Missing the man behind the 'Michelin Man'

By Pete Selleck, Chairman and president, Michelin North America Inc.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — In the 1970s, South Carolina's once-flourishing textile industry entered the early stages of a long decline. A seismic economic change would unfold across the following decades. Who would predict that an “overseas” company would fill the void in South Carolina with tires?

The man behind this vision was Francois Michelin, who placed his first U.S. tire plant in “Upstate” South Carolina 40 years ago.  

Mr. Michelin was 88 when he died in France earlier this week. As one of the great patriarchs of Michelin, he led our company for 47 years, longer than any other person in the company's 126-year history. In addition to transforming South Carolina to become the nation's No. 1 tire producer — many competitors eventually would follow Michelin to South Carolina — he also transformed the French company into the world's largest tire manufacturer, and arguably the best as well.

More important, however, were Mr. Michelin's character, humanity, values, imagination and courageous foresight — an unwavering legacy that has led to 10 Michelin manufacturing plants and nearly 9,000 employees across South Carolina.

Today, our company operates 20 plants in 17 locations and employs more than 22,750 people across North America. All of us are proud members of the Michelin family.

“François Michelin tirelessly embodied the values of respect that are the very foundation of our Group's identity,” said Jean-Dominique Senard, chief executive officer of Michelin Group.

“Under his leadership, Michelin experienced unprecedented growth, driven by his passion for innovation as well as his uncompromising attention to quality. He transformed the Group by giving it an international dimension.”

Though he was born to a prominent family (in fact, a grandson of one of the founding Michelin brothers), Mr. Michelin worked his way up from the factory floor to become the company's most revered leader. His early experience building tires and his time in research and development helped shape his leadership style and deepened his desire to see Michelin become the leading innovator in the industry.

That vision was unrelenting. During his tenure, Michelin invented and sold the first radial tires — a technological revolution that drove its global growth. Other innovations included an early push for tires with low-rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions, and later, a single-wide tire for commercial trucks that saves weight, saves fuel and adds cargo capacity.

A man of deep religious faith, Mr. Michelin was a great believer in the human spirit to succeed, and he held in high regard all the people who worked at Michelin, from the plant floors to the top offices. He also bore tragedy in his life — losing his father as a young boy, then losing his son and successor, Edouard, in a 2006 boating accident — with the strong support of his Catholic faith.

“Look and listen. It is the people you work with that will make you what you should be,” Mr. Michelin said. “Remember, even those workers who complete the smallest tasks contribute every day to a real and important accomplishment.”

The people who knew Francois Michelin — and I am privileged to be among them — all emphasize his sincere concern for his fellow human beings and his great willingness to listen to the workers who make our tires.

Early on, I learned from him that when you visit a Michelin factory the first people you talk to are not in offices, but on the production floor. Many times he was so determined to spend time with Michelin employees that he would come unannounced, very early in the morning — sometimes 3 or 4 a.m. — to listen to employees working the night shift.

Francois Michelin was a tenacious businessman. He opened up the world to Michelin. Our company has touched the lives of thousands. Our tires have touched the lives of millions. And as we mourn his death now, it is a good time to remember one of his many great sayings: “I don't look back at the ground covered, but on the contrary, to that which remains ahead. It keeps your feet on the ground.”

_________________________________________

Pete Selleck is chairman and president of Michelin North America, based in Greenville, S.C. Mr. Selleck is a 32-year veteran of Michelin.

.

.