Kleber expansion to create 240 jobs

TOUL, France (Jan. 17)—Groupe Michelin´s Pneumatiques Kleber subsidiary is investing nearly $19 million to boost the annual capacity of its Toul car and light truck tire plant by more than 50 percent by 2002. Annual capacity at the factory in northeast France will increase to 6.8 million tires from 4.2 million, the company said, and create 240 jobs. Kleber confirmed the expansion after the work forces at its Toul and Troyes, France, plants voted in early December in favor of proposals for a 35-hour workweek, according to Jean Francois Boucher, the company´s human resources director. Kleber´s plan increased annual leave for full-time employees by 14 days and introduced flexible working patterns intended to reduce reliance on overtime. The package also included pay raises between 2.5 and 12 percent.