Michelin is the leading mobility company and manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. For more than 130 years, Michelin has made contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications for demanding fields, including mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare and offer the finest experiences, from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com)
Research, Development and Testing
Producing the highest quality tires that deliver miles and miles of driving pleasure does not happen out of luck. It starts at the Michelin Americas Research and Development Corporation where innovation and technology collide with the real world needs of demanding consumers in a highly fragmented industry. Employing 960 people, many of which are engineers, Michelin’s R&D center in North America has been responsible for developing some of the finest products in the world to market, including the first 80,000 mile passenger tire for American-made vehicles. When a Michelin tire is on the road, it delivers a collection of benefits rather than just being good at one particular attribute. You get great handling, superior wet traction and long mileage without sacrificing comfort because the engineers at MARC are not content or satisfied with any sort of compromise or trade-offs.
Laurens Proving Ground
A vital extension of the research and development community is the Michelin on-vehicle test facility located in Laurens, South Carolina. This 3,300 acre site maintains over twelve special tracks of varying lengths and surfaces for testing tires, suspension system, driver training and event management. Tires are tested for noise, adherence on wet surfaces, gravel endurance, off road inclines, mud traction, vehicle dynamics like high speed lane change and drift. Used primarily by Michelin, the facility also offers testing for groups outside Michelin. Customers can conduct controllability studies, vibration analysis and chassis loading tests in a secure environment. The facility is also used to train law enforcement officers from South Carolina and North Carolina to enhance their skills in handling emergency situations.
For more information, visit www.michelinman.com.