GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 14, 2002)— Group Michelin has reported that from April 11-30 more than 63 percent of its employees chose to participate in the company's employee shareholding plan. This percentage places Michelin ahead of other industrial companies in the launch of a first-time employee shareholding plan, the company said.
The plan was offered to 100,000 employees in 16 countries in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia.
In North America, 71 percent of U.S. employees and 62 percent of Canadian workers participated. In China, where a specific bonus plan was offered, 93 percent of employees participated, Michelin said in a press release.
For this first phase of the shareholding plan, more than 1.63 million shares were requested, representing 25 percent more than the number of 1.3 million shares that were offered. The employees´ shares represent about 1.2 percent of the 134.7 million Michelin shares in circulation.
On average, each subscriber requested 27 shares. The company provided a matching contribution for 20 shares.
"We are gratified by this success and are very pleased by the response of employees to the offer put forward to them," said Edouard Michelin, Group Michelin CEO. "New employee shareholders, numbering 60,500 worldwide, is strong proof of the cohesion and commitment of Michelin teams."
Added François Michelin, Group Michelin co-managing partner: "The response of employees shows that Michelin women and men are strongly attached to their company."
Jim Micali, president and chairman of Michelin North America Inc., said the high percentages of participation of workers in the U.S. and Canada "are clearly an indication that our employees are confident about the long-term success of our company."
A second subscription phase will be offered in 2003, allowing employees who were not involved in the first phase to take advantage of the shareholding plan, Michelin said.