Michelin's Jim Micali: 'we're solving fill rate problem.'.(Michelin North America Chairman and President)(Interview)

Just as at Groupe Michelin headquarters in France, Michelin North America (MNA) is structured differently than other companies.

MNA Chairman and President Jim Micali is in charge of operations.

He's responsible for "support services," administrative functions for Michelin operations in North and Central America.

But specific areas such as passenger and light truck tires, commercial tires, retreading, etc., are organized globally for better coordination and the men in charge of these functions answer directly to directors with worldwide responsibilities at Groupe Michelin headquarters in France.

However, when operations cross these functional lines - such as when MNA recently purchased TCI's 163 outlets that sell commercial and light vehicle tires and manufacture retreads, Micali takes over.

Such an arrangement requires teamwork and discipline and leaves little room for egos and corporate politics.

It means dotted-line reporting to Micali to keep him abreast of what's happening and joint handling of some projects.

But at MNA headquarters in Greenville, S.C., it seems to work well.

The low-key Micali, former executive vice president of legal and finance, seldom gets his name in print.

But he is certainly abreast of what's going on, as revealed by the interview that follows.

Looking at the Big Picture he must have been disappointed in MNA's results during the past months when a shortage of tires and the strike in a tire plant created problems, but Micali promises a more adequate supply, especially of light vehicle …