Michelin#Bibendum
{{Short description|French multinational tyre manufacturing company}}
{{About|the company|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Michelin
| logo = Michelin (2017).svg
| image = Michelin siege clermont.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = Headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France
| native_name = Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA
| native_name_lang = fr
| type = Public
| traded_as = {{EuronextParis|ML|FR001400AJ45}}
CAC 40 component
| industry = Automotive
| foundation = {{start date and age|df=yes|1889|5|28}}
| founders = {{ubl|Édouard Michelin|André Michelin}}
| location_city = Clermont-Ferrand
| location_country = France
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{plainlist|
- Florent Menegaux (Managing General Partner, CEO)
- Michel Rollier (Chairman of the Supervisory Board)
- Yves Chapot (General Manager, CFO)
}}
| brands = {{plainlist|
- Michelin
- BFGoodrich
- Uniroyal
- Kleber
}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{Euro|28.59|link=yes}} billion
| revenue_year = 2022
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{Euro|3.4}} billion
| income_year = 2022
| net_income = {{increase}} {{Euro|2}} billion
| net_income_year = 2022
| assets = {{decrease}} {{Euro|15.341}} billion
| assets_year = 2022
| equity = {{decrease}} {{Euro|7.808}} billion
| equity_year = 2022
| num_employees = 132,000
| num_employees_year = 2022
| subsid = {{ubl||ViaMichelin|ATS Euromaster|TCi Tire Centers|Camso|Multistrada Arah Sarana|Masternaut}}
| homepage = {{url|https://www.michelin.com/|michelin.com}}
}}
Michelin ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɪ|ʃ|əl|ɪ|n|,_|ˈ|m|ɪ|tʃ|əl|ɪ|n}} {{respell|MISH|əl|in|,_|MITCH|əl|in}}, {{IPA|fr|miʃlɛ̃|lang}}), in full {{lang|fr|Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA|i=no}} ("General Company of the Michelin Enterprises P.L.S."), is a French multinational tyre manufacturing company based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes région of France. It is the second largest tyre manufacturer in the world behind Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Continental.{{cite news|url=https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/blog/largest-tire-manufacturers/|title=10 largest tire manufacturers cruising through the roads|date=May 2021|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022221328/https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/blog/largest-tire-manufacturers/|url-status=live}} In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the Kléber tyres company, Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire Company, SASCAR, Bookatable and Camso brands. Michelin is also notable for its Red and Green travel guides, its roadmaps, the Michelin stars that the Red Guide awards to restaurants for their cooking, and for its company mascot Bibendum, colloquially known as the Michelin Man, who is a humanoid consisting of tyres.{{Cite web |title=History of the Michelin Man Mascot |url=https://business.michelinman.com/blog/articles/history-of-the-michelin-man |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=business.michelinman.com |language=en-us}}
Michelin's numerous inventions include the removable tyre, the pneurail (a tyre for rubber-tyred metros) and the radial tyre. Michelin manufactures tyres for Space Shuttles,{{cite web|url=http://www.chapelcornertyres.com.au/tyres.html|title=Tyres - Car Servicing - Repairs - Chapel Corner Tyres|website=www.chapelcornertyres.com.au|access-date=11 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912052257/http://www.chapelcornertyres.com.au/tyres.html|archive-date=12 September 2011|url-status=dead}} aircraft, automobiles, heavy equipment, motorcycles, and bicycles. In 2012, the group produced 166 million tyres at 69 facilities located in 18 countries.{{Cite news|title=Global 2000|last=Staff|date=6 May 2013|work=Forbes|page=17|type=Paper}}
History
File:Michelin Poster 1898.jpg" of Bibendum, the Michelin Man]]
File:Michelin, advertising, 1922.png
File:Demonstratie Michelin auto-trein-515297.ogv
File:Agincourt Square.jpg statue, Monmouth, Wales, {{Circa}} 1965–1970]]
File:Michelin Lithion 2.jpg tyre ]]
In 1889, two brothers, Édouard Michelin (1859–1940) and André Michelin (1853–1931), ran a farm implement business in Clermont-Ferrand, France. One day a cyclist whose pneumatic tyre needed repair turned up at the factory. The tyre was glued to the rim, and it took over three hours to remove and repair the tyre, which then needed to be left overnight to dry. The next day, Édouard Michelin took the repaired bicycle into the factory yard to test. After only a few hundred metres, the tyre failed. Despite the setback, Édouard was enthusiastic about the pneumatic tyre, and he and his brother worked on creating their own version, one that did not need to be glued to the rim. Michelin was incorporated on 28 May 1889. In 1891 Michelin took out its first patent for a removable pneumatic tyre which was used by Charles Terront to win the world's first long-distance cycle race, the 1891 Paris–Brest–Paris.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
In the 1920s and 1930s, Michelin operated large rubber plantations in Vietnam. Conditions at these plantations led to the famous labour movement Phú Riềng Đỏ.Solheim, B: The Vietnam War Era: A Personal Journey, page 11, Praeger Publishers, 2006. (See Google Books.)
File:Indochine française (1913).jpg led to the Phú Riềng Đỏ strike in 1930. This resulted in France investigating Michelin's treatment of workers on its rubber plantations.Julian Jackson, BBC Radio Three, The Other Empire, episode 4/5 first broadcast 15 September 2011]]
In 1934, Michelin introduced a tyre which, if punctured, would run on a special foam lining, a design now known as a run-flat tyre (self-supporting type).{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Michelin developed and patented a key innovation in tyre history, the 1946 radial tyre, and successfully exploited this technological innovation to become one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers.{{cite web|url=http://www.jags.org/TechInfo/2001/05May01/tires/historyoftires.htm|title=History|website=www.jags.org|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306211250/http://www.jags.org/TechInfo/2001/05May01/tires/historyoftires.htm|archive-date=6 March 2015|url-status=dead}} The radial was initially marketed as the "X" tyre.{{cite web|url=http://www.senat.fr/basile/visio.do?id=a/commission/fin/Fin991120.html&idtable=a/commission/fin/Fin991120.html#toc18|title=Travaux de la commission des finances - Sénat|website=www.senat.fr|access-date=25 January 2022|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702232857/http://www.senat.fr/basile/visio.do?id=a%2Fcommission%2Ffin%2FFin991120.html&idtable=a%2Fcommission%2Ffin%2FFin991120.html#toc18|url-status=live}} It was developed with the front-wheel-drive Citroën Traction Avant and Citroën 2CV in mind. Michelin had bought the then-bankrupt Citroën in the 1930s. Because of its superiority in handling and fuel economy, use of this tyre quickly spread throughout Europe and Asia. In the U.S., the outdated bias-ply tyre persisted, with a market share of 87% in 1967.
In 1966, Michelin partnered with Sears to produce radial tyres under the Allstate brand and was selling 1 million units annually by 1970.
In 1968, Michelin opened its first North American sales office, and was able to grow that market for its products rapidly; by 1989 the company had a 10% market share for OEM tyres purchased by American automobile makers.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/23/business/michelin-to-acquire-uniroyal-goodrich.html| title=Michelin to Acquire Uniroyal Goodrich| author=JONATHAN P. HICKS| newspaper=New York Times| date=23 September 1989| access-date=12 August 2016| archive-date=22 August 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822144431/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/23/business/michelin-to-acquire-uniroyal-goodrich.html| url-status=live}}
Also in 1968, Consumer Reports, an influential American magazine, acknowledged the superiority of the radial construction, setting off a rapid decline in Michelin's competitor technology.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-05-04/a-tale-of-two-tiresbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |first=Ted |last=Welch |date=4 May 2006 |work=Bloomberg |title=A Tale of Two Tires |access-date=2 March 2019 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613210642/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-05-04/a-tale-of-two-tiresbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |url-status=live }} In the U.S., the radial tyre now has a market share of 100%.
In addition to the private label and replacement tyre market, Michelin scored an early OEM tyre win in North America, when it received the contract for the 1970 Continental Mark III, the first American car with radial tyres fitted as standard.{{cite web|url=http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/lincoln-continental-mark-iii-iv-v/|title=Mark of Success: The Lincoln Continental Mark Series|author=Aaron Severson|date=12 September 2009|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603135718/http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/lincoln-continental-mark-iii-iv-v/|url-status=live}}
In 1989, Michelin acquired the recently merged tyre and rubber manufacturing divisions of the American firms B.F. Goodrich Company (founded in 1870) and Uniroyal, Inc. (founded in 1892 as the United States Rubber Company) from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/23/nyregion/inside-982389.html INSIDE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701032020/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/23/nyregion/inside-982389.html |date=1 July 2018 }}, New York Times, Published: 23 September 1989 Uniroyal Australia had already been bought by Bridgestone in 1980. This purchase included the Norwood, North Carolina manufacturing plant which supplied tyres to the U.S. Space Shuttle Program.Karen Barber, "Goodrich Expects to Sell Norwood Plant to Michelin", The Charlotte Observer, 12 October 1988.{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Woody |title=From first to last - shuttles have landed on Michelins |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82757849/from-first-to-last-shuttles-have-lande/ |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=The Greenville News |date=8 July 2011 |pages=1; 3}}
As of 1 September 2008, Michelin is again the world's largest tyre manufacturer after spending two years as number two behind Bridgestone.[http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/michelin-becomes-worlds-largest-tire-maker-again.html "Michelin Becomes World's Largest Tire Maker Again: Overtakes Bridgestone by slim margin"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801023137/http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/michelin-becomes-worlds-largest-tire-maker-again.html |date=1 August 2013 }}, Autoindustriya.com (10 September 2008). Michelin produces tyres in France, Serbia, Poland, Spain, Germany, the US, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, India, Italy and several other countries. On 15 January 2010, Michelin{{cite web|url=http://www.vanzarianvelope.net/anvelope-michelin-1.html|title=Michelin|work=Vanzarianvelope.net|access-date=18 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127214852/http://www.vanzarianvelope.net/anvelope-michelin-1.html|archive-date=27 November 2014|url-status=dead}} announced the closing of its Ota, Japan plant, which employs 380 workers and makes the Michelin X-Ice tyre. Production of the X-Ice will be moved to Europe, North America, and elsewhere in Asia.{{cite web|url=http://www.michelin.com/corporate/actualites/en/actu_affich.jsp?id=26324&lang=EN&codeRubrique=5&actu=true|title=Vous êtes perdu(e) ? - Michelin|website=www.michelin.com|access-date=30 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130113017/https://www.michelin.com/corporate/actualites/en/actu_affich.jsp?id=26324&lang=EN&codeRubrique=5&actu=true|archive-date=30 November 2018|url-status=dead}} In 2019, Michelin announced that plants in Germany and France are to be closed soon.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-michelin-jobs-idUSKBN1WP0UM|title=Tire maker Michelin to close French site that has 619 staff|date=10 October 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=10 October 2019|language=en|archive-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010093251/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-michelin-jobs-idUSKBN1WP0UM|url-status=live}}
Michelin also controls 90% of Taurus Tyre in Hungary, as well as Kormoran,{{cite web|url=http://www.kormoran-tyres.com/uk/Kormoran/Our-story|title=Kormoran|work=kormoran-tyres.com|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708151152/http://www.kormoran-tyres.com/uk/Kormoran/Our-story|archive-date=8 July 2017|url-status=dead}} a Polish brand.
In December 2018, Michelin acquired Camso, a manufacturer of off-the-road tyres, tracks, and accessories for power sports, agriculture, material handling and construction markets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-michelin-to-buy-quebecs-camso-for-145-billion/|title=Michelin to acquire Quebec off-road tire maker Camso for US$1.45-billion|access-date=14 May 2019|archive-date=27 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127034118/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-michelin-to-buy-quebecs-camso-for-145-billion/|url-status=live}}
On 22 January 2019, it was announced that Michelin had acquired Indonesian manufacturer Multistrada Arah Sarana, which produces Achilles Radial and Corsa tyres.{{cite news|title=Michelin acquires leading Indonesian tire manufacturer Multistrada|url=https://www.michelin.com/en/press-releases/michelin-acquires-leading-indonesian-tire-manufacturer-multistrada/|date=22 January 2019|accessdate=28 May 2022}} On 19 June that year, Michelin owns 99.64% of the share capital of Multistrada.{{cite news|title=Michelin now holds 99.64% of the share capital of Multistrada|url=https://www.michelin.com/en/press-releases/michelin-now-holds-99-64-of-the-share-capital-of-ultistrada/|date=19 June 2019|accessdate=28 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Fakhoury |first1=Khalidah |title=1.9 مليار يورو من الأرباح و 1250 تخفيض الوظائف: تعلن ميشلان نتائجها السنوية |url=https://www.3rabfon.com/economy/1-9-%d9%85%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d9%8a%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%88-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b1%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ad-%d9%88-1250-%d8%aa%d8%ae%d9%81%d9%8a%d8%b6-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%88%d8%b8%d8%a7%d8%a6/174/ |website=شبكة عرب فون |access-date=13 February 2025}}
Motorsport
File:Michelin Porsche 997 GT3 Cup (Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV).jpg cars used in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the Porsche Supercup.]]
=MotoGP=
Michelin participated in MotoGP from 1972 to 2008. They introduced radial construction to MotoGP in 1984, and multi-compound tyres in 1994. They achieved 360 victories in 36 years, and from 1993 to 2006, the world championship had gone to a rider on Michelins.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
In 2007, Casey Stoner on Bridgestone tyres won the world championship in dominating fashion, and Valentino Rossi and other top riders complained that Michelins were inferior. Rossi wanted Bridgestones for the 2008 season, but Bridgestone was reluctant to provide them; Dorna threatened to impose a control tyre on the series, after which Bridgestone relented.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
In 2008, Michelin committed errors of judgment in allocating adequate tyres for some of the race weekends. Dani Pedrosa's team switched to Bridgestones in mid-season, a highly unusual move that caused friction between Honda Racing Corporation and their sponsor Repsol YPF. Other riders also expressed concerns and it seemed that Michelin might not have any factory riders for the 2009 season, leading to rumours that Michelin would withdraw from the series altogether. Dorna and the FIM announced that a control tyre would be imposed on MotoGP for the 2009 season and Michelin did not enter a bid, effectively ending its participation in the series at the end of 2008.{{cite news |title=A Fond Farewell |publisher=Michelin.com |date=26 October 2008 |url=http://www.michelin.com/corporate/front/templates/affich.jsp?codeRubriqueListe=20080212104710&codeRubrique=20080214104032&lang=EN&news_id=23940 |access-date=3 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113203412/http://www.michelin.com/corporate/front/templates/affich.jsp?codeRubriqueListe=20080212104710&codeRubrique=20080214104032&lang=EN&news_id=23940 |archive-date=13 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Noyes |first=Dennis |title=Why Dorna is Threatening to Impose a Spec Tire |publisher=Speed (TV channel) |date=3 October 2007 |url=http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp_why_dorna_is_threatening_to_impose_a_spec_tire/ |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618164506/http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp_why_dorna_is_threatening_to_impose_a_spec_tire |archive-date=18 June 2009 }}{{cite news |last=Noyes |first=Dennis |title=Michelin's Last Stand (Part I) |publisher=Speed (TV channel) |date=26 August 2008 |url=http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-michelins-last-stand-part-i |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911093312/http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-michelins-last-stand-part-i/ |archive-date=11 September 2008 }}{{cite news |last=Noyes |first=Dennis |title=Michelin's Last Stand (Part II) |publisher=Speed |date=27 August 2008 |url=http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-michelins-last-stand-part-ii |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912132308/http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-michelins-last-stand-part-ii/ |archive-date=12 September 2008 }}
Michelin returned to MotoGP in 2016 as the official tyre supplier after Bridgestone's withdrawal from the series at the end of 2015.{{cite web|last=McLaren |first=Peter |title=Bridgestone to quit as MotoGP tyre supplier |website=crash.net |date=1 May 2014 |url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/203841/1/bridgestone-to-quit-as-motogp-tyre-supplier |access-date=26 January 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417191027/https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/203841/1/bridgestone-to-quit-as-motogp-tyre-supplier |archive-date=17 April 2024}}{{cite web|last=Adam |first=Mitchell |title=Valentino Rossi: 2016 MotoGP changes had smaller impact than feared |website=Autosport |date=4 August 2016 |url=https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/valentino-rossi-2016-motogp-changes-had-smaller-impact-than-feared-5039059/5039059/ |access-date=26 January 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616200938/https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/valentino-rossi-2016-motogp-changes-had-smaller-impact-than-feared-5039059/5039059/ |archive-date=16 June 2021}}
=Formula One=
{{See also|Formula One tyres}}
Michelin first competed in the 1977 Formula One season, when Renault started the development of their turbocharged F1 car. Michelin introduced radial tyre technology to Formula One and won the Formula One Drivers' Championship with Brabham and McLaren, before withdrawing at the end of 1984.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
The company returned to Formula One in 2001, supplying the Williams, Jaguar, Benetton (renamed Renault in 2002), Prost and Minardi teams. Toyota joined F1 in 2002 with Michelin tyres, and McLaren also signed up with the company. Michelin Tyres were initially uncompetitive but by the 2005 season were dominant. This was partly because the new regulations stated that tyres must last the whole race distance (and qualifying), and partly because only one top team (Ferrari) was running Bridgestones, and so had to do much of the development work. Michelin in contrast had much more testing and race data provided by the larger number of teams running their tyres.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Following the debacle of the 2005 United States Grand Prix where, because of safety concerns, Michelin would not allow the teams it supplied to race, Michelin's share price fell by 2.5% (though it recovered later the same day). On 28 June, Michelin announced that it would offer compensation to all race fans who had bought tickets for the Grand Prix. The company committed to refunding the price of all tickets for the race. Additionally, it announced that it would provide 20,000 complimentary tickets for the 2006 race to spectators who had attended the 2005 event. BLOUNT, T. (2005, September 23). F1 is treading lightlyAfter debacle at Indy, U.S. Grand Prix hopes fans return in 2006. Dallas Morning News, The (TX), p. 10C.
Michelin has had a difficult relationship with the sport's governing body (the FIA) since around 2003 and this escalated to apparent disdain between the two parties during the 2005 season. The most high-profile disagreement was at the United States Grand Prix and the acrimony afterwards. Michelin criticised the FIA's intention to move to a single source (i.e. one brand) tyre from 2008 and threatened to withdraw from the sport. In a public rebuke, FIA President Max Mosley wrote: "There are simple arguments for a single tyre, and if [Michelin boss Édouard Michelin] is not aware of this, he shows an almost comical lack of knowledge of modern Formula One."{{cite web |date=11 September 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4234936.stm |title=FIA hits out in Michelin tyre row |website=BBC News |access-date=26 January 2025 |archive-date=4 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104101837/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4234936.stm |url-status=live}} Another bone of contention has been the reintroduction of tyre changes during pit-stops from 2006. Michelin criticised the move claiming "this event illustrates F1's problems of incoherent decision-making and lack of transparency".{{cite web |date=28 October 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4385004.stm |title=Michelin attacks new tyre rules |website=BBC News |access-date=26 January 2025 |archive-date=19 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219143008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4385004.stm |url-status=live}}
In December 2005, and as a result of the difficult relationship with the sport's governing body, Michelin announced that it would not extend its involvement in Formula One beyond the 2006 season.{{cite web|url=http://newsonf1.net/2005/news/12/dec14m.htm|title=F1 News - Michelin will not extend its Formula One involvement beyond the 2006 season - Michelin - 14 December 2005|last=((NewsOnF1.com))|website=newsonf1.net|access-date=14 December 2005|archive-date=16 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216112402/http://newsonf1.net/2005/news/12/dec14m.htm|url-status=live}} Bridgestone was then the sole supplier of tyres to Formula One until the end of the 2010 season, with Pirelli providing tyres for 2011.
The last race won on Michelin tyres in Formula One was the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso benefitted after the Ferrari engine of Michael Schumacher failed during the race. This gave Michelin a second consecutive Constructors' Championship win, with the 2005 and 2006, after Bridgestone's seven-year winning streak, and brought to a total of four the number of titles for Michelin since this championship's inception back in the 1958 Formula One season; Michelin's other titles were in the 1979, and 1984 seasons.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
=Endurance racing=
Michelin is involved in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series. Involvement in Le Mans began with supplying tyres for the winner of the inaugural 1923 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as nine others of the 33 entrants.{{Cite web|url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Le_Mans-1923-05-27.html|title=Le Mans 24 Hours 1923 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars|website=www.racingsportscars.com|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201526/http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Le_Mans-1923-05-27.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|title=Le Mans, 1923–29: The Official History of the World's Greatest Motor Race|last=Spurring|first=Quentin|isbn=9781910505083|location=Sherborne, Dorset, UK|publisher=Evro Publishing|pages=42, 86|oclc=951812820|date = 15 April 2016}} In 2009 Michelin supplied tyres for 41 of the 55 cars that entered in Le Mans.{{Cite journal| last = Considine | first = Tim | title = Lessons Learned! | journal = Road & Track | volume = 61 | issue = 7 | page = 86 | date = March 2010}} In 2016 they provided tyres to the Audi, Porsche and Toyota LMP1 teams, as well as the AF Corse, BMW, Corvette, Ford Ganassi, Porsche and Risi teams in GTE-Pro / GTLM. Beginning in 2019, Michelin will replace Continental as the official tyre of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/imsa-names-michelin-official-tire-beginning-2019|title=IMSA Names Michelin Official Tire Beginning In 2019|first=Jennifer|last=Klein|date=20 September 2017|website=IMSA|access-date=7 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107221635/https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/imsa-names-michelin-official-tire-beginning-2019|url-status=dead}} Along with supplying tyres for IMSA's top three series, the partnership includes naming rights for the Sports Car Challenge series and the North American Endurance Cup.
Michelin has also supplied tyres in the European Le Mans Series. They have been the exclusive supplier of the LMP3 class since 2015.
=Rallying=
In the World Rally Championship, Michelin has been the supplier of the Audi, Citroën, Ford, Lancia, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Toyota and Volkswagen factory teams. Michelin Group brand BFGoodrich represented the brand in 2006 and 2007. The company was absent from 2008 to 2010, when Pirelli was signed as the official supplier, after which they returned to the series as an official supplier from 2011 to 2020 until Pirelli won the tender to once again become an official supplier from 2021 onwards.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Recent developments
- Pax System
- Tweel
- X One
- Agri
- BAZ Technology. Michelin employs specific tread construction, that uses spiral-wrapped nylon strips. The strips are applied in the tread area above steel belts in order to oppose centrifugal force, in order to avoid tyre distortion at high speeds.
- EverGrip Technology. This is a patented safety technology that allows combining tread groove design. This way, it does not just wear down, but evolves due to high traction tread compound, which makes driving safer on snowy and wet roads.{{clarify|date=September 2024}}
- Zero Pressure Technology means a reinforced sidewall that is designed to continue supporting the vehicle's weight even when air pressure is lost. The technology allows driving at speeds between 50 and 55 mph for some time.
=Active Wheel=
{{Main|Active Wheel}}
Active Wheel from Michelin includes in-wheel electric motors and a motorised suspension to free up space in the front or rear of the vehicle. This model also eliminates the need for other notorious space hogs like transmissions and exhaust systems. The wheels already have a vehicle ready to receive them, the Heuliez Will from Opel, and are also expected to come standard on the Venturi Volage sometime in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5100127/michelin-develops-revolutionary-active-wheel-for-electric-cars|title=Michelin Develops Revolutionary Active Wheel for Electric Cars|first=Jack|last=Loftus|date=30 November 2008 |access-date=10 September 2017|archive-date=5 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105131056/http://gizmodo.com/5100127/michelin-develops-revolutionary-active-wheel-for-electric-cars|url-status=live}} The project was interrupted in 2014.[https://archive.today/20160818155637/http://www.autotitre.com/lien.php?id=80765&p1=2&p2=1&p3=0&url=http://www.actu-automobile.com/2014/10/22/michelin-abandonne-le-developpement-des-roues-motorisees/ Michelin abandonne le développement des roues motorisées] - actu-automobile.com
Other products
=Tyre retailer=
Michelin operates tyre retail and distribution in Europe under Euromaster and Blackcircles{{Cite web |title=Michelin Distribution Networks |url=https://www.michelin.co.uk/distribution |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.michelin.co.uk |language=en-gb}} brands, and in the US with its wholly owned subsidiary TCI Tire Centers.{{cite web |url=http://www.tirecenters.com/contactus/contactus.cfm |title=TCI® Tire Centers :: Contact Us |publisher=tirecenters.com |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214003829/http://www.tirecenters.com/contactus/contactus.cfm |url-status=live }} TCI tire centers was folded into NTW, when Michelin partnered with Sumitomo to form the entity.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Bruce |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Michelin, TBC to combine wholesale businesses |url=https://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20180122/ISSUE/180129994/michelin-tbc-to-combine-wholesale-businesses |website=Tire Business}} The company also manages its own e-commerce store, michelinman.com.
=Tour guides=
{{main|Michelin Guide}}
Michelin has long published two guidebook series, the Red Guides for Hotels and Restaurants, and the Green Guides for tourism. It now publishes several additional guides, as well as digital maps and guide products. The city maps in both the Red and the Green guides are of high quality, and are linked to the smaller-scale road maps.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
=Maps=
Michelin publishes a variety of road maps, mostly of France but also of other European countries, countries in Africa, Thailand and the United States. They have recently embarked on e-commerce selling Michelin maps and guides directly to the public through, for example, their UK website.{{cite web|url=http://www.michelin.co.uk/travel|title=Michelin.co.uk|access-date=13 July 2006|archive-date=23 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923190827/http://www.michelin.co.uk/travel/|url-status=dead}} The Michelin roadmaps were reproduced in England for the Allied invasion during World War II. In 1940, the Germans also reproduced the 1938 edition of Michelin maps for the invasion.{{cite web|url=http://cartesmich.free.fr/ww2_a.php|title=The Michelin maps of the Second World War|website=cartesmich.free.fr|access-date=7 December 2012|archive-date=28 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828112401/http://cartesmich.free.fr/ww2_a.php|url-status=live}}
=Online mapping=
{{Main|ViaMichelin}}
ViaMichelin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Michelin Group, and was started in 2001, to represent Michelin's digital mapping services. As of August 2008, ViaMichelin generates 400 million maps and routes per month on its main website.{{cite web|url=http://www.viamichelin.com|title=ViaMichelin: Michelin route planner and maps, restaurants, traffic news and hotel booking|website=www.viamichelin.com|access-date=13 April 2009|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430155945/https://www.viamichelin.com/|url-status=live}}
ViaMichelin provides mapping for internet, mobile and satellite navigation products with street level coverage of Europe, USA, Australia, and parts of Asia and South America.
= Michelin Challenge Bibendum / Movin'On (since 2017) =
The Michelin Challenge Bibendum is a major sustainable mobility event.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
=Michelin Truck and Bus=
File:Citroen_Mille_Pattes_1972.JPG, a 1972 mobile tyre evaluation machine, based on the Citroën DS Break]]
In 1952, 6 years after Michelin patented its Radial Casing, Michelin adapted the radial technology to truck tyres.[http://transport.michelin.com.au/ Michelin Truck and Bus Information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014151903/http://transport.michelin.com.au/ |date=14 October 2012 }}
Management
File:Michelin NA building.jpg, United States]]
From 1999, the company was headed by CEO Édouard Michelin. On 26 May 2006, Édouard drowned while fishing near the island of Sein, off the coast of Brittany.Associated Press, [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/business/27michelin.html?scp=14&sq=Michelin&st=nyt&_r=0 "Édouard Michelin, 42, Tire Executive, Is Dead"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122043529/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/business/27michelin.html?scp=14&sq=Michelin&st=nyt&_r=0 |date=22 November 2021 }}, The New York Times (27 May 2006). His death brought Michel Rollier, a 2nd cousin of Édouard Michelin, to the head of the company. Rollier was replaced in May 2012 by Jean-Dominique Senard.{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB114866900467864406 | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=Michelin Scion Dies; Firm's Reins Leave Family | date=27 May 2006 | first1=Alessandra | last1=Galloni | author-link=Alessandra Galloni | first2=John | last2=Carreyrou | access-date=25 September 2021 | archive-date=22 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122043529/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB114866900467864406 | url-status=live }} In 2018, Jean-Dominique Senard announced he would not seek re-election at the shareholders' meeting in 2019. As a result, the shareholders elected Florent Menegaux to succeed Senard starting in 2019.
The company also has its headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, United States as Michelin North America. They first manufactured in the city in 1975 before opening up their headquarters a decade later.{{cite news |last1=Cary |first1=Nathaniel Cary |title=Michelin ups investment to $175M in Greenville, Spartanburg facilities |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/michelin-ups-investment-to-175m-in-greenville-spartanburg-facilities/article_a19fc2fa-1df1-11eb-85a8-235f26bb4946.html |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=Post and Courier |date=3 November 2020 |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804000830/https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/michelin-ups-investment-to-175m-in-greenville-spartanburg-facilities/article_a19fc2fa-1df1-11eb-85a8-235f26bb4946.html |url-status=live }}
= Corporate governance =
Corporate governance consists of two managers and an executive committee whose members are:
- Éric-Philippe Vinesse, Executive Vice President, Research & Development
- Lorraine Frega, Executive Vice President, Distribution, Services & Solutions, Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships
- Yves Chapot, General Manager and Chief Financial Officer
- Adeline Challon-Kemoun, Executive Vice President, Engagement and Brands
- Jean-Claude Pats, Executive Vice President, Personnel
- Bénédicte de Bonnechose, Executive Vice President, Urban and Long-Distance Transportation and European Regions
- Pierre-Louis Dubourdeau, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing
- Florent Menegaux, Managing Chairman
- Scott Clark, Executive Vice President, Automotive, Motorsports, Experiences and Americas Regions
- Serge Lafon, Executive Vice President, Specialties and Africa/India/Middle East, China, East Asia and Australia Regions
- Maude Portigliatti, Executive Vice President, High-Tech Materials.
See also
{{Portal bar|France|Companies|Aviation}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Michelin}}
- {{Official website}}
- [http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/41/41240.html Yahoo! – Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin Company Profile]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jamaeGcLD0 How Is It Made]
- {{PM20|FID=co/016126|TEXT=Documents and clippings about|NAME=}}
- [https://middle-east.michelin.com/en/ Michelin Tyres Middle East]
- [https://mms.newberry.org/xml/xml_files/Michelin.xml Michelin Map Collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323204024/https://mms.newberry.org/xml/xml_files/Michelin.xml |date=23 March 2020 }} at [https://www.newberry.org the Newberry Library]
{{Michelin Corporation|state=autocollapse}}
{{CAC 40 companies}}
{{French bicycle manufacturers}}
{{rubber}}
{{Automotive industry in France}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Auto parts suppliers of France
Category:French companies established in 1889
Category:Companies listed on Euronext Paris
Category:Automotive companies established in 1889
Category:Cycle parts manufacturers
Category:Multinational companies headquartered in France
Category:Tire manufacturers of France
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