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
ADMA Biologics Inc.
May 6, 2021
Plasma collection site
New Jersey-based ADMA Biologics Inc. is an end-to-end commercial biopharmaceutical company dedicated to manufacturing, marketing and developing specialty plasma-derived biologics. As federal regulations state, ADMA can collect plasma donations on site as it awaits FDA’s approval for this site's specimens to be used in the manufacturing of life-saving therapies. “The state’s impressive infrastructure and skilled workforce create a terrific foundation for ADMA to safely collect and process plasma, and we look forward to continuing to grow our operations in the state now and in the coming years,” the firm's CEO said in a statement. ADMA has seven plasma collection facilities at various stages of approval and development. The Lowcountry plasma center, located at 214 Saint James Ave., is the newest and is projected to need up to 50 health care workers at full capacity.
Frothy Beard Brewing Co.
April 29, 2021
Small-batch brewery and restaurant
Charleston County-based Frothy Beard Brewing Co. has acquired Hometown Brewhouse at 117 S. Main St. in Summerville (Dorchester County) and will call this second site "Frothy Beard Off World." It will not only be used to create special small-batch beers in rotation with all the flagship Frothy beer offerings, but it will also offer lunch and dinner, plus Sunday brunch. The conversion is expected to be complete by mid-June 2021.
Downsizing
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.
SKF Aero Bearings
September 24, 2020
Precision bearings manufacturer
By the end of 2021, SKF will consolidate its North Charleston plant and another in Avon, Ohio, into its existing Sumter SC location, affecting approximately 120 Charleston area jobs. SKF's joint venture with GE Aviation, Venture Aerobearings LLC (established in the Charleston area in 2007) will remain in the Charleston Metro Area. The firm reports the shifts as part of broader corporate-wide restructuring necessary to maintain competitiveness.
