The Michelin tires factory in Zalau celebrates its 40th anniversary. The factory started its activity in 1977 with the production of tires and air chambers under the name of Silvania, before becoming part of the Michelin Group in 2001. It then started a new stage of its development by implementing innovative processes and the industrialization of new products. At the factory there are now 1,130 people employed.

"This new investment project makes it possible to produce new tire models for the intermediate market segment, including the Tigar brand. Michelin Zalau Tires will become the only Michelin factory in Europe to produce the new models for the lower level of the intermediate segment with 100 new jobs created by 2021", a press release of the company said.

The plant produces about 130 tire models for markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and America.

Based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has 111,700 employees and operates in 68 production units in 17 countries that produced a total of 184 million tires in 2015.

The Michelin Group started its operations in Romania in August 2001, investing over 400 million Euros over the years to modernize the plants. At present, Michelin has about 3,300 employees, three plants (two at Zalau and one at Floresti), a commercial network and a Center of Excellence and Shared Services.

In March 2017, the Group announced the investment of 60 million Euros in its Zalau metallic cord plant - Zalau Cord - to increase its production capacity by 50% by 2019. (Source: hotnews.ro)