McNaughton Apparel announces expansion of local operation

Just 21 months after opening its first local clothing distribution center, the McNaughton Apparel Group Inc. is expanding. The company has leased a second 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Hanahan, and will create 200 new full-time jobs.

Today’s announcement was facilitated by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, which works with companies considering multiple locations for expansion or relocation. McNaughton Apparel’s original decision to locate here also was facilitated by the Alliance.

“We are pleased to welcome this additional investment by McNaughton Apparel,” said George Tupper, Alliance chairman. “Knowing that this highly automated distributor has confidence in our region’s location, our port and our people sends a powerful message to the marketplace,” Tupper said.

Peter Boneparth, president and CEO of the company, said today’s announcement reflects McNaughton’s success in the region over the past 21 months. “We had always hoped to shift distribution of more brands here. Based on our very positive experience in this region, we followed through on those hopes.”

Michael Kauffman, executive vice president of distribution and logistics for McNaughton, credits port access, labor availability and the cooperation of local government for bringing this expansion to the Charleston region. The new facility will handle the company’s Miss Erika brand, and should be operational by late spring. The company also considered Virginia and New Jersey for the expansion project.

“McNaughton Apparel brings to Berkeley County another highly automated distribution center, helping to ship its products to thousands of locations throughout the nation,” said Jim Rozier, Berkeley County supervisor and county council chairman. “If it seems like the business world has been hibernating in recent months, then news like this tells us better times may have arrived.”

William L. “Larry” Cobb, mayor of Hanahan, welcomed news of the expansion. “Adding hundreds of jobs to a community like ours is a significant occurrence. McNaughton has already proven to be a good neighbor, and we’re supportive of their growth in our town.”

In its efforts to attract new business investment to the Charleston region, the Alliance works with numerous groups, including the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Today’s announcement was heralded by S.C. state officials.

“South Carolina’s efficient ports continue to give our state an edge in business development,” said Governor Jim Hodges. “The Charleston region, with its numerous assets, is a successful location for McNaughton, and this expansion will continue its trend of prosperity.”

“McNaughton Apparel’s success in the first 21 months demonstrates that our business climate is ripe for development,” said Secretary of Commerce Charles S. Way, Jr. “Working together with economic allies and community leaders always brings the best results, and in this case it brings an expansion of McNaughton Apparel.”

McNaughton Apparel, now part of Jones Apparel Group Inc., is based in New York City. The company makes several lines of moderately priced women’s clothing and distributes its products to many national retailers, including J.C. Penney, Sears, T.J. Maxx, May Co., Federated Department Stores and Kohl’s. It currently employs about 120 full-time workers in Berkeley County.