Nokian Tyres has achieved a significant milestone with the production of its first tyre at the new factory in Oradea, Romania. This development, realised on 1st July, keeps the project on track for the start of commercial tyre production in early 2025, adhering to both budget and timeline expectations.
The Oradea factory, whose construction began in May 2023, is part of Nokian Tyres’ strategic expansion to serve the Central European market. Recruitment for the factory began last year, with the company hiring for both production and office roles throughout 2023 and 2024. The factory's launch team of 60, trained in Finland, is pivotal in ensuring a smooth production ramp-up. The factory is set to employ approximately 500 people once fully operational.
Adrian Kaczmarczyk, SVP of Operation Excellence at Nokian Tyres, highlighted the successful testing of the factory's production capabilities and the effective training of the new team members. He praised the collective effort that led to the production of the first Nokian Tyres product in Romania.
The first tyre produced at the factory is the Nokian Tyres Snowproof 2, a non-studded winter tyre designed for Central European drivers. This production also marks the 90th anniversary of Nokian Tyres’ invention of the winter tyre in 1934.
Once fully operational, the Oradea factory will have an annual capacity of 6 million tyres, with room for future expansion. The facility covers a built-up area of approximately 100,000 square metres and represents an investment of around EUR 650 million.
A notable aspect of the new factory is its commitment to sustainability. It is poised to become the world's first zero CO2 emission tyre factory, utilising solely CO2-free energy sources and aiming for zero waste to landfill from production, aligning with the company's standards in Finland and the US.
This groundbreaking approach positions the new facility as an industry benchmark, reaffirming Nokian Tyres’ dedication to environmental responsibility and innovation.
