Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
CRDA-Facilitated Projects
SHL Medical Ltd.
July 18, 2022
Manufacturing of plastic components of disposable auto-injectors used in the medical and healthcare field
Zug, Switzerland-based SHL Medical said its new facility at 7791 Palmetto Commerce Parkway will be operational by Q2 2024. The company makes autoinjectors, pen injectors and other devices that let patients self-inject at home. The company also offers contract manufacturing and engineering services for products such as wafer testing equipment, laboratory handling equipment, neurosurgical devices and industrial equipment. “Our new U.S. site will be a state-of-the-art facility that will support our customers further with our end-to-end capabilities, providing high-quality drug delivery systems to end users -- patients around the world,” said Ulrich Faessler, the company’s medical chairman and CEO. The North Charleston facility “brings us closer to our customers and reduces the risk of supply chain disturbances” while also supporting the company’s sustainability goals which include reducing global shipping distances. The Swiss-based company also has research and development facilities in Sweden and a design, testing and manufacturing campus in Taiwan.
Engeser
June 15, 2022
Automotive parts (Cable/harness) manufacturing
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Schramberg, Germany, ENGESER USA Corp. designs and manufactures high-quality products for cable and connection technology ranging from classic cable assembly to comprehensive system solutions. A family-owned company, ENGESER USA Corp. serves automotive applications, consumer and capital goods, solar engineering, rail technology and more. Located at 115 Fabricators Street in Summerville, ENGESER USA Corp.’s Dorchester County facility is the company’s first North American manufacturing operation and will allow the company to offer direct delivery domestically and to European customers. The new facility will utilize modern technologies to produce cost-optimized, high-quality cable harnesses, one of ENGESER USA Corp.’s core areas of expertise. Operations are expected to be online by September 2022.
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
SHL Medical Ltd.
July 18, 2022
Manufacturing of plastic components of disposable auto-injectors used in the medical and healthcare field
Zug, Switzerland-based SHL Medical said its new facility at 7791 Palmetto Commerce Parkway will be operational by Q2 2024. The company makes autoinjectors, pen injectors and other devices that let patients self-inject at home. The company also offers contract manufacturing and engineering services for products such as wafer testing equipment, laboratory handling equipment, neurosurgical devices and industrial equipment. “Our new U.S. site will be a state-of-the-art facility that will support our customers further with our end-to-end capabilities, providing high-quality drug delivery systems to end users -- patients around the world,” said Ulrich Faessler, the company’s medical chairman and CEO. The North Charleston facility “brings us closer to our customers and reduces the risk of supply chain disturbances” while also supporting the company’s sustainability goals which include reducing global shipping distances. The Swiss-based company also has research and development facilities in Sweden and a design, testing and manufacturing campus in Taiwan.
Engeser
June 15, 2022
Automotive parts (Cable/harness) manufacturing
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Schramberg, Germany, ENGESER USA Corp. designs and manufactures high-quality products for cable and connection technology ranging from classic cable assembly to comprehensive system solutions. A family-owned company, ENGESER USA Corp. serves automotive applications, consumer and capital goods, solar engineering, rail technology and more. Located at 115 Fabricators Street in Summerville, ENGESER USA Corp.’s Dorchester County facility is the company’s first North American manufacturing operation and will allow the company to offer direct delivery domestically and to European customers. The new facility will utilize modern technologies to produce cost-optimized, high-quality cable harnesses, one of ENGESER USA Corp.’s core areas of expertise. Operations are expected to be online by September 2022.
Downsizing
Borden Dairy
April 12, 2022
Dairy products manufacturing
Borden announced the Charleston area manufacturing plant would be closing at the end of May 2022, and that products would be withdrawn from the South Carolina retail market. The decision was made following a recent financial and operational review, affecting 177 jobs. The company said it will assist affected employees through the transition by offering notification pay, the opportunity to apply for roles at other locations as well as outplacement assistance to help them find new employment.
DAK Americas
June 10, 2021
Polyester staple fibers manufacturing
DAK Americas is closing part of its Berkeley County manufacturing operations at the end of 2021, affecting 200 jobs at the Cooper River plant. “This is a very difficult decision for us,” said Jorge Young, DAK’s co-president. “The closure of the fibers operations comes after an extensive analysis of our ability to be cost competitive in an extremely challenging market that has faced prolonged and continuing pressure from low-priced imports. Current economics do not support the extensive investment needed to revitalize the site and meet future market needs. We thank our employees for their many years of commitment and service.” The Cypress Gardens Road site will continue to make specialty resins for the bottle and packaging markets and will retain about 100 employees, the company said. DAK is a subsidiary of Alpek, a petrochemical company that makes a variety of polyester, plastic and chemical products that’s owned by Alfa S.A.B. de C.V. of Monterrey, Mexico.
