Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.
Production at the Michelin tyre plant in Ballymena, Northern Ireland came to an end last week. Although the facility won’t officially close until 30 June, The Belfast Telegraph writes that production ended last Wednesday, with the final tyre finished the following day.
Blame for a -6.3 per cent decline in net sales during the first quarter of 2018 goes to the stronger euro, reports the Michelin Group. The tyre maker achieved total net sales of 5.2 billion euros in the three months to 31 March 2018, an amount that represents a 1.4 per cent improvement – had exchange rates remained constant. However, with currency effects of 7.7 per cent, Michelin was unable to match the 5.6 billion euros earned in the opening quarter of last year.
Michelin Tyre plc has announced key appointments to lead its B2B division covering the agricultural, bus/coach, earthmover, truck and van sectors. This sees Chris Smith, 34, appointed sales director B2B; and Helen Ratcliff, 38, named as marketing director – both with responsibility for the UK and Ireland.
A new wave of speakers has been announced for this year’s Movin’On summit. Michelin shares that the following speakers will address attendees in Montréal between 30 May and 1 June.
The results of the JD Power 2018 US Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study have been released, and the winner is…Michelin. The tyre maker received top customer satisfaction scores in all four segments of the study for the second consecutive year. Michelin’s total tally since the study began in 1989 is 88 awards, more than the number received by any other tyre manufacturer.
A new range of Michelin tyres aimed at regional haulage operations is now available; these are positioned as products for fleets that place a priority on saving fuel. The introduction of the Michelin X Multi Energy marks the first time the company has launched a dedicated fuel-saving tyre outside of the long-haul sector.
Only recently, Michelin unveiled its first connected tyre solution that amateur driving enthusiasts can go out and buy for their cars. This is Track Connect, a system compatible with the newly-launched Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tyre and now on sale in several European markets. A dedicated competition version has also been developed – the tyre maker calls it Michelin Motorsport Connect, and this solution will be introduced at the next rounds of the French Rally Championship between 13 and 15 April. Michelin Motorsport Connect will then initially be released in France, with prices starting at 400 euros, before being introduced elsewhere in Europe and the rest of the world.
On 19 March 2018, Michelin announced it had reached an agreement on the terms of its acquisition of Fenner plc, specifically a recommended cash acquisition of Fenner’s entire issued and to be issued share capital. The plan is for the acquisition to be implemented by means of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement.
For its second edition, the Movin’On sustainability mobility summit will include a global Startup Challenge. Finalists in the Startup Challenge – up to 50 startups in total – will showcase their technologies between 30 May and 1 June, demonstrating how they can impact the future of sustainable mobility.
As of 1 April, Jens Schlemmer is director of the Michelin car tyre factory in Bamberg, Germany. He returns to Michelin’s operation in his homeland after working in plants around the world these past 14 years. Former plant director Thomas Nagel has taken on a new leadership role within the Michelin group.
When it brings a new, special version of its Pilot Sport Cup 2 to market this month, Michelin will become the first manufacturer to sell a connected tyre solution for private cars. The Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect is a tyre aimed at amateur drivers who take part in track days and other circuit events. When paired with the newly-launched Michelin Track Connect solution, it can provide a wealth of real time tyre information.
Michelin has announced plans to convert part of the site of its closing Northern Ireland manufacturing plant to a business park following its sale to Silverwood Property Developments. The tyre manufacturer will complete the closure of its Ballymena plant in June, after the last tyre rolls off its production line in April, ending 50 years of manufacturing. Some of the site – reportedly around 10 acres – has been earmarked for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, as it attempts to win its bid to host a regional Heathrow Logistics Hub, supporting proposed construction work at the West London airport.
At the Innovation Awards Ceremony held at the SITL transport and logistics exhibition in Paris last Wednesday, companies were honoured for their latest and greatest in six awards categories. Michelin Solutions’ MyBestRoute application was declared winner of the Technologies and Information Systems category.
A new joint venture has been set up between Michelin and industrial products distributor CFAO for importing and distributing premium and quality segment tyres into Kenya and Uganda. CFAO holds a 51 per cent share in the new entity and Michelin the remaining 49 per cent. The joint venture’s governance is equally divided between CFAO and Michelin.
While the headline Brand Finance ranking news is the resurgence of Michelin as well as the growth of the Chinese brands, Dunlop and Pirelli’s performance in the Brand Finance ranking is also worth noting – for completely different reasons.
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