JW Aluminum announces plans to expand in Charleston region

JW Aluminum announced plans today to invest $5 million to expand its Mt. Holly operations, creating 18 new jobs. The company will construct a new aluminum melting facility that will be adjacent to the Berkeley County landfill on US Highway 52. This new location will enable JW Aluminum to use methane gas generated by the landfill as a green power source.

“We have a great working relationship with Berkeley County and are pleased that we will be able to grow our offsite melting capacity to help compliment our company’s total throughput for recycled aluminum,” said JW Aluminum General Manager Rick Vance. “We are excited that we will be able to use the county’s landfill gas to provide energy to this new facility. We’re going to be able to take a valuable resource that was being flared into the environment and use this energy to melt aluminum. We really see this as a win-win for all involved.”

Alliance Chairman Bill McCall, Jr. welcomed the news of JW Aluminum’s competitive expansion. “It’s exciting to see such a dynamic, forward-thinking company choose to increase their business in our region. We welcome this expansion, the new jobs and the resulting environmental benefits – all from a company with deep roots in our community.”

Jim Rozier, Berkeley County Supervisor and County Council Chairman, thanked JW Aluminum for their partnership in the landfill gas project. “This project aligns perfectly with our other preservation efforts in Berkeley County,” said Rozier. “Just as JW Aluminum is committed to environmental stewardship, we too are dedicated to protecting our county’s beautiful natural environment for future generations. In fact, nearly 40% of our land area is protected from development. We are pleased and proud JW shares our vision for the future.”

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.

“As we continue our efforts to better the state’s business climate, the fact that a long-time company like JW Aluminum is reinvesting in our state is another sign we’re moving in the right direction with respect to our economy,” said Governor Mark Sanford.

“With rising energy costs a concern for all businesses, we’re pleased that JW Aluminum and Berkeley County are partnering together on this alternative-fuel project that will not only enhance JW’s business operations but also provide a good recycling opportunity that will benefit the local community,” said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. “We appreciate the work of Rick Vance and the management team at JW Aluminum, Jim Rozier and the Berkeley County officials, Paul Sparwasser with the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, and Rich Fletcher, our Commerce project manager, for making this cutting-edge project a reality.”

In 2004 JW Aluminum received the Sustainable Charleston Overall Achievement Award in recognition of significant environmental and community stewardship in numerous areas including energy efficiency, waste elimination and reduction, and water conservation. The program highlights organizations that promote a new, sustainable economic model that’s accountable to a financial, social and environmental bottom line and is a partnership between the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Developers Council, the College of Charleston’s Master of Environmental Studies Student Association, and the Sustainability Institute.

Founded in 1979 as Jim Walter Metals, a division of the Jim Walter Corporation, the company originally produced cast aluminum coils for use in the construction and home building industry. In 1987, it became JW Aluminum Company and then in October of 2005, JW Aluminum went from being a stand-alone company to a member of the Superior Plus, Inc. family of companies.

JW Aluminum is a leading producer of specialty, flat-rolled aluminum products that are used in a variety of consumer and commercial applications, such as coated and bare fin stock, building and distributor sheet, automotive heat shield, cable wrap, litho sheet and light gauge converter foil. The company is also one of more than 300 recycling businesses operating in South Carolina. JW Aluminum employs 800 associates at three manufacturing locations in Mt. Holly, SC; Russellville, AR and St. Louis, MO. For more information about JW Aluminum, visit their website at www.jwaluminum.com.

The Charleston Regional Development Alliance represents Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties with a mission to create improved opportunities for all residents in this three-county region. 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.

Company Media Contact:
Sanford E. Peek, Jr
Director of Marketing
843-764-8272
[email protected]

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