Posted August 11, 2015

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gerber Childrenswear LLC, a marketer of children's apparel, is constructing a new distribution center in Berkeley County, S.C. The $33 million investment is expected to create 45 new jobs over the next five years, according to the S.C. Dept. of Commerce.

 

"Gerber Childrenswear is thrilled to invest in Berkeley County and to work with Rockefeller Group and MWV on our new facility, as we continue our relationship with the Charleston Port Zone,” said Gerber Childrenswear LLC President and CEO Gary Simmons. “The investment in this new facility is one of our largest to date and reflects our commitment to South Carolina and plans for future growth. This facility will service our traditional retail accounts but also be built to handle direct-to-consumer purchases, reflecting growth in e-commerce. We appreciate the strong support by the county and state in this strategic investment."

 

The company's new, state-of-the-art distribution center in Berkeley County will be located in The Rockefeller Group – MeadWestvaco Foreign Trade Zone, a joint-venture of The Rockefeller Group and WestRock Land and Development (formerly MWV). Located in close proximity to Interstate 26, the 477,000-square-foot facility will provide Gerber Childrenswear with convenient access to the Port of Charleston, as well as South Carolina's network of five interstate highways, allowing the company to serve its growing customer base in North America and around the globe.

 

Established in 1980, Gerber Childrenswear is based in Greenville, S.C., with offices in New York City and Bentonville, Ark. Providing a wide variety of everyday apparel for a child's needs, some of the company's licensed brands include its flagship brand, Gerber®, as well as Jockey®, NFL® and New Balance®. Proprietary brands include Onesies® and Always Baby®. Included in Gerber Childrenswear diverse product offerings are everything from layette, sleepwear, playwear and sports-related apparel to undergarments, hosiery, bibs and bedding, as well as cloth and reusable diapers.

 

Anticipated to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2016, hiring for this facility is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2016.

 

"It's always exciting when a company like Gerber Childrenswear decides to create new jobs in our state,” said S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley. “This $33 million investment in a new distribution center and the 45 new jobs it will create will have a real impact on Berkeley County and in the Lowcountry. We look forward to supporting Gerber Childrenswear as they continue to grow and thrive in our state."

 

Source: S.C. Dept. of Commerce