PICTOU, Nova Scotia (Aug. 23) — Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. marked two milestones recently — the 35th year of manufacturing and the 200 millionth tire produced in Canada.
The 200 millionth tire — an Energy MXV4 Plus destined for original equipment fitment on the Toyota Camry — was made at Michelin´s Granton, Nova Scotia, plant, one of three factories Michelin operates in that province. All are non-union facilities.
Group Michelin set up the Canadian subsidiary in Nova Scotia in 1969 and began production of passenger and truck tires two years later at the Granton plant in Nova Scotia´s Pictou County. That same year the company began making steel cord at a factory in Bridgewater and added capacity for passenger and light truck tires there two years later. In 1982 it began making medium truck and off-the-road tires at the plant in Waterville.
Michelin employs about 3,500 in Nova Scotia, making it the third largest private sector employer, the company said.
"This is a significant milestone for the plants in Nova Scotia," said Grant Ferguson, plant manager of Waterville. "Each plant has contributed to the overall success and record of achievements attained at Michelin in Canada."
Michelin recently disclosed a plan to invest $80 million in Waterville to expand production of its X One-brand wide single truck tires there, and in July it ceased production at the Kitchener, Ontario, plant of its BFGoodrich Tire unit.