Michelin to invest $11.3M to expand North Carolina aviation tire facility

Michelin North America is investing $11.3 million to expand its aviation tire operations in Norwood, N.C. Beginning in the second half of 2010, the company will add aviation tire retreading to its current aviation new tire manufacturing at the site. The project is expected to create 74 new jobs phased in over the next 18 months. Hiring for some posts will begin later this month, with the majority of the new jobs expected by early 2011.

"Michelin's Norwood facility is where some of the best aviation tires in the world are made - tires for commercial planes, military jets and the space shuttle," said Dick Wilkerson, chairman and president of Michelin North America. "Adding aviation tire retreading is the perfect complement to our current North Carolina operations. This expansion will improve the efficiency of our aviation tire business and help us serve our customers even better in the years to come."

Michelin's Norwood facility currently employs 320 people in a 380,000 square feet facility. Michelin also owns two Oliver truck tire retreading facilities in Asheboro and Salisbury, N.C. Michelin North America's largest footprint is in the Carolinas, home of the company's headquarters, research and development facility and nine major manufacturing plants. Michelin employs more than 8,200 in the Carolinas.

"We are honored that Michelin considers our state to have such a tremendous workforce and strong business climate that it decided to expand right here in North Carolina," said Governor Bev Perdue. "We look forward to a long-lasting relationship."

"The North Carolina leadership has been tremendously supportive of our expansion plans," said Wilkerson. "The state has always been a great place to do business and Michelin looks forward to further growing its presence here."

The expansion work, which is slated to begin in the second half of this year, should be completed by the end of 2011. The company will accept applications as early as this month with 50 of the new 74 jobs expected to be filled by the end of 2010. Those wishing to apply should contact the N.C. Employment Security Commission for applications. The full Michelin investment and job growth is based on finalizing appropriate agreements with state and county government.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs more than 20,900 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.