Wed February 19 09:56 am 2020 in category Company news
Nokian Tyres Joins U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
USTMA shares the company's values of safety and sustainability
WASHINGTON, February 19, 2020 --The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) today announced the formal addition of Nokian Tyres as its 13th member. Nokian Tyres produces premium tires for cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment. Nokian Tyres joins 12 other distinguished members of the USTMA who currently represent 85 percent of the $148.4 billion U.S. tire manufacturing industry and responsible for more than 737,000 jobs in the United States.
“USTMA is very pleased to welcome Nokian Tyres to our membership,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “Nokian Tyres’ investment in the United States is a testament to the continued opportunities for growth and prosperity in the U.S. tire manufacturing industry. The local and state economy in Tennessee also will see great benefit in jobs, economic output, and community involvement that are hallmarks of our industry’s footprint.”
USTMA members employ nearly 100,000 workers, operate 58 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 17 states and generate more than $27 billion in annual sales. In 2017, USTMA members and affiliate members accounted for 82 percent of the 317 million passenger, light truck, and truck tire shipments in the U.S.
In October 2019, Nokian Tyres opened its first North American production factory in Dayton, Tennessee. It is the company’s third global production facility and strengthens their presence in the North American market by making safe, sustainable products that are tailored to the needs of North American consumers.
“Nokian Tyres is proud to join USTMA,” said Mark Earl, Senior Vice President, Americas Business Area, Nokian Tyres. “The organization shares our core values of safety and sustainability, and we are eager to partner with our counterparts as our industry looks to the future.”
The Dayton location also carries significant local impact, with the creation of an estimated 400 jobs by 2023 and the production of up to 4 million tires per year at its full capacity. The Southeast Tennessee facility represents a $360 million investment in the community. Nokian Tyres also opened its North American headquarters in Nashville in 2018, and its factory team in Dayton has served more than 800 combined hours of community service. The company has also provided free tire safety checks to community members and partnered with approximately two dozen non-profit organizations in the area. Recently, Nokian Tyres announced its Road to Sustainable Success program, which will support local education, fund scholarships for high-achieving students, and advocate for sustainability in Southeast Tennessee.
“The state of Tennessee is proud to be the U.S. home of Nokian Tyres,” said U.S. Representative Scott DesJarlais.“ Tennessee is a great place to do business because we have the hardest-working, most dedicated and skilled employees in the country, great infrastructure, and robust state and local support. We in Rhea County feel fortunate that Nokian Tyres has brought substantial jobs and economic impact to our community and state.”