Nokian Tyres has announced the appointment of Susanna Tusa as the General Director and Vice President for its Romania Operations.
Tusa will be at the helm of the company's ambitious Romania factory project, located in Oradea, North-West Romania. This facility is set to make history as the world's first zero CO2 emission tire manufacturing plant.
The Oradea factory is not just another manufacturing facility; it represents Nokian Tyres' vision for a greener future. With production set to kick off in the latter half of 2024 and commercial tire manufacturing beginning in early 2025, the factory is poised to set new industry standards. The goal? To produce high-quality tires without leaving a carbon footprint.
Susanna Tusa is no stranger to Nokian Tyres. Having joined the company in 2008, she has held pivotal roles, including group general counsel and oversight of global supply chain purchases. Since 2022, Tusa has been instrumental in launching passenger car tire contract manufacturing, playing a crucial role in partner selection and agreement negotiations. Now, as the General Director of Romania operations, Tusa's responsibilities have expanded to include establishing Nokian Tyres' footprint in Romania, leading the local management team, and supervising the construction of the Oradea factory.
The Romania factory is a significant addition to Nokian Tyres' global manufacturing network, which includes facilities in the US and Finland. With an impressive annual production capacity of 6 million tires and room for future expansion, the factory will specialize in larger rim size passenger car and SUV tires. These tires are primarily intended for the Central European market. Additionally, the site will feature a distribution facility, covering a combined built-up area of approximately 100,000 m2.
This greenfield project is more than just a testament to Nokian Tyres' commitment to sustainability. With an estimated investment of around EUR650m, it signifies one of the most substantial recent investments in Romania. This move not only positions Nokian Tyres as a leader in sustainable manufacturing but also showcases its belief in Romania's potential as a hub for innovation and growth.
