Caleb Claassen: “Heavy tire users demand their tools to work”

- When I started eight years ago, I was Nokian Tyres’ first dedicated heavy tire designer. I feel truly fortunate to have been able to be part of creating the direction we are heading, and I have many experienced colleagues who have moved the process forward. 

In his work, Caleb needs to consider the conditions the tire faces from many different angles. Luckily, that is exactly what Caleb was born to do. 

- Designing is my vocation, and it comes very naturally to me. It is great that I can fulfil it with a talented team doing something I find meaningful. I am glad to work for a company with a strong history in innovation. 

Heavy tires are made to work in conditions that are demanding and beyond. From the uneven and splintery forest floor to the sharp rocks of a wet mining tunnel, each heavy tire segment demands distinctive features to best do the work they are designed to. 

- If you think of a tire that is meant for a reach stacker in a busy port for example, it may not confront surprising driving conditions, but the tire needs to endure the constant rubbing as it turns in place under changing loads. 

Many times, tires face challenges that demand almost opposite properties of each other. 

- For example, all-terrain truck tires need to be able to work on a road when driven at speed but also have great off-road properties for areas where roads simply do not exist. These dissimilar needs must be met in a single product. 

Developing a new heavy tire is influenced by the data that is collected from end users, machine manufacturers as well as the Nokian Tyres Intuitu digital platform. 

- If we wait until we are asked to change something, it is quite possibly too late. We use our extensive experience and networks to predict how the market is going to change. Our people are out there in the field with the end users and customers all the time, me included, and we get a lot of feedback. 

Before a new tire is put into production, Caleb uses 3D modelling programs and virtual reality tools to ensure that the molds for the large tires are worth the investment. Caleb also creates new innovations and develops the tires’ technical functions throughout the design process. During the eight years Caleb has worked for Nokian Tyres, new methods and tools have been explored, and the synergy between the teams improved. At times Caleb also gets to work closely with his colleagues at the passenger car tire R&D. 

- For example, if extra strength and durability are important, we at heavy tires development have extensive experience, and for heavy tires meant for on-road use, passenger car tire innovations are useful. 

Future heavy tire development is impacted by the varying contexts created by changing environmental conditions. The tire needs to work through many different weather conditions, through rain, sleet, and scorching heat. Heavier, faster, and more effective machinery sets new demands too. Just like passenger car drivers, heavy tire users demand sustainable solutions but also need the tools to do their work. 

- For agricultural tires energy-efficiency means that the tire is efficient during road transportation and does not excessively slip or slide in the field under the heavy machine but uses all its force to move it to the desired direction. The tires also need to preserve the soil as much as possible. The same goes for forestry tires that we design to be as gentle on the ground as we can. 

Caleb’s journey to Nokian Heavy Tyres has had its fair share of unexpected turns. Born in Africa to a Finnish mother and American father, Caleb has been traveling and living all around the globe his whole life until finally settling to Finland in 2008 where he has grown roots to the birthplace of his mother – and the winter tire. He says that he is now in his dream job. 

- I think it has been an advantage to me to learn how to adapt and get adjusted to so many diverse cultures and conditions. But now I feel like I am home.