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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Michelin North America Expands Nova Scotia, Canada Tire Plant

10/25/2018
Michelin North America Inc. plans two new expansion projects at its Michelin Pictou County site in northern Nova Scotia, Canada.

According to company officials, production will soon begin on a new MICHELIN winter tire line along with the North American launch of an innovative process for semi-finished materials. These projects, valued at $9 million and $12 million respectively, will add 150 new positions at the Michelin Pictou County site, and will make permanent 200 temporary positions that were slated previously to end in 2020.

"This is amazing news for Michelin in Nova Scotia, as these two projects push Michelin's employment in Nova Scotia to more than 3,600, the highest levels seen in our almost 50-year history," said Jeff MacLean, President, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. "This is a testament to the dedication of our employees, the support of our community and government partners, and our continued ability to deliver top-quality products for the North American marketplace."

Building on the success of the site's production of MICHELIN LATITUDE X-ICE XI2 winter tires for Canadian and U.S. markets, the Michelin Pictou County site will soon begin building a new MICHELIN winter tire for the North American market. This new tire line, its brand name has not yet been announced, will begin production in the fall of 2019 and will be available for consumers in 2020.

With production of this new winter tire line beginning in 2019, about 200 positions at the Pictou County site that were slated previously to end in May 2020 will become permanent; an additional 130 new positions will be added. Hiring for these positions at the Pictou County site will begin immediately.

Company officials said improving its market competitiveness is key to Michelin's long-term success in Nova Scotia. To help achieve this goal, Michelin will install an innovative semi-finished manufacturing process at the Pictou County site.

"New to North America, this innovative process allows us to produce semi-finished materials needed for tire-building right here at home," said MacLean. "These investments allow us to remain competitive in the marketplace, while continuing to build our future here in Nova Scotia."

The $12 million project will include state-of-the art equipment, building renovations and new storage facilities at the site. This project will span 2019–2020 and will add 20 new employees to the site. These semi-finished products will be used in several North American Michelin sites. Hiring for this project will begin in mid-2019.

"This project reinforces the strength and technical capability of the Michelin Nova Scotia team," said Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia. "We are also pleased that a Nova Scotia location has been chosen to be the first in North America for this innovative work with semi-finished materials. Michelin has been a very important part of our economy for several decades, and it's wonderful to see this commitment to future growth and success in our province."

Michelin extends its thanks to the Province of Nova Scotia for its support through the Nova Scotia Business Inc. Innovation Rebate Program, which will contribute $3.56 million; and, the Department of Labour and Advanced Education for support with training some of the new employees for these projects.

For nearly 50 years, Michelin has been manufacturing in Nova Scotia. With these two new projects, the Michelin Pictou County site will grow to 820 positions. The Michelin Pictou County site, opened in 1971 as home to Groupe Michelin's second-largest rubber-mixing operation, produces passenger-car and light-truck tires, curing membranes, and also houses the Company's Canadian corporate offices.

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