Changes in operational structure and management team
Nokian Tyres plc Stock Exchange Release 20 January 2016, 4.00 p.m.
Nokian Tyres is going to change its operational structure and responsibilities in the management team to strengthen the Company's further expansion, and to improve the distribution and the development and harmonization of processes.
Alexej von Bagh will take over the responsibility for the global Process Development in Nokian Tyres as of 1 April 2016. Mr. von Bagh will have the responsibility for the overall process architecture and process development. The Company’s aim is to extensively improve the mode of operations and overall business practices. Mr. von Bagh reports to the President and CEO. “Alexej has been a strong driver in Vianor’s success. Vianor’s processes are world class and business is growing. He will take the planning and execution of the whole company’s process architecture to the top level”, says Ari Lehtoranta, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres.
Anna Hyvönen will assume the responsibility for Vianor and Partner Distribution. This responsibility includes the overall development of the company’s partner distribution strategy, expansion of the partner network and management of the equity owned Vianor chain. She has previously been responsible for the North Central Europe market area in Ramirent plc and the Maintenance business in KONE plc. Ms. Hyvönen joins Nokian Tyres on 1 April 2016 and she will be reporting to the President and CEO. “Anna will bring a new perspective on developing Vianor service business. Her tremendous experience in global service businesses will give the company great benefit”, says Ari Lehtoranta.
Andrei Pantioukhov is appointed Executive Vice President for the Company. He will support the President and CEO in strategic initiatives, being a representative for the Company and leading one of the Must Win Battles launched last year. He will also continue in his present role as the General Manager for Nokian Tyres Russia. “I am very pleased that Andrei will support the company’s global endeavors. He is a key person behind Nokian Tyres’ success in Russia and the company will now benefit from this experience and know how globally”, Ari Lehtoranta says.
Nokian Tyres’ ICT function led by Heikki Mattsson will be reporting to Teppo Huovila, who will be responsible for Quality, Sustainability and ICT. This change comes into effect 1 April 2016.
Head of Research and Development Juha Pirhonen has been appointed to management team.
Nokian Tyres’ Management team as of 1 April 2016
Ari Lehtoranta, President and CEO
Alexej von Bagh, Process Development
Esa Eronen, Supply Operations
Teppo Huovila, Quality, Sustainability and ICT
Anna Hyvönen, Vianor and Partner Distribution
Anne Leskelä, Finance & IR
Ville Nurmi, Human Resources
Andrei Pantioukhov, Executive Vice President, General Manager of Russian Operations
Juha Pirhonen, Research and Development
Manu Salmi, Heavy Tyres
Pontus Stenberg, Sales
Antti-Jussi Tähtinen, Marketing and Communications
Nokian Tyres plc
Antti-Jussi Tähtinen
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Further information:
Mr. Ari Lehtoranta, President and CEO, tel: +358 10 401 7733
Distribution: Nasdaq Helsinki, media and www.nokiantyres.com
Nokian Tyres is the only tyre manufacturer in the world that focuses on customer needs in northern conditions. The company supplies innovative tyres for cars, trucks and special heavy machinery mainly in areas with special challenges on tyre performance: snow, forests and harsh driving conditions in different seasons. Nokian Tyres’ product development is consistently aiming for sustainable solutions for safety and the environment, taking into account the whole life cycle of the tyre. A part of the Nokian Tyres group, the tyre chain Vianor has over 1,400 outlets in 27 countries. In 2014 Nokian Tyres had over 4,200 employees and net sales of approximately 1,4 billion euros. Nokian Tyres’ share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. Further information: www.nokiantyres.com