Charleston | South Carolina | USA

France

Charleston | South Carolina | USA is home, workplace and inspiration to more than 802,000 voices, talents, passions and ideas. three quarters of a million people who are globally connected through trade, technology and travel - and locally engaged to craft a legacy for the future.

10 French firms operate in the three-county Charleston region, including manufacturing, textiles, distribution centers, and headquarters. The region’s growing international community includes the following industry leaders:

Labinal Power Systems Z Marine of North America

Strategic Location

With the most productive and efficient seaport in North America, an integrated rail and highway system, and an international airport, Charleston provides seamless connections to the global marketplace. Our central location, roughly halfway between New York and Miami, offers prime access to the U.S. Southeast. Nonstop flights to Paris depart daily from nearby Atlanta and JFK international airports.

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More than one-third of the U.S. population resides within
500 miles (800 km) of the Charleston region.

YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY HERE

18,600+

local residents have French ancestry

17,200+

workers in South Carolina are employed by French-based firms

#8

France is a Top 10 trading partner with SC

Charleston Center for Business Research

learn more

WHY FRENCH FIRMS

CHOOSE CHARLESTON

An international travel destination, Charleston is consistently voted the number one city in the U.S. and number two on the World's Best Cities list by top travel magazines. South Carolina offers a moderate climate year-round. It's geographically diverse, offering an easy drive from the ocean to the mountains in just 3 to 4 hours.

Charleston is renowned for beautiful architecture, award-winning restaurants, arts (Historic Charleston French Quarter), culture, and independent shops and boutiques. The Charleston region welcomes thousands of new residents each year–bringing new ideas, diversity and passion to a thriving, international community. Professional soccer, hockey, and baseball teams, college and university teams, and an array of annual races, tennis, and golf tournaments satisfy even the most die-hard sports fans and athletes.

Residents enjoy a lifestyle that strikes the perfect balance between work and play – and a warm climate, culture, food, attractive cost of living, European sensibilities, miles of beaches, diverse housing options, one of the best medical hubs in the Southeast U.S.A. Visit Living Here to learn more.

Faye Gooding

CEO
Le Creuset of America

"Charleston offers a compelling combination of port access, growing infrastructure and a high standard of living in a gracious environment. Le Creuset’s values in many ways mirror the values of Charleston – we believe history, authentic experience and craftsmanship are highly relevant in today’s world. And of course, we both love great food!"

FRENCH RESTAURANTS & STORES

Satisfy your craving for a taste of home here:

HISTORIC CHURCH


FRENCH RESOURCES

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) offers high quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools. The IBO, founded in 1968, is a recognized leader in the field of international education. It is a non-profit, mission-driven foundation that works with approximately 4,000 schools to develop and offer challenging programs to more than 829,000 students in 150 countries.

Unlike a national curriculum, IB programmes reflect the best practice of a range of different educational frameworks and curricula. It encourages students to be internationally-minded and to think beyond their immediate environment.

IB World Schools in the Charleston Region


Public schools

Private school

French Companies

Company EmployeesProduct
AHG Fasteners-USA, Inc.5 to 9U.S. business office for an international designer, manufacturer, and supplier of aerospace fastening systems
Air Liquide20 to 49Oxygen, argon, & nitrogen gas supplier
Bollore Logistics USA Inc.5 to 9International transportation and logistics (specialty: intercontinental air and ocean freight)
Chargeurs Wool (USA) Inc.50 to 99Mfr. wool top combing, lanolin by-product
Christoph Paccard Bellfoundries20 to 49Design, install, service and repair cast bronze bells, turnkey bell and clock towers, glockenspiels, chimes
Le Creuset of America20 to 49Marketing headquarters for cookware manufacturer and marketer
Lenscrafters Inc20 to 49Optical goods stores
Nexans High Voltage USA100 to 249High voltage cable manufacturing plant (including engineering, design and installation)
Safran Electrical & Power100 to 249Landing & braking systems, propulsion components, electrical wiring & electronics for aircraft
Saint-Gobain ADFORS20 to 49Reinforcement fabrics
Sonepar USA100 to 249North American headquarters; business to business supplier of electrical & safety products
Southern Optical Company10 to 19Optical laboratory
Sterimed20 to 49Sales/distribution of specialty paper for the medical industry
Vallen Distribution Inc., a Sonepar Co.100 to 249Marketing offices and distribution center for electrical/industrial/safety equipment, tools and products
Yves Delorme Inc20 to 49Home furnishings
Zodiac Nautic Americas100 to 249Recreation Div HQ; Mfg rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs)
Source: Center for Business Research, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2020

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