NOKIA, Finland (Sept. 23, 2013) — Nokian Tyres p.l.c will integrate its heavy tire and truck tire units to create a commercial tires division, effective Jan. 1.
The combined net sales of the two units totaled about $198 million in 2012 and they employ about 280 people in Nokia. The integration of the units is not expected to have any immediate impact on personnel, the tire maker said.
"The integration of two small business units' resources, operations and management gives us a better chance to develop operations and improve sales. In addition, the synergies of the integration improve profitability clearly," said Kim Gran, Nokian Tyres president and CEO.
Pontus Stenberg, the current director of Nokian Truck Tyres, will be the director of the new division. For the transition period, Mr. Stenberg also has been appointed director of Heavy Tyres as of Oct. 1, succeeding Jarmo Puputti, who is joining another company Nov. 1, according to Nokian.