Charleston region lands truck component assembly operation

DECEMBER 16, 2004 – A fast-growing company that provides component assembly services to truck and heavy equipment manufacturers has selected the Charleston region for a new operation. Summerville Preferred Partners (SPP), which is headquartered in Salem, Virginia, today announced the location of its assembly operation in Dorchester County’s McQueen Industrial Park. The announcement was facilitated by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, which seeks to secure new business investment for the three-county region.

Founded in 1994, SPP serves a growing number of truck and heavy equipment manufacturers, including Mack Truck and International Truck and Engine Corp. The company’s new Charleston area operation will assemble fire and refuge truck chassis for North Charleston-based American LaFrance. American LaFrance is a subsidiary of Freightliner, the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America.

Once fully operational, SPP’s local plant expects to provide 100 new jobs and invest $2.2 million.

Joe Handerhan, president & CEO, noted how quickly the company was able to launch the new venture. “This project was definitely fast-tracked,” he said. “Within six months of our initial contact with area officials, we had located an appropriate building, received the right permits, up-fitted the assembly floor and trained our first employees. We have been very pleased with the support and assistance we’ve received from Dorchester County and the Development Alliance.”

Alliance chairman Ted Creech welcomed the news of SPP’s new Charleston area operation. “The Charleston region continues to build on its cluster of transportation-related manufacturers,” he said. “Announcements like this prove that focusing on cluster
development is a solid economic development strategy. We’re very pleased that SPP has chosen our region, and we welcome the jobs and associated benefits they bring to area residents.”

Dorchester County Councilman, Larry Hargett, also welcomed the news. “This is precisely why it makes sense to work together as a region,” he said. “It is through this spirit of cooperation that one county can house a large manufacturer like American LaFrance, while a neighboring county can provide a home for key suppliers. We thank SPP for investing in our community.”

Willie Davis, Dorchester County Council Vice Chairman, noted: “We’re very pleased that this project will provide 100 new jobs for Dorchester County residents. These jobs will strengthen our community and improve the overall standard of living.”

“Dorchester County Council and our economic development team have worked very hard to make this happen,” said George Tupper, Dorchester County Development Board Chairman. “I’d like to thank the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance for the professional assistance they provided to Dorchester County. This announcement is truly the result of a team effort.”

In facilitating a company announcement such as the one made today, the Alliance works with a wide network of organizations. A relationship of particular importance exists with the state of South Carolina.

“We’re going to continue doing everything we can at the state level to make South Carolina more competitive and give Commerce and local economic development folks the tools that they need to make announcements like this one happen,” said Governor Mark Sanford. “That starts with continuing our push for income tax relief that’s going to help create jobs and encourage investment.”

“This is a very exciting time for the Lowcountry and for the state,” said Commerce Secretary Bob Faith. “The recent Vought-Alenia announcement established an aerospace/composites cluster that has the potential to make South Carolina a major player worldwide, and now SPP is bringing even more jobs and investment to the area and adding to our cluster-based economy. We’re moving forward with the recommendations of the South Carolina Competitiveness Initiative and everyone in this state will be better off because of it.”

The Charleston Regional Development Alliance represents Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. Its mission is to broaden and diversify business investment in this region, with a new emphasis on technology-intensive business sectors. Since its inception, the Alliance has worked with thousands of companies to help promote business investment and quality growth in the area. To learn more, go to www.charleston-for-business.com.

Alliance Media Contact:
Karen Kuchenbecker
843-760-4534
[email protected]

Company Media Contact:
Joe Handerhan
President & CEO
843-832-8889
[email protected]