New study touts Michelin has generated billions of dollars toward South Carolina’s economic development

Michelin celebrates 50 years of manufacturing in South Carolina 

GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 17, 2024 – Since its arrival in South Carolina 50 years ago, Michelin North America, Inc., has generated more than $266 billion in cumulative total economic impact, according to the new economic impact report published by the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

This activity level, in turn, has supported an average of about 14,000 total jobs per year since 1975, according to Joseph Von Nessen, a research economist who unveiled Michelin’s economic impact report on Tuesday.

The report was presented as part of an event celebrating 50 years of Michelin manufacturing in South Carolina, a half-century in which Michelin has created jobs, bolstered communities and led the Palmetto State’s transformation in manufacturing.

“Michelin arrived in South Carolina at a pivotal time. As textile manufacturing entered a long decline, Michelin sparked an evolution to advanced manufacturing in our state,” Von Nessen said. “The factories, later complemented with research and headquarters activities, created an economic force that attracted many more manufacturers and increased the quality of life in communities across the state.”

Key findings in the economic impact study include:

• $8.2 billion = Total annual economic impact associated with Michelin’s current activities in South Carolina
• $2 billion = Total annual labor income associated with Michelin’s activities
• 24,915 = Total annual jobs associated with Michelin’s activities
• 6 = Michelin’s employment multiplier; that is, for every 10 jobs Michelin creates, an additional 16 jobs are created elsewhere in the state, for a total of 26 jobs.
• 45% = Average income premium for jobs associated directly or indirectly with Michelin vs. the average income in South Carolina
• Read the full report HERE [includes link to pdf]

The Event

To mark the 50th anniversary, Michelin North America celebrated at its corporate headquarters Tuesday, welcoming state and local leaders, including Governor Henry McMaster and Ashely Teasdel, Deputy Secretary, SC Department of Commerce. Alexis Garcin, outgoing president and CEO for Michelin North America also introduced his successor, Matthew Cabe, as Garcin transitions to a new role with Michelin Group starting Oct. 1, 2024.

“For the last 50 years, Michelin has been a driving force for our state, creating good jobs, modernizing our economy, and helping to build our automotive industry into the powerhouse it is today,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “We are grateful for their contributions and look forward to continuing our great partnership for years to come.”

Garcin highlighted in the event that it’s the people that make it possible when it comes to Michelin’s success in South Carolina.

“Available land, access to ports, education and -most importantly- skilled people attracted Michelin to South Carolina a half-century ago,” Garcin said. “Today, we celebrate those generations who made Michelin what it has become: A proud South Carolina citizen, represented by thousands of thriving families connected with 15 Michelin facilities across the state. Each one of them had and still has a huge impact on our communities.”

Michelin North America continues to be a top contributor to South Carolina’s knowledge economy, resulting from the strategic location of research, marketing, sales and manufacturing activities nearby. According to the economic impact study, Michelin maintains 28% higher productivity levels than other tire manufacturers in the state, primarily due to the presence of Michelin’s corporate headquarters and the Michelin Americas Research Center (MARC). For example, MARC innovations such as the Michelin X Tweel^TM airless tire assembly and the Lunar Rover tire have changed the future of mobility.

“Michelin bringing new industry to the area was a seismic event in Greenville,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White. “At the time, industry was all about textiles. Michelin changed manufacturing in the Upstate by diversifying its industry. Then, when Michelin’s corporate headquarters moved to Greenville, everything else changed as well. Over the years, Michelin leaders have served in key board roles, and Michelin has demonstrated a commitment to public education. More recently, Michelin was a major corporate sponsor of Unity Park, which signaled the significance of this community project to other businesses.” 

Michelin coming to South Carolina has also touched families across generations as well.

Eugene Bishop and his brother, Jeff, followed in the footsteps of their father, Curtis, and began their careers at Michelin. Eugene started at the truck tire plant in Spartanburg (US3), and has held various jobs with the company, including his current role in Consumer Care based at the headquarters.

“My dad worked at US3,” Eugene said. “He started there and retired there 35 years later. At Michelin, there are lots of opportunities if you apply yourself. On a personal level, my family has been through some challenging events while I’ve been with Michelin, and I’ve always had the company’s support. I have life-long friends here.”

The Story

Michelin began making tires in North America at the beginning of the 20^th century. However, the company settled in the Southeast in the early 1970s. The decision to come to the southeast was seen as substantial risks at the time.

Construction began on two Upstate sites in 1973. The first – the semi-finished materials plant in Anderson (US2) – came online in October 1974.

A few months later, in 1975, the passenger-tire facility in Greenville (US1) was up and running, becoming the first plant in South Carolina to produce a tire.

The 1980s brought a boom, with vast expansion in the state, branching down to the Midlands with the addition of another passenger-car tire plant (US5) opening in Lexington. By 1982, US1 hit the 25-million-tire milestone, and cumulatively, Michelin’s S.C. plants had made 40 million tires by the end of 1984.

The company’s North American corporate headquarters moved from Lake Success, N.Y. to Greenville in 1985, settling first near the Donaldson Center. Construction began on the current headquarters site in 1987.

Growth continued across the state when a mining tire facility opened in Lexington (US7) in 1998 and another (US10) in Anderson in 2013.

Fast forward to 2024: Michelin now operates 15 facilities in South Carolina and employs nearly 10,000 people across the state.

“Michelin cares about its people,” said Jeff Bishop, who works as a business unit leader at the Spartanburg plant (US3). “All jobs can be tough at times, but Michelin treats you with respect. This company strives to uphold its core values every day. Not all companies live by those values.”

About Michelin

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world.

Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare.

The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide.