DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

Now Continental's General Director in Russia, he had to accept defeat over the firm's joint venture with Moscow tire company MRF. Continental lost several million euros in 2004 and almost left Russia as a result. Wiedmaier prevented this and successfully restructured the German tire makers Russian business. Head office in Hanover is no longer thinking of pulling out.

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Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  It's six-fifteen in the morning and the day begins for Jaron Wiedmaier. The 47-year-old is head of Russian operations for German tire-maker Continental. He lives in the Pokrovsky Hills – an oasis in Moscow: "It's almost exclusively foreign business people who live here. It's a safe area. There's also an international school, which adds extra appeal. It's like a village here; we have forests and a lot of fresh air to breathe – which is relatively rare in Moscow." Living in relative luxury has its price in Moscow. It can cost up to 10 thousand euros a month to rent a home.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Seven-forty-five – breakfast time. Wiedmaier brought his family with him to Russia. His two sons go to school here. It's situated in a wooded area – which in turn is tightly guarded by private securityas, Wiedmaier complains: "It's not nice knowing you're under not only 24-hour protection, but surveillance as well. But it's necessary in light of the security situation in the city."

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Eight-fifteen and duty calls. It's about 12 kilomters from the Pokrovsky Hills to downtown Moscow – which can take up to two hours to travel, Wiedmaier remains calm: "The traffic jam begins at six and lasts until midday. You're always stuck in traffic."

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Wiedmaier began working here six years ago. We show him our report about him from back then. Wiedmaier originally came to set up a joint venture with a Moscow tire factory. The plan flopped: "The main reason was that the Moscow authorities promised to relieve us of the red tape. But they didn't. Plus the project cost more than expected. It also turned out that the joint venture partner wasn't solvent and the investment couldn't go through. We then had to cancel the project and leave the joint venture." The failure prompted Continental to focus on the import business, selling tires to Russian wholesalers.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Continental sales in Russia last year totalled 130 million euros - a record. The failed joint venture is now forgotten, and Wiedmaier is looking to the future: "We could imagine these tires actually being made locally. Continental is doing very good business here. Starting production will mean finding an inexpensive site and of course the support of the authorities. The approval process can take a very long time – but we need a quick solution."

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Five p.m. – a business dinner at a top Moscow restaurant. Maintaining commercial and personal links is essential in Russia. They're good for business and are beneficial when dealing with the authorities Wiedmaier says: "We go to dinner with clients at least four times a week. It's normal in Russia, it's the expected thing to do. After the negotiations and deals you go to a restaurant to put the seal on the agreements."

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  It's always a long evening for Wiedmaier and his business associates. He rarely gets home before 10 at night. But his efforts evidently pay off. This year Wiedmaier is expecting sales to increase to 200 million euros.