Nokian Tyres becomes 13th USTMA member

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has accepted Nokian Tyres P.L.C. — which opened its first U.S. factory, in Dayton, Tenn., in 2019 — as its 13th member.

"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," USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke said.

"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."

Nokian commissioned production at its Dayton passenger/light truck tire plant in October, two years after breaking ground on the $360 million project.

The plant — rated at 4 million tires a year at full capacity—is the Finnish company's third factory overall and first outside of Europe.

USTMA members employ nearly 100,000 workers, operate 58 tire-related facilities in 17 states and generate more than $27 billion in annual sales.

"As USTMA members, we share a common vision to advance safe, sustainable mobility for the future, and we are thrilled to have another tire manufacturer join us in committing to this vision," Steve McClellan, USTMA chairman and president of Goodyear's Americas business unit, said.

"Nokian Tyres is proud to join USTMA," Mark Earl, senior vice president, Americas Business Area, Nokian Tyres, said.

"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."

Nokian Tyres, which relocated its North American headquarters to Nashville in 2018, recently announced a 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," U.S. Representative Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., said.

"We in Rhea County feel fortunate that Nokian Tyres has brought substantial jobs and economic impact to our community and state."

The other members of the USTMA are: Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C.; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.; Goodyear; Hankook Tire America Corp.; Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc.; Michelin North America Inc.; Pirelli Tire North America; Sumitomo Rubber Industries Inc.; Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.; and Yokohama Tire Corp.