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
Mainstream Pine Products LLC
January 29, 2021
Crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery
This facility will serve as the centerpiece of Mainstream’s strategy to become the highest quality, lowest cost producer of CTO derivatives in North America. CTO is a renewable, non-food resource and a byproduct of pine trees used in paper manufacturing. It is a vital component of many chemicals including renewable diesel processing products, lubricants, adhesives, inks, paints, coatings, and tire and rubber additives. Company officials say they chose the Berkeley site at Charleston International Manufacturing Center because it "affords an ideal manufacturing location in an integrated industrial park with reliable infrastructure and intermodal access for efficient delivery of source materials and shipping of refined products." The company anticipates starting construction later this year with operations commencing in 2023.
Vigilent Labs
October 29, 2020
Headquarters and manufacturing of COVID-19 rapid test kits
Established in 2019, Vigilent Labs provides unique solutions to the detection, identification and assessment of health and bio-threats. The company's team has substantial experience in the development of medical and bio-surveillance technologies as well as medical devices. Located at 1105 Truxton Avenue, Building 74 in North Charleston, Vigilent Labs' new operations will serve as the company's headquarters, which will include its East Coast production and manufacturing operations. Specifically, the company will work with its partners, SeroClinix and Leinco, to produce rapid COVID-19 antibody and antigen test kits. These FDA-approved and emergency use authorized test kits are cost-effective and will produce fast and accurate results in seven to 10 minutes. The new facility will begin manufacturing activities in December.
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
Polestar Cars
June 16, 2021
All-electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) manufacturing
Polestar, the premium electric car brand from Sweden, announces today its first all-electric SUV will be manufactured in the United States. The forthcoming Polestar 3, an aerodynamic electric performance SUV, will be manufactured alongside new Volvo vehicles at the Volvo Cars production center in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Polestar vehicles built in South Carolina will be for sale in the United States. The move transforms Polestar into a truly global brand with an industrial capacity in the two largest single markets for electric vehicles in the world “ the USA and China “ alongside its headquarters and established sales and distribution capabilities in Europe. “Polestar 3 will be built in America, for our American customers,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am proud that our first SUV will be manufactured in South Carolina. From now on, the USA is no longer an export market but a home market.” The manufacturing announcement also underlines Polestar’s commitment to the American retail market, which is undergoing a period of rapid expansion. The firm plans to open around 25 retail ‘Spaces’ across the country in 2021. Polestar was launched in 2017 by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding. The Ridgeville plant was opened in 2018 by Volvo Cars. Polestar’s ability to share a production facility with Volvo Cars highlights the significant industrial and financial synergies it generates as result of its ownership structure. Production will begin globally in 2022. https://www.polestar.com/us/press/press-release/polestar-3-electric-performance-suv-to-be-manufactured-in-the-usa and https://charlestonbusiness.com/news/automotive/80664/?utm_term=Volvo%20Cars%20expands%20to%20produce%20electric%20car%20in%20Ridgeville&utm_campaign=Thursday%27s%20headlines%20from%20the%20Charleston%20Regional%20Business%20Journal&utm_content=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=email
Cummins Turbo Technologies
June 11, 2021
Turbocharger manufacturing
Operating out of two locations on Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, Cummins Turbo Technologies’ expansion will allow the company the flexibility to optimize its network between remanufactured and new turbocharger products; leverage manufacturing capabilities and capital in one geographic location; and improve cost competitiveness of both remanufactured and new turbos. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. “Our workforce at our Charleston Turbo Plant is critical to making Cummins Turbo Technologies the world-leader in air handling for commercial vehicles by exhibiting the teamwork and excellence necessary to deliver innovative, reliable turbocharger solutions. Our investment in the Charleston area will help us optimize our footprint and continue to be the top choice of our global customers,” says Cummins Turbo Technologies Vice President Shon Wright.
Downsizing
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.
ARD Logistics DBA Key Logistics
September 30, 2020
3PL services
A Ladson company that provides logistics services for Cummins Turbo Technologies is laying off 106 workers, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be out of a job. ARD Logistics, which does business as Key Logistics Solutions, told the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce that Cummins “has decided for strategic reasons” to terminate its contract as of Sept. 30. All of the workers are expected to be hired by Cummins or another logistics firm working with the turbocharger manufacturer. “We are currently working on a transition plan to seamlessly move this work back to the Cummins organization or a third-party identified by Cummins,” said ARD Logistics officials.
