Michelin North America is investing $11.3 million to expand its Norwood, N.C. plant and takeoff with a new line of retreaded aircraft tires.
“Adding aviation tire retreading is the perfect complement to our current North Carolina operations,” says Chairman and President Dick Wilkerson. “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 project, which is expected to create 74 new jobs phased in over the next 18 months, is slated to begin in the second half of this year with completion anticipated by the end of 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,” Wilkerson points out.
The 380,000-square-foot plant currently employs 320 people. Michelin also owns two Oliver truck tire retreading facilities in Asheboro and Salisbury, N.C.
“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 North Carolina leadership has been tremendously supportive of our expansion plans,” Wilkerson reports. “The state has always been a great place to do business and Michelin looks forward to further growing its presence here.”
For more information, visit www.michelin-us.com.
