A ‘flagship’ innovation centre — the Michelin-Scotland Innovation Parc — is to be developed on the site of the Michelin factory at Baldovie in Dundee.
An agreement was signed at the end of May to form a new company — Michelin-Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) Ltd — that will deliver a new future for the plant, focused on sustainable mobility and low-carbon energy.
The joint venture is a partnership between Michelin, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council; it signals a long-term commitment to Dundee and Scotland by Michelin, which is ceasing production of tyres at Baldovie next year.
Jérôme Monsaingeon, Michelin’s representative on the MSIP Ltd board, said (
www.michelin.com): “On 17 December 2018, together with Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council, we pledged to move at pace to build a new future for our Dundee site.
"By incorporating MSIP Ltd, we have taken the first concrete step in delivering against our shared ambitions of providing employment opportunities for our workforce, creating a flagship innovation centre in Dundee and placing Scotland at the forefront of the fight against climate change.
"Along with our partners, the Michelin Group is deeply committed to supporting the future development of the Michelin-Scotland Innovation Parc in the years to come.”
The partners believe that the Michelin-Scotland Innovation Parc will be a leading global destination for innovation, attracting companies, research institutions and skilled people to address key global challenges in which Scotland has a competitive advantage.
Scottish Enterprise chief executive Steve Dunlop said: “The creation of the joint venture underlines the commitment made by Scottish Enterprise and our partners to create a long-term sustainable future for the Baldovie plant that builds upon Michelin’s legacy of innovation and manufacturing excellence in Dundee.”