Continental appoints Rohit Markan to lead APAC growth

Continental has named Rohit Markan as Executive Vice President Industrial Solutions for Asia Pacific at its ContiTech group sector, strengthening leadership in a region it describes as a key growth market.

Markan took up the Singapore-based role in November. He reports directly to Philip Nelles, the Executive Board member responsible for ContiTech.

He replaces long-serving executive Hannes Friederichsen, who has retired from the company.

ContiTech is Continental's industrial solutions arm. It supplies rubber and plastic-based products such as hoses, conveyor belts, drive belts and air springs for sectors that include agriculture, rail, road transport, mining, manufacturing, food and furniture.

The Asia Pacific remit for the new executive covers industrial operations in India, China, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, Korea and South East Asia. The business unit forms part of a global industrial portfolio that generated sales of around €6.4 billion in the last financial year.

Continental said one focus for Markan will be the continued optimisation of organisational structures and processes across product groups and customer industries in the region. His responsibilities cover both commercial and operational aspects of the industrial business in Asia Pacific.

He will also sit on ContiTech's new Executive Management Committee. This body oversees strategic direction for the group sector as Continental prepares to make ContiTech an independent company in 2026.

Regional growth

Asia Pacific is one of Continental's largest and fastest-growing industrial markets. The group employs almost 42,000 people across more than 40 countries, with a significant presence in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Nelles said Markan's appointment aligns with the group's plans for the sector. "Rohit Markan brings a broad portfolio of experience and perspectives from different regions, multiple industries and diverse functions which he gained in various management roles. He is the right person to further develop our industrial business activities in this important region," said Philip Nelles, Executive Board member for ContiTech.

Nelles noted Markan's record in leading change programmes. "Rohit has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to drive change while at the same time inspiring his teams. We are delighted to have him on board as we are working together to lead ContiTech into its next chapter as an independent company. I would like to thank Hannes Friedrichsen for all the fruitful years with the company and wish him all the best for the future," said Nelles.

Broad industry background

Markan brings more than 28 years of experience across multiple industries, functions and geographies. His background spans sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing, project leadership, innovation management, profit and loss management, country leadership and board-level roles.

Continental said he has managed several transformation initiatives during his career. These projects covered both revenue growth and profitability improvement.

Markan joins Continental from Roquette Asia Pacific, where he most recently served as CEO. He previously worked as Managing Director for Roquette India and as Senior Vice President Sales for Roquette Asia Pacific.

Before his time at Roquette, he held the position of Global Marketing Manager for Solar Solutions at Dow Chemicals. He has also led global sales for Roquette's pharma business, based in Singapore.

Markan said he sees significant potential in the new role. "I am delighted to become part of ContiTech, a company with such a long tradition and so much potential", adds Rohit Markan. "I am eager to bring in my expertise and leadership from past experiences in Asia Pacific, thus making a contribution for harnessing the companies' potential in one of the most important growth regions for Continental."

Strategic shift

Continental, founded in 1871, is best known as a tyre manufacturer. It has also expanded its industrial activities through ContiTech, which focuses on connected, environmentally oriented and safety-related industrial and service solutions.

The planned separation of ContiTech as an independent entity forms part of a wider reshaping of Continental's portfolio. The company generated group sales of €39.7 billion in the last financial year and employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

As a member of the new Executive Management Committee, Markan will take part in decisions on ContiTech's strategy, structure and portfolio. His role will include preparation for the stand-alone status planned for 2026, alongside day-to-day responsibility for the Asia Pacific industrial business.

Continental said the leadership changes form part of its preparations for the next phase of ContiTech's development as an independent industrial group.