Michelin inaugurated COSMOS, an innovative machine for the production of agricultural tires in its factory in Troyes, France. COSMOS is part of the “2021-2026” roadmap project, a major asset for the site and an illustration of Michelin’s All Sustainable vision.
For several months, the factory has been host to install the new agricultural tire production machine, one that is more efficient and more ergonomic. COSMOS is currently unique in the Group as it uses a new technology suited to the specific nature of agricultural tire manufacture – size, weight, material technology, etc. For this project, and since the studies began, multi-disciplinary teams have worked with the site’s production operators to develop a solution that is perfectly tailored to their everyday use.
“2021-2026” roadmap
In 2021, the Troyes site defined its 2021-2026 roadmap that should allow it to consolidate its overall performance and strengthen its place in the Group’s industrial strategy in Europe, based on two priorities:
1 Manufacture tomorrow’s tire ranges at competitive prices, by focusing on more lucrative markets, especially the high-power tractor market
2 Develop the site’s attractiveness by improving the quality of life in the workplace in all its aspects.
The implementation of COSMOS aims to meet the expectations of this roadmap.
The investment, undertaken with the support of the Group, is a strong signal for the Troyes factory. The modernization of the manufacturing process, and improvement in working conditions enabled the plant to sustainably meet a set of requirements that condition the viability of an industrial site.
All Sustainable vision
From the development of the COSMOS project to its operation, everything has been considered around the Michelin Group’s All Sustainable vision.
From an environmental point of view, through the integration of this new technology, COSMOS will allow for improving the Troyes site’s environmental performance by reducing the use of solvents by around 20%.
In terms of economic performance, this new machine will offer greater flexibility in customer service, by manufacturing dimensional ranges that were impossible to produce on site up to now. The industrialization of new tire dimensions will also allow the Troyes site to position itself on products that are even more technological and with high added value.
Throughout the development of COSMOS, the teams made it a point of honor to put people at the center of the priorities. One of the objectives was to make the confectioners’ work easier on agricultural tires, which can measure up to two meters in height. Thanks to this new machine, the workstation ergonomics have been considerably improved.
Colorful fresco
To accompany the implementation of COSMOS, the Troyes site wanted it to be part of a specific environment. An immense colorful fresco covers a wall measuring 80 m² adjoining the machine. This work was created by an artist, with the help of people who will come to work on the new COSMOS machine.
Thanks to the ergonomic improvements, the modernization of the training on the station and the new fresco, COSMOS responds to the site’s attractiveness challenges by offering a more accessible job in a pleasant working environment.
Alongside COSMOS, the Troyes factory has also undertaken a manufacturing workshop modernization project. In 2022, the site inaugurated its first robots with the aim of eliminating grueling tasks with a low added value within workshops. A project to implement automated carts is also underway.
The Troyes site currently provides 40% of the Michelin group’s global capacity for agricultural tire production. It employs 750 people, exports 85% of its production (66% to Europe and 29% to North America) and counts among its clients major manufacturers such as the CNH Group (Case IH, Steyr, New Holland) and the AGCO Group (Fendt, Challenger, Massey-Ferguson and Valtra), and even John Deere and CLAAS.
