Nokian Tyres' First U.S. Plant

The Challenge

Nokian Tyres selected Barge Design Solutions (Barge) as its owner's representative for engineering and architectural services when it began constructing its first U.S. tire manufacturing plant in Dayton, Tennessee. The Finland-based manufacturer produces car and light truck all-season tires and all-weather tires for North American vehicles. In addition, Barge provided the complete design of the state of the art administration building as well as the equipment connection package, helping Nokian to finalize the installation of their process equipment.

The Solution

As the owner’s representative, Barge guided the design and construction of the plant’s 950,000-square-foot main building shell. Once complete, Barge took on the critical task of engineering design for the process equipment, utilities, support structures, and building systems’ modifications. The team conducted detailed engineering analysis, including stress calculations for the hot oil, high-pressure steam, and condensate systems, while also managing and updating the 3D General Arrangement model for the entire plant.

Barge developed piping and instrumentation diagrams for utility systems and created detailed piping design drawings using 3D modeling software to support process equipment installation. These drawings and specifications were essential forbid packages, ensuring clarity and precision for the equipment scope. The project team designed a 40,000-square-foot administration building which incorporated various sustainability initiatives. The office space is a show piece for both employees and guests and includes a European style garden leading to the entrance of the building.

The Result

The sustainable plant began production in 2020, with the capacity to manufacture around four million tires annually. By 2027, it is projected to contribute 25% of Nokian’s passenger car tire output. Today, the plant employs over 500 people, demonstrating Nokian Tyres’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and growth in North America.

(Photo Credit: Aerial photo courtesy of Nokian Tyres)