Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
Archive: 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
2021
Ability Tri-Modal
December 16, 2021
Warehousing and distribution services
Founded in 1982, Ability Tri-Modal provides warehousing and distribution services to consumers for bicoastal service. The company also specializes in trans-loading, consolidation and deconsolidation, retail delivery and a variety of other value-added services. Located at 3298 Benchmark Drive in North Charleston, the company’s expansion will increase storage and distribution services to support growing demand. The expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2022.
Belimed Life Science, Inc.
December 7, 2021
Supplier of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) sterilizers and washers for the pharmaceutical and biotech markets
Founded in 2019 in Switzerland, Belimed Life Science, Inc. provides Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) sterilizers and washers for the pharmaceutical and biotech markets. Specializing in machine process solutions for cleaning and sterilization, the company supplies customers on a global scale. Located at 2154 N. Center Street in North Charleston, Belimed Life Science, Inc.’s new facility will provide product sales and support to the company’s North American customer base. Belimed AG’s U.S. headquarters is also located in the Charleston region on the former Navy base in North Charleston, and the company has an operations center in Palmetto Commerce Park as well.
Beyond Distilling Company
December 1, 2021
Distillery
Founded in 2019 in Charleston, Beyond Distilling Company produces world-class spirits emphasizing both local and exotically sourced ingredients of the highest quality, reimagining classic recipes with a unique twist. Located at 2157 Rich Street in North Charleston, Beyond Distilling Company’s new facility will increase its capacity to meet growing demand. The company will also have an on-site restaurant and event space. The new facility is expected to be completed in early 2022.
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.
Cannonborough Beverage Company
November 22, 2021
Craft sodas and mixers manufacturer
Founded in 2012 and located at 1750 Signal Point Road in Charleston, Cannonborough Beverage Company produces craft sodas and mixers made from whole ingredients including fruits, herbs and spices. Company co-Founders Mick Matricciano and Matt Fendley noted, "Not only will this new production facility allow us to expand our operations to keep up with growing demand, it will allocate newly renovated food production space for other food businesses and is an opportunity to give back to a community that has been so supportive of Cannonborough Sodas. The generosity of Charleston area businesses to share their space, knowledge and experience with us over the last nine years has made a big impact on the company. To be able to pay that forward to the next generation of food entrepreneurs in Charleston is something we’re very excited about.”
DHI Corp (Design House)
November 16, 2021
Home goods distribution center
Founded in 1872, Wisconsin-based Design House offers a variety of home good products for any room. The company’s products include home furniture, lighting, ceiling fans, bath furniture and accessories, kitchen cabinets and more. Located at 300 Trade Zone Blvd. in Summerville, Design House’s new Berkeley County facility will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing demand and serve as a distribution center. Company officials chose the Charleston region for its "perfect combination of proximity to many U.S. online consumers, a [brand] new facility and an expanded port, as well as very supportive local and state teams." The center is currently fully operational.
Barzan Aeronautical, LLC
November 12, 2021
Design and manufacturing of technology-based unmanned aircraft
Founded in 2018, Barzan Aeronautical, LLC, a Qatari-owned, U.S.-based company, works with U.S. and NATO governments along with top national defense and aviation companies to support the deployment of aerial ISR systems for defense, security and environmental use. Locating at 2744 Fort Trenholm Road on Johns Island, Barzan Aeronautical, LLC’s new facility will focus on engineering and manufacturing of technology-based unmanned aircraft. “The talented workforce, strategic location and welcoming pro-growth business climate make Charleston County the ideal place to grow our company. We are excited to partner with local entities to be successful, and we are looking forward to being a valuable part of the community,” said Barzan Aeronautical, LLC CEO John Hardwick. Operations are expected to begin in late 2022.
Elbit Systems of America, LLC
November 9, 2021
Defense electronics assembly and integration
Founded in 1983, Elbit Systems of America, LLC is a subsidiary of Israel-based Elbit Systems Ltd. and a leading provider of high-performance products and system solutions focusing on the defense, homeland security, commercial aviation and medical instrumentation sectors. Located at 9028 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, Elbit Systems of America, LLC’s new facility will serve as their 'Ground Combat Vehicle Assembly and Integration Center of Excellence' and will increase the company’s manufacturing capacity and support future growth for new products. The new facility is a expected to be operational by fall 2022.
Argents Air Express Ltd.
September 30, 2021
Full service logistics solutions
Argents Air Express, Ltd. (Argents), a full-service logistics solutions company, today announced plans to expand operations in Charleston County. Founded in 1977, Argents provides a full suite of import, export and domestic freight services. The company’s fulfillment and distribution teams assist in shipping thousands of orders every day to both retailers and consumers. Located at 9015 Sightline Drive in North Charleston, Argents’ expansion will increase the company’s fulfillment and distribution capabilities to service clients in the Southeast. The expansion is expected to be completed this fall. “The continued growth of the port and access to an ever-growing pool of talent, we are confident that this facility is the perfect place to expand our full suite of logistics offerings. With the addition of this facility, our nationwide footprint will expand to over 350,000 square feet.” -Argents Air Express, Ltd. Co-Owner Tony Chiappetta
Thorne
September 27, 2021
Wellness and health technology company
Thorne, a Summerville-based health and technology company seeking to disrupt the prevention and wellness market, announced in February 2021 that it merged with Onegevity, a health intelligence company with a proprietary, multi-omic platform that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to map, integrate, and understand the billions of dynamic and biological features that showcase the state of an individual's health. The merger of Thorne and Onegevity creates Thorne HealthTech, a science-driven, vertically integrated wellness platform built to deliver best-in-class, end-to-end nutritional solutions and health intelligence. Thorne HealthTech will be the new parent company of Thorne and Onegevity. On September 27, the firm announced the closing of its initial public offering of 7,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share, for total gross proceeds for the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, of $70 million. Thorne HealthTech's shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on September 23, 2021, under the ticker symbol "THRN."
The Home Depot
September 23, 2021
Distribution center
The Home Depot, Inc., a world-leading home improvement retailer, today announced plans to expand operations throughout South Carolina, including its supply chain and distribution operations in Charleston County at 7791 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston. Founded in 1978, the company operates 2,300 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Canada and Mexico. The Home Depot’s expansion of existing South Carolina operations in Charleston, Greenville, Jasper and Lexington Counties --100 jobs in total -- will increase the company’s distribution capabilities to meet growing demand and bring faster delivery throughout South Carolina and neighboring states.
HYDERA
September 15, 2021
Full-service International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container depot serving the bulk liquids transportation industry
A joint venture between Pacolet Milliken and OURAY and located at the Charleston International Manufacturing Center (CIMC) at 1690 Bushy Park Road, HYDERA will provide cleaning, storage, heating, repair, testing and maintenance of the ISO containers for the growing needs of the bulk liquids transportation industry in the Charleston region. The new facility is expected to be fully operational by April 2022, with storage and transportation services being offered as soon as October 2021. Company officials cited Berkeley County as a "natural fit" when seeking a location that could serve customers along the East Coast, particularly via the ease of access to the South Carolina port system and national rail and highway infrastructure.
TELUS International Corp.
August 24, 2021
Customer experience (CX) innovator that designs, builds and delivers digital solutions for global brands
TELUS International provides multilingual digital customer experience and digital IT solutions to clients all over the world. The Vancouver, Canada-based company has over 56,000 team members, operates in more than 25 countries and partners with brands across high-growth industry verticals including technology and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech, healthcare, and travel and hospitality. In the United States, TELUS International also has operations in Folsom, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Located at 3450 Ingleside Boulevard in North Charleston, TELUS International’s new facility will increase the company’s operating capacity to meet growing customer demand. “We are thrilled to be expanding into North Charleston and tapping into the region’s attractive talent pool to support our company’s continued growth, as well as becoming more actively involved in the months and years ahead in community-giving and volunteer initiatives to contribute to the health and well-being of the region’s citizens," says TELUS International Chief Operating Officer Chuck Koskovich. Hiring is currently underway, and the firm expects to be fully staffed locally by 2022.
Interfor Corp
August 12, 2021
Lumber mill
The company will invest $30 million to increase production capacity to meet growing demand for its products, improve manufacturing productivity and enhance its product mix. Interfor is a forest product producing company with 21 sawmills across the United States and Canada. “This significant follow-on investment will help position the Summerville mill for the future and ensure it remains competitive throughout all market conditions for many years to come,” said Interfor Senior Vice President of Southern Operations Bruce Luxmoore. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Gamco Asset Management Inc
August 11, 2021
Asset management
A financial services investment company based in New York has opened an office in the Lowcountry: Gamco Investors Inc., a publicly traded company, opened an asset management division office in July at 75 Port City Landing, Suite 200, in Mount Pleasant. The company’s corporate headquarters is located in Rye, N.Y., with offices worldwide. “This is a strategic expansion to meet the increased market demands of our clients and friends,” company Chairman Mario J. Gabelli said.
AmplifiedAg
August 9, 2021
Manufactures indoor vertical container farms, hydroponic systems, and disruptive seed-to-sale SaaS-based technologies
Charleston-based AmplifiedAg Inc.™, a fast-growing agtech company on a mission to provide global access to safe food, announced that the company has completed $40 million in equity financing. The funding will support the continued expansion of the company’s hydroponic container farm, Vertical Roots and further development of the company’s holistic operating system, AmpEDGE™, which combines environment monitoring and controls with business operations for end-to-end indoor farm management. In less than four years, Vertical Roots has grown to be the largest hydroponic container farm company in the world growing multiple varieties of mature, fresh leafy greens. The company currently operates three farm sites in Charleston, S.C., Columbia, S.C., and Atlanta, Ga. with produce available at 1,700 major grocery stores across 12 states including retailers such as Publix, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods, as well as schools, universities, and restaurants. The current round of funding will support the installation of farms in north and central Florida, extending Vertical Roots’ dominant position as the leading CEA and vertical farming business in the Southeast market. AmplifiedAg implements a distinctive strategy to operate Vertical Roots farms directly at distribution facilities, eliminating a massive leg of produce transportation in order to reduce emissions and provide communities with fresh, locally grown produce.
The New Primal
July 31, 2021
Food products manufacturing, ecommerce and retail distribution
The New Primal, a Charleston, South Carolina-based pioneer of clean-ingredient meat snacks, seasonings, dressings, and condiments, announced the close of its Series B funding round with a $15 million investment from Manna Tree. As the sole investor in the Series B round, Manna Tree's significant injection of funds will boost The New Primal's organizational design, distribution, and marketing reach. Company officials said The New Primal will be leveraging Manna Tree's robust network to expand its distribution and retail relationships. The $15 million investment will also support key hires for The New Primal, as well as provide working capital support to meet significant expansion opportunities at retail, the officials said. "Not only is The New Primal an excellent investment from a growth standpoint, but the company's innovative, clean ingredient platform supports Manna Tree's vision for a future where health, well-being, and longevity is attainable," said Pam Shepherd, managing director, Manna Tree.
Your Crawlspace, Inc
July 22, 2021
Crawlspace encapsulation manufacturing and distribution company
Headquartered in Charleston County, YCS is a family-owned company that creates vapor barrier systems that provide a damage-free seal throughout treated areas. This expansion includes the purchasing and upfitting of a new facility at 1056 Hunley Sullivans Road in Awendaw to accommodate the company’s growth. The new operation will serve as a distribution facility with additional office space, and the expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2021.
Cantey Tech Consulting
July 12, 2021
IT Managed Service Provider
Charleston, SC-based Cantey Tech Consulting and its subsidiary Cantey EDU have received a significant investment from LNC Partners, a private equity firm focused on growing mid-market business services companies. Cantey Tech is a leading IT managed service provider for small and mid-sized businesses in the southeast United States. Cantey EDU is a national provider of IT support services to the education market. President and CEO Willis Cantey will continue to lead Cantey Tech, which he founded in 2007. Cantey Tech provides a broad offering of IT managed services, including IT consulting services, help desk support, data security, cloud management, backup and disaster recovery, hosting, application support and vendor management.
DuPont
July 8, 2021
MOLYKOTE® specialty lubricants manufacturing
DuPont’s Cooper River site in the Charleston Metro Area is home to DuPont™ Hytrel® Thermoplastic Elastomers operations and has been expanded to include manufacturing of MOLYKOTE® Specialty Lubricants. To address the growing market for autonomous and electric vehicles, as well as to meet regulatory requirements and sustainability needs for automotive and industrial applications, DuPont has invested millions of dollars in MOLYKOTE® manufacturing facilities to ensure continuing global capacity and a cost-effective supply chain for the production of high-quality, high-performance lubrication products. Coupled with extensive tribology and material science expertise, these investments reinforce DuPont’s capability for market growth in automotive, electronics, food and beverage, healthcare, heavy industry, and renewable energy and position the company for geographic expansion. “Expansion of the site has created tremendous economic growth and opportunities for DuPont and the Tri-County region,” said Bill Alexander, Cooper River site leader and unit leader for DuPont’s MOLYKOTE®, Hytrel™ and Liveo™ brands. “We are excited to be in an exceptional position to better service our customers and provide solutions to their lubrication challenges.” https://berkeleymeansbusiness.com/dupont-investments-in-manufacturing-facilities-expand-molykote-specialty-lubricants-production-in-berkeley-county/
HI Mark Capital
July 2, 2021
Venture capital company
HI Mark Capital is a new Charleston-based venture fund launched by Herbert Drayton III. Over the past 15 years, Herbert has founded, bought, and sold a dozen companies in the software, healthcare, IT, and training sectors. The aim of his latest venture, HI Mark Capital, is to raise a $15 million fund for Black, brown, and women-owned businesses, an ownership group that is underrepresented in the Southeast in part because of challenges to accessing capital. More info at https://himarkcapital.com/team
XIFIN
June 29, 2021
Revenue cycle management (RCM), laboratory information systems and other IT solutions for diagnostic healthcare providers
Headquartered in San Diego, California, the new Berkeley County location will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing demand, especially as diagnostic providers continue to face challenges from the pandemic, and technology support has proven crucial to meet rising volumes and maximize reimbursement. The new XIFIN facility, located at 100 Benefitfocus Way in Charleston, is slated to open in August 2021 and will add 150 jobs over the next two years.
Medical University of South Carolina
June 28, 2021
Hospitals and health care practices acquisition
Columbia’s Providence Hospital and Camden’s Kershaw Health will be acquired by the Medical University of South Carolina. The acquisition will include three community hospitals, a freestanding emergency department, and affiliated Midlands physician practices. “This is an exciting day for MUSC and for the state as we continue to develop our network with the acquisition of these health care facilities and establish a larger footprint in rural and underserved counties,” David J. Cole, MUSC president, said in the release. “As the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, we understand that we have a responsibility to enable better access to complex, high-end care while working to facilitate the best-quality local care possible. This acquisition will broaden our ability to serve greater numbers of patients, families and communities, and that is a reason to celebrate.”
Polestar / Volvo 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.
Charleston Coffee Roasters
June 10, 2021
Craft coffee manufacturing
Charleston Coffee Roasters, a craft coffee roasting company, today announced plans to expand operations in Charleston County. Founded in 2005, the firm sources premium coffees from around the world, and this expansion will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing demand. The growth plan includes adding 21,600 square feet of production space to house new roasters, grinders and packaging equipment. “Charleston, South Carolina is our home. The community has been incredibly supportive since we founded Charleston Coffee Roasters 16 years ago. Working with the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Charleston County Economic Development, this next stage of our strategic growth plan enables us to hire more employees, continue our aggressive expansion, increase our distribution across more states and more retailers and create new gourmet coffee roasts for our customers to enjoy.” -Charleston Coffee Roasters President Lowell D. Grosse
Robert Bosch LLC
June 8, 2021
Electrified and traditional powertrain manufacturing expansion
Gitta Unger, vice president of the North Charleston plant, said a new production line will be added to build electrified powertrains for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. She added that internal combustion engines aren’t going away any time soon and so the plant also will add capacity for traditional powertrains. Hiring is already underway and Unger said the two-year expansion plan will create hundreds of jobs and help the Dorchester Road plant replace all or more of the 430 full- and part-time positions that were cut last year when the site eliminated production of diesel powertrain components. Bosch also has focused on environmental issues, with all of its plants achieving a climate-neutral status as of a year ago.
Dynamic Flow Systems LLC
June 8, 2021
Provider of process management solutions
Chartered by the state of South Carolina in 1983, the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, non-profit corporation that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy. SCRA has accepted new-member company, Dynamic Flow Systems LLC, a Charleston-based provider of process management solutions and has provided the firm a $20,000 project development fund grant.
Century Aluminum
June 3, 2021
Standard-grade ingot, horizontal direct chilled (HDC) ingot, extrusion billet and other primary aluminum products
Founded in 1995, Century Aluminum produces standard-grade, high-purity and value-added primary aluminum products, with operations in the United States and Iceland. With its Mt. Holly operation, located at 3575 U.S. Route 52 in Moncks Corner, Century Aluminum casts molten aluminum into standard-grade ingot, horizontal direct chilled (HDC) ingot, extrusion billet and other primary aluminum products. The state-of-the-art operation improves efficiency, energy utilization and environmental protection. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
Denture Care Shop
May 17, 2021
Denture manufacturing using digital scanning and 3D printing technology
The first Denture Care Shop location officially opened at 6185 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston this past April and expects to grow rapidly in the coming year. Using digital scanning and 3D-printing technology, Denture Care Shop allows dentists to offer replacement full dentures for a fraction of today's typical cost an in just a few days. Each Denture Care Shop location is owned and operated by a licensed dentist and offers replacement denture services with the support of a digital dentistry platform, technology and other administrative services provided by Denture Care, LLC, a Charleston Digital Corridor start-up.
James Hardie Industries
May 17, 2021
Manufacturer of cement-based exterior siding and other products for the housing and commercial construction markets
Hardie bought an existing Cemplank plant in Summerville in 2003, then closed it in 2009 due to the Great Recession, while maintaining ownership of the facility. They re-opened it in 2017 due to the strength of the revived economy and growth in the construction sector, then closed it again mid-2020 due COVID-19 impacts. The Irish-owned firm is re-opening the plant a third time in response to the high demand for siding products in the current strong housing market. Hardie was among the earliest to use cement fiber to make siding and other durable exterior cladding materials for the building industry. HardiePlank is among its best-known consumer brands.
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.
Bourne Group
April 29, 2021
Headquarters; design, manufacturing and installation of maritime signage
Founded in 2007, Bourne Group has built a portfolio ranging from maritime safety signs to full-service capabilities for the cruise and commerce shipping industries. With its U.S. headquarters in the Charleston Metro Area, Bourne Group also has an international presence in the Netherlands and manufacturing partnerships in Asia and Eastern Europe. Their move to a new facility located at 301 Ports Authority Drive in Mount Pleasant will allow for expanded operations in leading-edge printing, digital cutting and CNC routing, as well as logistics project management, sales and design. The new facility will be operational by the end of 2021.
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.
M. C. Dean, Inc.
April 21, 2021
Cyber-physical systems integration and engineering
Located in the Remount Business Park in North Charleston, M.C. Dean, Inc. is constructing a new 25,000-square-foot facility which will service its defense, technology, manufacturing and healthcare customers. The new facility will be completed in 2022 and will provide space for additional offices, engineering, simulation, testing labs and warehousing. “By more than doubling our electrical, electronic security, audio visual and IT systems evaluation, integration and testing lab capacity, we’re able to deliver immediate value to our customers’ quality, reliability and performance outcomes. South Carolina’s wealth of technical talent combined with its strong economic development environment make it an attractive location for our ongoing business investment,” said M.C. Dean CEO Bill Dean.
Hirodika Biosciences Inc.
April 7, 2021
Makes a bioactive biopolymer for use in cell protection and as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for radiation oncology
Hirodika Biosciences is a Medical University of South Carolina-based startup located on Johns Island, and the firm has received a $25,000 Academic Startup Assistance Program grant from South Carolina Research Authority.
Mercedes-Benz Vans
March 30, 2021
eSprinter production
Mercedes-Benz Vans has announced that it will build the next generation eSprinter van -- based on the newly developed Electric Versatility Platform -- at three locations: North Charleston, South Carolina, and Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany. The current generation of the eSprinter is already being built in Düsseldorf together on one line with conventionally driven Sprinter models. The principle of manufacturing both drive train variants will now also be implemented at the plants in Charleston and Ludwigsfelde. This will allow the company to respond more precisely to the respective market needs in the future. The North Charleston plant will be the first to bring the next generation of the eSprinter to the United States, and the necessary conversions within the plant and retraining are currently under preparation. Production is planned to begin in the second half of 2023.
Lineage Logistics
March 29, 2021
Temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider
As the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, Lineage moves more than 30% of the temperature-controlled food products across the United States and nearly 10% of temperature-controlled food products globally. In recognition of the company’s leading innovations, Lineage was recognized as the No 1. Data Science company on Fast Company’s Annual list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2019, in addition to ranking 23rd overall in an evaluation of thousands of companies worldwide. Lineage’s $34 million investment to expand its facility in Charleston County was driven by strong customer demand, interest in the Charleston market and proximity to the Port of Charleston.
March 18, 2021
Data center
Google established operations in Berkeley County, South Carolina in 2007, and this data center expansion brings the company’s total investment in the state to $2.9 billion. Nationally, Google plans to invest more than $7 billion and create at least 10,000 new, full-time Google jobs across the United States this year. “I believe a lasting economic recovery will come from local communities, and the people and small businesses that give them life,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet. "Google wants to be a part of that recovery." Google.org has awarded more than $2M in grants to nonprofits and organizations based in South Carolina, including grants to the Berkeley County School District and Fast Forward. These investments provided free internet to households with school-aged children and technology education and computer access to underserved South Carolinians. Most recently, Google has been supporting distance learning during Covid-19 with computer donations and "Rolling Hot Spots" to support digital connectivity and remote learning for students in the Berkeley County School District. Google's recent 2020 Economic Impact Report shows their firm generated $4.02 billion in economic activity in South Carolina in 2020.
Vendr
March 8, 2021
SaaS purchasing platform
Vendr, the SaaS buying platform, today announces a $60 million Series A led by Tiger Global Management, with participation from existing investors Craft Ventures, Y Combinator, Sound Ventures, Garage Capital, and F-Prime Capital. Launched in 2019, Vendr has now facilitated more than $300 million in SaaS purchases across 1,000+ suppliers, for customers like HubSpot, Canva, and The Washington Post. By empowering buyers to purchase SaaS with ease, Vendr is building the future of frictionless B2B sales. With this latest round of financing, Vendr will double down on product expansion and open international operations to service its growing list of global customers. Headquartered in Boston with a second location in Charleston and over 50 employees, Vendr is a privately held company founded in 2019 by Ryan Neu.
Red Clay Provisions LLC
March 8, 2021
Hot sauce manufacturer
Charleston-based Red Clay Provisions LLC recently wrapped up a $1.5 million fund-raising round that began in mid-2020, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Market Street firm said its Red Clay Hot Sauce line is coming off a successful 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic cut into commercial orders from the struggling food-and-beverage industry. It said it topped $1 million in revenue, a threefold increase from 2019, as it pivoted to a direct-to-consumer online sales strategy. The company also landed its first major retail distribution deal with Publix, which has started selling three varieties of Red Clay blends, along with its newer Hot Hot Honey product, in 1,200-plus supermarkets across the Southeast. The company plans to launch several new products this year based on a favorable test run it conducted online at the end of 2020. They include a few varieties of specialty salts.
T-Mobile
March 4, 2021
Customer care center
T-Mobile US, Inc., one of the largest wireless network operators in the country, will expand its operations in Charleston County. The $10.2 million investment in its Customer Experience Center will create up to 540 new jobs, bringing the Charleston County location to a total of approximately 1,540 full-time employees. Located at 8571 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, T-Mobile expanded its Customer Care Center by 44,350 square feet to accommodate the company's growing customer care team. Company officials cited "the tremendous talent this area has to offer" as the reason they chose to expand their Charleston area facility.
BrightMa Farms LLC
March 2, 2021
Hemp farming consulting, agtech solutions, clone plants and other hemp-based products
BrightMa Farms is a vertically integrated minority-owned and veteran-managed hemp group with corporate offices in Charleston and grow campus located in Cordesville, SC. With a philosophy to "pave the way nationally with economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment" -- what they call the "triple bottom line (People-Planet-Profit)" -- this firm touts principles of integrity, transparency, compliance and social and environmental sustainability. BrightMa Farms has been accepted as a South Carolina Research Authority Member Company and will be receiving a $50,000 Demonstration Grant. From seed to soil to harvest, the Charleston-based company produces high-grade hemp products as a safe and sustainable agri-health solution to customers’ wellness challenges.
Omatic Software
February 25, 2021
Data integration software
Founded in 2002, Omatic Software provides data health and integration solutions for nonprofits by democratizing data access and insight. The company services thousands of nonprofit organizations with innovative integration solutions to eliminate manual processes and provide up-to-date and complete data. Located at the Portside Ferry Wharf in Mount Pleasant, Omatic Software's expansion will serve as the company's corporate headquarters and will be its main hub for software research and development, as well as sales and operations. The firm's CEO said, "The Charleston community and its infrastructure have made it possible for Omatic and the tech industry to flourish through its business-friendly policies and collaboration. I have grown to appreciate the unique combination of industry and culture that Charleston has to offer."
Ray-Mont Logistics
January 29, 2021
Fully integrated logistics services
Montreal, Canada-based Ray-Mont Logistics notes that the Port of Charleston and the key advantages it brings to the North American supply chain complement the firm's existing facilities, providing a strategic gateway to reach key global markets for exporters. Ray-Mont Logistics serves as a one-stop shop for a variety of logistical needs and it's goal is to enhance the customer experience on a global scale. Located at 1000 Remount Road in North Charleston, the new facility is expected to be completed by spring 2021.
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.
Sprockets
January 20, 2021
IT with an AI specialty and a human resources application
A Mount Pleasant startup that uses data and artificial intelligence to help other companies make better hires says it is kicking off 2021 with a new name and $3.4 million in fresh funding. The technology de-emphasizes the traditional job interview and is meant to take much of the guesswork out of the recruiting new workers. CEO AJ Richichi said in a statement he started the company to “make a profound change to a hiring process that is plagued with inefficiencies and bias.” New York-based Lytical Ventures led the new fund-raising round. Two other new investors �” Thayer Ventures and Healthy Ventures �” also chipped, and VentureSouth re-upped its commitment.
