Continental, the global company that develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods, has traditionally been known for superior tire technologies around the world. Moataz Hassan, Head of Sales & Marketing – Middle East, Specialty Tires, spoke to PMV Middle East about how the German multinational is bringing in digital solutions to the Middle East’s specialty tires segment in port operations and earthmoving operations.
Please tell us about yourself and your responsibilities at Continental.
Moataz Hassan: As the head of sales for specialty tires in the Middle East region, I look after one of the most important regions for Continental in the specialty tires segment, which comprises Port Operations, Material Handling, Earth Moving and Agriculture / Multi Purpose Tires.
Having spent over 12 years with Continental, I am now very enthusiastic about the digital transformation that Continental is bringing about, which I spearhead in the Middle East region’s specialty tires arena.
The transition to intelligent tires in the port and earthmoving applications is an area of special focus for me at Continental, as this leads to greater sustainability and reduces the total cost of ownership for users of our tires.
What are the digital transformations that Continental is offering in the port operations segment?
At Continental we are advocating for digital transformation in port operations. This was exemplified recently at the TOC Europe (Terminal Operations Conference) held in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where we presented tire and digital technologies that fulfil our vision of “Smart Port – Better Flow”.
Among the products that we highlighted were the DockMaster+ and the TerminalMaster tires, which showcase the performance and reliability of our port tire portfolio.
At Continental, we firmly believe that digital solutions – seamlessly intertwined with high-end tire technologies – are the key to sustainable ports. We are committed to supporting this smart port evolution with a portfolio that combines adaptability, efficiency and environmental responsibility.
The future belongs to intelligent tires and Continental is at the forefront of developing and supplying this smart tire solution globally.
Please elaborate on the products and solutions that Continental offers in the port operations segment.
Continental offers an integrated product range of V.ply, radial and solid tires specially tailored for the demanding environment of a port terminal.
Moreover, we also believe that scalable digital solutions enable modern port operations. Therefore, complementary to our tires we have a digital solution portfolio unique to the port segment. This consists of tailor-made scalable solutions suited to different application situations in port operations.
For example, ContiConnect is our reliable fleet management platform for large port operation fleets, and ContiConnect Lite is a leaner, free-of-charge version for mobile devices that does not require any additional hardware other than Continental’s Gen2 tire sensor.
Then, there is also our new entry-level solution: the new Valve Cap Sensor for efficient tire pressure monitoring and with easy installation directly at the tire valve.
With these adaptable solutions, port operators can achieve greater sustainability and efficiency based on the needs of their individual fleets.
These technology solutions were shown off for the first time at TOC Europe and our message is that our intelligent tires are an indispensable part of the digital infrastructure of a smart port.
Coming to the Earth Moving / off-the-road (OTR) tire segment, what does Continental offer the market and what are some of the latest developments?
When it comes to Earth Moving / OTR tires, Continental achieved a major milestone recently when we were given approval by Caterpillar as Original Equipment Supplier for its dump trucks.
Our RDT-Master OTR tire is now approved by Caterpillar for use on the Cat off-highway truck models globally and indicated in the price lists. With this, customers can specify their Cat off-highway truck models with Continental RDT-Master tires ex works.
This endorsement marks a pivotal milestone for Continental, highlighting the quality, durability and performance of our tires in the earthmoving segment.
We are excited that Caterpillar is expanding its tire range with the RDT-Master from us. This exemplifies our growth ambitions in the earthmoving segment. We are steadfastly committed to pushing forward as a strong partner for our customers, empowering them with unparalleled support and tailor-made solutions.
Please describe the RDT-Master tire range. What are the solutions that Continental offers with it?
The RDT-Master is, of course, offered as an intelligent tire package, in keeping with Continental’s growth strategy in digital solutions, which we believe is the future.
The tire itself has been designed to meet the rigorous demands of construction and mining operations. Facing the multiple requirements of earthmoving tire fitments, the range includes three different sizes: 18.00 R33, 21.00 R33 and 24.00 R35. These tire sizes are approved for the Cat 770, 772, 773, 775 and 775 WTR off-highway rigid dump truck models.
With our commitment to innovation and sustainability, we are delivering all our radial earthmover tires like the RDT-Master as intelligent tires.
How do users and customers benefit from Continental’s digital tire solutions?
Continental has introduced easy tire monitoring thanks to integrated tire sensors. Our intelligent tires are featuring the latest Bluetooth-enabled Generation II sensor ex-factory, ready for digital tire management. This allows all customers to read essential tire life data, such as air pressure and temperature, directly via their smartphones without extra invests.
Digital tire management decisively increases operational safety while also ensuring a maximisation of the tire’s service life. This helps reduce the total cost of ownership and promotes sustainable use of materials.
What does the future hold for Continental and what can customers expect from the company?
Continental is committed to innovation and sustainability, and providing solutions to drive efficiency and productivity for clients. The Caterpillar partnership underlines Continental’s growth strategy in the earthmoving segment, while we are also backing the digital transformation in port operations with our “Smart Port – Better Flow” vision.