South Carolina Manufacturing Secures New Investments; Charleston Trophy Office Building Sold

By Eliza Theiss, Associate Editor

Austrian-headquartered Constantia Hueck Foils LLC, a company present in South Carolina since 1997, is set for an expansion that will increase both its production facility as well as its workforce. According to an announcement made by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the $12 million investment will increase Constantia’s current facility, located at 1111 Northpoint Blvd. in Blythewood, by 15,000 square feet.

Groundbreaking for the expansion is set for April, with an expected finishing date of October 2013. Construction is handled by an unnamed local contractor. The expansion will also create 15 new jobs, with hiring set to start during the summer. The Vienna, Austria-based company specializes in the development and production of high-performance packaging for the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Another major boost to the South Carolina manufacturing industry was recently given by Miami-based Essex Holdings Inc. by announcing plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Marion County. The global resources company declared an investment of $54.4 million and 215 new jobs. The new facility is expected to be operational before the second quarter is out.

As of January 2011, South Carolina had recruited more than $8 billion in capital investment and more than 21,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

In other news, The Post and Courier recently reported the $24 million sale of Charleston’s newest office building. Located at 25 Calhoun St. in Charleston’s downtown, the property was sold by Concord Park Charleston LLC to CMB Property Co.’s 25 Calhoun CMB LLC.

The trophy-grade office building is currently 93 percent occupied and offers leases for $35 per square foot. The four-story property opened in 2011 with an $18 million price tag. It features a variety of sustainable design elements.

Image courtesy of GoogleMaps

Chart courtesy of Colliers International