Weber Automotive establishing new facility in North Charleston

Weber Automotive, a maker of vehicle components, will establish its new manufacturing operations in North Charleston. The more than $51 million investment is expected to generate 84 new jobs over the next four years.

“We are thrilled about setting up new operations here in North Charleston. South Carolina offers us an excellent business environment and a talented workforce in a region that is growing as an automotive hub. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Daniel Weber, chief financial officer and chief officer of sales for Weber Automotive.

Weber Automotive is establishing a new automotive parts manufacturing facility in the Palmetto Commerce Park. The new facility will make drive train components, and is expected to begin operations in 2015.

“The announcement of Weber Automotive landing in Palmetto Commerce Park gives us confidence that North Charleston and the greater Charleston region remains a ripe environment for businesses to flourish. We applaud Weber Automotive’s success and are thankful for the capital investment and job creation that our community will receive,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.

“Weber Automotive’s decision to locate new manufacturing operations in South Carolina is another sign that companies realize South Carolina is the new ‘it’ state for business. Today’s announcement brings more than $51 million and 84 new jobs to North Charleston, and we look forward to Weber Automotive’s future growth here,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

“Our state’s reputation in the automotive club continues to grow with the help of announcements like this one by Weber Automotive. The company’s investment will create jobs that will have an impact in Charleston County and beyond,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“Congratulations to Weber Automotive on this fabulous news,” said Teddie Pryor, chairman of Charleston County Council. “We know they will enjoy their plant location in Palmetto Commerce Park, as well as a world-class work force and relationships with many other seasoned automotive operations in the greater Charleston area. Charleston County helped build the business case for this expansion, and we will support Weber Automotive long after the first ribbon-cutting.”

“Weber Automotive will be an asset to the Charleston region,” said Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman Bob Whitten. “Our three counties offer an incredible combination of assets for global manufacturers, including an established automotive cluster, a skilled workforce with a depth of expertise and integrated transportation infrastructure. By choosing to locate in the Charleston region, Weber Automotive sends a powerful message to automotive companies around the world reinforcing just how competitive we have become.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in 2015. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact Doris Sullivan at (843) 875-6366.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a set aside grant of $200,000 for road improvements.

For more information about Weber Automotive, please visit www.weber-automotive.com/en/.

TWL Precision Announces Expansion in North Charleston

TWL Precision, a worldwide supplier of precision automotive components, announced plans to expand its current operations in Charleston County. The $5 million investment is expected to generate 35 new jobs.

“We are pleased to move forward with plans to expand our operations here,” said Jeff Teague, general manager for TWL Precision. “This expansion will really help our company expand its footprint in the U.S. and help us better serve our customers in the area. Charleston County has provided a great home for our operations.

TWL Precision will expand its current facility in the Palmetto Commerce Park. The expansion will double the company’s current manufacturing space and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2012.

The company first started operations in the area in November 2007. The expansion will bring the number of employees at the company’s plant to 90.

“The expansion of TWL Precision gives us confidence that the City of North Charleston and the greater Charleston region remains a ripe environment for businesses to flourish,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “We applaud TWL Precision’s success and are thankful for the capital investment and job creation that our community will receive.”

“Manufacturing is continuing its upswing in South Carolina, especially in the automotive-related sector. TWL Precision’s expansion is another sign our state’s business-friendly climate is helping companies prosper,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

Since the beginning of the year, South Carolina has recruited more than $3.9 billion in investment and more than 12,000 new jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“Congratulations are in order for TWL Precision Inc. as they announce this great expansion project,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor.  “TWL Precision Inc. is an international automotive leader and represents the cream of the crop in highly skilled manufacturing in Charleston County. As the company writes this new chapter of its success story in North Charleston, we at Charleston County are glad to be their partners.  We will remain fully engaged to assist the company well into the future, and also to safeguard and further improve the area business climate we believe will be instrumental to continued success.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in the second half of 2012. TWL Precision Inc. contracts with local staffing agencies that will recruit using local advertising and media outlets.

About TWL Precision
TWL Precision is a VTL Group Company. VTL Group is a progressive international company specializing in the development and manufacture of complex precision parts and assemblies for automotive powertrain applications. The Group is present in Europe, North America, India and Japan employing over 450 people with combined revenues totaling $110 million. For more information, please visit www.vtl-group.com.

Streit USA Armoring announces expansion in North Charleston

Streit USA Armoring, a maker of armored vehicles, today announced plans to expand current operations in North Charleston. 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. North 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 North Charleston,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

“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/.