Michelin opened its newest plant in North America for the Michelin X Tweel Airless Radial Tire.
The plant is the 10th Michelin plant in South Carolina, and the first in the world to produce the Tweel. The company is investing $50 million into the 135,000-square-foot Piedmont facility, which will employ 100 people in research and development and manufacturing.
The Tweel is a combination of a tire and a wheel. It performs with traditional radial tire technology but requires no air, thereby eliminating the risk of a flat tire.
It was first introduced as a concept in Detroit at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.
“The TWEEL airless radial tire enables Michelin to enter new markets and expand its reach in existing business segments within the low-speed application category,” Ralph Dimenna, head of Michelin Tweel Technologies, said in a release. “The industry is hungry for solutions contributing to productivity, safety and bottom lines. Serving our customers is at the center of our strategy for success.”
Last year, the Tweel was introduced for skid-steer loaders. Michelin announced a partnership with John Deere last month to produce the tire-wheel hybrid for the tractor company’s ZTRAK 900 model.
“Michelin has been a global leader for over 125 years, and we are proud to say they have been part of the South Carolina family for over 40 years,” said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. “Michelin is a leader in the tire industry, and they are innovative in their product development, which continues to put South Carolina on the world stage.”
