GREENVILLE, S.C.—To augment the rapid growth of its retreading operations, Michelin North America plans to build a tread-pressing plant in Covington, Ga. The tire maker said it will invest more than $15 million in the 93,000-sq.-ft plant, which will press Pre-Mold treads to supply the growing number of Michelin Retread Technologies Inc. (MRTI) franchisees. Production is expected to begin by the fourth quarter.
MRTI, launched in September 1997, currently has 23 franchisees across the U.S. That number is expected to double during the next 12 months, said John Rice, COO of Michelin Americas Truck Tires.