François Michelin, iconic former leader of the group, died in … – Le Figaro

DISAPPEARANCE – Clermont The group announced the death to 88 years of “François”, who led the company for 44 years, transforming the family business in world number 1

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The Michelin Group is once again in mourning. Ten years after the accidental death of Edward, now Clermont-Ferrand announced Wednesday the death of his father, Francois Michelin, at the age of 88, without specifying neither the place nor the date. The political world paid him yesterday unanimous tribute. Thus Hollande praised “one of the largest industrial post-war,” Francois Fillon, former Prime Minister paid tribute to the “atypical pattern inspired social and Christian values” praising his qualities as a “builder”.

Indeed, François Michelin inherited an empire that was left to create. He knew from the age of 12, he would lead the company founded by his grandfather and his uncle, in Clermont-Ferrand, whose streets are treated since 1889 in the rubber smell.

Described as “the most secret boss of France”, it certainly cultivated a taste for silence. His legendary discretion strengthened charisma of this man of great stature to the mobile gaze, half-mocking, half-inquisitor, who loved his interlocutors in scrutinizing the marks of interest, astonishment.

“He exuded incredible strength, self-confidence he seemed to draw on its unshakeable Catholic convictions, “recalls a collaborator. A faith pegged to the body which earned “François”, the adjective “divine right boss” from the “Bibs”, these employees of the factory, which for decades have manually manufactured rubber envelopes.

“He exuded incredible strength, self-confidence he seemed to draw on its unshakeable Catholic convictions”

François Michelin imagined, wanted and developed the transition from a quasi-craft and automation. Rarely will a man so confused with the history of his company and the industrial development of the country.

When it moved in 1955 to 29 years behind the director’s office, mathematics license in hand, he already knows very well the house he worked incognito on production lines and has compelled the turn of France outlets with business travelers. The family dubbing will not be a marshal’s baton: Michelin is still at this time that the 10th World tire manufacturer

This is however the arrival of the start of the global conquest signal. When leaving forty-four years later commands the “yellow and blue house” is the first in the world.

Meanwhile, Clermont-Ferrand, one provincial town to host the headquarters of a company CAC 40, created the car tire, plane, subway, trains (with Micheline) and radial tires, “low consumption” tires, or even indestructible. More than a technician, rather than a manager, François Michelin was a visionary who has accompanied the development of the automotive industry. We sometimes forget, the group controlled Citroën before reselling this manufacturer Peugeot.

The former group executives remember the tight confrontation that accompanied the launch of the tires “X” radial tires, considerably more durable than other gums.

For employees believe that extending their lifespan would hamper the renewal of tires, he replied that on the contrary satisfied customers would come in others. The suite proved him right, as its acquisition strategy in the United States or its perception of globalization. It is by offering Uniroyal Goodrich in the US in 1989, Michelin will prevail first in the world. Twenty years later, some 111,000 employees in 70 locations (18 countries) produced 176 million envelopes …

“It was an enlightened industrialist, a great man who had the rare ability to have an independent thought. “

His personal aura has far exceeded his engineering vision. “It was an enlightened industrialist, a great man who had the rare ability to have an independent thought. He reasoned with himself, it is besides what made his wealth, “recalls Yves Messarovitch, co-author with Ivan Levai, the book And why not? that was co-signed by François Michelin 1998. “He wanted to give evidence to a time when he saw too many things that did not like,” recalls the author.

With the outspoken, sometimes abrupt, of those plot their own furrow, but also sold their mansion to meet the challenges of a social plan, he finally assumed the right to speak. That his opponents will tax paternalistic and reactionary, fustigera CNPF and Grenelle agreements. Character iconoclastic, François Michelin was also comfortable behind the wheel of his break DS, bound for the South family home, luggage on the roof, as the controls of his helicopter.

After Half a century of omnipotence, he gave up his seat in 1999 to his son, Edward. At the handover, the son said soberly: “There are men that mark their time, lasting, Mr. Michelin, my father is of them.” In hindsight, these words sound like modest now the most moving tributes . Four years later, Édouard Michelin tragically died at sea during a fishing

The influence of the family on the Michelin group to which it gave its name fades. From the start, in May 2012, Michel Rollier, 2nd degree cousin of Edward, and decision functions of Jean-Dominique Senard, there are more family members to the group management. A page is turned.