French envoy inaugurates Michelin India's new R&D centre

France's Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler on Tuesday inaugurated Michelin India's state-of-the-art R&D Laboratory in Manesar, Haryana, which he said will contribute to the Indian government's Make in India and Skill India initiatives, a statement said.

During the inauguration, Ziegler said: "Our vibrant economic partnership with India is boosted by France's leading companies such as Michelin which actively contribute to "Make in India" and bring research and development technology expertise here. Along with providing innovative products to India and other emerging markets in the region, this technology centre will also help augment skilling, thus contributing to the Indian government's National Skill Development Mission, a key parameter for global competitiveness for India."

The sprawling 3,800-sq m Materials test laboratory at Manesar is an essential resource, providing support to the Michelin Technology Centre in Gurgaon. This Technology Centre is focused on radial truck and bus tyre R&D and provides technical support to the company's manufacturing facilities in Chennai, China and Thailand, a statement from the French embassy said.

With an annual R&D budget of more than euro 700 million, Michelin has over 6,000 employees engaged in research, development and process engineering at Technology Centers in Europe, North America and Asia.

--IANS

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