Michelin NA Seeks To Drive Innovation at InnoVenture 2008

Michelin North America is engaging entrepreneurs and companies from across the region it serves to join its efforts to innovate the transportation industry, boost diversity and reduce the environmental footprint of its manufacturing operations. The InnoVenture forum, a program intended to bring together hundreds of corporate researchers, development experts, and academics from across the Southeast, will be held March 25-26 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville, South Carolina.

“Michelin sees InnoVenture as an opportunity to connect with some of the brightest minds in our region to discuss potential solutions to some of the modern challenges to manufacturing and marketing products,” said Ralph Hulseman, director of External Research, Michelin Americas Research Co. “The discourse sparked by today’s forum could very well lead to tomorrow’s innovations.”

As an “anchor sponsor” of Swamp Fox, the development organisation that has spearheaded the InnoVenture forum since its inception, Michelin representatives will participate in the anchor presentations, roundtables, and networking expo. The tyre major’s North American operation is focusing its efforts at InnoVenture 2008 on developing strategic relationships in three specific areas:

1. Complementing the success of the Michelin X One tyre. Michelin says that real world data from across North America continues to confirm the efficiency of the X One wide single tyre, therefore opportunities exist for companies to produce products that can be used in conjunction with the tyres or new vehicle designs that take advantage of the tyre’s attributes.

2. Furthering achievements made in reducing the environmental footprint of Michelin’s manufacturing facilities. Since 2005, Michelin has reduced its environmental footprint by 15 per cent. In addition to waste minimisation, recycling, and further emissions reduction, implementing renewable energy sources is another challenge that will require attention.

3. Expanding the diversity of Michelin’s supplier base and attracting new innovators to carry on the tradition of research and development at Michelin. The company states it is continually looking for new suppliers and bright minds to join in designing future innovations for the global marketplace.