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Ballymena Factory
Situated 30 miles north-west of Belfast, the Michelin Ballymena factory is the only tyre manufacturing site on the island of Ireland. The facility, operating on a site of approximately 45 hectares (112 acres), provides employment for over 1000 people from across Northern Ireland and has a yearly production capacity of 1.4 million truck tyres. The first tyre was produced at the Ballymena plant in December 1969.
This year the Company will be celebrating in style with its employees as it marks its 40th anniversary as a major manufacturing base in Northern Ireland. Different activities and events are happening throughout the year. Those who have passed the facility could not fail to miss the big ‘40’ at the front of the site and the new flowerbed. In addition, each employee will be presented with a commemorative gift as a keepsake to mark the occasion and will be invited to a special celebration event at the end of November.
Much has changed over the years, mostly due to the introduction of new technology, significant investment in the plant and training of the workforce, increasing flexibility and so ensuring that the Ballymena site can remain competitive in years to come. Today, the vast majority of Ballymena’s production is earmarked for the export market; with around half of its total production capacity exported to North America and Europe, but with customers as far away as China. A small range of tyres is also supplied to the United Kingdom vehicle manufacturers and replacement markets
Testimony to the success of the site is the calibre and loyalty of its employees and this has never been more aptly demonstrated than in the current difficult economic climate. In fact, the Company has had second generation and also four brothers from the one family working at Ballymena; a number of employees who joined the Company in 1969 are still employed there today.
As an international organisation, Michelin has always focused on contributing to the local communities in which it has an operational base and its aims and objectives are set out in the Michelin Performance and Responsibility Charter. The Ballymena site has supported various local initiatives in its 40-year history in the area and has forged strong links with the local community, especially through its Michelin Development arm, helping local businesses succeed with ‘free’ expertise and low cost loans.
Michelin is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tyres for every type of vehicle, including cars, bicycles, motorcycles, aeroplanes, earthmover vehicles, farm equipment, heavy-duty truck and even the space shuttle. It also offers electronic mobility support services, on ViaMichelin.com, and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has around 117,000 employees and operates 68 production plants in 19 different countries. (www.michelin.co.uk)
