CEO Today Africa Awards

SOUTH AFRICA 51 www.ceotodaymagazine.com CEO Today Africa Awards 2017 SHAUN UYS Managing Director of Continental Tyre South Africa FIRM PROFILE Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) is celebrating a significant milestone in its history as the company reached its 70th anniversary in 2017. Over the past seven decades the brand has remained true to its number one goal of bringing safety to the streets without compromises in driving comfort and pleasure. As Managing Director, Shaun Uys has remained resolute in his mission to further build Continental Tyre SA, and contribute to making Continental the leading tyre brand in the world. “I started my career in the industry at Eberspaecher SA, but later discovered that my passion lay in the sales and marketing field. While Eberspaecher SA couldn’t provide me with a suitable position, CTSA did. My career at Continental Tyre started as Production Area Manager of the Mixing and Extrusion Department, which is at the start of the tyre building process. This really laid a great foundation as I spent the next four years moving along the process as production area manager for each of the process areas. In 2004, during my degree from the University of South Africa and changing the course of my career, from engineering and production to marketing and sales, I embarked on a new journey within the company as Sales and Marketing Manager. While serving this role, I set into motion CTSA’s expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa and Africa as part of Continental Tyre’s long-term growth strategy, known as ‘Vision 2025’. Through the solid foundation and momentum built and achieved in these former leadership roles, I was able to take on the position of Managing Director in 2015, responsible for taking CTSA to the next level. In order to achieve this, I have devised many different goals for the company, one of which is to use the solid base established in the South African market, including retail activities, to steadily launch these new products and brands into the growth countries that have been highlighted within the Sub-Saharan markets. In terms of medium goals, I plan to move into more African markets and get closer to customers, which coincides with the newest venture, Continental Tyre West Africa, located in Ghana. As for the long-term goals, I aim to further push Continental Tyre into Africa, and increase knowledge of the African markets by being resident in the strategic areas and use the advantage of having a factory on the continent. With networks and partnerships in over 30 countries across Africa, I am positive that Continental Tyre can continue to expand its footprint in a range of African markets. In order for CTSA to break all boundaries, we need to motivate young people at CTSA by encouraging them to work hard and build a foundation in order to grow in their respective career paths. My challenge for this new generation is to gain as much experience as possible, to learn patience and to move confidently in the direction of their dreams.” ABOUT SHAUN UYS: Shaun Uys joined Continental in 2000 as a Production Area Manager at the Port Elizabeth plant. Since then, he has held various positions within the organization both locally and globally, including Head of Pricing Truck Tyres; Marketing and Sales in Hanover, Germany; and Sales Director, NAFTA replacement Truck Tyre business, Marketing and Sales in Charlotte, USA. On his return to South Africa, Uys was appointed as Project Manager to implement a tyre retail organisation for the ContiTrade division, before taking up the role of General Manager, Sales and Marketing in 2012 and Managing Director in 2015. Uys began his career after he graduated from the Port Elizabeth Technikon, now known as Nelson Mandela University, with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. He furthered his studies at the University of South Africa, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, which ignited his passion for Sales and Marketing. www.continental-tyres.co.za