Michelin signs pact with Chinese coal mine

Clermont-Ferrand, France -- Group Michelin has signed a three-year renewable contract to supply tyres and service to China Coal Pingshuo, China's largest surface coal mine.

The pact, inked July 10 at Michelin's headquarters in Clermont Ferrand, calls for the tyre maker to provide and maintain its XKD1 53/80R63-size tyres for the Komatsu 930E trucks that Pingshuo operates. The company's open-pit mines produced approximately 80 million tons of coal in 2007.

Michelin said it had previously signed a tyre supply contract with Pingshuo in May 2007 and two months ago was named by the coal company as its 2007 supplier of the year from a list of 186 companies.

The tyre maker will provide services to extend tyre life and optimize conditions of use for its 63-inch tyres, thereby keeping the mine's vehicles operational for longer periods. That, in turn, will help to reduce Pingshuo's operating costs and increase productivity, Michelin said.

Michelin technicians, in cooperation with teams from Pingshuo, will manage the coal company's service shop, where tyres will be mounted, dismounted and repaired, tyre pressure will be checked and maintained, and other operations will be carried out.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)