Charleston, SC Economic Development

Location & Expansion Log

For a detailed list of Alliance facilitated projects, please visit our company announcements page.


New to the Region
Announced Company Name Product / Service Description New Jobs Capital Investment
06/09/2008  2AM Group LLC  Technical services for automotive, aerospace and marine vehicle manufacturers  This South Carolina-based company provides bundled technical services for automotive, aerospace and marine vehicle and product manufacturers. 2AM Group chose the Charleston region because of anticipated growth of these industry sectors.  50   
05/22/2008  Continental Terminals Inc.  Warehousing services  This New Jersey-based company is leasing a food-grade warehouse in the Charleston region to serve as a holding tank for coffee en route from tropical foreign nations to Starbucks’ new South Carolina roasting facility.  30   
04/10/2008  Myconostica Ltd.  Medical diagnostics  This UK-based company, which specializes in tests for life-threatening fungal infections, is locating its new U.S. headquarters in the Charleston region. The company said it chose Charleston because of the growth of its biotech cluster.      
03/12/2008  Jafza International  Global free zone management and consultancy  This Dubai-based company has opened its North American headquarters in Charleston with plans to launch a $600 million logistics and business park project in Orangeburg by 2010. The office will be their base for the Orangeburg project as well as other business throughout the United States.      
01/21/2008  Delfin Group USA  Mixing and bottling of motor oil  Delfin USA, an expansion of Delfin Russia, has acquired a lube blending facility and will serve the automotive, commercial and industrial markets. Delfin was attracted to the site’s deepwater access; three rail spurs linking the site to both Norfolk Southern and CSX rail service; and the site’s easy highway access.  170   
12/04/2007  Venture Aerobearings, LLC  Jet engine aerobearings   This joint venture of SKF Group and GE Aviation will manufacture and repair aerobearings for GE jet engines. Company officials selected the Charleston region because of a skilled workforce and the support of state and local development authorities.  100  $28 million 
11/26/2007  MPW/Separ Worldwide  Diesel fuels manufacturing  Manufactures and distributes diesel fuel products that extend the life of diesel engines as well as the consumption of diesel fuel.     
10/29/2007  X-Calibur Plant Health Company  Controlled release fertilizer  A pro-business environment, cooperative community and deep water port convinced this start-up company to locate its headquarters and manufacturing facility in the region. X-Calibur Plant Health Company is the sole North American manufacturer of Plantacote controlled release fertilizer which allows plant growers a more efficient, economical and environmentally-friendly way to continuously feed nutrients.   25  $5 million 
10/24/2007  Nationwide Express, Inc.  Full service transportation logistics management company  This global leader in transportation logistics management opened it's first transloading facility in South Carolina. Key reasons for selecting our region for this competitive investment: state's infrastructure, access to markets and the Port of Charleston.  10  $2.5 million 
08/10/2007  Streit USA Armoring  Armored vehicle manufacturer  The Canadian-based company upfits automobiles with armor plating and glass, is opening the U.S. facility in order to compete for government contracts. It would provide vehicles for military officials, diplomats and other dignitaries and be used around the globe.   50   
07/19/2007  TWL Precision  Precision automotive components  TWL Precision Ltd, headquartered in England, will join the region's growing automotive cluster with their new North American Corporate Office. As a key precision component supplier for Toyota in Europe, TWL will grow their North American customer base by working with companies such as Cummins Turbo Technologies in Charleston.  70  $8 million 

Local Expansions
Announced Company Name Product / Service Description New Jobs Capital Investment
07/15/2008  Cummins Turbo Technologies  Diesel turbochargers   Two years after opening a second manufacturing facility in the Charleston region, Cummins Turbo Technologies is expanding to meet growing worldwide demand for its products. The company will double assembly capacity and greatly increase machining capacity at its existing plant in North Charleston’s Palmetto Commerce Park.   100  $11 million 
06/30/2008  UEC Electronics LLC  Electronics for aerospace, advanced security, other sectors  Leasing a 25,000-square-foot building & acquiring another 20,000 square feet adjacent to existing space to meet growing demand.  100  $2 million 
04/02/2008  Arcadia Publishing  Book publisher  The nation's leading publisher of books on local history is expanding its corporate offices and national distribution center with an additional 22,100 square-feet of office and warehouse space.   25-30   
02/18/2008  MeadWestvaco Corp. - Specialty Chemicals  Performance chemicals manufacturing  Aquired Eastman Chemical Co.’s pine chemicals product line, which will result in MeadWestvaco acquiring all intellectual property and technology associated with Pamite® tall oil rosins and Pamak® tall oil fatty acids now manufactured at Eastman’s Franklin, Virginia, plant. MeadWestvaco will transition production to its Specialty Chemicals plants, which includes Charleston, SC.      
12/18/2007  DuPont  Manufacturing of Kevlar brand fiber  Following a highly competitive site selection process, this global technology innovator chose the Charleston region for the largest single investment in its Kevlar high-performance fiber, and the largest capacity increase since 1965.  100  $500 million 
12/02/2007  Weber Automotive Corp.  Manufactures high-end components and systems for the auto industry  Albert Weber, a manufacturer of high-end components and systems for the auto industry, will invest $10 million to expand its operation by 2010, more than tripling the size of its manufacturing plant and doubling its workforce.  50  $10 million 
10/31/2007  Robert Bosch Corp.  Manufactures anti-lock brakes and fuel system units.  The region’s largest manufacturer, Dorchester County’s Robert Bosch Corp., is adding 100 new jobs at its North Charleston facility, the result of continued strong demand for the company’s anti-lock brakes and fuel system units for gas and diesel engines.  100   
10/25/2007  Syn Strand Inc.  Monofilament manufacturing  Syn Strand is adding 14,000 square feet to an existing plant to enlarge the facility and the research & development department.  5  $2.5 million 
08/06/2007  AT&T  Telecommunications services  Telecommunications services; regional headquarters     
06/28/2007  Mediterranean Shipping Company  South Atlantic corporate headquarters for international shipping company  The second largest container carrier in the world announced the location of its South Atlantic corporate headquarters here. Among the reasons cited for this competitive expansion: a dedicated workforce, reasonable coastal living and a strong business climate.  120  $7 million 
06/21/2007  BookSurge  Digital publishing  An Amazon.com company, BookSurge has expanded its print-on-demand book publishing operation in the Charleston region.     

Downsizing
Announced Company Name Product / Service Description
06/02/2008  Gates Corporation  Automotive timing belts   The Denver-based company will begin paring down the 197-employee payroll in early September with layoffs to follow for an additional five to six months and is expected to shut down entirely in the first quarter of 2009. 
01/13/2008  Maersk Sealand  Steamship liner shipping agency  Mount Pleasant customer service center closing and offering its 140 customer service employees the option of relocating to out-of-state facilities.  
12/06/2007  Protected Vehicles Inc.  Military Vehicles  Laid off 400 person work force and is filing for bankruptcy. 
11/29/2007  Enterprise Rent-A-Car  Passenger car rental  Closing its Goose Creek reservation/customer service call center May 31, 2008. The decision will affect roughly 250 employees.  
10/19/2007  McNaughton Apparel Group  Clothing company   Owned by clothing giant Jones Apparel Group Inc., McNaughton Apparel Group will close two warehouses, affecting almost 300 jobs. The buildings, measuring about 300,000 square feet each, are in the North Pointe Industrial Park off North Rhett Avenue. The first of two warehouses will close in January 2008.  

Source: Center for Business Research, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce

*Charleston-N. Charleston MSA is comprised of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in S.C.