GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 17, 2016 – Celebrating a half-century of excellence in manufacturing at the Asheboro, N.C., facility, Oliver Rubber, Inc. ("Oliver") — a leading provider of products and services in the tire-retreading industry — marked the milestone by inviting employees and their families, community leaders and special guests to the plant for a day of music, food, fun and camaraderie.

"For 50 years, the Asheboro facility has manufactured Oliver Rubber’s innovative and quality tread rubber products providing customers with high-value mobility solutions," said Ralph Dimenna, chief operating officer for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. "But we want to celebrate the people behind these products. Their vision and dedication has contributed to this facility’s longevity and success. We are proud that Oliver’s Asheboro team is part of the Michelin family."

Originally built in 1965 by the Harrelson Rubber Company, the Asheboro facility formally opened in 1966. From its inception, the facility was known for producing quality retread products. Harrelson Rubber was purchased in 1982 by Oliver to manufacture its products. After a $2.5 million modernization upgrade, the plant could produce twice the amount of retread rubber. The machinery and equipment for applying pre-cure retreads to truck tires is made by Asheboro's sister facility in Salisbury, N.C. Oliver’s innovations have included pre-cure technology patents in the 1960s and state-of-the-art presses in the 1970s. Since 1990, Oliver has been awarded more than 20 patents for its development of pre-cure retreading equipment, compounds and tread designs. Oliver was acquired in 2007 by Michelin North America and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary.

About Oliver
Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Oliver Rubber, Inc. (www.oliverrubber.com), employs over 450 professionals in the design, chemistry, mixing, extrusion and pressing processes. Oliver is one of the leading providers of quality tread rubber products, services, manufacturing equipment and systems for the North American retreading industry and operates two manufacturing plants in the U.S. The manufacturing and distribution is managed in Asheboro, N.C., and the machinery and equipment is made by Salisbury Machinery Company in Salisbury, N.C.

Contacts:
Mary Ann Kotlarich
Michelin North America
864.458.4884 or Mary-ann.kotlarich@michelin.com

Eric S. Bruner
Michelin North America
864.458.4810 or Eric.bruner@michelin.com