Made In SC Blog
Streit USA Armoring, a maker of armored vehicles, today announced plans to expand current operations in Charleston County. The $5.8 million investment is expected to generate more than 50 new jobs over the next three years.

“Demand for our products has grown, so we needed to grow in order to keep up. We are pleased to have the opportunity to grow here. Charleston and South Carolina have provided an excellent business climate and a great location for our business, and we look forward to expanding here. We’d also like to thank our builder, Frampton and Associates, who has helped us move this project forward,” said Eric Carlson, vice president/partner of Streit USA Armoring. 

Streit USA Armoring will establish a new facility to be built by Frampton and Associates in the Palmetto Commerce Park, moving its existing operations from a leased building. The move will allow the company to add four new production lines, greatly increase its output and more than double the manufacturing space to 75,000 square feet.

“We are always excited when one of our existing businesses chooses to increase its footprint in South Carolina. We celebrate Streit USA Armoring’s decision to expand and create more than 50 new well-paying jobs in Charleston County,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

“Today’s announcement shows that South Carolina provides a growth environment for business. Streit USA Armoring’s decision to expand in Charleston also strengthens our state’s manufacturing sector,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

This year, Commerce has been involved in the recruitment of more than $3.3 billion in capital investment and more than 11,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector. There are over 2,000 firms, like Streit USA Armoring, in South Carolina that furnish goods and services through Department of Defense contracts.  In fiscal year 2010, more than $4.3 billion in Department of Defense contracts were obligated to South Carolina establishments.

“Congratulations to Streit USA Armoring on this exciting expansion news,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor. “This dynamic company occupies a very unique security market niche, and we are gratified to have them expand their operations in North Charleston during such trying economic times. I am confident that our skilled workforce, superior logistics and positive business climate will be a recipe for profitability as Streit continues to grow. As they do, they will always have a steadfast partner in Charleston County.”

“The expansion of Streit USA Armoring to Palmetto Commerce Park gives us confidence that North Charleston and the greater Charleston region remain ripe environments for businesses to flourish,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “We applaud Streit’s success and are thankful for the capital investment and job creation in our community.”

“It’s wonderful to see the automotive industry strengthening and growing in our community,” said Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman R.M. Singletary. “Streit USA Armoring’s expansion is good news for us all, particularly the Port of Charleston, another key driver of our regional economy. This partnership will continue to drive economic prosperity throughout the three-county region for years to come.”

Proximity to the Port of Charleston was an important factor when the company initially decided to locate operations in the area. The company will continue to import parts and export finished products through the port.

“We appreciate Streit USA Armoring’s trust in our port, the region and our state,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority.  “The Port of Charleston has the quality facilities, skilled labor and support industry to handle any international shipping need.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions next summer, and will be using ReadySC to assist with the hiring process.

For more information about the company, please visit www.armored-cars.com/streit/.
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A plant that makes metal catalysts in Oconee County is investing $60 million over the next five years.

The Anderson Independent-Mail reported (http://bit.ly/ryysLI) Wednesday that the BASF Catalysts plant in Seneca expects to add 25 jobs as part of the expansion.

The high tech company makes and distributes precious metal catalysts, chemicals, salts and solutions. The plant already employs about 350 people.
 
Boeing has donated more than $180,000 to help school teachers in three counties in the Charleston area.

The grant is for science, technology, engineering and math teachers in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. The money will be used for professional development allowing teachers to visit businesses, create business partnerships and develop new methods of teaching their subjects to their students.

The idea is to ensure a supply of students trained in science, math, engineering and technology to meet the region's job needs.

Earlier this year, Boeing opened a $750 million 787 aircraft assembly plant in North Charleston.
 
Kentwool - the world's premier textile innovator and maker of premium, performance socks specifically engineered for golfers - announces the launch of a completely redesigned website at www.KENTWOOLSocks.com.

The new graphic interface makes browsing and purchasing Kentwool socks a breeze. Visitors can also view executive bios of the "Sock Guys," see a timeline of the company's nearly 200-year-old history and interact via social media. Additional features include:
• Players - updated section to learn more about Kentwool's elite Tour Players, such as Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, who choose to rock the socks in competition
• Mobility - enhanced software allows customers to view complete website content from any smart phone
• Interactivity - expanded social media platform allows for purchases via Twitter and Facebook, viewing of YouTube videos and multiple subscription points to the Kentwool newsletter
• Visuals - animated images, including mouse hovers and drop-down menus offer an easy-to-navigate, fun and engaging brand experience

"The new site is an evolution in how we grow relationships with existing customers and reach new ones," says Mark Kent, President and CEO of Kentwool. "We're now uniquely positioned to sell our premium merino golf socks across all mainstream digital channels."

To celebrate the launch of its new site, Kentwool is offering those purchasing socks 20 percent off by entering code "Bubba2." Follow Kentwool on Twitter or visit the site to receive the Kentwool newsletter, updates on further promotions, new product launches and more.

Available at scores of premium green-grass locations and www.kentwool.com/shop, Kentwool Golf Socks are backed by a "blister-free guarantee." Retailing for $19.95 to $24.95, styles include the Low Profile Skinny and Tour

Profile for women, as well as Low Profile, Tour Profile and longer Tour Standard for men.

Crafted from a proprietary blend of fine merino wool and high-tech fibers, Kentwool Golf Socks create an innovative, micro-climate system for superior moisture management, wicking and odor control. Each pair features the brand's WINDspun technology - infusing the fibers with air - for unrivaled cushioning at micro-stress points along the foot. This maximizes comfort, increases energy levels, reduces the risk of injury and boosts on-course performance.

Along with Watson and Kuchar, Kentwool premium performance golf socks are worn in competition by Tour players Jonathan Byrd, Peter Jacobsen, Duffy Waldorf, Brendon de Jonge, Tom Gillis, Jane Park, Charles Warren, Kevin Johnson, Jenny Suh, Kristy McPherson, Shasta Averyhardt, Sarah Kemp, Jenny Gleason, Meaghan Francella, Jenny Hong and others.

About Kentwool
Founded in 1843, Kentwool continues to be one of the nation's longest-running, family-owned textile companies. Kentwool is the only company in the western hemisphere — and one of 50 in the world — to receive the Usterized Quality Certification indicating the highest level of quality assurance in yarn production.

An avid golfer, Kentwool CEO Mark Kent had the idea to produce the "World's Best Golf Sock" after standing in the 18th fairway of the BMW Nationwide Tour Pro-Am tending to blistered, bleeding feet instead of concentrating on the eagle opportunity guaranteeing him a spot in the final round.

Born from that moment is golf's leading, premium merino wool golf sock. It enables golfers of all abilities to play their best while benefiting from abrasion and fatigue resistance, as well as Kentwool's blister-free guarantee. Kentwool utilizes its nearly two-century-old heritage of superiority in textiles to create socks which draw upon wool's natural and cool performance fibers for moisture management, sheer comfort and other performance-enhancing benefits.

Based in Greenville, SC, all Kentwool products are made in the USA.
 
Alcoa Mt. Holly employees volunteered at the Lowcountry Food Bank Wednesday morning before surprising the food bank with a $10,000 gift.

Before the check presentation, food bank board chairman Mark Smith thanked the Alcoa employees for donating their time. He spoke with Alcoa executive Bob Wilt and plant manager Mike Rousseau, telling them about the food bank’s operations and saying that each dollar donated to the food bank provides 10 meals for the community.

Wilt asked Smith to repeat the statistic before revealing an oversized cardboard check and presenting it to Smith.

“We’re humbled on behalf of our staff members and, more importantly, all of the hungry families we’re trying to reach,” Smith said.

The check is one of three $10,000 donations given by Alcoa in the United States during October, the company’s month of service.

Erin Pabst, spokeswoman for the company, said Alcoa divides the United States into three business units, and administrators for each unit chose a local charity for the grant. Alcoa Mt. Holly’s business unit contains six smelters and one refinery.

“We were very surprised with the check presentation,” Smith said.

Smith said many local businesses volunteer at the food bank, which accepts volunteers from companies of any size. Twenty Alcoa employees volunteered Wednesday, including Wilt, the president of Alcoa Global Primary Products in the U.S., and Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s vice president and chief sustainability officer. They cleaned and packaged canned yams before loading them onto pallets in the food bank’s warehouse.

Wilt said the company’s month of service provides a good break from work but, more important, allows Alcoa employees to give to their community.

Pabst said Alcoa Mt. Holly will also be delivering meals in Mount Pleasant, participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and performing repair work at the Eagle Harbor Ranch children’s shelter in Summerville.
 
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