WATERVILLE, N.S. – Michelin is investing $92 million in its Waterville, N.S. plant to accommodate production of its X One wide single truck tire.

The expansion will double Michelin’s X One tire capacity and will add about 75 jobs to be phased in as the project progresses, the company has announced.

“This investment and the assignment of the revolutionary X One tire production to Waterville is a testament to the skills of our people and their ability to deliver and remain competitive in the global tire market,” said Grant Ferguson, plant manager of Michelin’s Waterville Facility. “Investing in our plant helps to ensure long-term competitiveness, future employment and continued economic support for our community.”

The news triggered excitement among local government officials, including the province’s Premier.

“Nova Scotia is a wonderful place to do business. It is the main reason companies like Michelin continue to invest here and they are a key part of building a prosperous economy and providing stable, long-term employment in our local communities,” said Premier John Hamm.

“An investment in Nova Scotia is a smart investment and it demonstrates confidence in Nova Scotia’s ability to innovate and to deliver in a fiercely competitive global economy.”

The province helped make the expansion a reality by committing $10.8 million.

Michelin plans to expand the plant, adding new equipment as well as technical and manufacturing employees related to the production of the company’s X One.

The expansion will make the Waterville facility the second largest truck tire manufacturing plant in Michelin’s global network.

However, the X One is still not widely used in Canada, as restrictive weight penalties make it impractical to operate. Michelin officials say the tire does not increase damage to infrastructure and are confident the weight restrictions will eventually be lifted.

“The X One is an extremely good fit for the long haul trucking industry,” insists Ferguson. “It should come as no surprise that Michelin, a company committed to the progress of mobility and at the forefront of innovation, would develop the X One tire. It’s just one more significant achievement in a long line of industry firsts.”