Suminoe Textile of America Corp., Gaffney, S.C. -- a manufacturer of textiles for automotive uses and a subsidiary of Suminoe Textile Ltd., Japan -- is investing $6.5 million to open a new manufacturing facility in Gaffney and add a Needlepunch Carpet Division to its existing facility, creating some 50 jobs. The company expects to start hiring in late February.

"We are excited about this expansion," said Satoru Kuninaka, president, Suminoe Textile of America. "Cherokee County has provided an excellent business environment for us, so we are pleased to continue growing our operations here. The new facility will allow us to add capacity and meet growing demand from our customers and clients."

January/February 2010