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Michelin North America Inc. announced recently that it will grow its operations here, creating up to 35 new jobs by the end of the year.
The company, which designs, manufactures and markets tires for all types of vehicles, bicycles and heavy equipment, plans to invest $50 million to expand production capacity at its BFGoodrich Tire manufacturing facility in the town nearly 20 miles east of Fort Wayne.
"Michelin continues to see Indiana as a smart place to grow its manufacturing capacity and we know that's a direct reflection of the dedication of the Northeast Indiana workers," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Michelin currently employs more than 1,500 associates at the Woodburn facility and plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing, maintenance and supervisory associates as new production is phased in throughout the year.
"We are deeply grateful to the state of Indiana, Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance and the county officials, all of whom were influential in helping to secure this investment," said Dent Johnson, plant manager of the Woodburn manufacturing facility. "This investment enables us to increase production capacity while continuing to deliver high-quality products to our customers. It will also upgrade the flexibility and capability of this facility to help improve its long-term competitiveness."
Michelin's Woodburn facility opened in 1961 and occupies 1.9 million square feet of production space. The facility produces light truck and automobile tires under the BFGoodrich brand.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Michelin North America up to $250,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. Allen County will provide property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance. WorkOne Northeast will provide recruitment and training support.
"The continued investment in Allen County by Michelin for its BFGoodrich Tire plant has provided good paying jobs to many Northeast Indiana residents for 50 years," said County Commissioner Nelson Peters. "We're looking forward to BFGoodrich thriving in our community for another 50 years to come."
Michelin's announced expansion comes just more than a week after steel tube and bar maker, Scot Industries, announced it would invest several million dollars to establish a new production facility in nearby Auburn, creating up to 65 new jobs by 2014.
About Michelin
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin-us.com) employs 21,400 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
