Effective September 1, Edwin Goudswaard has taken charge of Continental Tires’ research and development activities. Goudswaard succeeds Dr Boris Mergell, who has moved to become head of the User Experience business area at Continental Automotive.
“Edwin Goudswaard has acquired an incredible depth and breadth of experience in a range of different positions worldwide. This will stand him in good stead as the new head of our R&D department. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish him all the best and every success in his new role,” said Christian Kötz, head of the tires group sector and member of the executive board of Continental.
“I would like to thank Boris Mergell for his many years of dedication to Continental Tires. Together with the global Tires team, he has implemented numerous development projects with enormous success, frequently breaking new technological ground in the process.”
Goudswaard began his career at Continental in 2006, shortly after completing his mechanical engineering studies. Following an international R&D trainee program, he worked in virtual development and product development for original equipment tires. Between 2013 and 2021, Goudswaard assumed various management roles in R&D and in the production facilities for two-wheeler and passenger car tires in Europe and Asia. In 2021, he was appointed head of the Two-Wheel tire business area. He was most recently responsible for Continental’s global R&D activities in the passenger car tire replacement business.
