State to sell automotive manufacturers on ‘Made in S.C.’

The South Carolina Department of Commerce will team up with economic development allies from across the state to sell automotive manufacturers and their suppliers on the benefits of conducting business in the state during the 2006 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit.

More than 35,000 attendees from 45 nations participate in the weeklong conference that brings together vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, government and academia to discuss the state of advanced automotive technology and business.

Jack Ellenberg, director of the Commerce Department’s Global Business Development Division, said the SAE presents a unique combination of technology, knowledge and people that provides highly technical, educational sessions and creates an effective business environment where individuals, companies and organizations can develop beneficial relationships that may result in job-creating investment in the state.

The Commerce Department will highlight many of the state’s automotive successes, including its longtime companies Michelin, Robert Bosch, Siemens, Honda, Goodyear and BMW, as well as newcomers DaimlerChrysler, LSP Automotive and Magna International.

The department will also feature cutting edge research initiatives like Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research, the National Science Foundation’s Research Center for Fuel Cells, and the Savannah River National Laboratory and the Center for Hydrogen Research in Aiken.

“South Carolina was the only state in the U.S. to have an increase in its auto manufacturing workforce over the last five years,” said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. “Our outstanding infrastructure, customized workforce training programs, right-to-work policies, shovel-ready sites and wonderful quality of life are all reasons why auto manufacturers are relocating to our state and growing their employee base. And when you note that one out of six manufacturing jobs in South Carolina is part of the automotive industry, you can see we’ve been successful in targeting this industry sector.”