While the global heavy tires business is steadily growing above 4 percent per year, Nokian's target is to grow more than 10 percent per year, he added.
"There are four main growth drivers: distribution, more capacity, widening the product portfolio by 50 percent and developing digital capabilities," said Salmi at the capital markets day in September.
Key growth markets, he went on to say, are Central Europe and North America, where the company aims to strengthen its sales team and focus on new distribution customers.
Furthermore, Nokian intends to develop digital capabilities in its own processes, production, sales and logistics, as well as with customers directly with smart tires.
Salmi noted that Nokian is already strong in forestry tires and will aim to "go to segments where we have not been before, (and) target new customers" as part of its growth strategy.
Among other segments, agricultural tires will be one of the key growth targets, where Nokian expects to offer its "new technologies like very high flexion tires for the high horsepower tractors and tires for trailers."
In terms of expanding product portfolio Salmi said a recently launched research and development center will help the company meet customer demands and make new innovations.
"At the R&D center we have new machinery, which is our own design, so there is nothing else like it in the world," he added.
