Nokian Tyres’ 120th anniversary – From winter tyre inventor to world-class business

Nokian Tyres is celebrating its 120 years as a tyre industry pioneer. Innovative products, a trusted brand and a commitment to serving customers have given the world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer a strong position on the market. In 120 years, the company has grown into a world-class business that looks into the future, renewed and ready to tackle the opportunities provided by the changing world. The stages of Nokian Tyres tell a powerful story of the history of the Finnish rubber industry. Established in 1898 as Suomen Gummitehdas Osakeyhtiö, the company manufactured galoshes, rubber seals, different types of hoses, police batons and, later, bicycle tyres. Car tyre manufacturing started in the early 1900s as the number of cars started growing. The first real tyre industry breakthrough for Nokian Tyres took place in 1934 when the company developed the world’s first winter tyre, the “Kelirengas”. Two years later, the company manufactured the first Hakkapeliitta winter tyre, which opened