Press fabrics firm making a $32 million investment to expand plant capacity
COLUMBIA, S.C. – AstenJohnson, Inc., a global leader in the production of press fabrics, is expanding its existing Laurens County manufacturing facility, which is located at 400 Asten Road in Clinton, S.C. The company is planning to invest $32 million on new equipment in the next five years, with the largest purchase being a new needle loom in 2016.
Headquartered in Charleston, S.C., the origins of AstenJohnson can be traced back to 1790, when the Johnson family opened the Manchester Wire Works in Manchester, England. Nearly 100 years later, the Asten family launched the Asten Manufacturing Company in Belgium. In 1999, Asten Manufacturing and JWI merged, forming AstenJohnson. Today, the firm employs approximately 2,000 workers in nine countries worldwide.
The company plans to purchase and install the loom within the next year, with start-up anticipated for the third quarter of 2016. For more information on AstenJohnson, Inc., visit www.astenjohnson.com.
QUOTES
“The plan for new equipment in Clinton shows AstenJohnson’s commitment to the continued growth of our Press Fabrics division. The new needle loom will enable us to manufacture press felts for the largest paper machines in the world.” –AstenJohnson Press Business Leader Bob Huck
“It’s always exciting when a company decides to expand in our state, but it’s truly special when a South Carolina-based company like AstenJohnson finds success here and makes the decision to invest in our people further. We’re proud of the partnership our state has built with AstenJohnson and look forward to continuing that partnership for many years to come.” –Gov. Nikki Haley
“South Carolina’s manufacturing industry continues to thrive, and today we celebrate yet another victory for that sector as AstenJohnson announces the expansion of their operations in Laurens County. We celebrate all that they’ve achieved both in our state and around the world and look forward to watching them enjoy even greater success in the future.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt
“It is good to have an existing business expand in Laurens County.” –Laurens County Council Chairman Joe Wood
“AstenJohnson is a long-time member of our community, and it is great to see them continue to grow in Laurens County. Existing industries are an important part of our local economy and their continued investments in our community have a wide reaching impact within our County.” –Laurens County Development Corporation Chairman Stan Bryson
FIVE FAST FACTS
- Asten Johnson, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing operations in Laurens County.
- $32 million investment in new equipment.
- Headquartered in Charleston, S.C., AstenJohnson employs more than 2,000 workers worldwide.
- The company’s Laurens County facility is located at 400 Asten Road in Clinton, S.C.
- Start-up for the expansion is anticipated for the third quarter of 2016.
About AstenJohnson, Inc.
AstenJohnson is a global manufacturer of paper machine clothing, advanced and filtration fabrics, filaments, paper machine equipment, custom rebuild solutions and nonwoven materials for filtration, automotive, cure-in-place piping and composites. As a supplier to the paper industry since 1790, it has a thorough knowledge of equipment and processes – and knows how to apply its expertise to help customers be more profitable. The company employs approximately 2,000 people. Its corporate headquarters is in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.