GREENVILLE, S.C. – Michelin yesterday held an event to mark the opening of its newest manufacturing facility in South Carolina. Michelin executives and employees were joined by dozens of dignitaries from across the state to celebrate the milestone just 17 months after breaking ground on the Anderson County facility, which will produce large tires for earthmoving equipment. 
The project completion is the fastest Greenfield construction in Michelin’s history and enables the company to begin production of commercially available tires in January 2014 for sale in mid-2014.
Michelin, South Carolina’s largest manufacturing employer, announced a $750 million investment in April 2012 to construct the 800,000-square-foot facility and expand its existing Earthmover manufacturing plant in Lexington, S.C. Both projects have created hundreds of jobs and expect an additional several hundred in future years.
"Michelin continues to make investments in multiple countries around the world that will position our company for long-term growth," said Pete Selleck, Michelin North America chairman and president. "It’s a source of pride to know that what we’re doing right here in South Carolina plays such an important role in our company’s global business strategy. It’s a testament to the business-friendly climate in the state and the dedicated, productive and skilled workforce that serves as the engine behind our success."
The new facility, known as US10, is Michelin’s 19th plant in North America and ninth in the state of South Carolina. It will produce large Earthmover tires – which can stand up to 13 feet tall and weigh up to 5.5 tons – for more than 1,300 mining operations around the world. Eighty percent of the tires manufactured at this facility will be exported, most of it through the Port of Charleston.
