The Board of Directors of Nokian Tyres has appointed Mr. Ari Lehtoranta, 51, M.Sc. (Eng.), as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokian Tyres plc. He will start in Nokian Tyres on 1 September 2014 and as President and CEO on 1 October 2014. Lehtoranta is currently employed by Kone Corporation as Executive Vice President, Central and North Europe.
Nokian Tyres’ current President and CEO Kim Gran will continue in his position until 30 September 2014 and will then use his option to retire. Gran has been leading the company since 1 September 2000. He will continue in the Board of Directors of Nokian Tyres.
”Ari Lehtoranta has strong international management experience and a track record of achieving profitable results together with the organization. I am confident that under his leadership Nokian Tyres will be continuing to execute the successful strategy of profitable growth,” says Petteri Walldén, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
“At this point I want to thank Kim Gran for his excellent work at Nokian Tyres. During his 14 years on helm Nokian Tyres has become the most profitable tyre manufacturer in the world. The owners have witnessed the company’s share value grow tenfold and the excellent profit levels have enabled generous dividend policy. I am very happy that the company can utilize his unique expertise in the Board work,” Walldén continues.
Ari Lehtoranta comments: “I am looking forward to the new challenge. My target, together with the experienced management team, is to continue and write new chapters to the success story of Nokian Tyres. I am confident that we will be able to further develop the business and meet the strategic goals of the company also in the future.”
