Gov. Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Marlboro County Council, Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership and the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) have announced ECAPS Corp., a manufacturer of “green” building materials, will locate its new operations in Marlboro County.
The company plans to invest at least $3.4 million and expects to generate at least 150 new jobs over the next five years, with the potential of more jobs and investment added during that time.
“ECAPS Corporation is pleased to announce our intent to locate our aluminum composite panel fabrication, distribution and customer service center in Marlboro County, South Carolina. Within the next three and a half years this decision will result in the development of 150 highly skilled new jobs and a capital investment of more than $3.4 million. Our stockholders have committed themselves unreservedly to this endeavor and they join me in making certain that no effort is spared in the timely commencement of the final phase of this important project,” said Steen Frandsen, CEO of ECAPS.
ECAPS Corp., a start-up “green” building materials aluminum cladding business, will locate its new manufacturing and distribution facility in Marlboro County in an existing manufacturing complex located at 239 Maple Street in Bennettsville. The company will engineer, manufacture and distribute customized solutions for aluminum composite cladding for new and old buildings from this new plant.
“It’s so exciting to see this kind of multi-million dollar job creating investment in Marlboro County,” said Gov. Haley. “We’ve said all along that we’re going to bring jobs to every part of South Carolina, and that’s exactly what we’ve done during our first 100 days.”
“This announcement is another win for South Carolina, and one of our state’s rural areas in particular. We appreciate ECAPS Corp.’s decision to do business and create jobs in the Palmetto State. This announcement was the result of a team effort and provides another example of the results we can achieve by working together at the state and local levels,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.
ECAPS expects to begin ramping up its initial operations in a temporary setting while the complex is being readied for their occupancy. Limited manufacturing is expected to commence in the second quarter of this year.
Jacquiline Huard, co-founder and chairwoman of the ECAPS Board of Directors, said that the community of Marlboro County and the PeeDee would benefit from the continuing educational programs and curriculum. “The unique commitments to quality sets us apart from our competition and help build a strong foundation with our customers, our employees and the community at large.”
“The County Council is excited to welcome ECAPS Corp to Marlboro County,” said Marlboro County Council Chairman Ron Munnerlyn. “The 150 plus jobs that ECAPS is bringing to our county are critically important to our residents and the health of our community. It is equally rewarding to be able to announce this in the context of the revitalization of the dormant Boro Wood Products Complex. ”
“For many years, this site was a vital part of our community. The ECAPS project will return this location to its former glory – creating jobs and revitalizing the immediate vicinity of the facility,” said Dr. Carolyn Prince, Marlboro County Council vice chairwoman and representative of the council district in which the ECAPS site is located.
“On behalf of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance, I would like to welcome yet another green industry to Marlboro County. ECAPS Corporation has a bright future ahead of it,” said state Senator J. Yancey McGill, NESA chairman. “The same teamwork that brought it to the region will help it be successful here. I am encouraged by the announcement of this project and the recent announcement of Carolina AAC. It looks like Marlboro County is developing a cluster that is on the cutting edge of the green building materials industry. I look forward to watching ECAPS grow in Marlboro County.”
