TEXTILES.ORG
Combined investment of $39.1 million expected to create 126 new jobs in South Carolina
Agru America Inc., a South Carolina-based manufacturer of geosynthetic materials, announced in a Dec. 12 press release that it will expand its current operations in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. The combined investment of $39.1 million is expected to generate 126 new jobs, according to the release issued by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s office.
Agru is expanding its Georgetown production facility by 40,000 square feet, with a 130,000-square-foot asphalt storage yard, to accommodate new production equipment. This includes at least three new machines and new employees to support the additional production capacity. This expansion will involve a $19.2 million investment and the creation of 49 jobs, according to the press release.
In January, Agru purchased the assets of a production facility in Andrews, S.C., where the company has expanded its business to include production of needle-punched, nonwoven textiles for environmental, industrial, automotive, bedding, and furniture products. Agru is upgrading and expanding this facility to accommodate additional production equipment and an increased labor force. The $19.9 million investment at the Andrews site is expected to create 77 new jobs, according to the release.
“We are pleased with the opportunity to move forward with these expansions,” said Robert Johnson, president of Agru America. “We have seen demand for our products increase and adding capacity at both facilities will help us meet our manufacturing goals. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials.”
“Seeing a South Carolina company decide to increase its footprint not just in one, but two counties is always exciting,” said Haley. “[The] announcement by Agru America is another sign we are on the right track.”
The press release noted that when Agru was started in 1948 by Alois Gruber Sr. in Bad Hall, Austria, its first venture was an anodizing shop in Gruinburg, Austria, which is still in production today.
Agru’s presence in the United States started with the opening of a pipe plant in Massachusetts in 1988, expanding in 1992 to geomembrane production at the Massachusetts facility. The manufacturing and headquarters were relocated in 1996 to their current home in Georgetown, S.C.
For more information, visit Agru America’s website.