The Scotts Company to re-invest in Charleston region

THE SCOTTS COMPANY TO RE-INVEST IN CHARLESTON REGION:
$8 MILLION WILL TRIPLE LOCAL CAPACITY

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Regional Development Alliance announced today that The Scotts Company will triple the capacity of its facility here, investing $8 million in the region. The company is the world’s largest marketer of lawn and garden products and services, employing over 4,200 worldwide.

In addition to the planned expansion, Scotts will consolidate operations from a facility in California into the Charleston plant.

“We are excited about the growth opportunities that exist for us in Charleston, and we’re grateful to the local business and government leaders that have supported this project,” said Michael P. Kelty, vice chairman of Scotts. “The combination of the outstanding workforce and support from the community were key drivers in deciding to expand our presence in South Carolina.”

“Competitive expansions are a critical part of a successful economic
development program,” said F. Eugene “Gene” Williams, chairman of the
Charleston Regional Development Alliance. “We work hard as a community to
ensure that companies thrive here, and the result is something we celebrate
today. Thriving companies reinvest locally.”

Charleston County officials noted that the Scotts expansion capped a positive summer of investment.

“Our congratulations to Scotts on this milestone in their development here in Charleston,” said Charleston County Council chairman, Tim Scott. “The confidence in our community is based in fact, because a dramatic increase in plant capacity, along with state-of-the-art automation and the most productive workforce anywhere, will add up to still greater company success. All puns aside, this proves yet again that, in Charleston County, the grass and the bottom line are indeed greener!” Scott said.

Added North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey: “North Charleston has been helping great companies prosper for years. We are always gratified to see one of our community members profit from our workforce, our business-friendly programs and our location. Congratulations, Scotts, on your decision to expand in the Charleston region.”

In facilitating announcements such as this, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance works with many allies statewide. One particularly important participant in the process is the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Today’s announcement was heralded by S.C. state officials.

“South Carolina is the perfect venue for the production of Scotts’ high quality lawn and horticulture products,” said Governor Jim Hodges. “Both our business climate and our physical climate will assist Scotts in achieving their next level of success faster than ever.”

“Scotts’ decision to expand in the Lowcountry is proof that our state’s positive attitude toward business attracts and keeps the best companies,” said Secretary of Commerce Charles S. Way, Jr. “In keeping with its trusted name in premium gardening and lawn care, Scotts is a dynamic member of Team South Carolina.”

The Scotts Company is the world’s leading supplier of consumer products for lawn and garden care, with a full range of products for professional horticulture as well. The company owns the industry’s most recognized brands. In the U.S., the company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts, and owned by Monsanto. In the Europe, Scotts’ brands include Weedol® Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington® Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertigene® and Substral®.

Today’s announcement was facilitated by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, representing 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.

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Media Contact:
Colleen Troy
Rawle-Murdy Associates, Inc.
843.577.7327, [email protected]