HRH The Duke of York visits Michelin Tyres PLC
HRH The Duke of York has visited Michelin Tyre PLC as part of his programme to look at the role of Apprenticeships within the Northern Ireland Economy.
Michelin operates on a 112 acre site in Ballymena and employs over 950 people. It has a yearly production capacity of 1.4 million truck/bus tyres, of which 50% is exported to Europe, 35% to North American and 10% to South America and Asia . A small range of tyres are also supplied to the United Kingdom vehicle manufacturers and replacement markets.
The Duke of York was greeted on arrival by Eric Le Corre, UK Managing Director of Michelin PLC and Wilton Crawford, Plant Manager, Ballymena site. Following a short overview of the company and its UK Apprenticeship Scheme, HRH met with the senior management team and some of the apprentices who are currently going through their scheme.
HRH then began a tour of the factory visiting the engineering and preparation workshops as well as the tyre assembly workshop, where he had the opportunity to chat with staff.
Before departing for the next engagement, Mr Crawford thanked HRH for visiting the company and presented a gift of a framed picture of the Michelin factory in Ballymena.