Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
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New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
2010
Saks Fifth Avenue's OFF 5TH
December 30, 2010
Retail discount designer clothing and accessories
The company announced in May 2010 that it was closing its Saks Fifth Avenue store at Majestic Square in downtown Charleston after 15 years of operations. Now Saks is cre-entering the Charleston market via a store at Tanger Outlet Center in North Charleston -- the second OFF 5Th in South Carolina. Saks has 58 OFF 5TH stores in 23 states.
Dannecker Fine-Tec LLC
December 30, 2010
Manufacturer of precision parts for aerospace and high-tech companies
Dannecker Fine-Tec will establish its first North American operations in the Charleston region with a $3 million capital investment and 40 new jobs over the next few years, according to company president, Denise Dannecker. The German company has produced precision parts for high-tech companies in a range of business sectors, including for the aerospace, medical, semi-conductor and hydraulic markets. Dannecker Fine-Tec has become a specialist in materials traditionally considered hard to work with, such as titanium.
Island Overstocks
December 19, 2010
Discount retailer
With overstock and returned products from large national retailers, this small retailer on Daniel Island offers a niche discount store selling everything from food products to household furnishings and electronics.
High Purity Standards
December 6, 2010
Calibration standards for laboratory instruments
High Purity Standards will turn warehouse space on Pepperdam Avenue into a laboratory featuring manufacturing and testing rooms and a space for specialty products, adding 8 jobs over the next several years.
Robert Bosch LLC
December 3, 2010
Manufacturing passenger car fuel injectors
Bosch will add personnel and equipment to support production of its latest passenger car diesel and gasoline fuel injectors, and next generation anti-lock brake and electronic stability control systems for the North American automotive market. The company expects to begin creating new jobs based on this investment beginning in the second half of 2011.
Gildan Activewear
October 8, 2010
Apparel
Company is adding retail management and administrative functions to current retail distribution center facility.
myPhoneMD
September 9, 2010
Smart phone repair service company
Jeffrey Lyons, co-founder of myPhoneMD, says the company has opened five stores in Louisiana since March 2009 and has an expansion plan for spreading across the Southeast. This downtown Charleston shop is the firm's first expansion outside of Louisiana. The company serves corporate clients as well as individual "walk-in" customers.
Maverick Equipment Manufacturing Inc.
August 18, 2010
Hydraulic hammers and components manufacturing
Maverick Equipment Manufacturing Inc. brings $1.5 million in capital investment and up to 70 jobs to its new Dorchester County location over the next five years.
Avista Solutions, Inc.
August 2, 2010
Produces Web-based mortgage origination software
CEO Mark Phlieger, company founder, said he moved his firm's headquarters to Charleston from Columbia because he wants to live in Charleston and also due to the area’s growing technology community. The software firm produces its product for community banks, credit unions and independent mortgage bankers nationwide. Of the firm's 40 current employees, about 20 work in Charleston with the remainder still at a satellite office in Columbia. Phleiger plans to grow the firm to about 80 to 100 workers over the next several years, with the majority of the growth occuring at the Charleston headquarters.
Blue Bell Creameries
July 20, 2010
Ice cream products distribution center
The 2000-square-foot center at 7396 W. Spartan Blvd. in the Ashley Industrial Park will serve coastal South Carolina, where Texas-based Blue Bell has cultivated a strong following over the last five years. The company has experienced double-digit growth every year since entering the Charleston market in 2005. Eight employees will be based out of the new facility. Jay Cooke, territory manager for the area, and other officials emphasized the new center will enable the company to "... ensure that you purchase a quality product every time."
Behr Heat Transfer Systems
July 16, 2010
Manufacturer of automotive parts
The North Charleston manufacturer of automotive air conditioning and engine cooling systems will expand its product portfolio to include two new products made at its Leeds Ave plant: exhaust gas recirculation systems and charge air coolers.
Boeing Co.'s Interiors Responsibility Center South Carolina
July 15, 2010
Manufacture 787 aircraft's interior parts, including stowbins, closets, partitions, class dividers, etc.
Boeing will site its new fabrication facility just 10 miles (16 km) from its 787 final assembly operation in North Charleston. Construction of the facility is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010, being operational with 150 employees the following year.
Gedore Tools Inc.
July 1, 2010
Distribution of hand tools targeting primarily aviation, automotive, industrial and renewable energy sectors
German-owned Gedore, the largest tool manufacturing conglomerate in the world, does business in more than 70 countries; has manufacturing plants in Germany, Austria, South Africa and Brazil; and employs more than 3,000 worldwide.
Regal Logistics
June 21, 2010
Logistics
Supports new import-export business at its Charleston facility from American Marketing Enterprises Inc. American Marketing will use Regal's services to import and ship children’s sleepwear to Walmart distribution centers. This marks the first time American Marketing Enterprises will use a U.S. Southeast port, citing supply chain efficiencies which are gained by using the most direct distribution route, the Port of Charleston.
ArborGen Inc.
June 15, 2010
Tree improvement, commercial production of trees using both traditional breeding and advanced genetic technologies
The company will expand its global headquarters and R&D center in the region. Its new facility will be located on a 13.5 acre campus and will house its laboratories, production and administrative functions, as well as a 35,000-square-foot greenhouse.
Guy Harvey's Island Grill
June 8, 2010
Restaurant/specialty retail store
The 10,000 square-foot space at Mount Pleasant Towne Center will include a casual American/seafood restaurant, a retail store offering apparel and accessories carrying the Guy Harvey brand, and an art gallery. A portion of all sales at the restaurant will go toward the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts marine research and educational outreach programs encouraging an active effort to conserve the marine environment and its inhabitants.
Southwest Airlines
May 20, 2010
Airline
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines has announced its intent to serve the state of South Carolina through the cities of Charleston (CHS) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) in 2011. beginning March 13, the low-fare airline will make seven nonstop daily flights between Charleston International Airport and four cities: Chicago, Baltimore/Washington, Nashville, Tenn., and Houston. Southwest currently serves 68 cities in 35 states and is the largest U.S. carrier, based on domestic passengers carried. The company currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 employees.
Forever 21
May 18, 2010
Retail apparel and accessories
Los Angeles-based retailer Forever 21 will take over the space vacated in downtown Charleston by Saks Fifth Avenue later this year (2010). The King Street location will be Forever 21’s first store in South Carolina, creating as many as 150 jobs, according to Larry Meyer, executive vice president for the retailer. Forever 21 operates more than 480 stores worldwide.
Sazerac
May 12, 2010
Full service restaurant
Neighborhood Dining Group, operator of McCrady's and The Buccaneer in downtown Charleston, Queen Anne's Revenge on Daniel Island, and Chicago's in Roswell, Georgia, announced an additional restaurant featuring Southern cuisine and fare from local farmers and fishermen. Winner of the 2010 James Beard Best Chef in the Southeast award, Sean Brock, will lead the culinary team at the group's new restaurant in addition to his Executive Chef position at McCrady's.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
May 12, 2010
Full service restaurant
Orlando-based Ruth's Chris Steak House, with 130 locations around the world, has announced that a Charleston franchise is now official. A specific site is being determined, with downtown Charleston being the target location. Franchise owners Mark and Nancy Oswald also own the other two South Carolina franchise locations in Greenville and Columbia.
Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation
April 22, 2010
Third party logistics and transportation
Company will acquire International Forwarders Inc. and will utilize their current facility for its operations. The employees working for International Forwarders will become part of the Odyssey team immediately and the addition of new positions is expected over the next several years.
Schuchart Corp.
March 19, 2010
Commercial construction contract firm
Opened local office to work with Boeing's on new 787 assembly line operations and maintenance projects, tenant improvements, equipment relocations, and other construction and infrastructure projects. Firm representatives "found Charleston to be a booming business environment with a lot of opportunity" in addition to Boeing.
Moulton Logistics Management
March 11, 2010
Distribution and direct response order fulfillment
Moulton will open a new distribution center in a facility that was chosen to reduce the firm's freight costs and transit times by providing better access to its East Coast and overseas customers.
IMO Group USA
March 9, 2010
Manufacturing of slew drives and slew rings for wind turbines
German-based company plans to open its first U.S. operation in the region. The company will utilize the Port of Charleston for both importing materials and exporting products and will service multiple markets from its Dorchester County operation including the U.S., Europe and Asia.
CTS International
March 8, 2010
Staffing and recruiting firm
Company opened a local office that will soon hire hundreds of contract employees in support of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner plant. Staff positions include engineering, maintenance, assembly and scheduling. Company will work in sectors such as health care, defense, telecommunications and IT, in addition to its relationship with Boeing.
DC Machine LLC
January 14, 2010
Industrial machine shop with design/engineering, manufacturing/assembly and welding capabilities
DC Machine designs, produces and assembles a range of metal component parts, including racing components for automakers, parts for The Boeing Co.’s machines and equipment for medical companies. DC Machine also has designed a line of surgical lights for the military. The firm is building a 35,000-square-foot facility near its existing leased facility of half that size.
