The Nokian Tyres factory in Dayton, Tennessee, is hiring for a second shift with plans to add about 50 more employees starting next month as it rolls toward its aim of 400 workers.
“In the second phase of hiring, our goal is to find hard-working team players who want to join our mission to build some of the safest, most sustainable products in the tire industry,” said Nokian Tyres Human Resources Operations Manager Blake Markham.
The new $360 million manufacturing plant, which started making tires for sale to customers earlier this year, already employs more than 100 employees.
The company is looking at filling new posts in mixing, production, quality, maintenance, logistics and general factory overhead, according to the company.
Hans Dyhrman, Nokian’s director of marketing, said the new hires are part of the factory’s long-term growth plan.
He said the added positions fit “along side our North American sales growth strategy.”
Finland-based Nokian wants to double sales within five years. Officials said the 830,000-square-foot factory is one of the most modern tire production plants in the world and the company’s largest-ever individual investment.
Dyhrman said Nokian’s goal is to produce 4 million tires annually in Dayton.
Nokian officials said the company is looking for new employees with one to two years of direct experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably with lean process improvement tools and interest in advancing knowledge in that area.
Most production positions require a high school diploma or GED, the company said. An associate’s degree from an accredited community, technical or vocational college is preferred.
To apply for the new jobs, go online at NokianTires.com/ DaytonFactory.
Those who previously applied for jobs at the factory need to re-apply to indicate their willingness to work a night shift, according to the company.
All Nokian Tyres employees at the Dayton factory are required to wear masks while inside and are screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms and possible exposure to others, the company said.
Nokian was one of a number of area manufacturers which shut down for a period after the coronavirus outbreak and lock down in March.
The company returned with its first group of employees on April 27, and a full reopening was carried out May 4. Even then, Nokian allowed only business-critical visitors onto the factory site, though construction was ongoing on its administration building, officials said earlier.
The plant is producing a mix of all-season and all-weather tires. The company, which also has production facilities in Finland and Russia, has specialized in winter tires.
Officials said the new factory enables the company to more efficiently deliver tires to customers.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.