DAYTON, Tenn.—Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has begun construction on an administration building—which will house meeting spaces, offices, a gym, etc.—at the site of its soon-to-open factory in Dayton.
Nokian said the facility is intended to reinforce the Nordic company's "life-driven culture," while providing everything its employees need to be successful.
"Our administration building is another example of our desire to be the employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee," Dayton Factory Operations Director Peter Chia said. "In addition to taking care of our workers' practical business needs, we want this facility to give them space to thrive."
EMJ Corp. was contracted to build the two-story, 26,500-sq.-ft. facility, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2020. The open-concept office space will accommodate as many as 100 employees, Nokian said, and will include a range of amenities, including: a cafeteria; conference rooms; first-aid room; gym and locker rooms; and a sauna, to honor the company's Finnish roots.
"As a Tennessee-based company, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Nokian Tyres," said Chas Torrence, EVP, EMJ Corp.
Nokian is building several green features at the factory, including a greenspace area outside the building, which features a garden between the parking lot and the building's entrance complete with a pond, trees, park benches and a walking path.
"We are going above and beyond to provide our team members with a premium place to work," Nokian Tyres Construction Manager David Korda said. "In my years of experience helping oversee industrial construction projects, this is among the most impressive facilities I have encountered."
The Dayton factory is rated at 4 million tires a year, and will employ up to 400 workers, Nokian said. The plant is a major element of the firm's stated goal of doubling sales in North American by 2023.