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Universal Trade Solutions Inc. (UTS), along with its affiliate Fraley & Schilling Inc. (F&S), today announced a new manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility in the former Jacobs Applied Engineering Building in Orangeburg County. The $10 million investment is expected to generate 100 new jobs.
“Having the right location is crucially important to the success of operations, and Orangeburg County is that great location. Orangeburg County had a building available to suit our needs, and also provided us with access to a rail spur and close proximity to a major port in Charleston. We look forward to bringing our operations online and appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said John McCracken, president of Universal Trade Solutions.
Baltimore-based UTS recently bought an 110,000-square-foot warehouse in Orangeburg that has 12 cranes rated from 5 tons up to 30 tons, and forklifts with hauling capacities of between 12,000 and 55,000 pounds.
“We’re excited to welcome Universal Trade Solutions Inc. and F&S to our state’s business community and we celebrate the commitment to create 100 new jobs. Announcements like this show that we are doing the right things to promote economic development in South Carolina,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
With the new site, UTS and F&S will start by servicing up to 10 customers in the Southeast, all metal companies, and are looking to secure business with automotive customers. The company will also perform metal processing for larger steel firms.
“South Carolina provides an excellent location for companies trying to reach markets throughout the Southeast and along the East Coast. This announcement is another indication of that,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.
Proximity to the Port of Charleston was a deciding factor in locating in South Carolina, according to company officials.
“Our strategic plan calls for tripling cargo moving through South Carolina’s ports over the next 20 years,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “That translates into an increasing need for this kind of private sector leadership and investment in landside infrastructure development, particularly distribution and logistics services.”
In Baltimore, UTS primarily handles aluminum, carbon flat-rolled steel, steel bar products, tinplate and stainless steel products. In Orangeburg, 15 percent of the metals business will be export and import activity.
“Today, we are elated to celebrate that Universal Trade Solutions has chosen Orangeburg County as home. We look forward to the job creation and economic growth that this company will provide for Orangeburg County and surrounding areas. It is indeed a great day in Orangeburg County,” said Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr.
Central SC Alliance Chairman Jim Apple said, “We welcome Universal Trade Solutions and its subsidiaries to Orangeburg County and the Central S.C. Region. We are excited to have this new manufacturing facility processing steel products and distributing goods nationally as well as to the world via the Port of Charleston. Job creation is the key to improving the quality of life in Central South Carolina and Orangeburg County.”
“We are very excited to have Universal Trade Solutions here in Orangeburg County,” said Orangeburg County Development Commission Board Chairwoman Jeannine Kees. “We have many wonderful assets that make us a great place to do business—from our extensive transportation infrastructure to our large pool of skilled labor. We also have a terrific economic development team who is doing a great job for the people of this region.”
The South Carolina Department of Commerce provided a Rural Infrastructure Fund grant worth $500,000 to the company, and the company was approved for job development credits.
Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact the Orangeburg SC Works/One-Stop or e-mail jesseroyer@universaltradesolutions.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. This year, Commerce won the Gold Shovel Award and the Deal of Year Award from Area Development magazine. Commerce has been part of recruiting world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. Commerce also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and offers grants for community development. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
