South Carolina Industrial Construction Project and Manufacturing Capex Activity - 2020 Recap

SalesLeads announced the CY2020 results for South Carolina's planned industrial capital project activity, confirming 132 new projects across the state. These projects include facility expansions, new plant construction, and significant equipment modernization, highlighting South Carolina's growing prominence in the industrial sector. Despite global economic challenges, the state attracted substantial investments in industrial construction and manufacturing, demonstrating its resilience and capacity for fostering growth and innovation. SalesLeads’ detailed report offers critical insights into these projects, revealing key trends, industry-specific opportunities, and a roadmap for businesses looking to engage with South Carolina’s thriving industrial market.

The following are selected highlights on recent South Carolina industrial construction news and manufacturing capital projects.

Planned Industrial Construction in South Carolina by Project Type:

The industrial projects in South Carolina spanned multiple sectors, reflecting the state’s strategic economic development. The breakdown by project type includes:

• Manufacturing Facilities: 69 projects, showcasing the state’s industrial strength.

• Processing Facilities: 26 projects, driven by food and beverage production.

• Distribution and Warehouse Facilities: 48 projects, underscoring the importance of logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

• Energy Projects (Power/Oil and Gas): 5 projects, highlighting a shift toward renewable energy.

• Mines and Data Centers: 2 projects, representing niche but critical investments.

The dominance of manufacturing and distribution projects indicates South Carolina’s pivotal role as a hub for industrial growth, with robust support for both traditional and emerging industries.

Planned Industrial Construction in South Carolina by Scope/Activity

The scope of industrial activity reveals a balanced approach to development and modernization:

• New Construction: 49 projects.

• Expansions: 44 projects.

• Renovations and Equipment Upgrades: 51 projects.

• Relocations: 10 projects.

• Plant Closings: 7 projects.

The high number of renovations and equipment upgrades reflects the trend of modernizing existing facilities to meet evolving industry standards, especially in sectors like manufacturing and food processing. New construction projects remain significant, driving job creation and economic growth across the state.

Opportunities - By Equipment Need

The diverse range of industrial projects in South Carolina has created substantial demand for specialized equipment and services across multiple categories, presenting significant opportunities for vendors:

• Air Emissions Control Equipment: Critical for compliance and efficiency, required in 88 projects.
• Compressed Air Systems: In high demand, specified in 123 projects, underscoring their role in powering industrial operations.
• Control Systems and Instrumentation: Essential for automation and precision, needed in 85 projects.
• Conveyors: Vital for streamlined material handling, identified in 98 projects.
• Floor Coatings: Specified in 84 projects to enhance durability and safety in industrial facilities.
• Material Handling and Storage Equipment: A key requirement, in demand for 107 projects.
• Mechanical Construction: Highlighted in 121 projects, demonstrating the need for robust infrastructure solutions.
• Packaging Equipment: Required in 76 projects, reflecting the growing emphasis on optimized packaging processes.
• Process Equipment: Needed in 23 projects to support complex manufacturing operations.
• Tanks/Vessels: Specified in 23 projects, showcasing their importance in sectors like chemicals and food processing.

These figures underscore the increasing reliance on automation, advanced systems, and precision equipment to enhance efficiency and productivity. Vendors offering innovative solutions in areas such as industrial material handling, process equipment, and mechanical construction are well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, driving growth in South Carolina's thriving industrial sector.

Largest Planned Industrial Construction Projects in South Carolina

Among the 132 identified projects, 29 stand out due to their scale and economic impact, with estimated values of $25 million or more. Key projects include:

1. Nextera Energy, Inc.: A $1 billion gas-fired power plant in Fairfield County, with completion expected by late 2023.

2. Beverage Company (Columbia, SC): A $400 million, 1-million-square-foot production and distribution facility, slated for completion in Summer 2021.

3. Food Production Company (Early Branch, SC): A $314 million greenhouse, processing, and distribution complex, with phased construction through 2022.

4. Steel Manufacturing (Huger, SC): A $300 million facility expansion and equipment upgrade.

5. Global Retail Chain (Ridgeville, SC): A $220 million, 3-million-square-foot distribution center, expected to be operational by Fall 2021.

These projects highlight the diversity of industries investing in South Carolina, from renewable energy and advanced manufacturing to logistics and distribution.

Top 10 Tracked Industrial Projects in South Carolina

Columbia, SC: Beverage company is planning to invest $400 million for the construction of a 1-million sf production and distribution facility in COLUMBIA, SC. Completion is slated for Summer 2021.

Early Branch, SC: Food production company is planning to invest $314 million for the construction of a greenhouse, processing, and distribution complex in EARLY BRANCH, SC. Construction will occur in phases, with completion of the first phase slated for 2022.

Huger, SC: Steel company is planning to invest $300 million for an expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in HUGER, SC.

Ridgeville, SC: Global retail chain is planning to invest $220 million for the construction of a 3-million sf distribution center in RIDGEVILLE, SC. Completion is slated for Fall 2021.

Eastover, SC: Paper products mfr. is planning to invest $175 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades of their manufacturing facility in EASTOVER, SC.

Darlington, SC: Paper products mfr. is planning to invest $145 million for an expansion and equipment upgrades of their manufacturing facility in DARLINGTON, SC. Completion is slated for early 2022.

Anderson, SC: Outdoor power equipment mfr. is planning to invest $100 million for the expansion of their warehouse and manufacturing facility at 100 Innovation Way in ANDERSON, SC by 1 million sf. Completion is slated for late 2022.

Greenville, SC: Tire mfr. is planning to invest $100 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades of their manufacturing facility in GREENVILLE, SC.

Orangeburg, SC: Solar energy company is planning to invest $85 million for the construction of a 100 MW solar farm in ORANGEBURG, SC. Completion is slated for 2023.

Sumter, SC: Nutritional food products mfr. is planning to invest $84 million for a 144,000 sf expansion of their warehouse and processing facility in SUMTER, SC. Completion is slated for late 2024.

Emerging Trends in South Carolina’s Industrial Sector

The report uncovers several key trends driving industrial activity in South Carolina:

• Renewable Energy Investments: Projects like the $85 million solar farm in Orangeburg illustrate the state’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

• Manufacturing Modernization: Renovations and equipment upgrades across sectors signal a move toward efficiency and innovation.

• Supply Chain Expansion: With investments like the $220 million Ridgeville distribution center, logistics and warehousing remain critical growth areas.

These trends reflect broader shifts in the industrial landscape, with South Carolina positioning itself as a leader in both traditional and emerging sectors.

Since 1959, SalesLeads, based out of Jacksonville, FL has been providing Industrial Project Reports on companies that are planning significant capital investments in their industrial facilities throughout North America. Our professional research team identifies new construction, expansion, relocation, major renovation, equipment upgrades, and plant closing project opportunities so that our clients can focus sales and marketing resources on the target accounts that have an impending need for their products, services, and indirect materials.

Our team of researchers identifies and tracks:

• New Construction

• Facility Expansions

• Major Renovations and Equipment Upgrades

• Relocations

Each month, SalesLeads delivers hundreds of detailed reports across industries like:

• Industrial Manufacturing

• Food and Beverage

• Renewable Energy

• Pulp, Paper, and Wood

• Pharmaceuticals

These insights enable vendors and suppliers to align their offerings with real-time project needs, optimizing their sales and marketing efforts.

Each month, our team provides hundreds of industrial reports within a variety of industries, including:

• Industrial Manufacturing
• Plastics
• Food and Beverage
• Metals
• Power Generation
• Pulp Paper and Wood
• Oil and Gas
• Mining and Aggregates
• Chemical
• Research and Development
• Distribution and Supply Chain
• Pipelines
• Pharmaceutical
• Industrial Buildings
• Waste Water Treatment
• Data Centers

In Conclusion

South Carolina’s 2020 industrial construction and manufacturing CapEx activity highlights the state’s resilience and growth potential. With over 132 planned projects spanning manufacturing, energy, and logistics, South Carolina continues to attract significant investments that drive economic development.

For businesses looking to capitalize on these opportunities, SalesLeads’ Industrial Project Reports provide the critical insights needed to target high-value projects effectively. Whether you’re involved in industrial equipment, manufacturing solutions, or renewable energy, SalesLeads empowers you to stay ahead in this dynamic market.