Michelin North America has been awarded Ford Motor Company’s highest honor for Corporate Responsibility at the 11th Annual World Excellence Awards. Michelin is one of 36 production and non-production suppliers Ford is recognizing in 2009 for helping the company achieve superior quality, delivery, and cost performance and for initiatives that improve customer satisfaction.

The Recognition of Achievement-Corporate Responsibility award was presented to Michelin for demonstrating innovation in reducing the environmental impact of Ford’s products and for leadership in three key areas:

1. corporate governance,
2. human rights and working conditions, and
3. environmental and social considerations in business.

In accepting the award, Jan Skinner, Michelin North America’s VP of global sales-passenger car and light truck original equipment tires, said,

Industry is creating jobs and leveraging outside investments at a 10:1 ratio

Over the past few years, South Carolina has made significant advancements in growing our state’s knowledge-based economy. Particularly in the area of growing a hydrogen industry, South Carolina has become a national and international leader and that reputation is attracting companies looking to relocate or expand their services here.

“When we created the Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) to help grow our state’s knowledge-based economy, we did not know for certain what direction this public/private partnership would lead us,” said House Speaker Bobby Harrell. “Driven by industry investments and world-class scientists, hydrogen research took off and presented itself as a viable industry that could lead to a booming knowledge-based economy for South Carolina. And in just a short period of time, we have seen significant returns on this investment.” The public/private investment in hydrogen has created 229 jobs in South Carolina. With 65% of those jobs being created in the last 5 years, this is proving to be a growing industry.

Tiremaker receives award for innovative employee wellness program from the Nat’l Business Group on Health

Michelin North America has been honored by the National Business Group on Health as one of the nation’s leading corporations for innovative programs promoting a healthy workplace and for helping its employees and their families to make better choices about their own health and well-being, the company announced today.

Michelin was among 63 companies that received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the National Business Group on Health’s annual health care summit in Washington, DC. Michelin received a Silver Award for the design and concept of its Choose Well-Live Well program. This is the first year Michelin has been selected for this award.

40% of South Carolinian’s don’t use the internet at home.
Credit: U.S. Census Bureau

When people think of the “digital divide”, they often refer to third world countries, but right here - in arguably the world’s most advanced nation - several states rank very low for internet use in the household. Along with 6 other states, South Carolina is in the lowest bracket of household internet users from across the country.

It’s pretty amazing, especially when you hear that some will wait in line for tech gadgets when they first arrive at a store. Apple released their latest version of the iPhone, and there were people waiting in line the night before the store opened so they could be first in the area with one.

The U.S. Department of Transportation today proposed a new, consumer-friendly replacement tire label which would include, for the first time, information about the tire’s impact on fuel economy and CO2 emission reductions. Tires with lower rolling resistance – and proper inflation pressure - can contribute to improved fuel economy.

“Our proposal would let consumers look at a single label and compare a tire’s overall performance as it relates to fuel economy, safety and durability.” - U.S. Trans. Sec. Ray LaHood.

In addition to the new fuel efficiency ratings, the proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also would provide consumers with two other key pieces of tire performance information - wet weather traction and tread wear. All three ratings would be prominently displayed on a removable label attached to the replacement tire at the point of sale.