The state has lured another overseas manufacturer and this one is coming to an under-development industrial park in Lancaster County.
Gov. Henry McMaster announced late Thursday that Don Construction Products (DCP) is launching its first U.S. manufacturing plant at KCH Industrial Park on Kershaw Camden Highway.
The initial project, which is expected to create 21 jobs, is a $6.2 million capital investment.
Lancaster County Council Chairman Steve Harper said he couldn’t be more pleased by the company’s decision to come here.
“Manufacturing is Lancaster County’s strength, and one of our top priorities is growing the manufacturing base in the central and southern areas of the county, Harper said, noting that KCH Industrial Park is just outside the Lancaster city limits.
The industrial park is on the section of Kershaw Camden Highway between Great Falls Highway and U.S. 521 Bypass East.
Many locals refer to it as the old “Jim Lineberger Property,” said County Administrator Steve Willis.
The park is already home to two businesses, Carolina Construction School and LCI-Lineberger Construction Inc.
LCI specializes in road paving, building-site preparation and hauling materials like stone and gravel.
“One of the strong selling points is this industrial park has rail access,” Willis said. “They (DCP) were also looking at areas with both a strong manufacturing base and good employees. I know we certainly have those.”
S.C. Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt agreed, saying the state’s best resource in attracting “world-class businesses” is a thriving manufacturing sector.
“I congratulate them on the new investment and look forward to watching them succeed within our borders,” Hitt said.
Based in the United Kingdom, DCP makes a wide range of construction chemicals used in products that harden concrete. Their chemical compounds are also used in construction sealants, waterproofing and surface treatment agents, as well as concrete repair.
In business for four decades, DCP has customers in 35 countries.
“We are very happy to start operating in the U.S. market,” said Tawfid Ghandour, CEO of Don Construction, noting there is a promising future here.
“South Carolina has a lot to offer for the business and has a healthy environment to operate in. Construction in the Southeast in very healthy, and the plant should be well located to service this area.”
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