Tech-Wood picks Greenwood

December 31, 2005

From staff reports

Greenwood County gets a late Christmas present today, and a positive jumpstart to the economic outlook for 2006. Tech-Wood, a Dutch manufacturer of wood composite materials, announced today that it will invest $150 million and create between 200-250 jobs in Greenwood County. At least 90 percent of those jobs will come from the area’s workforce, company sources say. The company uses a patented technology to manufacture wood composite materials that are used in such products as decking, railing systems, siding and a variety of other building materials. Tech-Wood Nederland BV is known as the market leader in wood-plastic composites in Europe, with its patented wood composite containing a high percentage of wood fiber, making it less dependent on scarce and expensive petroleum distillates. Tech-Wood USA LLC will purchase the Moore Business Form building and an adjacent 30 acres to construct a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, with construction targeted for late January. The company plans to have production up and running by late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2006. “Our administration is committed to making the business climate more attractive for companies to create opportunity and raise income levels for South Carolinians,” Gov. Mark Sanford said. “We’re working to accelerate the pace of growth in our economy by targeting companies that diversify our economy and generate investment and jobs for our state.” “Tech-Wood executives chose Greenwood because of its business-friendly environment, willing and well-trained workforce, abundance of raw materials and a well-coordinated statewide, team effort,” said Willem Boltong, president of AIM International, site consultants for the project. “From the initial visit to the final selection, the S.C. Department of Commerce provided us with expertise and project management. The active recruitment of this company through meetings and numerous phone calls by local leaders, our congressional delegation and Gov. Mark Sanford’s office finally convinced Tech-Wood to locate its new start-up in Greenwood.” Tech-Wood is a combination of wood fibers and additives enhanced to make a durable building product with a longer lifespan than traditional wood products. In fact, the panels can be recycled up to four times, according to company sources. And with the emergence of sustainable building practices, Tech-Wood will be a new player in a growing niche market of environmentally friendly products that are virtually maintenance-free and maintain functionality over time, the company says. “Our state’s abundant timber resources provide us with a competitive advantage and I’m glad we were able to recruit a progressive company like Tech-Wood to South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith. “With the growth of green building products and sustainable design in our state, as well as throughout the entire United States, Tech-Wood is exactly the type of leading-edge, technology-based manufacturer we’re eager to bring to South Carolina as we strive to diversify our economy and build on our growing clusters.” “We are pleased with the new jobs Tech-Wood will bring to Greenwood, as well as the development of a construction materials cluster that will create spin-off products used in the building and recreation markets,” said Robbie Templeton, chairman of Greenwood County Council. “Utilizing Gov. Sanford’s industry cluster research, we saw a unique opportunity to maximize Greenwood County’s natural resources. Building upon an existing industry base the county will capitalize on the growing housing and new construction market in the Southeast.” U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, whose congressional district includes Greenwood County, lauded the work done to bring the new industry to Greenwood. “I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in bringing the over-200 new jobs to Greenwood County, especially the Greenwood County Council. I applaud their aggressive approach to rectify the high unemployment rate. I was honored to be part of the recruitment team and I look forward to continuing similar efforts throughout the Third District in 2006.” For information about the company, go to www.tech-wood.com.