New Business

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Venus Group, Inc., a textile manufacturer that specializes in linens, aprons, uniforms, towels and healthcare items, is establishing manufacturing operations in Chester County. The company is investing $2.5 million to open a facility in Fort Lawn, S.C. The investment is expected to create 25 new jobs.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Moneypenny, a market-leading telephone answering service, is establishing its first U.S. operations in Charleston County. The $760,000 investment is expected to result in approximately 40 new jobs in North Charleston, S.C. by the end of 2016, with long-term plans to employ approximately 400 workers at the facility within the next five years.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A company that specializes in assisting businesses with the management of healthcare costs is establishing its company headquarters and a processing center in Florence County. Med-Enroll is investing $3.5 million to establish operations in Florence, S.C. The investment is expected to create 153 new jobs.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Footprint, LLC, a company that specializes in the direct manufacturing of sustainable materials and packaging, is establishing manufacturing operations in Chester County. The company is investing $15.4 million to establish the facility, creating an expected 115 new jobs over the next five years.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – 3S International Corporation, a strategic sourcing and manufacturing company that specializes in products for the energy market as well as precision large-scale fabrication and painting, is establishing its first U.S. operations in Laurens County. The $15 million investment is expected to result in 45 new jobs in Laurens, S.C. over the next five years.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Rite Aid Corporation announced today plans to build a 900,000-square-foot distribution center in Spartanburg, S.C. The new distribution center is expected to employ nearly 600 people after it becomes fully operational and will support the inventory and fulfillment needs of approximately 1,000 Rite Aid stores in the Southeastern United States. The Spartanburg distribution center, a $90 million project, will be Rite Aid’s first new distribution facility in 15 years.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – September 20, 2011 – KP Components Inc., a Denmark-based precision CNC machining supplier, today announced plans for a new facility in Pickens County. The more than $10 million investment is expected to generate more than 50 new jobs.“We selected this location in the U.S. because of our company’s extensive competence in the manufacture of components for the global hydraulics industry, as well as our strong relationships with existing U.S. customers,” said Stig Skov Laursen, CEO of KP Components Inc. “KP Components Inc. sees great potential in the U.S.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – September 16, 2011 – Otis Elevator Company, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), announced today that it is opening a new manufacturing center in Florence, South Carolina. The new facility will consolidate much of Otis’ North American new equipment operations and will bring more than 360 jobs to South Carolina.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – September 14, 2011 – TIGHITCO Inc., part of Charleston-based The InterTech Group, today announced plans to locate a new manufacturing facility in Charleston County. The more than $30 million investment is expected to generate 350 new jobs.“The InterTech Group is thrilled to be able to create new jobs and generate economic opportunities for South Carolina,” said Anita Zucker, Chairwoman and CEO of The InterTech Group.TIGHITCO Inc.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – September 13, 2011 – JR Automation Technologies LLC, a maker of automation equipment for the automotive, pharmaceutical, food and general industries, today announced plans to expand and locate its new sales, engineering and manufacturing facility in Pickens County. JR Automation is investing more than $2 million and is expected to create 54 new high-tech jobs over the next five years.“We are very pleased to locate our new sales, engineering and manufacturing facility in South Carolina.