NOKIA, Finland (Nov. 22, 2006) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has started mixing rubber at its tire plant in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, a key component in the firm's plant to double output at the year-old factory.
The initiation of rubber mixing on site will allow Nokian Tyres to bring on stream next year the third and fourth tire production lines, doubling annual capacity to 4 million units by 2008 as originally planned, according to Nokian President and CEO Kim Gran.
A second rubber mixing line is being installed as well. Up to now Nokian has supplied the factory with rubber compounded at its headquarters plant in Nokia.
The expansion project also included the construction of a 200,000-sq.-ft. warehouse capable of housing 600,000 tires.
The Vsevolozhsk factory makes Nokian-branded summer and winter car tires, the majority of which are sold in Russia and former Soviet-bloc countries, Nokian said.
Nokian Tyres brought the plant on stream in June 2005 after an investment of $63.5 million.