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
BGRM / Buffalo Groupe LLC
March 8, 2022
Headquarters for full-service integrated marketing, media and communications consulting
Buffalo Groupe, LLC acquired Charleston-based full-service marketing firm Rawle Murdy in 2019 and has now decided to bring its entire headquarters to Charleston SC from Reston VA. Simultaneously, Rawle Murdy is rebranding to BGRM as part of its evolution under the Buffalo Groupe -- a "collection of agencies, events, and media properties that authentically serve the escape industries of golf, outdoor recreation, travel, lifestyle, real estate, and active sport." This collection of companies includes Buffalo Agency, BGRM, 54 Brands, Longitudes Group, Morning Read, and Moments Live. Buffalo Groupe is now headquartered in Charleston, SC with company offices in Charlotte, Portland, and Los Angeles. BGRM remains a Charleston-based, full-service integrated communications firm where strategic thinking, branding, content creation and delivery have been helping businesses thrive for nearly 50 years.
Evolt
November 30, 2021
North American corporate headquarters and distribution center for digital body composition analytic equipment
Founded in 2015 in Gold Coast, Australia, Evolt is a global, innovative wellness company that offers end-to-end solutions that track body composition, activity and nutrition including sophisticated data analytics. The firm has already partnered with one of the largest fitness brands in the world, Anytime Fitness, and is currently rolling out to their network across the U.S. and worldwide. "Our plan for the next five years is to continue our penetration into other verticals including pharmacies, supplement retail stores, corporate wellness programs and the body contouring industry,” says Evolt CEO Ed Zouroudis. Located at 2457 Aviation Avenue in North Charleston, the company’s facility will serve as the company’s North American corporate headquarters and distribution center. Hiring is underway.
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
BID Group
May 8, 2022
Wood processing equipment manufacturer
BID Group announced a multi-million dollar capital investment in new equipment including robotic welding cells and a computerized numerical control horizontal milling machine that will boost manufacturing capacity. The investment includes the expansion of the company’s manufacturing footprint with the acquisition of the adjacent Dover Hydraulics South facility. “The multiple projects within this investment will allow the company to increase capacity, advance efficiency and improve lead time,” said Adam Infanti, BID’s chief financial officer. The expansion is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.
Sagebrook Home East Coast Distribution Center
April 20, 2022
East Coast distribution center for global home decor brand
Founded in 2015, Sagebrook Home’s portfolio includes over 10,000 products including furniture, accessories, wall art, garden decor, lighting and more. The company is a leader in delivery, fulfillment and drop shipping to customers worldwide. Located at 574 Trade Center Parkway in Summerville, Sagebrook Home’s Berkeley County facility will serve as a 500,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution center for the company’s home décor and wholesale operations. Proximity to the Port of Charleston was instrumental in the firm's location decision.
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 approximately 100 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.
