The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Greenwood Partnership Alliance announced this week that SPF North America Inc., a manufacturer of pet food palatability enhancers, will expand its operations in Greenwood County. The $10 million investment is expected to generate 50 new jobs.

“We are pleased to move forward with our expansion plans for our Hodges facility. Demand for our products continues to grow. Greenwood County has provided us with an excellent business environment and a skilled workforce, so growing our South Carolina operation was an easy choice,” said Dave Berry, CEO of SPF North America Inc.

SPF North America opened its facility in Greenwood County in 2007. The expansion will allow the company to consolidate some manufacturing operations into its Greenwood County operations, as well as add research and development functionalities to its facility.

“In 2007, SPF North America made its initial investment in South Carolina and the fact that the company is already expanding its operations here is excellent news. SPF North America’s decision to grow in Greenwood County is truly a positive reflection on our state’s business-friendly climate, skilled workforce and exceptional market access. We congratulate SPF on its success in our state, and look forward to its continued growth in the years to come,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“SPF North America located in Greenwood County because of the proximity to both customers and suppliers in the East and Southeast,” said Mark Warner, Executive Director of the Partnership Alliance. “We congratulate SPF on their success, and we think this again proves that Greenwood County is the right location for any company that desires to make their mark in the Southeast.”

The new jobs will be skilled, technical and management positions. Recruitment will begin in 2010 and SPF will work with local employment agencies and educational institutions to fill these positions.

SPF is the worldwide leader in the manufacturing of pet food palatability enhancers. The company is a division of the international group Diana Ingredients, a global supplier of natural ingredients for a number of niche markets in the food, pharmaceutical and pet-food industries. For more information please visit www.spf-diana.com.

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The world’s largest aircraft manufacturer has officially landed in South Carolina.

Boeing broke ground on it’s much-anticipated 787 Dreamliner facility in North Charleston on Friday, a venture that will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investments to South Carolina. Gov. Mark Sanford praised the event as a major financial boost to South Carolina. “This groundbreaking sets into motion what we believe will be revolutionary and indeed generational changes to our state’s economy,” said Sanford. “Yet it’s also a challenge: a challenge to not rest on our laurels and instead redouble efforts to improve our state’s business climate; a challenge to use this momentum to push through tough economic headwinds; and a challenge to capitalize on this renewed cooperation between political leadership in Columbia and hard-working citizens across the state to make South Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

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The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Oconee County today announced that Greenfield Industries Inc., a manufacturer of expendable cutting tools for both the consumer and industrial markets, will expand its facility in Oconee County. The company expects to invest $18 million and generate 85 new jobs over the next five years.

“We are pleased to move forward with plans to expand our facility, which will help us meet customer demand for our products as well as improve the efficiency of our operations. Oconee County has provided us with an excellent business environment and a strong workforce. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Ty Taylor, President of Greenfield Industries Inc.

The company is planning to add 50,000 square feet to its current facility. The expansion will allow the company to consolidate some operations and add a North American Distribution Center.

“Greenfield Industries’ announcement is a positive sign that Oconee County has laid the groundwork necessary to encourage economic growth and we believe this the start of more good things to come. The company’s decision to expand its operations in our state is also a strong testament that our business-friendly climate and skilled workforce provide the solid foundation businesses need to grow. We congratulate Greenfield Industries on their success and look forward to continuing a mutually beneficial relationship with them in the years ahead,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“We are excited and pleased to welcome this expansion by Greenfield Industries and for providing the much needed jobs for our citizens. Greenfield Industries is a valued member of the Oconee County industrial family and a vital member of our business community. The County Council is working diligently to encourage this type of growth that is announced today,” said Oconee County Council Chairman Reg Dexter.

“I am extremely pleased that Greenfield Industries has chosen to expand its operations in Oconee County, South Carolina. Their additional investment in our county and the creation of 85 new jobs is certainly welcome news – but never so welcome as in today’s environment. I look forward to working with them as they go forward with their increased presence in our community,” said state Rep. Bill Sandifer of Seneca.

“Greenfield Industries has been a great corporate citizen in Oconee County. This expansion demonstrates their commitment to our citizens, our exceptional workforce, and our community. It is important that we continue to be partners to ensure a competitive environment for their continued success. I am appreciative that the Oconee County site was selected for these additional jobs and investment,” said state Sen. Thomas Alexander.

Greenfield Industries plans to begin hiring for the new positions this month through Phillips Staffing in Seneca.

Greenfield Industries Inc. produces a range of precision, expendable cutting tools for both the consumer and industrial markets. The company is part of Top-Eastern Group (TDC), the world’s largest manufacturer of twist drills. The company sells drills, taps, end mills, and other cutting tools under the brand names Cleveland, Chicago-Latrobe, CLE-LINE, Bassett, Vermont Tap & Die, Putnam Tools, Geometric, H&G, Vers-O-Tool, and Acme Fette. For more information, please visit www.gfii.com.

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Upstate SC Alliance revealed this past Friday, the results of a comprehensive study that began in May of this year to identify new industries and opportunities for future economic growth in the region. With the support of South Carolina Power Team and AdvanceSC, the Alliance recently partnered with national consultants Avalanche Consulting, Inc., McCallum Sweeney Consulting and Greyhill Advisors to develop a highly targeted marketing approach for the region.

The results were unveiled at a presentation held at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, S.C. To hone in on the strongest opportunities for the Upstate South Carolina region, the consulting team considered industries that intersect both the region’s business and research strengths. The study determined that the best opportunities lie within the following industries:

Advanced Materials

• Metal fabrication
• Optoelectronics / photonics
• Advanced textiles

Automotive

• Diesel powertrain
• Boutique / specialty original equipment manufacturers
• Automotive R&D in fuel efficiency, batteries, and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Biosciences

• Medical devices
• Biomaterials R&D
• Clinical testing and outsources R&D

Energy

• Energy grid components
• Energy systems solutions
• Nuclear components
• Clean energy (wind, solar)

Commissioned by the Upstate SC Alliance in 2009, the study began with the consulting team traveling throughout the region spending a day in each of the ten counties represented by the Alliance. While visiting, consultants investigated what companies are already is the area and the strengths and weaknesses of each. This “targeting” phase provided asset maps and target cluster identification.

The second phase of the study focused on the production of a strategy to seek out these identified industries. Formulating a strategy to deliver the correct messaging and materials to each identified segment, the study resulted in focused steps to attract the identified industries.

Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO Hal Johnson stated “that now is the time to focus on marketing this region and what we have done is re-tooled our approach to become laser-focused on what we go after and how we accomplish our duty of telling the Upstate story to the world. By us becoming more effective in our marketing and branding of this ten county region it will lead to new opportunities for the region and an increased quality of life for everyone.”

“This Study has resulted in the most highly targeted marketing strategy in the Upstate SC Alliance’s history. It provides a detailed five year roadmap that hones in on four specific industries that will catalyze economic growth across all 10 Upstate counties,” comments Amy Holloway, President and CEO of Avalanche Consulting, Inc. “We expect the Alliance’s target marketing initiative will result in heightened awareness of the region internationally and, at a minimum, a doubling of prospect activity by 2015. More information is available at upstatetargetstrategy.com.”

ABOUT THE UPSTATE SC ALLIANCE

The Upstate SC Alliance is a public/private regional economic development organization created to market the South Carolina’s 10-county Upstate region, including: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union. These 10 counties represent the commerce-rich northwestern corner of South Carolina, including the I-85 corridor and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area. For more information, log on to: www.upstatescalliance.com/blog/blog. Experience the Alliance’s interactive promotional campaign at www.iwasblownaway.com.

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Click on the link below to learn more about how South Carolina is leading the Southeast in attracting and growing high-impact firms.

South Carolina Leads the Southeast in High-Growth Firms

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Posted in:  News you can use

The South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Futures Group of Spartanburg County and Timken announced on November 12th that the company has selected a 300,000 square-foot leased facility in the Spartanburg County community of Duncan, S.C., as the location of a new distribution center. Timken has committed to invest $3 million and bring 100 new jobs to the area, in addition to 50 associates already employed by the company at an existing distribution facility in Spartanburg, who will transfer to the new facility in the Spartan Green Business Park as the company begins to occupy the space in December.

“We are very pleased to expand our presence in Spartanburg County. Having a larger facility in the area provides significant customer service efficiencies,” said Chris Coughlin, president of Timken’s process industries division. Coughlin noted that the opportunity to streamline distribution logistics became apparent through the company’s “Project O.N.E.” global business system and process-improvement initiative. “With much of our supply chain based in the Southeast, consolidating our distribution in the region will help us reduce movements between locations to serve customers more quickly. That also will make our operation leaner and greener.”

“Timken has a long history in South Carolina and this announcement further strengthens the company’s commitment to our state. Timken’s decision to expand its operations in Spartanburg County is a strong testament that our business-friendly climate, exceptional market access and skilled workforce are continuing to provide the tools existing businesses need to grow. We congratulate Timken in its expansion and wish the company continued success in its endeavors here,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce of the State of South Carolina.

David Britt, chairman of Spartanburg County Council Economic Recruitment and Development, and board member of the Economic Futures Group, added, “We are excited by Timken’s continued investment and addition of 100 new jobs in Spartanburg County. The strategic decision to locate a distribution center here reinforces our cost effectiveness as a location accessible to 70 percent of the U.S. population from within two days’ truck transport.”

South Carolina State Representative Mike Forrester said, “This reaffirms the importance of our state’s port in the recruitment process and further positions Spartanburg as a logistics hub. In addition to the new jobs Timken will create, it is also important to note that by successfully recruiting this expansion in Spartanburg County, we also retained 50 existing jobs. During these trying economic times, job retention is just as important as job creation, and we are very pleased with Timken’s decision.”

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The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Mack Molding announced on November 10th that the company has invested nearly $3 million to install a fully automated, Class A paint system in its Inman, S.C., molding facility.

“This is the next logical step in a plan we launched nine years ago to transform the Inman plant to a super-large part molding and manufacturing center,” said Ray Burns, president of Mack Molding’s Southern Division. “While we have been painting for years, this new system applies a quality finish comparable to that of the automotive industry, which is critical to the recreational vehicle and large truck markets we are now pursuing.”

The 11,000 sq. ft. enclosed paint room is HEPA-filtered to minimize contamination, dirt, dust and airborne particulates. It features 1200 feet of conveyor, a five-stage wash and rinse system with ultra-high filtration, and three robotic paint booths positioned between a series of dryers and ovens. Full-sized painting robots are stationed in each booth and can apply up to three coats of paint, including primer, base and clear coat.

“The system uses an extremely efficient paint technology that attracts paint to the part via an electrostatic charge, minimizes paint usage, and applies a smoother coat,” explained Ken Kincaid, Mack technical engineering manager. “It also meets customer criteria for a Class A or automotive quality surface.”

Mack is currently running the line five days per week for a major golf car manufacturer. “We’ve significantly reduced our customer’s logistics costs, not to mention handling and damage expense, because we can now mold and paint under one roof,” says Burns.

“Beyond the utility car business, the new paint line will open up significant opportunities in other markets we serve, including tractor parts and truck bumpers,” he added.

“It is always encouraging to see existing businesses grow in our state, and Mack Molding’s announcement is no exception,” said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor.” The company’s decision to expand its facility in our state is truly a testament that Spartanburg County has laid the groundwork to make itself an attractive environment for business investment. That, coupled with our state’s many benefits, including a skilled workforce and exceptional market access, directly translates into new investment and job opportunities for South Carolinians. We congratulate Mack on its growth and wish the company continued success in its endeavors here.”

Henry “Rusty” Campbell Jr. has joined Mack to manage the new paint line. Formerly the production/paint manager for Canadian-based Datran US, in Piedmont, S.C., Campbell set up a similar paint line there to serve manufacturers within the automotive, recreational vehicle, and sports equipment industries.

A business graduate of Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, S.C., Campbell has also earned a Six Sigma Green Belt and has completed training in several other areas of manufacturing management.

“I’d like to acknowledge the state of South Carolina, both the Department of Commerce and the Department of Health & Environmental Control, for their successful efforts to expedite our environmental/construction permit,” said Facilities Manager Ken Valko. “They not only helped us meet our timeline of September 2009, but significantly accelerated the overall process for us.”

About Mack Molding
Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. Mack specializes in plastics design, prototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication and medical device manufacturing. Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately owned business that operates 10 facilities throughout the world. Don Kendall is president and CEO. For more news and information about the applications and services of Mack Molding Co., go to www.mack.com or see the company’s corporate overview.

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Posted in:  Celebrations

The South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Greenville Area Development Corporation and the Upstate SC Alliance recently praised the news that a joint venture of the BE&K Building Group and Turner Construction (BE&K/Turner), with design partner BRPH, has been awarded the design-build contract for design and construction of The Boeing Company’s new 787 Dreamliner final assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The BE&K Building Group’s South Carolina regional office in Greenville will serve as the headquarters for the BE&K/Turner/BRPH design-build team, which is in the process of mobilizing the North Charleston site.

In 2006, the BE&K Building Group, in a design-build partnership with BRPH, delivered two major facilities at the site — a 342,000-square-foot building used for fabrication and assembly of aft fuselage sections for the Boeing 787 aircraft, as well as the adjacent Global Aeronautica production facility which is 50 percent owned by Boeing.

“We continue to believe that Boeing’s investment in South Carolina will transform our state and today’s news is an incredible sign of what is to come. The selection of a Greenville firm to perform the construction of the new facility will have an immediate impact on our state’s economy and this announcement is further indication that this project will have a positive impact on our entire state,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce. “It is estimated that the construction of Boeing’s new facility could create up to 2,000 jobs and with construction scheduled to begin very soon, these jobs will bring great opportunity to many South Carolinians. From construction jobs to the impact this activity will have on small businesses and subcontractors throughout our state, this is truly an exciting time for South Carolina. We look forward to more good things to come as a result of Boeing’s decision to locate its second 787 assembly line in North Charleston.”

“It is important that we can all work together on large projects such as Boeing because the impact is truly realized throughout the state. I am excited to see an Upstate firm selected for the construction of Boeing’s project in North Charleston. It will mean jobs for people in Charleston County and the Upstate as well,” said Dan Cooper, chairman, South Carolina Ways and Means Committee.

Jerry Howard, president and CEO, Greenville Area Development Corporation added, “We are thrilled that Boeing has chosen BE&K Building Group to construct the 787 assembly facility in North Charleston. The Greenville Area Development Corporation is excited that Boeing chose South Carolina for its new assembly line, and this announcement is more great news. BE&K Building Group has extensive experience and expertise, and this will certainly mean more jobs for people in our area. We congratulate BE&K Building Group and look forward to their work beginning and bringing great benefits to the Greenville region.”

“This is great news for BE&K and it just goes to show that Boeing’s announcement is truly a statewide announcement. We look forward to the many ways South Carolina companies, especially companies in the Upstate, can partner with Boeing as they expand their operations in our state,” said Hal Johnson, president and CEO, Upstate Alliance.

The BE&K/Turner/BRPH design-build team will provide a state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner production facility which will incorporate a number of sustainable elements and will be designed to achieve LEED® Silver certification. The BE&K Building Group, Turner and BRPH respectively are listed among the Top 100 Green Designers and Contractors in the United States by Engineering News Record (ENR). The criterion for inclusion on this list is based on revenue from projects registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

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Posted in:  Celebrations

The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Greenwood County announced on November 4th that Fujifilm will move its recycling operation for its QuickSnap cameras and the Waterproof QuickSnap camera assembly and packaging operations from a facility in Mexico to the Greenwood campus. The move is expected to create approximately 30 new jobs in Greenwood.

“By transferring these functions to our Greenwood campus, we will have better control of our recycled parts stream as well as our recycled parts cost, and we will reduce transportation costs,” said Shin Kataoka, president, FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. “It also means that the entire production and recycling operations for global QuickSnap production will be located here in Greenwood.”

Fujifilm estimates that approximately 60 percent of the QuickSnap cameras sold make it back to the recycling center which handles more than 1 million cameras a month. The Greenwood facility already produces QuickSnap cameras for the global market and with the transfer of the recycling and assembly operations, the Greenwood facility will be the global hub for the entire QuickSnap camera product life-cycle.

“This is yet more great news for Fujifilm and more great news for Greenwood. Fujifilm’s decision to bring its camera recycling operations to Greenwood further expands the company’s presence in our state and this announcement is another sign that our business-friendly climate and market access are helping existing businesses continue to grow. We are pleased to see Fujifilm make another investment in South Carolina and we wish them much success in their endeavors,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“Fujifilm is an innovation-driven company that has a proven history of sustainable growth and success in Greenwood County,” said Robbie Templeton, Greenwood County Council Chairman. “Implementing a more efficient recycling process is not only a win for Fujifilm and its employees, but the Greenwood community and society at large.”

Fujifilm invented the one-time-use camera, which is often mistakenly thought of as “disposable,” when in fact, excluding the batteries; over 99 percent of these cameras (by weight) are reused or recycled. The Fujifilm QuickSnap brand has served as a model for inverse manufacturing technology and materials recycling since its introduction in 1986. Since then millions of one-time-use cameras have been reclaimed through Fujifilm’s QuickSnap recycling program, preventing thousands of tons of waste from entering landfills.

Fujifilm has implemented a range of measures around the world with the objective of contributing to sustainable development by designing products that take the environment into account, reducing packaging materials, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Fujifilm is the leading manufacturer of UV cured, VOC-free, and solvent-free ink jet inks. The company’s high-performance films used in flat panel displays are manufactured with plant-derived cellulose, rather than petroleum-based material; the films carry the Biomass Mark of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Fujifilm supports numerous eco-sustainability measures, including habitat and species preservation for the Giant Panda through its longstanding collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and support of public open space initiatives such as New York City’s Friends of the Highline.

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Posted in:  Celebrations

The Upstate SC Alliance is blogging!

So tune in as we journey across the globe in telling the story of Upstate South Carolina. Through this blog we want to share with you where we are going, why it matters and how it affects the lives of everyday citizens in the Upstate. We desire to celebrate the successes of this region and tell you more of what is going on the economic development front.

We hope you will be enaged by providing feedback as we want to communicate and collaborate better to shape the future of Upstate SC!

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