Michelin’s Stoke Remix Plant Gets £3.9 million in Funding

Michelin Tyre PLC’s Stoke-on-Trent Remix retreading manufacturing site has accepted £3.9 million towards modernisation from the UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills. The company plans to use this money to upgrade its facilities in order to be able to retread its latest generation Michelin Durable Technologies truck and bus tyres. According to company representatives this development takes the company “a step closer to securing £20 million worth of investment over a five-year period”, safeguarding the long-term future of the Stoke industrial site. The company is now said to be working with the Department for Business Innovation and the regional Government agencies “to develop and sustain the manufacturing skills base in the North Staffordshire region.”

Due to the economic situation, the project has been on hold for 12 months. The Michelin Group has now authorised further investment for developing the project design study, to be completed during 2010, with an anticipated project implementation period of several years.

Plant manager Peter Marsh welcomed the news: “I am delighted to announce this planned significant investment which would secure the long-term future of our Stoke plant. With this assistance from Advantage West Midlands and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, we shall be able to upgrade the factory to re-manufacture the latest generation of Michelin Durable Technologies truck and bus tyres, and so offer the customer products with even greater performance and economy in use.”

The project reportedly represents a significant development of the existing manufacturing operation and will enable the plant to respond to the need for the latest generation of innovative tyre technologies for the UK truck tyre market. The installation of high specification manufacturing equipment is expected to offer skills development opportunities to employees, increase productivity and provide improved working conditions. According to the company, the investment will also significantly reduce solvent emissions, with the plant becoming a benchmark facility for the retreading industry worldwide.

Jethro Smith, project manager added: “The project is an exciting and challenging technological advancement of the site and the investment will help build on the manufacturing skills base in North Staffordshire.”

Related News:

• Michelin: Comprehensive Retreading Operations

• Michelin to Pause Remix Production at Stoke Plant

• Michelin’s Stoke Site Aims to be Cutting Edge Facility