COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 29, 2007 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today joined Bericap, a major international producer of specialized plastic closures, in announcing that it will locate and build its new design-built manufacturing plant in the Upstate Corporate Industrial Park in Cherokee County, South Carolina, investing approximately $20 million in the new facility. Construction of the first phase building, consisting of 90,000 square feet, will commence in 2007 with completion set for full production in early 2008. The site and building will allow room for future expansions.
“Our efforts to increase the state’s competitiveness by improving the business climate are working to grow the economy over the long-term by attracting new industry, encouraging business growth, and most importantly creating new jobs throughout the state. We remain committed to continuing these efforts to create opportunity for more South Carolinians,” said Gov. Mark Sanford.
The design of this new plant will feature and accommodate the use of automated state-of-the art equipment and processes in a climate controlled environment. Operations will ramp-up in early 2008 on a 24 hour, 7 day production basis and will initially engage some 45 full-time well trained operators and management that will be recruited locally. Job-specific training will be provided by the company through the Spartanburg Technical College program developed in coordination with the South Carolina State worker training program, readySC. Permanent job employment is projected to expand each year by some 10 positions per year.
Bericap Group Managing Director, Mr. Gunter Krautkrämer stated that “Bericap is pleased with its North American expansion into South Carolina. The plant will employ the latest building design technology. It will continue the tradition of our global commitment to fostering a culture of product and process excellence and innovation.”
The location in the new Upstate Corporate Industrial Park provides easy access to Interstate 85 and meets the company’s strategic commitment to efficiently serve its expanding Southeast U.S. market areas. The South Carolina plant will be the company’s third North American facility to be created in 11 years. The existing plants are located in Ontario, California and Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The new plant will provide both volume production relief and continued growth capabilities for existing and new innovative products.
“As businesses work smarter to develop strategic locations, South Carolina continues to be an ideal choice. That fact that a company such as Bericap, which has facilities in 17 countries across the world, decided to locate in South Carolina offers tangible evidence that our state’s access to the growing southeastern market, quality infrastructure, and a nationally recognized worker training program, are working to grow the state’s economy,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
Bericap Group is considered a world-class leader in engineered closure technology. The company is proud of its production methodology and product quality. Equally, the company prides itself in providing a secure, safe, and healthy environment for its employees. Training and skills development are considered key elements of success at Bericap and is directly attributable to employee job security, a quality life working environment, career growth, family health consideration, and solid income compensation.
Bericap President and Chief Operating Officer, Scott Ambrose commenting on market growth, stated that “the new South Carolina plant is a vital link for Bericap’s expanding business, particularly as it provides logistic delivery capability within one day to major customers located in our important Southeast market.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Bericap as our first new enterprise locating in the Upstate Corporate Industrial Park. This new park is design-capable for new manufacturing space targeted at attracting new or expanding industries to our area. The potential for employment jobs and local economic growth is very significant and is sure to produce further opportunity in the years ahead,” said Jim Cook, Cherokee County Development Board Director.
The Upstate Corporate Industrial Park is a joint venture initiative by Spartanburg and Cherokee counties to bring new industry and jobs to the area. The counties will develop some 500 acres of land dedicated to the creation of the Upstate Corporate Industrial Park.
“Spartanburg County whole heartedly welcomes Bericap to our community,” commented David Britt, Chairman of the Economic Recruitment and Development Committee for Spartanburg County Council. “We are pleased to welcome Bericap as the first tenant of our joint park with Cherokee County. Spartanburg and Cherokee counties have been working together for a number of years to establish this park and it has been an excellent team effort. Bericap's decision to locate their facility in the Upstate Corporate Industrial Park demonstrates the ability of these two communities to work together to attract quality companies which will provide excellent job opportunities for the citizens of both Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.”
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