SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 6, 2025 – Continental AG has announced a leadership transition that promises to strengthen its financial foundation and sharpen its focus as a global tire powerhouse. Beginning October 1, 2025, Roland Welzbacher will step into the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), following a two-month transition period with outgoing CFO Olaf Schick.
A Familiar Face with Deep Roots at Continental
For consumers and investors alike, continuity and expertise are key when it comes to leadership in major brands—and Continental delivers just that with Roland Welzbacher. A veteran of the company with 22 years under his belt, Welzbacher brings an unmatched understanding of Continental’s business from the inside out.
His career highlights include:
- CEO of Semperit Reifen
- Leader of the tire-replacement business for OEMs and global fleets
- Head of the Southern Europe tire-replacement division
Before joining Continental, Welzbacher worked in mergers and acquisitions at Hypo Consult in Munich, giving him a strong foundation in strategic financial operations.
Leadership Built for the Future
Welzbacher’s appointment is more than a change in title—it reflects Continental’s evolving direction as it transitions toward a sharper focus on its core tire business. After the ContiTech group sector becomes independent, Continental will refocus its executive board exclusively on its tire operations. Welzbacher will play a central role in this realignment.
"In Roland Welzbacher, we have appointed an extremely experienced manager to the executive board with strong ties to the company. He is an excellent choice for the position of CFO, given the planned independence of the ContiTech group sector and the future focus of Continental as a tire company,” said Wolfgang Reitzle, chairman of Continental’s supervisory board.
This restructuring means consumers can expect even more innovation, value, and performance from Continental’s tire offerings in the future.
A Track Record of Financial and Operational Excellence
Since 2023, Welzbacher has headed the finance and controlling functions within the Tires group sector, proving his capability to manage complex financial systems while driving growth in a competitive market. He will continue in this dual role as he steps into the CFO position.
Continental CEO Nikolai Setzer praised the appointment, saying:
"Roland Welzbacher is an outstanding leader with whom I have worked closely for many years. His extensive international experience in the tire sector and deep expertise in finance as well as mergers and acquisitions make him exceptionally well suited to help shape Continental’s realignment as CFO. I look forward to continuing our collaboration on the executive board."
Smooth Transition Ahead
Welzbacher’s transition into the CFO role will begin on August 1, 2025, allowing for a seamless handover from Olaf Schick, who will officially step down on September 30. Schick, in turn, will join the board of management at Mercedes-Benz Group beginning October 1, 2025.
For customers, this leadership change means the company’s continued focus on integrity, innovation, and financial stability. While the final structure of Schick’s current responsibilities in finance, integrity, and law will be disclosed later, the confidence in Welzbacher’s ability to guide Continental through its next chapter is already clear.
A Confident Step Toward Continued Consumer Excellence
As Continental sharpens its focus, tire customers can expect enhanced service, improved product offerings, and a company driven by deep expertise and strategic leadership. Roland Welzbacher’s appointment is a strong signal of Continental’s commitment to performance—on the road and in the boardroom.
Learn more at www.continental.com.