels, Belgium, effective August 1, 2012 and appointed Desmond A. Collins (56) as the new office head. In this capacity, he is responsible for representing the legislative and regulatory interests of the company, including its Rubber and Automotive Group, in the political capital of the EU.
"Driving and transportation are fundamental to modern life and intertwined with many of its aspects, including sustainability and environment. This is why our company has to deal with hundreds of legislative and regulatory issues in the EU every year. With this new office we will be able to intensify and further substantiate the increasing dialogue between political, governmental and non-governmental institutions in Brussels and Continental," Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of the Executive Board of Continental, said. "We are convinced that we can contribute immense systems know-how and innovation expertise on automotive and transportation issues to the public discussion. In doing so, we have already decided that we will enhance our public affairs activities even further. This is why we will be opening another liaison office in Berlin, Germany, soon," he added.
Collins has held managing and leadership positions in marketing and sales at engineering equipment and tire manufacturing companies for more than 30 years. Until recently, Collins was Vice President European Communications at the European Headquarters of the Bridgestone tire company of Japan, where he was in charge of Public Affairs for five years.
"We are very pleased to have Mr. Collins on board. He will provide us with his extensive knowledge and experience in legislative and regulatory processes at the EU.
His representation is just one element of a comprehensive public affairs strategy which we have been implementing for some time now, as we want to build stronger bridges between politics and industry," said Dr. Felix Gress, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Continental, Hanover, Germany.
The address of the new liaison office in Brussels is as follows:
Desmond A. Collins
Continental Benelux S.A.
Excelsiorlaan 61
1930 Zaventem, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 7102-384
"Driving and transportation are fundamental to modern life and intertwined with many of its aspects, including sustainability and environment. This is why our company has to deal with hundreds of legislative and regulatory issues in the EU every year. With this new office we will be able to intensify and further substantiate the increasing dialogue between political, governmental and non-governmental institutions in Brussels and Continental," Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of the Executive Board of Continental, said. "We are convinced that we can contribute immense systems know-how and innovation expertise on automotive and transportation issues to the public discussion. In doing so, we have already decided that we will enhance our public affairs activities even further. This is why we will be opening another liaison office in Berlin, Germany, soon," he added.
Collins has held managing and leadership positions in marketing and sales at engineering equipment and tire manufacturing companies for more than 30 years. Until recently, Collins was Vice President European Communications at the European Headquarters of the Bridgestone tire company of Japan, where he was in charge of Public Affairs for five years.
"We are very pleased to have Mr. Collins on board. He will provide us with his extensive knowledge and experience in legislative and regulatory processes at the EU.
His representation is just one element of a comprehensive public affairs strategy which we have been implementing for some time now, as we want to build stronger bridges between politics and industry," said Dr. Felix Gress, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Continental, Hanover, Germany.
The address of the new liaison office in Brussels is as follows:
Desmond A. Collins
Continental Benelux S.A.
Excelsiorlaan 61
1930 Zaventem, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 7102-384
