Michelin Research Centre Open to the Public – Virtually

For the first time ever, Michelin’s Ladoux Technology Center near Clermont-Ferrand is not off limits to the public. Those wishing to take a peek inside are however encouraged to head for the nearest web browser before booking their flight to France – tours of the 450-hectare site are virtual and can be taken at www.michelin.com/ladoux.

Visitors to the site will gain an insight into the activities undertaken by the centre’s 3,000 employees and see hour tyres are made and tested. Designed by the Lyon-based agency SQLI, the interactive tour is divided into two parts:

The first part guides visitors through four separate buildings, each one dedicated to a specific phase of the tyre making process: materials, design, development and process engineering. Users can browse through the centre, clicking on a building to access a short educational video for an easy-to-understand explanation of each phase. Visitors are told for example that more than 200 types of materials go into making a tyre. The site’s online guide then introduces some of the centres engineers and describes their jobs. Thanks to the virtual tour, visitors can view places such as the tread design unit, which are normally off limits to the public because of confidentiality concerns.

The second part of the tour takes visitors to the tracks, where testers use various methods to check the tyre’s six performance characteristics: handling, grip, noise and comfort, durability, rolling resistance and wear. As in the first part of the tour, the guide introduces individual researchers who discuss their work.

Initially developed to showcase Michelin’s advanced technology and innovative capabilities, Michelin notes that the website is also an effective hiring tool, especially for young engineers attracted by the centre’s range of employment opportunities.