Michelin Tires was founded in 1889 in Cleremont-Ferrand, France. The company manufactures, designs, and distributes tires for almost every vehicle made, including the NASA space shuttles. The company began with bicycle tires and has given the world numerous inventions.
In 1946, the company completely changed the automotive industry by introducing a radial ply tire. This quickly became the most popular selling tire throughout Europe, although it took much, much longer for the US to warm up to this style of tire design. Michelin is the world’s largest tire manufacturer, running slightly ahead of Bridgestone.
Michelin Tires is one of the most recognized names around the world. In 2012, the company had annual revenue of $21.4 billion and more than 111,000 employees. In addition to tires, the company also produces travel guides, travel maps, and is a large supporter of racing around the world.
