Comact Equipment U.S. Inc. to expand Dorchester
County facility
$1.8 million
investment more than doubling current employment
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Less than a year after establishing local
operations, The BID Group of Companies, a
British Columbia-based equipment manufacturer for the forest industry, will
expand its Comact Equipment U.S. Inc.
manufacturing facility in Dorchester County. The capital investment, totaling
$1.8 million, is expected to generate approximately 60 new jobs – more than
doubling the facility’s current employment.
Comact, located at 176 Academy
Road in St. George, will add more than 3,500 square feet to its existing 40,000
square feet of manufacturing space to accommodate another line that will produce
log and timber-handling equipment primarily used for sawmills. The company
began production in St. George during the fall of 2013.
QUOTES
“We are proud to announce this
expansion to assist with the growing forest industry requirements in the South.
Our decision to relocate some of our manufacturing to South Carolina in 2013 is
paying off for us and our customers and we look forward to growing our business
in Dorchester County and specifically the great community of St. George.”-BID Group CEO Brian Fehr
“In 2013 the BID Group chose to locate in our state and less
than a year later they are ready to expand – a clear indication that South
Carolina has the workforce and business environment companies need in order to
succeed in the global market. We celebrate BID Group’s decision to invest $1.8
million into Comact and create 60 new jobs.” – Gov. Nikki Haley
“The BID Group’s investment in
Comact adds to the success of our ever-growing manufacturing and agribusiness
sectors. Every job created at Comact has an impact in Dorchester County and the
state as a whole.” –Secretary of
Commerce Bobby Hitt
“It
is impressive that in less than a year since locating in Dorchester County,
Comact is already expanding their St. George facility. We welcome their growth
and look forward to our continued partnership with Comact.” -Dorchester County Council Chairman Bill
Hearn
FIVE FAST FACTS
- The
BID Group of Companies will expand Comact Equipment U.S. Inc. in
Dorchester County. - The
capital investment, totaling $1.8
million, is expected to generate approximately 60 new jobs – more than doubling
the facility’s current employment. - Comact,located at 176 Academy Road in St.
George, will add more than 3,500
square feet to its existing
40,000 square feet of manufacturing space. - Expansion
will accommodate another line producing log and timber handling equipment
primarily used for sawmills.
About Comact
With more than 50
years of experience, Comact has established itself as a North American and International
leader in the design, manufacture and installation of innovative equipment for
the sawmill industry. Their comprehensive line of products include mechanical,
digital vision optimization, and automation and control equipment. The company,
owned by parent company The BID Group, employs more than 450 people in British
Columbia, Quebec, and St. George, SC. For more information about the company,
please visit www.comact.com.
About BID Group
With over 30 years of experience, the BID Group
has established itself as a leader in a variety of value-added, turnkey
solutions for the forest industry. Focusing on sawmills and planer mills, BID’s
services include engineering and design, industrial fabrication, construction
management and facilities maintenance, as well as green energy systems and
lumber remanufacturing. Its 400+ employees are located in British
Columbia, Canada. Together with Comact,
the company is well positioned to provide an end-to-end solution for their
customers’ needs. For more information
about the company, please visit www.bidgroup.ca.
About S.C. Department of
Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of
Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies
to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF
Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural
development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and
recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of
Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment
opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the national for
attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location
International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel
Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For
more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Skipper, APR
Director of Marketing &
Communications
South Carolina Department of
Commerce
(803) 737-1998
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