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PATRICK R
Tire Research
Attending French classes in Spartanburg, SC public schools first led me toward Michelin. Being a highly respected company in the Upstate, my teachers would often use a job with Michelin as an example of the potential value of learning a second language. This proved to be true when, during my freshman year of Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University, I became interested in the cooperative education program at Michelin.
I started as a co-op at Michelin's truck tire plant in Spartanburg in 1989. After graduating from Auburn in 1993, I became a Machine Designer at Michelin's aircraft tire plant in Norwood, NC. In 1998, I moved to the R&D center in Greenville where I was a Test Engineer for 5 years before moving to my current position in a Tire Research group.
Although Michelin focuses on one product, the size of the company provides a wide variety of opportunities. For me, the most interesting projects are those that I can connect to the final product. I can now appreciate the combined efforts that are required to have a tire perform well in the field. Whenever I takeoff in an airplane, I remember the manufacturing process and my part in the design of the machines. When I pass a truck on the interstate, I consider my role in the tire testing that contributed to the final design. I appreciate that, with each transition, all of my previous experience continues to be applied. Knowledge I gained as a co-op continues to be useful on a daily basis.
Michelin's training is always very thorough, formal, and timely - which contributes to the high quality of our products. As my responsibilities have evolved, appropriate training has been provided. I spent a total of 17 weeks taking courses related to machine design at our Technical Training Center. In addition to numerous management-related courses over the years, I completed the 4-month "Design School" curriculum focused on the technical aspects of tire design prior to being certified for my current position.