COLUMBIA, S.C.—Michelin North America Inc., Bridgestone Americas and Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. have formed a Tire Manufacturers' Council with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce to “evaluate and propose policies relating to the manufacture of tires in South Carolina.”
“South Carolina will soon become the largest tire manufacturing state in the country and currently ranks first among states in tire exports,” said Steve Evered, vice president of government affairs for Michelin and chairman of the new council. “The establishment of the Tire Manufacturers' Council is an acknowledgement of the significant impact of the industry on the state's economy.”
All three tire companies are building new capacity in the state, and upon completion of these projects tire industry employment in the state will exceed 12,000, Mr. Evered said.
Together the three companies have committed nearly $3 billion to expansion projects.
“South Carolina is quickly becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse, and it is vital that we keep our eye toward future growth by committing to completing dredging at the Port of Charleston and investing in workforce development,” said Otis Rawl, president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
“These issues are important to all South Carolina businesses,” he added, “but especially significant to the tire manufacturing industry.”