On this day in 1973, Michelin announced plans to establish its first major manufacturing operations in the United States with a new tire plant in Greenville County. At that time, the project represented the largest single foreign investment in the state’s history. Now, 46 years later, the company’s presence in South Carolina has multiplied, and the Palmetto State has emerged as a true heavyweight in the global tire industry.
Leading the nation in both the production and export of tires, approximately 110,000 tires are produced in South Carolina each day. Furthermore, the Palmetto State accounts for nearly one-third of all U.S. tire export sales.
This success can be attributed to Michelin and the other tire industry leaders that have decided to call our state home. Representing five countries – France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Sweden – South Carolina’s diverse tire industry now also includes Bridgestone, Continental, Giti and Trelleborg. In total, these companies operate 13 facilities across the state, employing approximately 12,500 workers.
And, those workers are a big reason why South Carolina now boasts such a robust tire footprint. Every time a new tire rolls off an assembly line in our state, the quality of the product produced by our workforce helps solidify South Carolina’s reputation as a world leader in advanced manufacturing. More than four decades after Michelin decided to open its first facility within our borders, it's clear that South Carolina is on a roll.