The Vitoria-Gasteiz factory was the second Michelin factor established in Spain (four existing) and one of the Group's largest in the world. In 1966, the plant released its first tyre from its vulcanising presses: a tyre intended for civil works of the 23.5-25 XRT **B type.

Between 1966 and 1970, the plant started to implement the means required to manufacture car, lorry and civil works and mining tyres, as well as plants for the production of semi-finished products (rubber mixtures, cables, rings, metallic fabric...).

At present, Michelin Vitoria employs 3,300 workers and has four industrial areas: car tyres, civil works tyres, metallic reinforcements and rubber components. Its production is aimed at car manufacturers, the replacements market and, in the case of heavy duty tyres, at the infrastructure and mining sectors of the 170 countries in which the Group is commercially present.

Since its establishment in 1889, Michelin has contributed to the progress of mobility, and its PRM dynamics guarantees the Company's main values based on respect for customers, people, shareholders, the environment and facts.

Michelin is the world's leading tyre manufacturer and has production centres in 19 countries. In 2004, it manufactured 194 million tyres catering for all types of requirements and produced 19 million maps and guides, with a turnover of 15,689 million Euros and a workforce of 126,500 people worldwide.

Product:
High technology tyres

The largest tyre in the world is the 59/80 R63 XDR, with a diameter of 4.03 m, capable of withstanding over 104 tonnes and with a long working life. In order to manufacture these tyres, it has been necessary for the company to have the best and most innovative technological advances at its disposal.

Specifically, this tyre has been developed based on four technologies. These are:

 The technology applied to the low profile 80 series, which offers higher performance and exceptional load capacity.

 The XDR design, with a depth of 116 mm and made up of separate rubber blocks placed at the centre of the tread, increasing tyre life by 25%.

 The use of top-quality materials and processes for reducing heat generation in the tread without losing grip.
 A powerful architecture in the lower part, designed to support the high engine torque and the huge loads exerted by lorries using these tyres.

It was the Michelin factory in Vitoria that in 1995 manufactured the largest tyre in the world, weighing 5,782 kg and with a diameter of 3.72 meters, making it the Guinness record holder for the largest tyre in the world. In this way, this factory has specialised in the manufacture of giant tyres for vehicles intended for civil works.

Address:

MICHELIN ESPAÑA PORTUGAL S.A. FÁBRICA DE VITORIA
Avda. del Cantábrico, 01013 - Vitoria - ARABA
Tel: +34 945 26 65 00
Fax: +34 945 25 86 67
comunicacion.vitoria@es.michelin.com
www.michelin.com

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED BASQUE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

The aforementioned product is part of a catalogue published by the Society for Industrial Promotion and Restructuring (S.P.R.I. in its Spanish acronym). The catalogue compiles the main industrial products from Basque companies that have become 'internationally renowned' and are 'global leaders within their sectors'.  The publication 'Basque Country, A World Class Industry' gathers the activities of a total of 121 Basque corporations and institutions.

This compilation, though tiny, is a quite significant example of the wide range of INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED BASQUE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS that corporations in this country design, develop and produce, and that comply with the expectations and needs of clients around the world.

The Sectorial Associations, the Basque Clusters and Euskalit have been in charge of selecting these internationally renowned products.