Paxton’s Net2 Access Control System Protects Manufacturer‘s Know-How

Established in 1898 in France, the international Michelin company are now amongst the largest tire manufacturers in the world. With 72 production facilities in 19 countries, their Dundee factory in Scotland has been operating for nearly 40 years. This site - and importantly, the valuable intellectual property within it - is now protected with a networked access control system from Paxton.

As the only tire factory in Scotland, and one of two main Michelin factories in the UK, the Dundee site has developed a rapid production rate, producing between six and seven million car tires a year. Mike Donald, Senior Risk Manager, is responsible for the prevention of risk to the company environment at the factory there.

Large Site
„The secret recipes and formulas are something unique to our company. Michelin's 'know-how' is the sort of technology worth protecting." He says: „Security is very important to us. We need to manage the flow of staff and visitors to our factory as well as secure proprietary information. Over the years we have successfully invented and launched the radial tire, among other breakthroughs." The Dundee factory is a large site with over 800 employees working a 24 hour industrial shift pattern, spread  across 22 different buildings. Mike wanted a security system to control access to the main gates and other core buildings. He called in Richard McCredie from Midlands Electrical Fire and Security Ltd who specified Net2, Paxton's electronic access control system. „The  ecurity team had no problems learningto use the equipment. The software is very intuitive and they picked it up really easily." Richard continued: „Michelin wanted to secure their main gates and areas they didn't want the public to gain access to. This included their factory, the training school, the main IT room and some private offices. Once the system was installed and they saw how simple it was to use, the decision was made to extend the system to more doors around the site." Designer Cards Richard fitted Paxton's Metal readers to the main turnstile gates at the entrance to the site. Now, when visitors arrive at the manned Reception desk they are given a smart ID/access card in one, branded with the Michelin logo. Receptionists use the Card Designer program within the system software to design different cards for staff and guests.

Additionally, some visitors require regular vehicle access to deliver supplies and material for making the tires These visitors simply keep their ID/access cards in their vehicles and present them to the Metal readers on the main gates as they approach the entrance for access. Michelin have a security team, a permanent presence at the main gates who manage access rights in the Net2 software for staff and visitors. Mike said: "It's a great solution for us as we are now able to use the reports to monitor staff and guest access around the site. The Net2 system  helps us protect our brand and what we do here. It's a great solution for us." The client is very happy with the system. Using a cost-effective system has meant that Michelin can start by securing  access to the core areas of their business and expand accordingly, as budget becomes available. All Net2 access control units are designed to control one door. This one door philosophy also works well at this particular installation as it means that doors can be added to the system quickly and easily when needed. Mike added: "We have a lot of risks to control with the budget given, but can now do this efficiently. It helps us to protect our people and our brand as the Michelin 'know-how' is of global interest to competitors."