Manufacturer Announces New Upstate Plant

Illinois-based McLaughlin Body Company announced Monday it plans to build a new plant in Anderson County, creating 250 new jobs.

The $22 million facility, to be located at 5121 Old Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson, will supply a new Caterpillar facility in Georgia, company officials said.

McLaughlin Body Company, based in Moline, Ill., is a manufacturer of operator protection systems, including cab enclosures and metal components for construction, military, agriculture and other heavy-duty vehicles.

At a ceremony Monday attended by Gov. Nikki Haley, company officials said they expect to add the 250 jobs over the next five years.

“The search for a new location was extensive and we felt South Carolina and Anderson County was the best choice for us,” said John Mann, president of McLaughlin Body Company, in a news release. “Our new location provides our company an excellent opportunity for business development in this region of the country. South Carolina also provides a great business environment and with the excellent training resources provided by the state, we are confident of being able to access the required skilled workforce that we need for our products."

"We celebrate the company’s decision to invest $22 million and create 250 new jobs in Anderson,” said Haley. “Today’s announcement is the result of Team South Carolina’s efforts.”

Since January 2011, South Carolina, which Haley has touted recently as the "it" state for new or expanded manufacturing investment, has recruited more than $8 billion in capital investment and more than 21,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

The company expects the new plant to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2014. The new facility will create employment opportunities for a variety of skilled manufacturing and technical positions including engineering, robotic weld programming, and welding.

The company will phase in hiring for the new positions as it ramps up to full production with various product introductions over the next several years. The initial hiring will commence in the third and fourth quarters of 2013, and the company will partner with readySC for recruitment and training for the new operation.