Dr. Christoph Falk-Gierlinger Named New Managing Director of Continental Engineering Services

Dr. Christoph Falk-Gierlinger (47) will start as the new
Managing Director of Continental Engineering Services on July 1, 2020. The mechatronics
engineer, who also holds a doctorate in computer sciences, succeeds Bernd Neitzel, who is retiring
after more than fourteen years at the helm of the development service provider and after a total of
37 years with Continental. With Falk-Gierlinger, a manager with many years of experience in the
automotive supply industry is taking over: The 47-year-old joins Continental after working for
engineering service provider Alten. He began his career in 1998 at Bosch, where he held various
management positions in Vienna and Stuttgart. After a two-year stint at the French automotive
supplier Valeo in Paris, he returned to Stuttgart in 2013 to join MBtech. The new managing director
brings extensive experience in software development, drive technologies and electromobility to
Continental Engineering Services.
“We are very pleased to welcome Christoph Falk-Gierlinger as Managing Director of Continental
Engineering Services, thus continuing the successful work of his predecessor Bernd Neitzel,” said
Dr. Dirk Abendroth, Chief Technology Officer Automotive at Continental, commenting on the
change in management. “As the new Managing Director, he is taking over a company that is
optimally positioned both technologically and financially and will be able to further expand a unique
competitive position: With the entire technology pool of the Continental parent company behind
him, coupled with the creativity and agility of small engineering teams, Continental Engineering
Services has established itself as a sought-after innovation partner for individual, tailor-made
solutions for the mobility of the future. Christoph Falk-Gierlinger will continue to advance the
company with his expertise in alternative drives, driver assistance systems, electromobility and
networking, particularly in the central areas of automated driving, connectivity and electrification. In
addition, diversification into new industries will also expand the global footprint.”
Think tank and manufacturer for customized innovations
Continental Engineering Services develops solutions for automotive applications from scratch or
adapts proven high-volume technologies for small series, niche and special vehicles. In addition,
the transfer of automotive technologies is becoming increasingly important in sectors such as
agriculture, medical technology, construction machinery, railways, aviation, aerospace and
shipping. With more than 1.500 engineers and strong expertise in the areas of driver assistance,
braking systems, automotive electronics, electric and conventional drives the development
specialists cover all vehicle areas that make future-oriented mobility concepts safe, sustainable
and comfortable.
Mechanical parts, complex control units, sample and spare parts and fully tested series parts are
manufactured in small quantities in the in-house manufacture and small series production in
Karben. This enables Continental Engineering Services to react quickly and pragmatically to new
challenges, market influences and customer requirements, covering the entire product
development process – from consulting and concept studies to the production of prototypes and
small series. The comprehensive software and systems know-how of the development specialists
plays a central role in this, enabling the integration of in-house and third-party solutions into
increasingly complex vehicle architectures. The fact that the Continental subsidiary has access to
the parent company’s comprehensive portfolio of sensors, actuators, control units, communication
and network technologies reduces development costs. Nevertheless, the cooperation with the
innovation partner is characterized by its medium-sized structure and thus short distances in the
central international markets and fast, unbureaucratic answers to the customers’ requirements.