We're really bringing the Nordic values with us to this plant.
DAYTON, Tenn. - Nokian Tyres' first group of employees for its planned tire production plant here will spend seven weeks learning the ropes at company factories in Russia and Finland.
"This is really laying the foundation for our growth strategy," Hille Korhonen, chief executive officer of the Nokia, Finland-based tire maker, said Wednesday duirng a visit to the plant site where commercial production is to start in 2020.
The company, known for its winter tires, wants to expand its all-season products to the Southeast and the rest of America. It just began hiring for production operators and some white-collar jobs at the $360 million plant that's well under construction.
Key milestones
› May 2017 — Nokian Tyres announces $360 million Dayton plant› July 2018 — First wall goes up at plant site› February 2019 — Hiring kicks off; last of eight silos raised at mixing facility› May — First workers to go to Russia, Finland for training› December — Workforce to be around 150› Early 2020 — Commercial production startsSource: Nokian Tyres
Peter Chia, the facility's operations director, said Wednesday that about 400 people applied for the initial 50 or so jobs within the first couple of days.
"We'll be the employer of choice," he said during a tour of the site that's hitting milestones for construction and hiring.
By year's end, the 830,000-square-foot plant aims to hire as many as 150 employees. Nokian plans to have 400 workers on board when the plant is at full production.
"For the launch team, we want to make sure we hire the best," Chia said.
Nokian officials wouldn't say how much the new jobs will pay, adding that they'll be "competitive."
Korhonen said the company is building one of the most advanced tire production facilities in the world.
"We are known for that," she said about the company that generated about $1.8 billion in 2018 revenues and employs 4,800 people. "When running our Russian factory today, it's one of the most efficient. This one will be even more advanced from a technology standpoint."
David Korda, factory design and construction manager, said plant build-out will peak later this year with about 300 workers on site, and the company is to install "top-of-the-line equipment."
"Some of the machines are the most advanced in the world," he said.
Chia said the production plant will feature a lot of automation, including robots similar to those used in some Amazon distribution centers to transport goods.
"They're very intelligent," he said. "A lot safer than us."
The factory will fuel the company's quest to double North American sales by 2023, specializing in car and light truck all-season tires. In addition to making 4 million tires a year, an on-site distribution facility at the plant will store as many as 600,000 units.
Korhonen said it's key for Nokian to build the factory to support its customers, offer fast deliveries and expand its product portfolio.
The new plant will enable Nokian to grow in other markets by opening up capacity at its Russian factory, for example, she said.
The company CEO said a lot of attention is paid to the new plant's efficiency and sustainability.
"We're really bringing the Nordic values with us to this plant," she said. "This is the start of a beautiful journey."
Nokian officials have said that more phases are planned at the 135-acre tract off U.S. Highway 27 as the company grows its business.
Nokian spokesman Wes Boling said plans are to hire workers not just in the Dayton area but throughout Southeast Tennessee.
"It will attract people with manufacturing experience - people who want to be leaders in their roles," he said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.