Nokia, Pirkanmaa, Finland — September 2026: The Finland-based tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres has appointed Ville Mansikkamäki as Senior Vice President, Heavy Tyres, bringing more than 22 years of international experience in sales, marketing, customer support, dealer development, business strategy, and executive leadership.
Based in Nokia, Finland, Mansikkamäki joins the company with extensive experience across the agricultural, industrial, and heavy machinery sectors. His career has been shaped by leadership roles spanning European markets, commercial operations, customer relationships, dealer networks, and business development.
Leadership Experience at Ponsse
Before joining Nokian Tyres, Mansikkamäki served as Vice President, Europe at Ponsse, where he spent more than two years supporting the company’s European operations.
His executive experience also includes governance and advisory positions. He has served as Partner and Chairman of the Board at Luova toimisto Visual Friday Oy, while previously holding board positions with Rekka Group and Tana Oy.
These responsibilities have complemented his operational leadership experience, providing him with broader exposure to corporate governance, strategic decision-making, and business development.
Extensive European Leadership at CNH Industrial
Mansikkamäki previously spent more than three years at CNH Industrial, where he held two senior leadership positions.
He served as Vice President, Dealer and Customer Support EMEA, overseeing responsibilities connected to dealer relationships and customer support across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Prior to this, he was Vice President, Case IH Europe, leading the brand’s activities across European markets.
His time at CNH Industrial further strengthened his experience in managing complex international commercial organizations and developing relationships with dealers and customers across diverse markets.
More Than a Decade of Experience with Valtra and AGCO
A significant part of Mansikkamäki’s career was built at Valtra and AGCO, where he held a series of increasingly senior positions.
At Valtra, he served for more than five years as Director, Sales Valtra EAME, with responsibility for sales across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. His role involved leading commercial activities across multiple international markets and supporting the continued development of Valtra’s sales organization.
At AGCO, Mansikkamäki served as Country Manager, Nordics and Baltics, overseeing sales activities across a portfolio of leading agricultural equipment brands, including Valtra, Massey Ferguson, Fendt, and Challenger.
He also served as Chairman of the Board of AGCO Suomi Oy for more than eight years, adding substantial governance experience to his commercial leadership background.
Earlier in his Valtra career, Mansikkamäki held several positions covering sales, marketing, customer support, and product-related commercial activities. His roles included Director, Sales Tractors EAME; Director, Sales & Marketing Parts, Nordics & Baltics; Director, Customer Support; and Marketing Manager.
A Broad Commercial and Strategic Mandate
Mansikkamäki’s career reflects a combination of international sales leadership, customer and dealer management, marketing, business strategy, and corporate governance.
His experience across agricultural machinery, industrial equipment, and heavy machinery markets provides a strong foundation for his new role at Nokian Tyres. As Senior Vice President, Heavy Tyres, he will bring his international commercial background and industry knowledge to a business serving demanding applications and professional customers.
His appointment comes at a time when heavy tires continue to play an important role across industries such as agriculture, forestry, construction, and other heavy-duty applications, where durability, safety, reliability, and performance are critical.
About Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres is a Finnish tire manufacturer developing tires for passenger cars, trucks, and heavy machinery, with a particular focus on safe performance in demanding conditions. Founded in 1898 in Nokia, Finland, the company has more than 120 years of history and places emphasis on safety, sustainability, and environmental considerations throughout the tire life cycle.
The company operates manufacturing facilities in Nokia, Finland; Dayton, Tennessee, United States; and Oradea, Romania. The Nokian Tyres Group also includes Vianor, its tire retail chain, which operates wholesale and retail businesses across the company’s primary markets.
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