Michelin North America is investing $11.3 million to expand its aviation tire operations in Norwood, N.C. Beginning in June, the company will be adding aircraft tire retreading to its current new-tire manufacturing operations 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,” notes Dick Wilkerson, the company’s chairman and president. “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.”
The Norwood plant currently employs 320 people in a 380,000-square foot facility. Michelin also has two North Carolina truck tire retreading factories in Asheboro and Salisbury.
“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,” says Gov. Bev Perdue. “We look forward to a long-lasting relationship.”
The expansion work should be completed by the end of next year.
For more information, visit www.michelin-us.com.
