Nokian Tyres
A new Nokian Tyres summer range will be available in selected European markets as of spring 2013; named the zLine, the new line-up is aimed at the UHP segment and replaces the Nokian Z G2. The zLine will be available in 31 dimensions for 16 to 20-inch rim diameters and W and Y speed ratings.
At the end of the second quarter, Nokian Tyres could count a total of 961 fast fit outlets operating under the Vianor banner. While the tyre maker directly owns 180 of these, a further 781 operate under franchise and other partnership agreements. In the first half of 2012 the network grew by a further 51 outlets, and upon releasing its financial data to 30 June Nokian stated that it sees reaching the 1,000 outlet milestone a realistic goal for this year.
Half year 2012 financial results for Nokian Tyres have been released, and these show the Finnish tyre maker’s sales to be 27.1 per cent up on a year ago. Nokian achieved group net sales of 798.0 million in the six months to 30 June, while operating profit increased 31.5 per cent to 217.7 million euros. Net profit went up 33.9 per cent to 182.9 million euros and earnings per share rose from 1.06 euros to 1.40 euros. Net sales, operating and net profits for the second quarter of 2012 were 413.8 million euros, 112.7 million euros and 95.4 million euros respectively.
The inventor of the winter tyre, Finland’s Nokian Tyres had a stand in Hall Three that was striking for its minimalist, expressionistic Nordic feel… and because it had only one tyre model displayed on its stand. The tyre it did show was, as it would have to be, special: the Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyre (255/35R20 97 T XL) was fitted to Nokian’s world record-setting modified Audi RS-6, driven by the company’s test driver Janne Laitinen, which travelled at 331,610km/h on the Gulf of Bothnia in Oulu, Finland. The tyre also made history in 2012 on the E-RA electric car built by students at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences that Laitinen also drove at record ice speeds – 252.09 km/h. Despite these feats, the tyre is the regular production model, sold mainly across the Nordic region and Russia, where the brand is number one in terms of “recognition and appreciation”.
The 27th Reifen show in Essen was the best yet with 19,000 trade visitors in attendance, according to show organisers Messe Essen. While the company announced that it had the largest number of exhibitors in the event’s history and the strongest international participation before the show, increased footfall was confirmed at the end of the event. Talk of tyre labelling and the new products linked to this legislation dominated the trade fair.
Nokian Tyres president and CEO Kim Gran says the Finnish tyre maker got off to a “flying start” in 2012 and made clear improvements in both production and sales. In a stock exchange release dated 9 May, Gran shared that “sales improved in all our markets with growth in Russia again outshining other areas. Productivity gains, a tight ship and an improved ASP guaranteed a good financial result.”
Although De Klok Banden has only been headquartered at its current site for seven years, organic growth and partnership deals in recent times mean space within the wholesaler’s warehouse in Oud-Beijerland, the Netherlands is already at a premium. When Tyres & Accessories met with company director Wim van der Heiden in late February, he shared that De Klok is planning to move some time soon.
Test driver Janne Laitinen from Nokian Tyres reached a speed of 252.09 km/h (156.64 mph) in the E-RA electric car on the ice of Lake Ukonjärvi in Inari, Finland. The record, achieved on 17 March by Nokian and the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences' high-tech E-RA (Electric RaceAbout) vehicle, is unique.
In its 2011 annual report, Nokian Tyres has singled Russia out as the company’s strongest growth area. Reporting rising sales in all Nokian’s key regions – the Nordic markets, Central Europe and Russia – and growing market share in the last two of these, president and CEO Kim Gran stated that “as expected, this development was strongest in Russia, which, boosted by the car business, represented approximately one-half of our growth.”
Nokian has introduced its new Rotiiva AT (All Terrain) summer tyre for SUVs into its core European markets. The tyre, says Nokian is excellent on asphalt or gravel, but also performs well in lighter off-road conditions. The sturdy structure and tailored, cut-resistant tread compound give the tyre excellent durability when used with heavier cars. The comprehensive selection of sizes is aimed at light trucks, larger SUVs, and pick-ups. The selection of sizes covers a total of 26 models from 15" up to 20".
Despite the biting chill of the Finnish winter, the team at Nokian Tyres has surely been warmed by the company’s performance results for the 2011 financial year, which were released on 8 February. During the twelve month period group net sales rose 37.7 per cent to 1.46 billion euros and operating profit increased 71.1 per cent to 380.1 million euros. Better still, the all-important bottom line shot up 82.0 per cent, with profit for the year to 31 December 2011 amounting to 308.9 million euros.
Nokian Tyres has introduced a new winter range for larger 4×4 vehicles, light trucks and vans. Known as the Hakkapeliitta LT2, the tyre employs the same innovations and technical solutions used in the Hakkapeliitta 7 passenger car tyre, however the Finnish tyre maker says the LT2 has been designed for heavy-duty use and this “combines uncompromised grip and exceptional durability.”
Only five months after reporting the opening of its 800th Vianor outlet, Nokian Tyres says it has reached the 900 mark. The company’s 900th tyre and car service centre has begun operations in Bucharest, Romania.
In November, Nokian Tyres reported weakening demand for its heavy tyres and its intention to scale back production. Following statutory negotiations, which ended on 12 December, Nokian Heavy Tyres Ltd confirmed it will alter the main working pattern for heavy tyre production to a discontinued five-day, three-shift model and temporarily lay off employees. Around 260 employees will be laid off for a maximum of 12 months, with lay-offs taking place during 2012 and the duration for each employee decided upon according to their work tasks and the development of order intake over the course of the year.
A website celebrating the 75th birthday of the world’s longest-produced winter tyre range has gone live. This year Nokian Tyres is celebrating three quarters of a century of Hakkapeliitta production, and anyone wishing to learn more about the tyre’s history and heritage can visit the company’s www.hakkapeliitta75.com website; featured on the site is are images and videos of Hakkapeliitta tyres over the decades, as well as a timeline and thematically-presented information about the tyre and the Finnish manufacturer.
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