It was months in the making, but the “Project Cougar” that had captured the attention of South Carolina residents and politicians has finally been revealed.
Michelin North America announced just minutes ago that it would construct an all-new radial OTR tire plant in Anderson County, S.C., and expand its existing OTR plant in nearby Lexington, S.C. The company estimates that the two projects would result in 500 new jobs, and will take an investment of $750 million.
For Gov. Nikki Haley, tires have turned to gold for her state. The MNA announcement today was the third major tire plant project announced for the state since last fall, with more than $2.5 billion in construction investment from Michelin, Continental Tire the Americas and Bridgestone Americas.
The new OTR projects for Michelin are also the second significant industry investment in OTR tires in North America; Bridgestone is building a new radial OTR plant in Aiken, S.C. MNA will break ground next week on the Anderson project; there was no timetable offered on the Lexington project.
The new OTR tire plant will be adjacent to Michelin’s existing rubber processing plant in Starr, S.C., and will be the third Michelin plant in Anderson County. The company also operates a 2.5-million-square-foot rubber processing plant in Sandy Springs.
The new projects were revealed by MNA chairman and president Pete Selleck at a special event this morning. “There is unprecedented demand for Michelin earthmover tires throughout the world,” said Selleck. “It’s a tribute to the productivity of our employees and the pro-business environment in South Carolina that the company is expanding its earthmover capacity in the state where we first began manufacturing in the U.S.”
“Michelin intends to maintain and strengthen its leadership in all its specialty businesses, especially earthmover radial tires,” said Jean-Dominique Senard, managing general partner of Groupe Michelin. “The market for earthmover tires grew by more than 20% between 2009 and 2011. This new facility will help us meet sustained demand while also attaining our growth objectives for 2015.”
“Michelin has been part of the economic and social fabric of South Carolina for decades and remains one of our finest corporate citizens," said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. "It really is a great day in South Carolina when our largest manufacturer reaffirms its commitment to the state."
The new plant will be Michelin’s 19th plant in North America and its ninth in South Carolina.
