HELSINKI — A Finnish court of appeals has lifted a five-year ban on managers of tire consulting firm Black Donuts Engineering Oy, according to that firm's top executive.
it was confirmed to European Rubber Journal, a sister publication of Tire Business.
On Aug. 31, the district court of Pirkanmaa, Finland, sentenced three executives of the firm, including President and CEO Kai Hauvala, to bans of three to five years for "violating secrets" of Nokian Tyres P.L.C., their former employer.
Speaking to European Rubber Journal — a sister publication of Tire Business — Mr. Hauvala said the Turku court of appeals made the decision to lift the ban on him and the two other executives on Sept. 19.
When asked if the decision applied to the ruling made against Black Donuts, Mr. Hauvala said "Black Donuts, as a company, haven't made any decisions yet if it would appeal or not."
The Aug. 31 ruling by the court of Pirkanmaa decided that Black Donuts should pay more than $340,000 in fines imposed on the corporation and $700,000 in loss of benefits to the state.