François Michelin facts for kids

François Michelin (born June 15, 1926 – died April 29, 2015) was a French businessman. He led the famous tire company Michelin as its CEO from 1955 to 1999. Under his guidance, this family business grew into the world's top tire maker. He helped Michelin become very strong in Europe and the United States.

Early Life of François Michelin

François Michelin was born on June 15, 1926. His hometown was Clermont-Ferrand, in the Auvergne region of France.

His grandfather, Édouard Michelin, was one of the people who started the Michelin company. François's father was Étienne Michelin. Sadly, François became an orphan when he was only ten years old. He later earned a degree in Mathematics.

Leading Michelin: A Career Overview

François Michelin began working at Michelin in 1951. He wanted to learn about the company from the ground up. So, he worked under a different name alongside regular factory workers. He started as a fitter, then became a driver, and later worked in sales.

He became the CEO of Michelin in 1955. He held this important position until 1999.

Growing the Company Globally

When François Michelin took over, Michelin was the tenth largest tire maker. By the time he left, it was number one! For example, between 1960 and 1979, he opened 25 new factories around the world. Some were as far away as Vietnam.

He hired Carlos Ghosn in 1978 to help Michelin grow even more in the United States. In 1990, Michelin bought another big tire company called Uniroyal Goodrich. This made Michelin the leader in the U.S. tire market.

New Tire Innovations

François Michelin was a pioneer in tire technology. He helped make the radial tire popular. This type of tire became the best standard for tires all over the world.

In 1993, he launched the "green tire." This special tire helps cars use less fuel, which is good for the environment.

His Unique Leadership Style

François Michelin had a special way of leading. He believed in listening to all employees, no matter their job or position. He also encouraged his team to take smart risks to create new ideas. He thought that business should be done quietly and that keeping things confidential was important.

In 1999, his son, Édouard Michelin, became co-Chairman. François Michelin fully retired in 2002.

Personal Life and Beliefs

In 1951, François Michelin married Bernadette Montagne. They had six children together. One of their sons, Édouard, sadly passed away in 2006.

The family lived in a large house called La Bosse, which was his grandfather's mansion. It was located near Clermont-Ferrand. They also spent summers in a beautiful area called the Luberon. François Michelin even flew his own helicopter to travel to Paris! His wife, Bernadette, passed away in 2013.

He was a devoted Roman Catholic. He even met Pope John Paul II in Rome in 2004. Towards the end of his life, he lived in a retirement home run by a Catholic charity.

His Passing and Tributes

François Michelin died on April 29, 2015, in his hometown of Clermont-Ferrand. He was 88 years old.

The French President at the time, François Hollande, praised him. He called François Michelin "one of the greatest French industrialists" after World War II. He said that Michelin understood how important new ideas and long-term planning were. He also noted that by developing the radial tire, François turned a family business into a huge global company.

Carlos Ghosn, a former employee who later became the CEO of Renault and Nissan, also spoke highly of him. He described François Michelin as a "humble and honest man" and a "humanist boss."

Awards and Recognition

• 1997: Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement
• 2008: Inducted into the Tire Industry Association Hall of Fame

See also

In Spanish: François Michelin para niños