Michelin to grow business in Anderson, Lexington Counties

$750 million investment expected to create 500 new jobs

GREENVILLE, SC – April 10, 2012 – Michelin North America, Inc. todayannounced that the company will expand its Earthmover tire production inSouth Carolina with a $750 million investment expected to generate 500new jobs.

“There is unprecedented demand for Michelin Earthmover tires throughoutthe world,” said Michelin Chairman and President Pete Selleck. “It’s atribute to the productivity of our employees and the pro-businessenvironment in South Carolina that the company is expanding itsEarthmover capacity in the state where we first began manufacturing inthe United States.”

When added to the $200 million announced last May in Lexington, thisannouncement brings the total Michelin investment in South Carolina toalmost $1 billion in the last year.

“Michelin has been part of the economic and social fabric of SouthCarolina since the first tire rolled off the line in 1975 and has beenone of our finest corporate citizens,” said South Carolina GovernorNikki Haley. “It really is a great day in South Carolina when ourlargest manufacturer reaffirms its commitment to the state.”

“It’s always rewarding when new companies locate in South Carolina, butit’s even better when companies like Michelin that have been here fordecades decide to expand and grow,” said Secretary of Commerce BobbyHitt. “It is a tribute to Michelin and its 8,000 employees in the statethat the company has decided to grow their presence here.”

“We are pleased to recognize the achievements of Michelin North America.The recent expansion of Lexington plants US#5 and US#7 greatlystrengthened the economic activity in our area and helped to foster thegrowth that we are currently experiencing. Today we are excited aboutthe two announcements and delighted to be able to celebrate thismilestone achievement by Michelin North America. We are pleased thatthey are a part of our community and wish them continued success,” saidLexington County Chairman Bill Banning.

“We are extremely proud to continue and strengthen the long runningrelationship between Michelin, the SC Department of Commerce andAnderson County,” said Tommy Dunn, Anderson County councilman, District5. “I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of Burriss Nelson andhis economic development team in their efforts to cultivaterelationships that can benefit from Anderson County’s unique mix of askilled and willing workforce, the support of Tri-County TechnicalCollege and our area’s outstanding quality of life. This is anothergreat day in Anderson County.”

Central SC Alliance Chairman Jim B. Apple said, “Michelin’s announcementtoday of continued expansion in Lexington County, S.C. reaffirms thepro-business environment, quality workforce and strategic location ofLexington County and Central South Carolina. We congratulate MichelinCorporation on their continued success and we congratulate LexingtonCounty on the continued growth of this great corporate citizen.”

“Michelin’s increased investment in the Upstate speaks volumes to theirbelief in the South Carolina workforce and its business climate. We aregrateful for their contributions to our region and for the jobs theybring to our citizens,” said Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO HalJohnson.

“Michelin is currently one of the Port of Charleston’s largestcustomers, and I am very pleased to learn of their plans to expand theirmanufacturing footprint in South Carolina. Michelin has been aconsistent partner and ardent supporter of the deepening of theCharleston Harbor to accommodate the new, larger cargo vessels.  Thisannouncement today solidifies the company’s relationship with our portand our state,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SouthCarolina State Ports Authority.

State and local incentives were approved for Michelin’s expansion.

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs,manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, includingairplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment,heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The company also publishes travelguides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases.Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America(www.michelinman.com) employs more than 22,200 and operates 18 majormanufacturing plants in 16 locations.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Departmentof Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businessesgrow. Commerce received the Silver Award from Business Facilitiesmagazine, placing second in the 2011 Economic Development Deal of theYear competition. Commerce has been part of recruiting world-classcompanies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental,Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. Commerce also supportssmall and existing business, rural development initiatives and offersgrants for community development. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.