How Michelin Is Shifting Gears

Michelin is instantly recognizable as a tire manufacturer—puffy mascot and all. But under the stewardship of Matthew Cabe, CEO of Michelin North America, the company is expanding to bring its deep know-how in materials science to different ventures, from aeronautics to healthcare.

Cabe has gone through an evolution of sorts himself, having begun his career at Michelin 20 years ago as an engineer, and working all the way up to the C-Suite. “It was a full-circle moment. I found myself standing in the same facilities where I once installed equipment, now watching our teams drive innovation in ways we could previously only imagine,” he says.

In an interview with Chief Executive, Cabe shares his career journey, the company’s expanded mission and his take on what the future holds for the industry—and for Michelin.

Tell us about your career journey at Michelin.

I began my career with Michelin more than 20 years ago as an engineer. That foundation shaped how I make decisions today, with a focus on putting people at the center of innovation to deliver meaningful and scalable solutions.

Over the years, I’ve held roles across the business, from engineering to the commercial side, in North America and around the world. Each experience has broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the people who make Michelin the company it is.

At Michelin, we don’t just hire someone for a job—we’re committed to growing careers. That commitment to development has shaped my journey from the very beginning. With access to state-of-the-art training and a culture that values continuous learning, I’ve grown professionally while deepening my understanding of global business, earning an MBA along the way.

But it’s the day-to-day support and the trust we build across the organization that has truly shaped how I have shown up in every role. My leadership approach is centered on building meaningful connections, leading with integrity and staying grounded in humility and personal balance.

Under your leadership, Michelin is evolving beyond its legacy as a tire company to become a mobility-focused enterprise. What does that mean?

At Michelin, our legacy of innovation is rooted in tires, but our purpose has always been broader. We’re a manufacturing company, but we’ve also been pioneers in engineered materials for more than 130 years. Today, we’re applying our expertise in flexible composites to unlock new possibilities, not just in mobility, but across demanding sectors like aeronautics and healthcare.

I like to say Michelin is an innovation engine, and innovation is only meaningful if it benefits everyone. Bringing the quality that Michelin is known for to broader applications helps us achieve our purpose: giving everyone a better way forward. That means leveraging our deep know-how in materials science to deliver solutions that perform in the most critical applications. From motorsports and aviation to coated fabrics and resins, Michelin is uncovering value in unexpected ways.

You are passionate about the future of manufacturing. What does that look like?

When I became North American CEO, one of my first priorities was visiting our manufacturing sites across the U.S. and Canada. It was a full-circle moment. I found myself standing in the same facilities where I once installed equipment, now watching our teams drive innovation in ways we could previously only imagine.

The future of manufacturing will be defined by how well we combine human expertise with smart innovation. Technology does not determine our direction—it enhances how we work, how we learn and how we solve problems.

At Michelin, we are leveraging new digital tools like simulation, industrial 3D printing and AI in unexpected ways to bring new innovations to the market and create a workplace that is attractive to the next generation of manufacturing talent. But it’s not just about tools. It’s about empowering employees at every level to drive that progress.

That’s why we are investing in digital upskilling for every employee. We are staying agile, investing in our people and continuing to celebrate the artisan spirit that drives excellence across our teams. This relentless drive to improve is how Michelin will continue to innovate and deliver the best solutions for our customers.

How is Michelin leaning into this?

Partnership between R&D and manufacturing is central to our progress. It’s how we move from theory to practice, applying deep technical expertise to solve real-world challenges in performance. This expertise and our connection to leaders across the tech space enables our teams to accelerate innovation. Our teams have the tools and skills to bring in-house solutions forward.

One area where we can see this progress come to life is through simulation tools. Michelin is unlocking value at every turn, and we are doing it at an incredible pace. I often think back to when I started as an engineer running tests and waiting for results. Today, we can simulate and analyze multiple scenarios virtually and instantly. It’s a powerful shift in how we innovate.

What’s next for Michelin?

Michelin is building the future of mobility today, through our innovation and a relentless focus to bring real solutions to the market. In the U.S. and Canada, we employ more than 23,000 people across 36 manufacturing sites, along with our proving grounds, R&D center and corporate locations.

Our all-sustainable approach guides everything we do, balancing people, planet and profit. This means investing in our employees, developing new technologies and driving long-term business success. The collective effort supports our ambition to deliver the all-sustainable tire by 2050, made with 100 percent renewable and recycled materials. This transformation is happening not just in North America, but across our global operations.

Michelin is focused on bringing the next great mobility innovations to the table. We’re never satisfied, and we never compromise. I see that mindset in our motorsports business, where our innovation is tested in the most demanding conditions. What we learn on the track—durability, grip and performance—directly informs the products we deliver to everyday drivers and fleets.