A North Charleston-based firm will invest $1.3 million in a manufacturing facility in Union County that will eventually employ 114 people.
A statement released this morning by the SC Department of Commerce announced that “Vapor Apparel, a leader in performance apparel manufacturing and digital print-on-demand services, is opening a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Union County. This marks a major step for the company that focuses on sublimation printing solutions and performance fabrics. The facility will house the company’s domestic cut and sew division, which is a rapidly expanding part of the company’s product line. The $1.3 million investment is expected to create 114 new jobs over five years.”
The announcement further states that “founded in 2004 and headquartered in North Charleston, S.C., Vapor Apparel is experiencing rapid growth and has been named one of the 25 fastest-growing companies in South Carolina twice within the last five years. The establishment of this Union County facility will complement the company’s existing production facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina and expand its ecommerce fulfillment and print-on-demand services.”
It further states that “located on an 8.5 acre tract of land at 1243 Riley Road in Union, S.C., Vapor Apparel’s Union County operations are expected to come on line in the first quarter of 2015. Hiring for some of the new positions is expected to begin in the spring.”
Union County Development Board Executive Director Andrena Powell-Baker said this morning that the new facility will be located in the former D&D Specialties building.
The announcement also states that “readySC™, a division of the S.C. Technical College System, will be assisting with recruitment and training for the open positions at Vapor’s Union County facility. To apply for these positions, please visit www.sctechjobs.com. For more information on Vapor Apparel, please visit www.vaporapparel.com.”
Powell-Baker said that the county has the workforce to fill the jobs created by Vapor Manufacturing over the next five years.
“We know that we have an existing workforce to fill the jobs because the Workforce Investment Board coordinated a pre-announcement recruitment event for them to be sure we could staff the company,” Powell-Baker said.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $100,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to assist with the costs of real property improvements related to the project.
Five Fast Facts
• Vapor Apparel is establishing its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Union County.
• $1.3 million investment creating an expected 114 new jobs over five years.
• The company is currently headquartered in North Charleston, S.C.
• This Union County manufacturing facility will complement the company’s existing production operations in North Charleston, South Carolina. * To join the Vapor Apparel team, please email info@vaporapparel.com.
About Vapor Apparel
Founded in 2004, Vapor Apparel is the industry leader in Sublimation Certified™ performance apparel for the sublimation / print-on-demand markets. With distribution throughout the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK and the Caribbean, the company, Vapor Apparel offers high-quality performance apparel, bulk fabrics and various accessories manufactured in the Americas with the digital decorator in mind. The company also offers cut & sew custom garment services as well as full private label programs for personal apparel branding. The company also offers Amazon fulfillment and Ecommerce Print-On-Demand services. Vapor Apparel has been recognized by Specialty Graphics and Imaging Association, Impressions Magazine, Wearables Magazine, ASI and others for award winning product development, print quality and commitment to the digital apparel industry.
Article from The Union Daily Times
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