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Marko Äijälä: “What connects the Nokian Tyres teams globally is the same sense of humor”
We are building the world’s first zero CO2 emission tire factory in Oradea, Romania, and it will be a crucial part of Nokian Tyres’ business when it's up and running. However, the buildings and machines alone cannot make premium Nokian Tyres tires for demanding conditions. That takes people.To start the journey of a whole new Nokian Tyres team in Romania, a group of experienced Nokian Tyres tire experts will guide the newer recruits. One of these guides is Senior Production Operator Marko Äijälä.
It turns out that Marko is not a first-time trainer: when Nokian Tyres opened its US factory in Dayton, Tennessee in 2019, Marko was there too equipping the new Nokian Tyres professionals with the skills they needed to successfully produce some of the safest, most sustainable tires in the world at one of the industry’s most advanced production facilities.
Originally Marko joined Nokian Tyres in 2005 as an operator. He has been working with several different component production lines both as an operator as well as a team leader. Since joining the US factory launch team in 2019 and finding a new home in the US, he has been training the tread and sidewall production line operators in Dayton as well as quality engineers, maintenance personnel and many other newcomers to the tire industry.
- In addition to training and as I have been gaining more and more experience and know-how, I have also been able to develop the production lines and processes themselves, Marko says.
Marko finds many similarities between the North American and Finnish work cultures.
- Basic values are the same, but what connects the Nokian Tyres teams the most is the same kind of a sense of humor that is reflected in everyday work situations.
There are also a few differences, such as Finnish people being generally more reserved. Marko feels that the Scandinavian way of working is a good fit to the North American environment.
- What I appreciate in the Finnish work culture is that it is very democratic, and you can say things the way they are without sugarcoating. It creates an environment open for discussion and encourages cooperation. On the other hand, I find that in North America decision and development processes are more straightforward.
This summer, Marko is leaving Dayton behind and moving to Oradea to help the new Nokian Tyres Romanian team learn how world-class tires are made. Marko’s estimated stay in Romania is two years. He looks forward to getting to know the people, the country and the culture.
- However, most of all I am excited about the new challenges that arise as well as expanding my own expertise and professional knowledge. My biggest wish for the future is success for all Nokian Tyres units and team members.
