Édouard Michelin (born 1963) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Édouard Michelin
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| Born | 13 August 1963 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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| Died | 26 May 2006 (aged 42) Île de Sein, France
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| Nationality | French |
| Education | Lycée Sainte-Geneviève |
| Alma mater | École Centrale Paris |
| Occupation | Industrialist, CEO of Michelin 1999–2006 |
| Parent(s) | François Michelin Bernadette Montagne |
Édouard Michelin (born August 13, 1963 – died May 26, 2006) was a very important leader at the Michelin company. He was the managing partner and co-chief executive. His great-grandfather, also named Édouard Michelin, helped start the company a long time ago.
Contents
Édouard Michelin's Life
Early Life and Education
Édouard Michelin was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France. He first went to school at Ecole Massillon in his hometown. Later, he studied at the Lycée Sainte-Geneviève in Versailles.
He also spent almost a year studying in the United States, at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina. This time helped him become very good at speaking English. Michelin has its main office for North America in Greenville.
After finishing high school, Édouard went to the École Centrale de Paris. He graduated as an engineer from this well-known school.
Starting at Michelin
In 1985, Édouard joined the Michelin Group. At that time, his father, François Michelin, was leading the company. Édouard started at the lowest levels of the company. He even worked on an assembly line, building tires.
From 1987 to 1988, he served in the military. He worked on French nuclear submarines during this time.
Moving Up in the Company
When he returned to Michelin in 1989, Édouard took on more important roles. First, he became a production manager at the plant in Le Puy-en-Velay, France. Then, he became a team manager at Montceau-les-Mines.
Later, he was appointed CEO of Michelin North America. In this role, he was in charge of both the factories and selling truck tires. He worked under the leadership of Carlos Ghosn, who later became a famous CEO of Renault and Nissan.
Leading Michelin
In 1993, Édouard joined his father, François Michelin, and René Zingraff in Clermont-Ferrand. He became a Managing Partner of Michelin. One of his first big challenges was to lay off 7,500 employees. This was a difficult decision, but he managed to keep his good reputation. He also supported the French government's idea for a 35-hour workweek.
Édouard then started a new plan to reorganize Michelin's factories. Instead of each factory making many different products, they would specialize. This meant each plant would focus on making specific types of tires.
Key Decisions and Successes
In 1998, Édouard started an effort to create more environmentally friendly vehicles. One of his biggest successes was bringing Michelin back into Formula One racing. The company returned to F1 in 2001 and quickly became very competitive.
Michelin's success in Formula One reached its peak in 2005 and 2006. They won back-to-back World Championships with the Renault team and driver Fernando Alonso. After these wins, Michelin left F1 because the rules changed to only allow one tire supplier.
Not all of Édouard's ideas were successful. In 2004, he suggested marketing the Michelin brand without its famous mascot, the "Michelin Man" (Bibendum). However, the company's owners voted against this idea.
On June 11, 1999, Édouard Michelin was officially named the Michelin Group CEO. This was 110 years after the company was first started.
Personal Life
In 1992, Édouard married his wife, Cécile. Their wedding took place at Chartres Cathedral. His older brother, Father Etienne Michelin, led the ceremony. Édouard was a father to six children.
He enjoyed studying theology, listening to Gregorian chants, and going for walks in the mountains. He was also a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). In April 2005, he joined the board of directors for Nokia Corporation.
In France, his employees gave him two nicknames. They called him "Dudu" because he was kind. They also called him "L'americain" (The American) because of his time living and working overseas.
Death and Legacy
Édouard Michelin died on May 26, 2006. He drowned while fishing in the Raz de Sein, near the island of Sein. This area is off the coast of Finistère in northwest France. The boat's captain, Guillaume Normant, also died in the accident.
After Édouard's death, Michelin announced that Michel Rollier, another managing partner, would take over leading the company. Édouard Michelin is buried in the Orcines cemetery in Puy-de-Dôme.
