Nokian Tyres Dayton Factory Team on Overseas Training in Russia and Finland

Nokian Tyres Company Release May 17, 2019 10:15 a.m.

After a productive month of orientation, Nokian Tyres has sent the first group of employees at its Dayton, Tennessee factory on a dynamic six-week training experience at its facilities in Russia and Finland.

The intensive training trip will equip Dayton Factory launch team members with the skills they need to successfully produce some of the safest, most sustainable tires in the world at one of the industry’s most advanced production facilities. Production process ramp-up will begin at the company’s first North American factory soon, and commercial production is on schedule to start in 2020.

“We couldn’t be happier with the skills and enthusiasm of our first 60 employees,” said Nokian Tyres Dayton Factory Operations Director Peter Chia. “Now, we look forward to seeing them apply their energy to learning about our industry-leading processes and products.”

Most employees will train at the company’s state-of-the-art factory near St. Petersburg, Russia, where the highly automated technology closely resembles the even-more-advanced machinery currently being installed in Dayton. The journey will also include cultural experiences and deeper introductions to the company’s employee-focused culture. Some workers will get training also at Nokian Tyres’ original factory in Nokia, Finland.

While the majority of the launch team will travel to Europe, a group of engineers, technicians and operators will remain at the Dayton Factory to commission and test the state-of-the-art machinery.

Making the community a priority

Amidst a busy training schedule, the launch team participated in several community service projects during its one-month orientation experience. Employees worked on landscaping projects to improve parks and non-profit facilities, helped renovate a playground, painted park benches and tables and helped prepare a transitional lodging house for beneficiaries of We Care, a local organization committed to serving homeless and underprivileged Rhea County residents.

Employees also built and donated bicycles to underserved children as part of the company’s relationship with We Care.

“There’s a reason our launch team has spent so much time serving the community in its first month on the job,” Chia said. “Our company wants to set the tone for the kind of community partner it will be.”

The life-driven company has also formed an employee-led donations committee that will evaluate opportunities for non-profit involvement.

Second phase of hiring

Later this year, Nokian Tyres will begin its second phase of hiring for the Dayton Factory. Eventually, around 400 employees will craft tires at the state-of-the-art facility.

The Dayton Factory is a key element of Nokian Tyres’ growth strategy, which aims to doubling the company’s North American sales by 2023.

Nokian Tyres plc

Päivi Antola, SVP, Communications and IR

Further information:

Sami Eerikäinen
Head of Production Services and Development of Supply Operations, tel. +358 10 401 7416

www.nokiantires.com/DaytonFactory

Nokian Tyres develops and manufactures premium tires for people who value safety and sustainability. Inspired by our Scandinavian heritage, we craft innovative products for passenger cars, trucks and heavy machinery that give you peace of mind in all driving conditions. Our Vianor chain provides tire and car services. In 2018, the company’s net sales were EUR 1.6 billion and it employed some 4,800 people. Nokian Tyres is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. Further information: www.nokiantyres.com

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