Textile firm Wilkie weaves a new future for former Michelin tyre factory in Dundee

The former Michelin tyre factory in Dundee is facing a new future and the promise of 400 jobs.

Angus-based textile firm Wilkie is moving its operations from Kirriemuir to the site, investing £50m and trebling its workforce to 600.

It comes six years after Michelin workers were dealt the devastating blow that the factory was to shut.

When the last tyres rolled off the production line, the future of the sprawling site looked bleak.

But tyres have now made way for textiles.

Wilkie has become the major shareholder at The Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), which was created after a deal was struck between the French firm, Dundee City Council, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise in the wake of the Michelin factory closure.

MSIP aims to develop economic growth through the green energy sector and it’s being led by a familiar face.

John Reid was the Michelin factory manager but is now general manager at Wilkie and didn’t expect to return to the plant where he started as an apprentice.

He told STV News: “It’s a massive thing for Wilkie. The first phase will be investing in the infrastructure here and preparing the workshops to become a textile factory.

“The second phase will be the acquisition of new technologies to us and the third phase will be the development of new processes and products through research and development. That encompasses an investment of £50m and we aim to grow the workforce up to 600 people.”

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes toured the site this week, which has supported 53 new businesses. They include 4SB, which has invented swappable batteries for electric vehicles.

Forbes said: “We are not far off restoring the number of jobs that were lost.

“There’s already 16 tenants operational here, just short of 200 jobs already here, and with Wilkie coming in as a majority shareholder, it’s 600 jobs, £50m worth of investment over the next five years. That will be a tremendous boost to Dundee.”

But Dundee’s gain is Kirriemuir’s loss.

Wilkie has been based in the Angus town for 160 years.

The company say they won’t abandon the ageing buildings it occupied in the town but will work to find the factory a new future.

Mr Reid explained: “We aim to bring all our workforce to Dundee and we’ve got time to do a proper consultation, so we’ll work with the local community, our employees, and the local council to arrive at a win-win.”

With Wilkie now the major shareholder, there is renewed confidence that the Michelin site can once again employ more than 800 people.

Machinery will start to arrive in September but it will be a further year before the Wilkie workforce is fully up and running, weaving a new future for the firm and the former tyre factory.