Michelin opens R&D laboratory in India

An inauguration ceremony was held yesterday for Michelin’s new R&D centre in India. Alexandre Ziegler, France’s Ambassador to India, formally inaugurated the Michelin India Research and Development Laboratory in Manesar, Haryana state. The 3,800-square metre centre provides support to the Michelin Technology Center in Gurugram (formerly Gurgaon), a facility that focuses on commercial vehicle tyre R&D and provides technical support to the company’s manufacturing facilities in India, China and Thailand.

“Michelin Group is committed to bringing innovation quicker to our markets and better delivering on our customers’ expectations,” stated Philippe Verneuil, president of Michelin Africa, India and Middle East, at the inauguration. “Establishing a Technology Center supported by a materials testing laboratory is a demonstration of the high level of confidence that Michelin Group has for India and the business growth opportunities in the region. This laboratory will provide impetus to our established innovation capabilities in India and will assist with material research for more robust and fuel-efficient truck and bus tyres.”

Serge Godefroid, managing director of the Michelin India Technology Center, added: “We have a dynamic team of highly skilled technical experts who have been selected from premier institutes in India. All of them followed intense training at our research and development facilities in France and the US prior to taking their roles in India. Michelin India’s R&D teams are now completely operational to offer our customers across emerging markets more adapted and innovative solutions.”