Nokian tyres

Nokian tyres – Winter tyre leader in Latvia and elsewhere

Nokian tyres has been operating in Latvia very successfully for three decades. It is the only tyre manufacturer in the world specialising in winter tyres for the harsh Nordic winter conditions. Latvian winters are often very close to Scandinavian weather, which is probably the reason for the brand’s success in the Baltics. At MMK tyre centres, we have noticed that once people have tried a tyre from the world-famous Hakkapeliitta range, they often choose it again or look for equivalent alternatives. An interesting phenomenon at the moment is Cordiant tyres, which are manufactured at the Nokian plant in Russia. Cordiant tyres are manufactured on the same machines, use the same materials and, depending on the model, the tread design is a copy of Nokian. MMK’s observations show that a large proportion of drivers are keen to go for this option because it is simply cheaper.

Nokian tyres – history

The story begins in 1898, when the first rubber factory was established in Finland. In those days, rubber was made only for domestic use. And in 1904, a factory was established in the town of Nokia. 20. at the beginning of the century, transport communications were growing, so in 1925 a Finnish company decided to start producing bicycle tyres. By 1926, tyre production had increased significantly, so the company started selling its products in other countries.
By 1926, Nokian was basically not exporting at all. The main task was to meet the demand for bicycle tyres on the domestic market before selling surpluses to other countries. Over time, the company’s management came to the conclusion that it was exports that helped it to understand the competition and demand in foreign markets.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta – the first true winter tyre

The company started producing car tyres in 1932. Since 1939, tyre production technology has improved considerably (100 car tyres per day).

The key year in history was 1936, when the Hakkapeliitta tyre was developed. That year, the rubber company set itself the goal of starting to sell tyres for use in northern climates. The first such tyre was the Hakkapeliitta, which features a special checkerboard-style tread pattern, thereby increasing grip on snowy road surfaces. With the advent of this model, the need for special grip-enhancing chains, which until then had been used in snowy conditions, disappears.

Nokian starts exporting winter tyres

Nokian is experiencing a sharp increase in exports, but the country’s demand for tyres increased dramatically before the outbreak of the Second World War, and the company is having to limit its exports to meet the demand of the Finnish population. When the war broke out, sales to other countries stopped altogether. After the end of the war, a new production plant appears in Nokia. Until the end of the 1960s, Nokian tyres are sold on the national market. In the early 1970s, exports resume, with most of the tyres produced being sold in the northern regions. Within a few years, the distribution area expands considerably and in 1964 sales in the USSR begin.

The company’s products were unrivalled on the domestic market, but Nokian faced considerable competition on foreign markets, including the well-known Goodyear and Michelin. However, Nokian had for decades developed tyres for drivers who faced harsh northern conditions on a daily basis, and this allowed it to compete with newcomers to the winter tyre sector. The tyres are designed on the principle of Effective Safety, which means that the level of safety and performance must be consistent throughout the tyre’s lifetime. It is this aspect that has made Nokian tyres so popular all over the world and especially in Russia.

Nokian’s tyre production technique – a trade secret

Nokian tyre production technology consists of 4 stages. In the first stage, the rubber alloy is created and, unfortunately for competitors, their recipe is a trade secret. Raw materials include black carbon, oil, natural and synthetic rubber and many other elements. The second stage is the production of the tyre carcass, which consists of steel cords, textile cord braids and beaded ring braids. Different structural reinforcements are used depending on the model. In the third stage, using state-of-the-art equipment, technicians assemble the tyre itself, joining the carcass to the other layers that make up the tyre. The final appearance of the tyre is obtained after vulcanisation, when the tyre is placed in a metal mould where it is shaped and all the parameters set by the engineers are achieved. Once the tyres are finished and removed from the conveyor, they are randomly tested.

Nokian tyre production volumes

The main plant, located in Nokia City, produces 4 000 000 tyres per year. A second plant in Vsevolozhsk (Russia) produces 8 million tyres per year. Another plant is planned to open near St Petersburg, thus strengthening its position in Northern Europe and the former USSR.

Nokian is currently the largest tyre manufacturer in Northern Europe.