Loris, SC – Accent Stainless Steel, a Canadian-based manufacturer of micro-brewing systems and other processing equipment, broke ground on their new 50,000 square foot facility located in the Loris Commerce Park in Horry County.
This facility will be the first American headquarters for Accent Stainless Steel. The company’s $3.1 million investment will create 65 new, high-skilled manufacturing jobs averaging $22 per hour, which is approximately 65 percent higher than Horry County’s current average wage.
“We are proud to bring growth to Loris and Horry County. We believe a local talent and local job pool is essential. The investment is just the beginning, the journey has just started and together we have the opportunity and obligation to set this new facility up for sustainable success. My American customers can’t wait to see shiny, high quality tanks coming from South Carolina to their breweries. Built by proud, trained local high-skilled fabricators,” said Christian (Chris) Riemerschmid von der Heide, Chief Operating Officer for Accent Stainless Steel.
Accent Stainless Steel specializes in manufacturing the Newlands Systems brand of brewing equipment and other stainless steel process equipment for the food and beverage, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries throughout the globe.
“Accent Stainless Steel’s decision to build their headquarters in Horry County represents a significant opportunity that our community has to attract foreign investment in the manufacturing industry, said Mark Lazarus, Chairman of Horry County Council.
As the micro-brewing industry continues to rapidly grow in North America, the company’s President and Technical Director, Brad McQuhae, saw this expansion as an opportunity to locate their American headquarters and US production closer to some of their biggest clients in that industry. The expansion to the US East Coast will generate significant logistics savings for the company and will allow additional business opportunities in the region.
“The locating of Accent Stainless’ first American headquarters here in Loris will significantly change the economic landscape of Loris and this region. This is the best economic news this area of Horry County has had in years. We are excited to officially welcome Accent Stainless to our community and look forward with tremendous anticipation what this industry will mean for our citizens and town as we work together,” said David Stoudenmire, Mayor of Loris.
Accent Stainless Steel history with South Carolina goes back about 20 years, when they built the first brewery in the state after Prohibition, Palmetto Brewing Company in Charleston, S.C. Other factors that contributed to the company’s decision to expand to the Southeast include: access to a quality workforce and available training opportunities through Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s newly implemented welding program, and the quality of life in the Myrtle Beach area.
“Companies from all over the world have started to recognize Horry County as a competitive location for business. With great access to market, low taxes, a skilled workforce and superior quality of life, our community competes among other top locations around the world,” said Fred Richardson, Chairman of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development (MBREDC).
The Myrtle Beach Regional EDC, along with federal, state and local leaders, is focused on diversifying the area’s local economy. In addition to diversifying the labor force with the addition of high-skilled manufacturing jobs, Accent Stainless will also contribute to the community’s growing international manufacturing footprint. Accent Stainless Steel will join other international manufacturers currently located in Horry County, like CanFor (Canadian), Metglas (Japanese), and BauschLinnemann NA (German).
For more information, visit www.accentstainlesssteel.com
-This information is from a Press Release.
