Jun 10, 2010 - A Paris-based manufacturer expects to spend $1.4 million to increase operations at its Travelers Rest plant.
Saint-Gobain Abrasives plans to close its Arden, N.C. plant and consolidate it with its Travelers Rest site on Wilhelm Winter Court, according to Bill Seiberlich, spokesman for the company.
The consolidation will result in the addition of two new businesses and new production equipment, the company said.
Saint-Gobain is the largest global abrasive supplier. Its North America brands include Norton, Carborundum, Merit and Winter.
Saint-Gobain Abrasives is part of Saint-Gobain, the world's largest supplier of building materials, and is a leader in the production of high-performance materials and glass containers.
The Travelers Rest plant produces superabrasives, industrial diamond and cubic boron nitride products used in precision manufacturing in the aerospace, automotive, bearing and other markets.
Robert N. Smith, general manager of Industrial Superabrasives North America, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, said the expansion in Travelers Rest will help the company "meet customer demand for our products and better position us in the marketplace."
A Carolina Investment Fund grant from Duke Energy was instrumental in the company's decision to expand in Travelers Rest, according to Jo Hackl, chairwoman of the Greenville Area Development Corp.
It was "the result of a true team effort," she said.
O'Neal, Inc., a Greenville-based integrated design and construction firm, will design and construct the two new additions for the Saint-Gobain expansion.
The company expects to break ground on the project this month, with plans to begin adding equipment in July.
Seiberlich said there might be "a very modest" increase in new employees, but most of the employees coming in due to the expansion will likely be those from the Arden facility.
Saint-Gobain Abrasives also operates a manufacturing facility in North Charleston, has a joint venture in Fountain Inn and distribution offices in Conway, Hanahan and West Columbia.
"As an innovative global manufacturer, this company is a valued member of our growing and progressive community, "said Travelers Rest city administrator Dianna Turner.
"We look forward to their continued success her," she said.
The company has manufacturing capabilities in 39 countries.
