WASHINGTON—The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association 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 U.S. is a testament to the continued opportunities for growth and prosperity in the U.S. tire manufacturing industry," USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristal 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 last 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," said Steve McClellan, USTMA chairman and president of Goodyear's Americas business unit.
"Nokian Tyres is proud to join USTMA," said Mark Earl, senior vice president, Americas Business Area for Nokian Tyres. "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."
