Michelin Only Tiremaker to Earn SmartWay Excellence Award from EPA

Michelin’s subsidiary in North America, Michelin North America Inc. recently earned the SmartWay Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. The award recognizes companies for their outstanding environmental performance and leadership and Michelin was the only tire manufacturer among a select group of 17 shipper and logistics companies from SmartWays 3,700 partners chosen for the award.

Michelin received the award at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) recent Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.

The award is acknowledged as the highest accolade form the EPA for leadership in freight, supply chain, energy and environmental performance. Michelin was chosen for the award on the basis of its efforts to improve freight efficiency and its contributions to cleaner air throughout the supply chain.

“At Michelin, we innovate passionately to make road mobility safer, more convenient and environmentally friendly in all areas of our business,” MNA Chairman and President Alexis Garcin said.

This is in fact the second time Michelin has earned the SmartWay Excellence Award for outstanding environmental performance leadership, further confirming Michelin’s industry leading position in sustainable mobility.

As part of its drive to be more sustainable, Michelin continually analyzes shipping routes to optimize freight flow and reduce empty miles. The company came up with the Michelin Environmental Footprint indicator, which helps the tiremaker to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy consumption, and material impacts on the environment.

Michelin’s initiatives include measures to reduce power consumption, optimize the layout and the use of multimodal solutions at each factory and warehouse to minimize the impact on the environment.

According to Sarah Dunham, EPA director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, the companies selected for the award this year are the top 2 percent of environmental performers among all SmartWay Partners,.

“They are redefining best practices for freight transport by reducing fuel costs and improving the public health of the communities they serve.”

On the product side, Michelin makes a portfolio of SmartWay-verified tires and retreads as well as the new EnergyGuard aerodynamic trailer system, making it possible for the transportation industry to operate more efficiently.