The state of South Carolina continues to grow as a hub of the tire industry with the newly established Tire Manufacturers’ Council consisting of Michelin North America Inc., Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Continental Tire the Americas LLC.
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce says tire companies are vitally significant to South Carolina becoming the tire capital of North America. The Tire Council’s mission is to evaluate and propose policies relating to the manufacture of tires in South Carolina.
Steve Evered, vice president of government affairs for Michelin, serves as chairman of the Tire Manufacturers’ Council. The chair will rotate among member companies annually.
“South Carolina will soon become the largest tire manufacturing state in the country and currently ranks first among states in tire exports,” says Evered. “The establishment of the Tire Manufacturers’ Council is an acknowledgement of the significant impact of the industry on the state’s economy.”
Over the last 22 months, Michelin has committed to invest more than $1.15 billion in South Carolina expansions. (See Michelin to invest $200 million at Starr, S.C., plant.)
During the same time, Bridgestone Americas has committed to invest $1.2 billion to expand its South Carolina capacity. (See Two Bridgestone plants send no waste to landfills.)
Continental Tire’s South Carolina investment totals more than $500 million. (See New Continental tire plant in Sumter, S.C., will cost one half billion dollars.)
Upon the completion of recently announced expansions, these three tire manufacturers will employ more than 12,000 people in the state, making tire manufacturing one of the largest industrial sector employers in South Carolina.
