Michelin to invest £50m and create 140 new jobs

THE long-term commitment of French tyre giant Michelin to Scotland was confirmed yesterday as the company announced plans to create 140 new jobs at its Dundee factory as part of a multi-million pound investment package.

The investment at the Baldovie site, creating a new production line for the next generation of fuel efficient tyres, will also safeguard the jobs of the current 860-strong workforce.

First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the announcement of the massive investment as a vote of confidence in Scotland and Dundee as he toured the plant.

He said: “This commitment to Dundee by Michelin is a resounding vote of confidence for the staff at the plant, who can now look forward with confidence to a bright future making the next generation of fuel efficient tyres.

Helped by regional selective assistance funding from Scottish Enterprise, Michelin has already begun transforming the Dundee factory to enable the hundreds of fantastic, skilled workers here to remain at the cutting edge of their industry and help the drive to the low carbon economy.”

Michelin is to invest up to £50 million over the next six years to increase production capacity at its Dundee plant and its other UK manufacturing sites at Ballymena and Stoke-on-Trent.

Eric Le Corre, the managing director of Michelin UK, said: “We are extremely excited about this planned investment as it shows that the Michelin Group is firmly committed to the future of tyre manufacturing in the UK, and underlines our desire to strengthen our future commercial presence in the UK. It is not only great news for Michelin, but also for the UK economy.”

He added: “The importance of this investment plan is reinforced by the fact that both the UK and Scottish governments have agreed to support this initiative with grants.”