- The plant, which was founded in 1952 in a time of strong growth, faced a number of crises from the 1980s onwards and had to reinvent itself.
- A decision was made to specialize the business in manufacturing tires for the aeronautics industry, which was decisive in order to successfully carry out the site’s industrial mutation.
- With the AirCaptif project and the development of new businesses, the site has strong assets for the years to come.
Today, Michelin celebrates the 70th anniversary of its Bourges Saint-Doulchard industrial site. The ceremony took place in the presence of the plant’s employees as well as François Bonneau, President of the Centre-Val de Loire region; Maurice Barate, Prefect of the Cher department; Richard Boudet, Mayor of Saint-Doulchard; Jean-Christophe Guérin, member of the Michelin Executive Committee and Industrial Director; Serge Lafon, member of the Michelin Executive Committee and Business Specialty Director; and Mauro Sponza, Director of the Group’s Aeronautics Business.
Michelin’s Bourges site proves it is possible to maintain industrial productions in Europe and in France, provided a highly demanding strategy is put in place: positioning on very high-end markets, team excellence, integration in a stimulating ecosystem. The plant, which is now firmly established in its core business, aeronautics, can confidently face the development of its new lines of business.