Economic Development Announcements

 Sims Bark, a manufacturing and packaging landscape company has announced its new facility near Bowman.  Sims Bark will invest $8.5M in a new manufacturing operation that will create 50 jobs over a five year period.  This facility has been in business for over thirty years.  Their product line consists of soils, mulches, bagged rocks, concrete stepping stones, retainer walls, and pavers.  Their customer base is diverse, ranging from large retailers such as Wal-Mart, Lowes and The Home Depot, to independent chains like Ace Hardware, Fred’s etc.  Sims Bark also provides bulk products to both professional growers and independent bulk yards.  Sims Bark also provides pavers and retainer walls to commercial installers.  “Sims Bark is excited about being located in Orangeburg County.  Our location in Bowman allows us to expand our business into South Carolina and neighboring states.  The reception and cooperation we have received confirms that Sims Bark make the right decision to locate in Orangeburg County” said David Sims of Sims Bark Company.

Quality Models, Orangeburg County Development Commission announced the expansion of Quality Models, a Canadian company, on August 19, 2007. This expansion creates an additional $4M in capital investments and the creation of 20 additional jobs.  Quality Models, a plastic injection molding company, will have to a total investment in Orangeburg County of over $10M and 60 jobs.  Quality Models Plastics specializes in providing the Power Sports, Industrial, Automotive and Aftermarket, and Lawn and Garden industry with leading edge service.  Products include design, toll building, manufacturing, secondary assembly and painting.  “The business climate in Orangeburg has allowed us to grow, resulting in the expansion to include warehousing, which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007,” said Dave Meloche, Operations Manager.

The Okonite Company announced on August 8, 2007, the creation of $18M in new capital investment and 40 new jobs.  This expansion increases employment from 237 employees to 277 in Orangeburg County.  The Okonite Company is America’s oldest independent wire and cable manufacturer, with a history of more that 125 years of service to the electric industry.  Okonite maintains the only direct sales network in the cable industry.  The Okonite Company located in Orangeburg, SC opened in 1993 and now has over 650,000 square feet at the Orangeburg campus.  Okonite Facility Plant Manager Tom Sanchez, stated, “We are grateful that the economy has supported our expansion efforts in Orangeburg.  Certainly we appreciate all of our customers who continue to use Okonite cable.  It’s the commitment of our employees that ensures the premier quality of the compound and cable manufactured here in Orangeburg facilities which results in maintaining customer satisfaction.”  “ The Okonite Company is to be commended for its investment in Orangeburg County.  Capital improvements lead to greater productivity and ultimately, to an enhanced quality of life for our workforce,” said David Coleman, President of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce.  “The Okonite Company is a valued member of our chamber and a vital partner in developing the economic vitality of our community.”

Inter-Media Marketing Inc, is a telephone direct marketing firm, based in Westchester, Pennsylvania. Inter-media announced in May 2007 that it will recruit 100 new employees for its Orangeburg location.  Inter-Media Marketing has been located in Orangeburg County since 1997.  This marketing firm does both outbound and inbound work at many of its locations.  It takes pride in doing quality and value-added work, and performs outsourcing including data processing.  The company plans to expand the number of employees from about 350 to 450 within the next month to handle additional work from Verizon, one of the company’s clients.  It’s also seeking more insurance agents to handle calls at the center.

AT&T Inc, is the largest telecommunications company in the US and one of the largest in the world.  AT&T announced in April 2007 that it will recruit more that 100 applicants for new jobs in its Orangeburg National Directory Assistance Center.  “We, in AT&T Customer Information Services, are extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our Orangeburg Center.  With significant growth in our wireless operations we expect to double the size of the operation in Orangeburg,” said David Huntley, Senior Vice President – Customer Information Services.  “This expansion represents an investment of over $1.6 million and is just a portion of the company’s growth plan.”

ECKA Granules, a German-based manufacturer of pure metallic powders, conducted a grand-opening of a manufacturing facility in October 2006. The firm plans invest $12 million and create 40 jobs at the 60,000 sq. ft. facility located in the Orangeburg County Industrial Park. The powder produced at the facility will be used in paints, inks, detergents, bicycle frames, and golf club heads.

GTS Energy Inc. announced in June 2006 an investment of $3.5 million and plans to employ 100 workers during the next five years. GTS is an Atlanta-based company which designs and manufactures process heating systems that are used in the forest products industry. GTS will occupy the facility formerly operated by Scienda Building Sciences which consists of 100,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and 30,000 sq. ft. of office space.

Allied Air Enterprises, Inc., a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc., conducted a groundbreaking ceremony at the Orangeburg County/City Industrial Park in June 2006 for a 238,000 sq. ft. expansion. The expansion represents an investment of $30 million and will add approximately 200 jobs in the next five years. The expansion will bring Allied Airs facility to 775,000 sq. ft. Allied Air manufactures produces heating and air conditioning equipment which is marketed as Armstrong, Ducane, AirEase, Magic-Pak, and Concord.     

CaroLinks, a Charleston-based company, announced in September 2006 that it would focus its efforts to create an in-land port on 789 acres in Orangeburg County near Santee and the intersection of I-95 and US 301. CaroLinks officials stated that the company would bring approximately 200 jobs to the site.   

Sunshine Steel and Supply opened a newly constructed 10,000 sq.ft. air conditioned warehouse in January 2006. The expansion represents an investment of $1.2 million and will add 16 jobs. The facility was constructed entirely from recycled materials. 

For More Information Contact

Orangeburg County Development Commission
C. Gregory Robinson – Executive Director
125 Regional Parkway, Suite 100
Orangeburg, SC 29118
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