Michelin to spend $350 million on South Carolina plants

Greenville, South Carolina - Michelin North America Inc. will spend $350 million (€250 million) to expand each of its four manufacturing plants in South Carolina over the next four years.

The Greenville-based tyre maker said it will upgrade plants in Anderson, Greenville, Lexington and Spartanburg counties, adding about 100 new jobs to the 7850 already employed in the state.

The investments will:

• Increase production of semi-finished materials in Anderson to support tyre manufacturing plants in North America;
• Improve tyre building facilities in Greenville;
• Modernise equipment and increase earthmover tyre production in Lexington; and
• Increase production of X One wide single tyres and military tyres in Spartanburg.

“With increasing competition from Asian imports and high raw material costs, Michelin will remain competitive in North America by continuing to manufacture tyres in more efficient operations with skilled professional employees,” said Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin.

Some projects have already begun and all are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. The amount of the final investment depends on agreements with state and county governments, the company said.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)