Ville Palomäki: "Human inspection guarantees safety and quality"

"This is the last stop before the tire can be allowed on the road," says Visual Inspector Ville Palomäki. Although technology such as robotics and automation are developing rapidly, human inspection is so far invaluable in many situations, such as when inspecting the inside of a tire. "We visually inspect every tire with our own eyes and a flashlight, for example. If there is a minor defect in the tire being inspected, it can be repaired, but if it’s something bigger, the tire won’t leave the factory.”  

Ville's days at the Nokia factory are mainly spent inspecting smaller and larger tires coming directly from the production line, for example for forestry machines, tractors, and other machinery. The shift includes two inspectors and a team leader who, for example, supports the team in classifying quality deviations. Human quality control involves being aware of one's own imperfections. "You can't always trust a machine one hundred percent, and even though the same applies to us, you’d rather trust people," Ville says. “You need to be precise, but when you follow the work instructions carefully, you get nothing but prime.”  

The genuinely safest tires are those whose makers are not injured in their work. When all employees take responsibility for both work and product safety, compliance with workplace safety instructions, observation of defects and deficiencies, and reporting and removal of hazards, the result is of top quality. "Protective equipment is always kept on and people don't work with broken gear. You go home healthy, that's the main point," says Ville.  

According to Ville, accident statistics indicate safety is a continually developed responsibility. Safety is the most important thing when acquiring new technology as well. For example, automation can reduce riskier work phases. "Safety is the number one priority in everything we do," Ville summarizes.  

At Nokian Tyres, we do our utmost for safety and high quality. Many things start with product development; how the winter tire was invented here 90 years ago and how research and development are constantly developing new technology.  

There will always be demand for the safest, now and in the future. But only a tire manufacturer whose every employee is interested in and responsible for the safety of both the work and the product can truly position itself as the safest. Our uncompromising approach to both also proves to our end customers that our tires are made for demanding conditions.