Michelin North America is expanding its operations in South Carolina, the company’s Chairman and President Pete Selleck announced on April 10.
Michelin says it plans to break ground the week of April 15 on a new Earthmover tire manufacturing plant in Anderson County, S.C. The company is also expanding its existing Earthmover tire facility in Lexington, S.C.
The two projects represent a $750 million investment and will create up to 500 new jobs, according to Michelin North America, adding that this is in addition to Michelin’s 2011 commitment to add an estimated 270 jobs and invest $200 million in its existing Lexington passenger and light truck tire manufacturing facility. This expanded operation at Lexington will begin production in October.
“Michelin intends to maintain and strengthen its leadership in all its specialty businesses, especially Earthmover radial tires,” Jean-Dominique Senard, managing general partner of Michelin, said in a press release. “The market for Earthmover tires grew by more than 20 percent between 2009 and 2011. This new facility will help us meet sustained demand while also attaining our growth objectives for 2015.”
The new plant will be Michelin’s 19th manufacturing facility in North America and its ninth in South Carolina. More than 8,000 of Michelin North America’s 22,300 employees are based in South Carolina.
“Michelin has been part of the economic and social fabric of South Carolina for decades and remains one of our finest corporate citizens,” said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in a written statement. “It really is a great day in South Carolina when our largest manufacturer reaffirms its commitment to the state.”
Added U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in a press statement: “For nearly 40 years, Michelin has played an essential and leading role in South Carolina’s economy. [This] announcement is more good news for South Carolina as it reinforces Michelin’s commitment to manufacturing and good-paying jobs in our state. We are very proud that since 1973 Michelin North America has called South Carolina home.”
The new Earthmover tire plant will be adjacent to Michelin’s existing rubber processing plant in Starr, S.C., and will be the third Michelin plant in Anderson County. The company also operates a 2.5-million-square-foot rubber processing plant, the largest in the world, in Sandy Springs, S.C.
In addition to the Lexington plant, Michelin currently produces Earthmover tires around the world in Waterville, Canada; Campo Grande, Brazil; Le Puy and Montceau-les-Mines, France; Vitoria, Spain and Zalau, Romania.
