GRANBY, Que. — Groupe Robert Bernard has inaugurated the largest retreading plant in Canada, boasting 70,000 sq.-ft. of floor space.

The retreader is the eight in Canada and the 80th in North America to use Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT), the companies announced. Groupe Robert Bernard has invested $3 million into the facility.

“We have full faith in the technology offered by MRT and we have a strong relationship with the Michelin family going back 45 years,” said Jocelyn Bernard, vice-president of Groupe Robert Bernard. “Our new plant provides us with a larger shop floor of 70,000 sq.-ft. This will facilitate better production and storage. This will also help us reduce wait times for delivery.”

Harold Phillips, chief operating officer, Michelin Canada, added: “Although MRT Canada now has eight plants across the country, Robert Bernard MRT is the only hybrid facility, which means it can manufacture high quality retread tires using Pre-Mold and Custom-Mold processes. With this expansion, Robert Bernard MRT is the largest retread plant in Canada. This will help the company meet the increasing demand for the highest quality MRT retread tires in Quebec.”

Michelin says its retreads incorporate new technologies, offering “incomparable treads and the most stringent quality standards.” MRT retreads use only Michelin rubber and treads, with finished products the company says look and perform like new Michelin tires.