News and Media Center

NPR’s David Green recently sat down with Planet Money’s Adam Davidson to discuss the new face of manufacturing, specifically the need for continous improvements in highly skilled education and training practices.

NPR’s Uri Berliner recently visited Spartanburg-based Cooper Standard to learn more about how the manufacturer embraces South Carolina’s successful apprenticeship programs.

In honor of National Manufacturing Day, we would like to thank the 1,400-plus manufacturers that call Upstate South Carolina home. Supported by these companies, the Upstate is consistently ranked as one of the top states for doing business in the United States and the region’s leadership role in the manufacturing renaissance has played a part in that success. Consider the following facts about manufacturing in Upstate South Carolina:

We would like to congratulate Upstate-based T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc., a leading manufacturer of faucets, fittings and specialty products for the foodservice, industrial, commercial plumbing and laboratory markets, on being named a finalist in IndustryWeek’s 2014 Best Plants competition.

Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO John Lummus recently highlighted the importance of the Export-Import Bank and shares his thoughts on why it’s critical to reauthorize this highly effective business resource in this piece at UpstateBizSC.com:

In Area Development’s recent survey on the Top States for Doing Business, South Carolina was recognized among the best with a No. 3 ranking. Judged by a survey of site consultants, the rankings are based on the number of mentions by the consultants in three overall categories—business environment, labor climate and infrastructure and global access—as well as in 18 subcategories.

Like Upstate South Carolina, the northwest region of the United Kingdom has evolved from a predominately textile-based industry to an area considered a leader in advanced manufacturing with a concentration in the materials, automotive and aerospace industries.

Congratulations to the KIYATEC team! Greenville based KIYATEC got a nearly $2M boost from the National Cancer Institute to advance predictive cancer diagnostics.

Clemson University automotive engineering graduate student and champion of STEM education named university’s first Bosch Fellow Monday

The power of innovation is an ongoing discussion throughout the manufacturing industry – what’s not to be overlooked is the power that a strong advanced manufacturing society can have on driving innovation. Developing an innovation “eco-system” is one of the key priorities for the Upstate in its mission to expand the value chain of its existing advanced manufacturing economy.

$3 million investment by automotive component manufacturer to create 20 new jobs

How can a company attract, develop and sustain a highly-skilled workforce?  That’s the million dollar question.

As the U.S. turns a corner on the road to economic recovery, data supports claims that the manufacturing sector in particular has seen an impressive resurgence.

What began as just an idea in 2003 has grown into a 250-acre advanced technology research campus, which operates as a unique nexus of academia, the automotive industry and government.

$2.9 million investment expected to create 167 new jobs

Investment expected to create 35 new jobs

Congratulations to our Board investors, Hire Dynamics,
on their recent award as a best place to work in South Carolina!

Mr. Carter Smith, CEcD, executive vice president at Economic Futures Group, Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce was chosen by his peers as this year’s “Upstate Economic Developer of the Year.”

The Upstate SC Alliance welcomes Mannan Pharmaceuticals LLC. to the Upstate! We were able to introduce Dr. Xiaohua Wu and Mannan Pharmaceuticals to the growing bioscience ecosystem in our region by working together with Upstate SC Alliance bioscience task force members, Wayne Roper, President of SCBIO, Sam Konduros, Executive Director for the Greenville Health Research Development Corporation, and Tony Smith, project manager at GADC.

South Carolina’s Inaugural Aerospace conference far exceeded the expectations of the event’s organizers. The level of participation from the private sector was proof that the state of South Carolina has established a strong network of industry support, sending a powerful message to industry worldwide that we are an exceptional place for business.

Viva Recycling of South Carolina, a tire recycler and rubber manufacturer, announced today its decision to establish a new facility in Anderson County. The $6.9 million investment is expected to create 14 new jobs in the area over the next five years.

Bosch Security Systems, a leading global supplier of security, safety and communications products, solutions and services, plans to open a new distribution center in Spartanburg County.

Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry, will invest in a new state of the art Compounding facility for Medium Voltage cable insulation as well as adding a second Vertical Continuous Vulcanization line (VCV).

The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), the county-chartered organization tasked with promoting and enhancing the economic growth of Greenville County (S.C.), has announced that prominent economic development executive J. Mark Farris will assume the reins as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

To help further the business plans of two Upstate companies, the SC Launch program of SCRA Technology Ventures presented checks to CampusConnectr and KIYATEC at Clemson University’s ICAR campus.

The Oconee Economic Alliance (OEA) is excited to announce the launch of their new website: InvestOconeeSC.com.

$10 million investment to create around 20 new jobs 

Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest flooring company, is investing $10 million in its Spartanburg County commercial carpeting facility over the next 10 years to substantially upgrade its looms and improve technology to support future business growth.

$47 million investment to add 20 new positions

Department store retailer Belk, Inc. is expanding its Union County e-commerce distribution and fulfillment center operations for the second time since establishing there in mid-June 2012. The $47 million investment will expand the facility footprint by 50 percent and add 20 new jobs, which will grow the company’s Jonesville presence to 314 employees.

On the eve of the World Cup match up between the U.S. and Germany, an interesting question arises. Does the Upstate of South Carolina pull more for Team USA or Team Germany? These thoughts are brought on by a recent blog post from the Brookings Institution entitled World Cup of FDI: Which U.S. Metro Areas May Hold Closet Germany Fans?

2014 has been a strong year for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Upstate of South Carolina, accounting for more than 2,100 announced jobs and $2.2 billion in announced capital investment. In the latest research from the Brookings Institution, we get a look at the concentration of FDI in the Upstate and the impact it has on our economy.

The Laurens County Development Corporation is seeking a Financial/Business Manager.

The repaved 1.04-mile, 300-foot-wide track in Greenville County could easily be a drag strip or raceway, attracting spectators to cheer on cars or motorcycles roaring to a finish line.