Michelin’s Former Russian Tire Plant Undergoes Rebranding and Ownership Change

In May 2023, French-owned Michelin Group completed the sale of its tire manufacturing facility in Russia to Power International Tires LLC, establishing a significant shift in ownership amid broader geopolitical tensions. The plant, situated in the Davydovo area of the Orekhovo-Zuyevo district, near Moscow, has been rechristened Davydovo Tire, reflecting its new corporate identity.

Davydovo Tire has announced that its operations continue to focus on the production of tires for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including buses and trucks. Additionally, the facility boasts a retreading workshop for truck tires, which has been operational since 2011.

The company's mission statement highlights its dedication to meeting customer demands while fostering the growth of the Russian tire industry. Davydovo Tire has pledged to uphold its commitment to sustainable development, maintaining high production standards, and leveraging world-class technological expertise in its operations.

The decision by Michelin to divest its Russian business to Power International Tires, a prominent tire distributor in the region and a long-standing partner of Michelin, was a strategic move aligned with the company’s response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Michelin halted all industrial activities in Russia on March 15, 2022, as part of its strategy to disengage from the market due to the conflict.

Michelin had been a stalwart of the Russian tire sector since 1997, with the Davydovo facility playing a pivotal role since its inception in 2004. According to the 2022 Global Tire Report by ERJ, this plant has the capacity to produce up to 6,000 units of passenger and light vehicle tires each day, highlighting its significant output within the industry.

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