Michelin: Rising tire sales driving $200 mil. S.C. plant expansion

Michelin is investing another $200 million in its Lexington, S.C., tire factory to further expand its production capacity, having spent more than $1 billion on the plant since it was established in 1981.

The latest project, for which all the equipment will be installed by the first half of 2013, will create 270 new jobs phased in over the next two years. Work will begin immediately.

“Trusted for its quality and value, the Michelin brand was quite resilient during the recent economic crisis,” notes Dick Wilkerson, chairman and president of Michelin North America.

“As the economy turned, demand for our tires increased dramatically,” he says. “We must have additional capacity for high performance passenger car tires to meet our customers’ needs.”

The 1.2 million-square-foot Lexington facility also produces light truck tires, with the plant currently employing 1,360 people. Michelin also operates an 825,000- square-foot earthmover tire plant with 475 employees at the site.

“We’re thrilled that the expansion will be in our home state of South Carolina,” says Wilkerson. “The Lexington County Council and the state of South Carolina have been effective partners with us, working to make this expansion and the new jobs that support it a reality.”

“Michelin has been an important part of the Midlands business community for decades, and we celebrate the company’s decision to increase its presence in South Carolina,” says Gov. Nikki Haley. “This announcement not only shows the company’s commitment to our state, but that we are doing right things to help South Carolina’s existing businesses grow.”

For more information, visit www.michelin-us.com.