Michelin announced it is adding a new press at its Covington, Ga., retreading operation capable of producing one million new treads per year.

In a press release Tuesday, the company said the investment is in response to increased demand for Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) products.
The new press was designed to produce new high-technology treads and to take advantage of Michelin’s advanced co-extrusion technique, a process where two different rubber compounds are combined to ensure longer life and cooler casing temperatures maximizing the life of the casing.
Michelin is currently the only manufacturer offering co-extruded treads to retread customers. The new press will allow the company to expand its offering of wider treads for Michelin’s X One wide-single tire.
“The demand for our retread products is accelerating, fueled by strong growth from existing franchisees, as well as the opening of 10 new MRT plants in North America during the last 12 months. We foresee similar growth in the coming years representing an additional demand of half million treads per year,” said Luc Minguet, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Truck Tires.
The new press operation last week and Michelin has launched a project to add another new press in 2006.
For more information, visit www.michelin.com.