History

Nokian Tyres plc was founded in 1988 and the company’s roots go back all the way to 1898, when Suomen Gummitehdas Oy, or Finnish Rubber Factory, was established. 

Nokian Tyres history timeline

Nokian Tyres plc was founded in 1988 and the company’s roots go back all the way to 1898, when Suomen Gummitehdas Oy, or Finnish Rubber Factory, was established. 

Nokian Tyres history timeline

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Nokian winter tyres from 1934 to today

Nokian summer tyres from 1932 to today

120 YEARS OF INNOVATION

The roots of the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer go back more than one hundred years. Today, the expertise gathered over the decades can be seen in innovations that offer safe driving and peace of mind to millions of road users. Our history may be long but our story is only just beginning.  

READ MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY

OVER 85 YEARS SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE WINTER TYRE

The world's first winter tyre, and the predecessor of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta was the Kelirengas (“Weather Tyre”) that Suomen Gummitehdas Osakeyhtiö, the company that later on became Nokian Tyres, introduced into the market in 1934. This year marks thediscovery of more than 85 years since the innovation of the first winter tyre.

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Smart traffic technology and bio-based materials

If we look at driving 20 years from now, we will see revolutionary, smart traffic technology, self-driving electric cars and winter tyres made from bio-based materials.

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History

Nokian Tyres plc was founded in 1988 and the company’s roots go back all the way to 1898, when Suomen Gummitehdas Oy, or Finnish Rubber Factory, was established. Nokian Tyres history timeline

1898

The Finnish Rubber Works is founded

1934

The world’s first winter tyre, The Weather tyre

1995

Nokian Tyres plc shares float on the Helsinki Stock Exchange

2005

Nokian Tyres' second factory started production in Vsevolozhsk, Russia

2015

The world’s first winter tyre with wet grip and fuel efficiency in the EU tyre label’s best A class

2017

New-generation studded tyres, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV

 

 

Nokian Tyres history timeline


1846 Mr. R.W.Thomson invents the pneumatic tire
1886 The first car to use a combustion engine is developed
1898 The Finnish Rubber Works is founded
1904 Factory set up in the town of Nokia
1925 Bicycle tire production starts

1932

1932 Car tire production starts
1934 The world’s first winter tire for trucks, The Weather tire
1936 The Snow Hakkapeliitta - winner on snowy roads. The launching of legendary Hakkapeliitta winter tires.
1945 New tire factory built in Nokia
1959 From Suomen Gummitehdas to Suomen Kumitehdas Oy
1959 Marketing company in Sweden, Finska Gummi AB, later Nokian Däck AB
1967 Nokia Corporation established - Rubber, Cable and Paper Divisions
1968 Tire factory expansion
1974 Production of bicycle tyres and inner tubes starts in Lieksa
1978 Marketing company in Norway, Norsk Traktorkompani A/S, later Nokian Dekk AS
1980 Marketing company in Canada, Nokia Products Ltd., Canada, later Nokian Tyres North America Ltd., USA)
1981 Tire factory expansion
1982 Marketing company in Germany, Nokia GmbH, later Nokian Reifen GmbH
1986 The world's most northern own test centre in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle.
1988 Nokian Tyres Limited established as a joint-venture company
1989 Marketing company in Switzerland, Nokian Reifen AG, Switzerland
1995 Nokian Tyres plc shares float on the Helsinki Stock Exchange
1996-2001 Tire factory expansions
1998 First own retail sales outlets in Sweden and Latvia, marketing company OOO Nokian Shina in Russia
1999-2000 Own tire chain expanded to Finland and Estonia → launch of Vianor name started 

2000

2002 A new Logistics centre was established in Nokia
2003 Nokia's ownership in Nokian Tyres ended; Bridgestone Europe NV/SA became the largest shareholder.
2005 Nokian Tyres' second factory started production in Vsevolozhsk, Russia.
2005 Naturally Nokian Tyres. The first tire manufacturer in the world to start using only purified, low aromatic oils in its production.
2006 Marketing company in Ukraine, Nokian Shina TOV. Marketing company in Czech Republic, Nokian Tyres s.r.o.
2006 The aquaplaning indicator. In addition to the Driving Safety Indicator, the Nokian Hakka summer
tires also feature the aquaplaning indicator.
2006 Nokian Forest Rider forestry tire. The first radial forestry tire for CTL (cut-to-length) forestry machines.
2007 Marketing company in Kazakhstan, TOO Nokian Tyres
2007 Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck E. Hakkapeliitta tires also for heavyweight professional driving.
2008 The lightly rolling Nokian Hakkapeliitta R non-studded winter tire.
2009 The test winner Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tire and the Air Claw Technology.

2010

2010 Marketing company in Belarus, Nokian Shina LLC
2011 Marketing company in China, Nokian Tyres Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
2012 New factory built next to existing one in Vsevolozhsk, Russia
2012 Vianor tire chain expanded to Serbia, France, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, among others
2013 New Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and new world record for fastest car on ice, 335.713 km/h (208.602 mph) 
2013 New generation of Hakkapeliitta winter tires. Studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and non-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2.

2014

2014 The Hakkapeliitta winter tire family grows. The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 van tires
2014 The world’s first winter tire with pop-out studs. Nokian Hakkapeliitta concept tire.
2014 New Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 for electric cars. The world's first winter tire with an A energy rating.

2015

2015 The renewed Nokian WR winter tire family. The Nokian WR D4 – the world’s first winter tire with wet grip in the EU tire label’s best A class. 
2015 Nokian Weatherproof. The Nokian All-Weather concept ensures safe driving comfort all year long. 
2015 The world’s first winter tire with wet grip and fuel efficiency in the EU tire label’s best A class. The renewed Nokian WR SUV 3.

2016

2016 The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2. The world’s most energy-efficient winter tire. The Tire Technology of the Year 2016 award.
2016 80th anniversary of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta. Born, raised and tested in the north.
2016 World record for the fastest side wheelie, 186.269 km/h (115.742 mph) using summer tires with Aramid Sidewall technology.
2017 New testing center for summer and winter tires being built in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain.
2017 New-generation studded tires, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV.
2018 Celebrating 120 years as a tire industry pioneer