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
2019
Alorica
December 20, 2019
Customer service center
Located at 4275 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston, Alorica's strategic expansion will increase the company's capacity in North America to accommodate the growing demand for customer experience expertise by some of the world's biggest brands. Alorica North Charleston services a variety of brands in the retail, healthcare and energy and utilities industries. The expansion will be complete by 2020.
Alcami Corporation
December 17, 2019
Provider of fully-integrated custom end-to-end solutions for the pharmaceutical and biologics industries
Located at 4221 Faber Place Drive in North Charleston, Alcami will add approximately 6,000 square feet to the footprint of its facility, substantially augmenting the capacity of its sterile drug product development and manufacturing operations. This is the second expansion of this facility in three years, which Site Director Darold Hill said represents a long-term commitment to the firm's sterile drug product clients, talented workforce and the greater Charleston area. The build-out is expected to be completed in 2021.
Dennis Eagle Inc.
December 12, 2019
Chassis assembly for compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel trucks
Part of the multinational Terberg RosRoca Group, which employs more than 2,500 people worldwide, Dennis Eagle Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of refuse collection vehicles. The company plans to lease 16,000 square feet in Dorchester County’s Eastport Commerce Center, located at 104 Pinnacle Way, to assemble Elite Chassis for compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel trucks. The facility will become operational in 2020.
Magnolia Botanicals
December 9, 2019
Industrial hemp processing
Magnolia Botanicals, a joint venture between South Carolina-based Blue Water Green Bridge, LLC and United Cannabis Corporation, today announced plans to establish an industrial hemp processing plant in Dorchester County. Located at Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville, S.C., the company will provide hemp extraction services for farmers working under the 2018 Federal Farm Bill and the S.C. Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. The facility is expected to be operational Q1 2020.
Carver Maritime LLC
November 20, 2019
Waterfront industrial port terminal
With a deep-water pier for loading and offloading ships and barges, along with more than half-a-million square feet of warehousing space, Carver Maritime accommodates ships carrying cargo such as salt, break bulk, gypsum and stone aggregates. The company's 400-acre marine terminal offers dock capability for ships up to 750 feet with a draft of 36 feet. Located at 1400 Pierside Street, Building 190, Suite D in North Charleston, S.C., the company is constructing a modern processing and distribution center that will export through the Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. Terminal at the Port of Charleston and Palmetto Railways' planned Navy Base Intermodal Facility beginning summer 2020.
Gotcha
November 19, 2019
Bike-sharing app
Oxnard, CA-based OjO Electric has acquired Charleston-based Gotcha in a $12 million dollar deal. Gotcha’s platform, available as an app on mobile phones, allows users to pick and rent one of its vehicles, a fleet which includes bikes, scooters and an electric tricycle, among others. College campuses are its core business, and the firm plans to remain in Charleston.
Urban Electric Co.
November 15, 2019
Upscale lighting design and manufacture; company headquarters
The Urban Electric Co. designs and crafts a wide array of lighting fixtures that are bench-made and hand-finished. The company services an international client base of top interior designers and architects in the residential, hospitality and contract sectors. Located at 2130 North Hobson Avenue in North Charleston, S.C., the company's expansion includes a new facility that will serve as the new headquarters and showroom. This facility will be part of The Urban Electric Co.'s multi-building campus where the company can provide custom, made-to-order, heirloom-quality light fixtures using a mix of traditional and modern manufacturing techniques. The firm's CEO reports, "Charleston's creative energy has always been a catalyst for our heirloom-quality lighting designs, but its abundance of talented artisans, innovative entrepreneurial environment and culture of hospitality helps keep our business constantly pushing forward."
ENGAGE Talent
October 30, 2019
Predictive analytics and AI software with human resources specialties
Workforce Logiq, a Florida-based global provider of workforce management software and services to large corporations, has acquired Mount Pleasant-based predictive analytics and AI software company ENGAGE Talent. The acquisition will equip Workforce Logiq customers with proprietary benchmarks and real-time intelligence to find, engage, hire, and retain the top candidates in the market faster and more affordably than ever before.
Sapience Automation
October 30, 2019
Design and integration of robotics and industrial automation systems
The firm's local facility at 2079 Wambaw Creek Road will allow the company more room to collaborate with local educational systems and schools to help encourage and train students for jobs in the automation industry. To support workforce initiatives, the company launched a nonprofit to enrich mechatronics and robotics programs at the high school level and identify students who could excel in the area of automation. Sapience supports the local expanding automotive manufacturing sector among others.
Timberland High School Welding Lab
October 18, 2019
Welding training lab
With the help of local business/industry partners, a space on the campus of Timberland High has become a state-of-the-art welding lab set to prepare students in Berkeley County for one of the Lowcountry’s most in-demand jobs. The collaboration of Berkeley County Economic Development, W International, Pacolet Milliken / Cooper River Partners and Berkeley Electric Cooperative resulted in an approximate $500,000 investment in the students and community members of St. Stephen and surrounding areas. The lab includes 16 modern welding stations, a virtual welding simulator and other metal fabrication devices. The partnership plans to open a second welding lab at Cross High School in Berkeley County in 2020. The labs will not only help build the talent pipeline among high school students but also will train adults via a community education program.
Spartan Motors, Inc.
October 15, 2019
Production of industry-specific custom shelving, lighting and ergonomic design services for commercial vehicles including Mercedes-Benz Vans
Michigan-based Spartan Motors, Inc. is a leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing and assembly for the commercial and retail vehicle industries, as well as for the emergency response and recreational vehicle markets. The firm’s Charleston County operations are located at 6555 Fain Street in North Charleston, S.C.
A&R Logistics, Inc.
October 8, 2019
Third-party logistics (3PL) including dry bulk transportation, warehousing, packaging, and export solutions
Founded in 1969, Louisville, Kentucky-based A&R Logistics, Inc. provides a variety of bulk transportation and logistics solutions to multinational customers in the chemical and plastics industries. A&R Logistics, Inc. has more than 1,000 employees, with a large fleet of trucks and trailers across its extensive, nationwide network of terminals and warehousing and packaging facilities. This new 615,000-square-foot Berkeley County facility will use cutting-edge equipment to offer an array of packaging solutions and complete logistics services for customers shipping product out of the Port of Charleston. Expected completion date is Q4 2020.
Resy
October 2, 2019
Restaurant reservation software platform
Established in 2014, Resy works with about 5,000 restaurants in over 200 markets around the world. Resy's Charleston office will handle sales and account management for restaurants utilizing the company’s service. The Charleston office, located at 796 Meeting St., is Resy’s second office; its headquarters is in New York City. The company currently has 18 employees in Charleston, with plans to grow the team to 23 employees by the end of the month. “There is an early tech scene that is still in its early days, and we think that the energy and talent pool and the spirit of innovation that exists here is going to allow us to scale �” and certainly the quick flight from New York, which is going to allow us to easily cross-pollinate the offices and a lot of teams to get to know each other,” Resy CEO Ben Leventhal said.
DC Machine
September 10, 2019
Industrial design and machining center that manufactures close tolerance components
Since DC Machine established its first 250-square-foot facility in Dorchester County in 2004, the company has grown tremendously. An expansion in 2015 increased operating size to 17,000 square feet and added 17 new jobs. DC Machine’s current expansion includes the purchase of an existing building, located at 2735 W. Fifth North Street in Summerville and increases operational space by more than 61,000 square feet. This expansion will allow the company to grow production of existing product lines and expand into others.
Smithey Ironware Co.
July 25, 2019
Designer and manufacturer of cast iron and carbon steel cookware
The company, founded in 2014, is now located at 1465 Pipefitter St. in North Charleston’s Navy Yard, a 15,000-square-foot facility that serves as the company’s headquarters. The new location, an expansion from its previous 5,000-square-foot production site on Machinist Street, includes the company’s fulfillment center, sales hub, call center and operations hub, as well as its production facility. Founder and President Isaac Morton said in a news release that the company is looking forward to this phase of growth: “Smithey was founded in Charleston for reason �” we feel the city offers a great blend of access to talent, strong entrepreneurial culture, community business support and an enjoyable standard of living.”
Trident Technical College
July 20, 2019
Metro Area's fifth campus for Trident Technical College
A former retail space on Dorchester Road is to be transformed into training space for Trident Technical College's fifth area campus. In addition to general education classes like English and history, the Oakbrook campus will offer technology-related classes including computer programming and cybersecurity, along with an HVAC program and biology classes, such as anatomy and physiology, which are part of health sciences degrees. County officials hope to have the facility ready for students in 2020.
PTI Quality Containment Solutions
July 16, 2019
Specialized painting and coating of automotive components
PTI is a premier supplier of quality containment solutions, supply chain systems and finishing coatings, serving the automotive and manufacturing industries. The Detroit area-based company operates locations throughout the automotive industrial regions in the U.S., México and Brazil.
eGroup
July 10, 2019
Data center, cloud and managed IT services
eGroup provides critical IT services to more than 300 clients across 31 states in the healthcare, financial services, advanced logistics, software development, public safety, first responder and public government sectors. For nearly 20 years, eGroup has delivered the skillsets and expertise to help organizations transform their businesses through a multi-step services methodology that results in high-impact hybrid cloud solutions to improve efficiencies. Along with its existing headquarters located at 482 Wando Park Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, S.C., the new facility will allow eGroup to create a space to further grow its professional and managed services teams. Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed in fall 2020.
Victor Hoppenstein's Brewlab
July 5, 2019
Brewery
The craft brewery, opening in Q4 2019 at 2200 Heriot St., will include an on-site commercial kitchen to offer food pairings with its beers. The Charleston area now boasts about 30 craft breweries, triple the amount that existed five years ago.
High Wire Distilling Co.
July 1, 2019
Distillery producing high-quality spirits such as gin, whiskey, amaro and small batch fruit brandies using a culinary approach
Located at 311 Huger Street, High Wire Distilling Co.'s new facility will allow the company to expand production capacity and grow its whiskey program. It will also include a larger tasting room that will educate visitors about spirits, local agriculture and the distilling process. High Wire Distilling Co. is committed to using locally-sourced products and partners with area farms. The company uses approximately 80% of Certified South Carolina Grown grain and fruit in its spirits, including locally-renowned Jimmy Red corn.
Somo Global
June 30, 2019
IT with specialties in mobile, marketing, advertising, creative, applications, strategy, Internet of Things, virtual reality, augmented reality, UX/UI (user experience/user interface) design, and AI (artificial intelligence)
To create a digital competitive advantage for large, global businesses, Somo has built some of the most innovative and creative mobile products and campaigns in the market for leading global brands such as Audi, De Beers, BP, and The New York Times. Founded in 2009, the privately-held company of more than 150 employees is headquartered in London with U.S. offices located in Washington D.C. and now Charleston.
Atlantic Packaging
June 27, 2019
Designer, manufacturer and distributor of industrial and commercial packaging with specialties in e-commerce, food and beverage, medical device and pharmaceutical
The Wilmington, NC-based manufacturer and distributor is expanding its existing Dorchester County operations with a 100,000-square-foot expansion to boost their production, distribution and warehousing capacity. This is the firm's second expansion in a five-year period, and they tout their Charleston area location as strategic for serving key customers.
AHG Fasteners-USA, Inc.
June 24, 2019
U.S. business office for an international designer, manufacturer, and supplier of aerospace fastening systems
Ateliers de la Haute Garonne, known as AHG, is a private family-owned business founded more than 104 years ago near Toulouse, France, in the heart of the aerospace valley. The company will open its first U.S. business operations here to focus on sales, business development and growth, as well as customer support. The decision to locate in the Charleston Metro Area was based upon the growth of our region’s aerospace sector; proximity to Boeing, a key customer; our business-friendly environment; available workforce, and the French influences in historic Charleston. AHG Fasteners-USA is the sixth company to locate here as part of South Carolina Department of Commerce’s and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance’s Landing Pad program, which is designed to support global companies as they first enter the U.S. market.
LAB Medical Manufacturing, Inc.
June 18, 2019
Medical device manufacturer
Headquartered in Billerica, Mass., LAB Medical Manufacturing, Inc. has been making medical instruments and surgical tools for more than 30 years, including those related to spinal implants, sports medicine, and orthopedic reconstruction. Today, the firm announced plans to open a new product division in the Charleston region at 1750 Signal Point Road, Unit 3, in the James Island Business Park and will begin manufacturing operations by September 1, 2019. "We are impressed with the skilled workforce and look forward to creating new jobs and bringing investment to the area," says company President Leon Bester.
Charleston Tech Center
June 6, 2019
Six-story tech firm incubator and office building
Located at 999 Morrison Drive, the 92,000 sq. ft. tech-centric building will have office space ranging in size for one-employee start-ups to larger established tech firms. Plans also call for an 800-space parking garage, plus retail on the ground floor.
DHL Supply Chain
April 5, 2019
Distribution and warehousing park
DHL Supply Chain, a leader in contract logistics and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, today announced plans to construct a new distribution and warehousing park in Dorchester County that will open in phases, developed by DHL Real Estate Solutions. The company has purchased 125 acres, now called DHL Commerce Park, in St. George, S.C., to construct three new buildings totaling 1.7 million square feet. The first new facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020. DHL Supply Chain provides services to a variety of sectors including automotive, consumer, energy and chemicals, engineering and manufacturing and more.
Barzan Aeronautical LLC
March 31, 2019
Aeronautical-related technologies development and production
Barzan Aeronautical is part of Barzan Holdings, which is owned by the Qatari Ministry of Defense. The firm selected Charleston for an office site based on the area's substantial aeronautical engineering talent and expertise, and the warm and friendly hospitality that Charleston offers. Barzan will reportedly be working with major U.S. commercial partners on the development of new defense capabilities, which can be used to support U.S. and coalition military activities, provide border and customs police with new resources, and improve the Coast Guard's search and rescue and environmental patrol assets.
Spyder Auto
March 31, 2019
Wholesale distribution of automotive parts
The Spyder Auto Group has been serving the auto industry for nearly a decade, specializing in wholesale distribution of automotive products. A leading provider of aftermarket lighting, tuning and styling auto parts in the U.S., the firm's corporate headquarters is located in the City of Industry, California.
Charleston Distilling Co.
February 25, 2019
Distillery
Charleston Distilling is an independent, small-batch producer of handcrafted spirits. Located at 3548 Meeks Farm Road on Johns Island, the company’s new facility is expected to be operational by July 2019. It will feature a 45-foot-high still to increase its production capacity. This expansion includes new equipment and an outdoor area for hosting tastings.
Amazon
January 31, 2019
Delivery and logistics center
Amazon chose a Charleston County site near Exchange Park for a 'last-mile' delivery center designed to expedite customer service. “We are excited to continue our investment in South Carolina to speed up delivery times for customers and provide great job opportunities for the talented workforce,” Amazon spokeswoman Amanda Ip said.
Blackbaud
January 4, 2019
Software
Blackbaud, with world headquarters in Charleston, bought Dallas-area business YourCause for $157 million. Both develop software for philanthropic organizations.
VTL Precision
January 3, 2019
Precision automotive components
Specializing in the design, development and manufacture of high-specification, complex machined components, parent VTL Group supplies a variety of original equipment manufacturers and tier one suppliers. The company's new VTL Precision facility, located at the Crowfield Corporate Center at 5 Corporate Parkway, Goose Creek, S.C., will house a new business line to produce automotive components. The facility will complement VTL's existing operations in Palmetto Commerce Park, which has been in the Lowcountry for more than 11 years.
