Management Changes at Nokian Tyres

Vice President of Purchases and Logistics Kari-Pekka Laaksonen was appointed vice president of sales and logistics.

Vice President of Nokian Car and Van Tyres Antero Juopperi was named senior vice president of strategy, and will be responsible for all Russian business activities, R&D and corporate development.

Vice President of Finance and Control Rami Helminen was appointed vice president of car and van tyres.

Treasurer Anne LeskelÄ was appointed acting vice president of finance and control.

Laaksonen, Juopperi, Helminen and LeskelÄ will report to Kim Gran, Nokian’s president and CEO.

Vice president of Nokian’s truck tyres business Alexej von Bagh was elevated to COO of Vianor Holding Oy and managing director of the retailer. His tasks also include the operative management of Nokian Truck Tyres unit, and he reports to Seppo Kupi, managing director of Vianor Holding Oy.

Country manager of Nokian Tyres in Sweden, Jari LepistÖ, was appointed managing director of Vianor Sweden, and he reports to Vianor COO Alexej von Bagh. LepistÖ also continues as country manager of Sweden.

If you’re a shop looking to sell summer tires, it’s important to know that customers looking for these tires have very specific needs. Let’s talk about why, before recommending summer tires, you need to fully understand customer performance requirements.

Unlike all-season or all-terrain tires built for diverse driving conditions, UHP summer tires are designed with one priority: dry and wet traction for performance driving. Lateral and longitudinal grip in dry and wet conditions are also important, which is achieved through optimized contact patches, high silica tread compounds and circumferential grooves to channel water. Generally, UHP summer tire tread design features large blocks and fewer grooves for more road contact on dry surfaces. The grooves are designed to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.