COLUMBIA, S.C. — June 8, 2021 — Materials Research Group, a glass manufacturer, today announced plans to establish operations in Beaufort County. The company’s $3.1 million investment will create 27 new jobs.

Founded in 1998, Materials Research Group specializes in manufacturing ready-to-press glass powders, glass preforms and solder glass rings. The company’s hermetic sealing glasses are utilized in the aerospace, sensor, automotive, medical and battery markets.

Located at 45 Schein Loop in Beaufort, Materials Research Group’s new facility will increase the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

The facility is expected to be completed by December 2021. Individuals interested in joining the Materials Research Group team should visit the company’s contact page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $50,000 Set-Aside grant to Beaufort County to assist with costs related to the project.

“Materials Research Group is excited about our growth and our move into Beaufort. The support from the local area and the state has been excellent. We look forward to getting our operation up and running and becoming part of the Beaufort community,” said Materials Research Group Owner Walt Reed.

“Our state’s workforce has proven that it’s one of the best in the world, and that’s why we know a company like Materials Research Group will succeed here. When a company chooses to call South Carolina home, we commit to having their back every step of the way, and we’re excited to see what the future has in store for this company,” said Governor Henry McMaster.

“South Carolina continues to build on its success in the manufacturing sector, and Materials Research Group’s decision to invest in our state will provide another boost. We congratulate this company on this announcement, and we look forward to watching them flourish for years to come,” added Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“I am happy to see Materials Research Group choose our community. Investments like this, in turn, become opportunities for area residents to find meaningful employment. Thank you to the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, the SouthernCarolina Alliance, my fellow council members and the team that made this happen,” said Beaufort County Councilman Gerald Dawson.

“We are grateful for Materials Research Group’s investment in Beaufort County, and we salute them on their choice of our region as the home for their new facility. Congratulations to Beaufort County and our economic development team on diversifying the economy and creating good jobs,” said SouthernCarolina Alliance Chairman Marty Sauls.

Posted June 21, 2021

Source: South Carolina Office of the Governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. — June 15, 2021 — Standard Textile Co. Inc. today announced plans to expand operations in Union County. The more than $15 million investment will create 45 new jobs.

Founded in 1940, Standard Textile partners with industry leaders to create products and services that solve the unique needs of the healthcare, hospitality, interiors and home markets.

Located at 100 Highpoint Drive in Union, Standard Textile’s expansion will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing demand.

The expansion is expected to be completed by October 2021. Individuals interested in joining the Standard Textile team should visit the company’s careers webpage.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. The Council also awarded Union County a $400,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to assist with related project costs.

“We are excited about the expansion of our facility in Union, South Carolina. In addition to meeting growing demand, this expansion allows us to create a state-of-the-art rapid prototyping center for the development of innovative products and a showroom to share the company’s innovation history and unique products. We are grateful for the partnership we have with the South Carolina Department of Commerce and with Union County and for their commitment to helping innovative companies thrive in the region,” said Standard Textile COO and CFO Officer Bradley Fry.

“South Carolina’s textile industry has a very rich history, and this sector continues to provide jobs and investment throughout our state. We’re proud of Standard Textile’s growth within our borders and we’re excited to see their continued success,” said Governor Henry McMaster.

“When companies like Standard Textile expand in our state, it shows that the textile industry is as important to our present and future as it has been to our past. We congratulate this great company on their success, and we look forward to continuing the partnership in the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“We are proud to partner with Standard Textile as they continue to grow and provide tremendous career opportunities for Union County citizens. This expansion is another testament to the fact that Union County is a great place to locate and grow your business,” noted Union County Supervisor Frank Hart.

Posted June 21, 2021

Source: South Carolina Office of the Governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. — June 16, 2021 — Gissing North America LLC, a manufacturer of acoustic systems for the automotive industry, today announced plans to establish operations in Greenville County. The $18.7 million investment will create 116 new jobs.

Founded in 2016, Gissing North America LLC is an acoustic and sound package solutions provider for the automotive industry. The company designs, develops and manufactures components and solutions to reduce noise, vibration and harshness and improve acoustics for a variety of vehicles.

Located in the Fox Hill Business Park in Fountain Inn, Gissing North America LLC’s new facility will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing demand from automotive manufacturers across the Southeast.

The new facility is expected to be operational by 2022. Individuals interested in joining the Gissing North America LLC team should contact Jessica Roast at (207) 784-1118.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. Greenville County was also awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to assist with costs related to this project.

“Gissing is excited to have chosen Greenville County as its new home to expand its operations. As an acoustic component solutions provider to the mobility industry, we intend to supply and service our current and new prospective customers in the Southeast. We have chosen South Carolina, in general, and Greenville County, specifically, due to the infrastructure, economic environment and quality of life it offers our future associates. Gissing has an ‘affinity for mobility,’ and we are excited to bring it to Greenville County. I would like to thank the GADC and the state of South Carolina for their diligence and for facilitating our site selection process,” said Gissing North America LLC CEO and President Claudio Calado.

“Today’s announcement is another win for the Upstate as well as South Carolina as a whole. We celebrate Gissing North America’s decision to invest $18.7 million and create 116 new jobs in Greenville County,” noted Governor Henry McMaster.

“Congratulations to Gissing North America LLC on announcing their new Greenville County operations. It’s exciting to see companies continue to embrace South Carolina’s diverse manufacturing base and select our state as a destination to do business,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“As a leading provider of acoustic systems for the automotive industry, Gissing North America LLC brings excellent jobs and significant capital investment to Greenville and is a perfect complement to the Upstate’s booming automotive industry. Gissing North America LLC will help Greenville County accelerate economic growth and build on our reputation as a world-class mobility and advanced manufacturing community, and we welcome them,” added Greenville County Council Chairman and Greenville Area Development Corporation Board Member Willis Meadows

Posted June 21, 2021

Source: South Carolina Office of the Governor

RALEIGH, N.C. — June 15, 2021 — KNOLL America Inc., a supplier of conveyor and filtration systems, will create 31 new jobs in Gaston County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $7.8 million to locate a new U.S. headquarters operations and manufacturing facility in Gaston County’s Apple Creek Corporate Park.

“We are excited to have another global manufacturer choose North Carolina for its headquarters,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision affirms our state’s reputation of having a strong manufacturing workforce and great quality of life.”

KNOLL America is the U.S. subsidiary for German-based KNOLL Maschinenbau GmbH. Founded by Walter Knoll in 1970, the company is family-owned and operated by second generation Matthias and Jürgen Knoll and globally employs more than 1,200 people. KNOLL engineers, manufactures, and distributes premier conveying, filter systems and pumps for chips and cooling lubricants used in the metal processing industry. Their flexible assembly and transport systems complete the KNOLL product portfolio. KNOLL serves customers of all sizes from OEMs to end users to smaller distributors. The 60,000-square-foot headquarters operations and production facility will include a state-of-the-art training area, showroom, warehouse and distribution center at the 12-acre site in Gaston County.

“We felt immediately very welcomed. Gaston County provides an excellent manufacturing environment for our needs. The close proximity to major interstates and airport allows us to service most customers within a day. We can engage with Gaston College in developing young skilled talent for our operation and support their apprenticeship program. The small-town community feeling is like the area where our Germany Headquarters is located,” said Lothar Burger, CEO of KNOLL America. “This investment is made possible because our owners Matthias and Juergen Knoll believe in our local team and the strength of the North American market. This venture is part of their international initiative within the KNOLL Group.”

The North Carolina Department of Commerce led a team of partners in supporting KNOLL America’s decision to locate to North Carolina. The new positions will include technicians, assemblers, sales, administrative and distribution roles. The average annual salary for the new positions is $51,869 creating a potential payroll impact of more than $1.6 million per year. Gaston County’s average annual salary is $42,018.

“Gaston County continues to attract foreign direct investment to the region with its successful global business community,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “With North Carolina’s pipeline of world-class talent and a central location, we’re confident that KNOLL will continue to experience growth in North America.”

A performance-based grant of $75,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate KNOLL America’s expansion. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“This is an outstanding economic development win for our manufacturing economy,” said N.C. Representative John Torbett. “We are eager to partner with KNOLL America as they execute their growth strategy in Gaston County.”

“We’re excited to welcome KNOLL America to Gaston County,” said N.C. Senator Kathy Harrington. “This is a celebration for all of North Carolina as another international company has chosen to invest in our community.”

Joining the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were key partners in the project that included the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Gaston College, Gaston County and the Gaston County Economic Development Commission.

Posted June 21, 2021

Source: North Carolina Office of the Governor

BOSTON/SEOUL/TOKYO — June 21, 2021 — Hyundai Motor Group (the group), Boston Dynamics Inc. and SoftBank Group Corp., today announced the completion of the group’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank, following the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The deal valued the mobile robot firm at $1.1 billion. Additional financial details were not disclosed.

Post-closing, the Group holds an 80 percent stake in Boston Dynamics and SoftBank, through one of its affiliates, retains the remaining 20 percent stake.

Boston Dynamics is the established leader in developing agile, mobile robots that have been successfully integrated into business operations of many of the world’s leading industrial firms. Advanced robotics offer opportunities for rapid growth with the potential to positively impact society by making work safer and more productive.

By acquiring Boston Dynamics and securing a leading presence in the field of robotics, the Group takes another major step toward its strategic transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. To propel this transformation, the Group has invested substantially in the development of future technologies, including autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), smart factories and robots.

In the field of robotics, the Group aims to develop advanced technologies that enhance people’s lives and promote safety, thereby realizing progress for humanity.

The deal is also expected to allow the Group and Boston Dynamics to leverage each other’s respective strengths in manufacturing, logistics, construction and automation. Together, the Group and Boston Dynamics will create a robotics value chain, from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions. Additionally, the Group will support Boston Dynamics’ continued expansion of its product line and global sales and service footprint.

Boston Dynamics launched sales of its first commercial robot, Spot® in June of 2020 and now has hundreds of robots operating in a variety of industries, including power utilities, construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and mining. The company also recently unveiled Stretch™, its first commercial robot specifically designed for warehouse facilities and distribution centers.

The group today also released a new video to reveal how it would further advance mobility for humanity incorporating Boston Dynamics’ expertise. The video is available on Hyundai’s youtube channel. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_NEy0iDck&form=MY01SV&OCID=MY01SV)

Posted June 21, 2021

Source: Boston Dynamics