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County Rolling in New Business
6/22/2007
ANOTHER INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO LOCATE, THIS TIME IN AN OLD SPACE Newberry Observer Cindy Pitts, Staff Writer Newberry is on a roll this week with its second economic development announcement unveiled yesterday. Schweitzer-Mauduit (NYSE: SWM) announced on yesterday the purchase of the old Confalonieri building in the Newberry County Industrial Park on Highway 219. The property contains a 54,000 square foot manufacturing and office facility on a 10-acre site. The building has been empty for six years during which time Confalonieri declared bankruptcy in Italian courts. On Tuesday Nasymth announced plans for its North American headquarters in Newberry and the building of a new plant to manufacture aerospace couplings. The original investment planned by Schweitzer-Mauduit is approximately $4 million. Due to its infrastructure and layout, the site is well suited for its new job of coating paper for lower ignition propensity (LIP) cigarettes. The company intends to employ 40 to 50 people in the first few years. Newspaper ads are already running for jobs at the facility and applications are being taken at the OneStop Workforce Center on Main Street in Newberry. Roger Scheurer, manager of corporate environmental and manufacturing projects for Schweitzer-Mauduit, said he was looking for a used printing press for the operation. He was somewhat unsuccessful in his search and began to look at new presses until hearing there was equipment in the old Confalonieri building, which made paper laminate for wood flooring that could possibly suit the company's purposes. After seeing the equipment, Scheurer learned the building was also on the market and suggested the company look at buying the building also. "We could put the operation in Brazil, France or China but I asked "why don't we keep it in the U.S.?" Scheurer related. The first day he came to Newberry in February, Scheurer met with local economic leaders. He said they provided the company with "all the positive things." "It is an exhilarating feeling to get two new companies in one week," said County Councilman Mike Hawkins. "We are continuing to create production in Newberry County," said Central Alliance SC President Mike Briggs. County Council Chair Henry Summer said this is just another example of businesses being a part of the dynamic growth in the community. Over the last few years, the company has established itself as the leader in the development of banded paper used in the construction of LIP cigarettes. To meet the increased demand, the company has added capacity for banded paper in advance of legislated LIP requirements. "We are pleased to announce this LIP converting center, which will not only be focused on coating existing products but will also produce other banded products for emerging segments of the LIP market," Otto Herbst, president of the American portion of the operation, commented. "The operations will also contain equipment to slit banded bobbins and distribute banded papers to the U.S., Canadian and international customers. For security of supply reasons, we plan to add this capacity in a timely manner ahead of the predicted U.S. LIP demand increases and at a site independent of existing coating and banded paper operations. We view this as another step SWM is taking in support of its position as a market leader to ensure the security of supply of banded papers for the growing market of LIP compliant cigarettes." The company has already started contracting with local business to begin the start up phase for the production facility. Following equipment installation and start-up, led by operations manager Ron Federico, initial production is expected to begin prior to the end of the year. It is anticipated that five to 10 employees will be hired from the Newberry area this year and that number will increase to 40 to 55 jobs in the next several years. Schweitzer-Mauduit International is a diversified producer of premium specialty papers and the world?s largest supplier of fine papers to the tobacco industry. It also manufactures specialty papers for use in alkaline batteries, vacuum cleaner bags, overlay products, saturating base papers, business forms and printing and packaging applications. Schweitzer-Mauduit and its subsidiaries conduct business in more than 90 countries and employee 3,500 people worldwide, with operations in the U.S., France, Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia and Canada. For more information the company?s Web site is www.schweitzermauduit.com. ... More
Nasmyth Group Announces North American Headquarters
6/21/2007
Gov. Mark Sanford and Sec. Joe Taylor today joined Peter Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive of the U.K.'s Nasmyth Group in announcing the company?s decision to locate its North American headquarters and a major manufacturing operation in Newberry County, South Carolina. "South Carolina is a great fit for Nasmyth. The state is economically viable with a strong labor force, proximity and access to markets, and a business-friendly environment. South Carolina suits our culture, style, and approach to business and we look forward to growing Nasmyth's U.S. operations from our South Carolina location for many years to come," said Peter Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive, Nasmyth Group. The Nasmyth Group is a tier one supplier to the aerospace industry serving globally recognized corporations such as Rolls Royce, Airbus, Raytheon, and Boeing. Nasmyth plans to invest $15 million and create approximately 100 jobs at its South Carolina facility. Today's announcement was made at the Paris Air Show where Gov. Sanford and Sec. Taylor are meeting with aerospace industry leaders and working to recruit future investment to South Carolina. The South Carolina delegation led by Gov. Sanford is one of many at the air show being led by Southern governors, including Governors Sonny Perdue of Georgia, Bob Riley of Alabama, and Haley Barbour of Mississippi. "Today's announcement is another sign that our efforts to better our state's business climate are working to recruit industries that will have a lasting impact on our economy and further our ability to compete in the global marketplace. As well, given South Carolina's strong ties to the aerospace industry, Nasmyth adds to a growing list of companies that are active in the future of commercial and military aviation, and offers real potential in terms of job creation, investment, and growth opportunities in the years ahead," said Gov. Mark Sanford. South Carolina is home to some 40 aviation companies investing more than $1 billion in the state. As the aviation industry grows, South Carolina has emerged as a globally recognized player. The state's role is enhanced by numerous companies that are shaping the aerospace industry including Vought, Alenia North America, Lockheed-Martin, Honeywell, General Electric, SKF Bearings, ATI-Allvac, and Michelin Aircraft Tires. "We are delighted to welcome Nasmyth Group to Newberry County," said County Council Chairman Henry Summer. "In addition to the significant international investment in the community and creation of high-skilled jobs, Nasmyth's North American headquarters is the first commitment in the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park. Today's announcement reaffirms Newberry County's dynamic, pro-business environment and we look forward to supporting Nasmyth?s growth and prosperity." Central S.C. Alliance Chairman George Bullwinkel, Jr. said, "The Nasmyth Group is a highly respected global leader in precision engineering for the aerospace industry. They will find Newberry County, S.C. and the Central S.C. Region a great place for their North American headquarters and manufacturing operations. Central S.C.'s strong work ethic coupled with the nation's premier training program offers the Nasmyth Group a winning combination that will exceed the expectations of their customers." Nasmyth Group offers world class design, manufacturing assembly, and product support service across the fields of precision mechanical and electro-mechanical engineering. Nasmyth Group is a key supplier to the global aerospace industry and to international defense, electrical, specialist automotive, and medical sectors. In support of this capability the Group's companies hold an impressive range of quality, environmental, and manufacturing approvals ranging from AS9100 and ISO 14001 through to EASA Part 21 and FAA. Based in Buckinghamshire, England, the company was founded by Peter Smith in 2003. The company's name demonstrates a tradition of engineering excellence, named after James Hall Nasmyth, a Scottish engineer famous for developing and patenting the steam hammer. Nasmyth built his first steam engine at the age of 17 in 1820. For more information on the Nasmyth Group, visit www.nasmythgroup.com. ... More
Caterpillar Expands Electric Power Manufacturing Operation
10/26/2005
Newberry, S.C. - In response to increased customer demand in North America, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) will open a new electric power manufacturing facility in Newberry, South Carolina. "There are strong global growth opportunities for Caterpillar in the electric power industry, and the opening of this facility in South Carolina is part of our strategy to further strengthen our worldwide leadership position in this industry," said Bill Rohner, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Electric Power Division. Diesel and gas powered generator sets will be assembled at the Newberry operation. The 10-200 kW range products will be sold to North American customers. These gensets are typically used as backup power for smaller retail operations, homes, farms and in municipal applications. Currently these electric power products are produced at a manufacturing facility in Larne, Northern Ireland. The Larne facility will continue to produce generator sets as part of Caterpillar's wholly owned FG Wilson electric power business. "By moving the production of these smaller gensets to North America, Caterpillar will be better positioned to quickly respond to customer demand for electric power in this important region," Rohner said. "The decision will also free up additional capacity in Larne so we can continue to support growing demand for electric power solutions to our customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia." The production operation will be located in a Caterpillar owned building in Newberry that was completed in 1998 but has remained largely vacant since that time. Caterpillar has maintained a presence in Newberry with a small number of Caterpillar employees providing customer support for North American dealers and Caterpillar's Electric Power Division. It is anticipated the larger Newberry facility will open in the first half of 2006, with first-year employment at the facility expected to be about 70 people. "I want to thank Caterpillar for locating in South Carolina and thank Commerce for its continued work in securing this project," said Gov. Mark Sanford. "We're going to continue working to attract world-leading companies like Caterpillar, which starts with improving our underlying business climate through changes like further income tax relief so that we have the tools we need to attract jobs and capital investment." Commerce Secretary Bob Faith said, "To build Caterpillar quality products, South Carolina is pleased to offer this company an excellent location and a work force second to none. The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Central SC Alliance, and the Newberry County Development Board actively worked as a team and worked with Caterpillar to make today's announcement a reality. I can't thank these groups enough for their diligence and determination to bring home quality jobs to South Carolina." "We are thrilled to have Caterpillar announce plans to open this facility in Newberry County, and we welcome the company as the newest business member to our community," said Newberry County Council Chairman Mike Hawkins. Caterpillar currently manufactures engines and components for Caterpillar machines at facilities in Greenville and Sumter, South Carolina. "Newberry county and the entire region has worked closely with Caterpillar and the state to make this day possible, and everyone involved looks forward to the day in the near future when this facility is producing generator sets," said George J. Bullwinkel, chairman of the Central South Carolina Alliance. "We look forward to visiting the FG Wilson facility in Larne next week to learn more about generator set production." Caterpillar's Electric Power Division includes global design, packaging and marketing responsibilities for Caterpillar electric power generation products, including U.S. operations in Illinois, Indiana and Georgia and international operations in Northern Ireland, India, China and Brazil. The Electric Power Division includes products branded with the FG Wilson, Olympian and Caterpillar names. For 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2004 sales and revenues of $30.25 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. ... More