Posted October 20, 2014

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sigmatex, a manufacturer of carbon fiber textiles, has selected Matthews Industrial Park in Orangeburg County, S.C., as the location for its next facility.

 

The company will invest $12 million initially and create 50 jobs over the next five years. Sigmatex’s investment in Orangeburg County is one of the largest capital investment projects the company has undertaken, it said. The facility – the fifth manufacturing facility in Sigmatex's global system – is scheduled to be in operation by mid-2015 to begin supplying its North American customers.
 

“We are very excited to be building our latest manufacturing facility in South Carolina,” said Sigmatex CEO Scott Tolson. “This will be our second, and largest, in North America, representing a major step in our commitment to global expansion. Sigmatex will continue to invest in technology, capabilities and capacities to ensure we satisfy the growing demands of our current and future partners across the globe. We believe this facility will enable us to meet any foreseeable future market requirements and ensure we are prepared to continue to support the supply chain in delivering the growth requirements in the aerospace and automotive sectors. We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with the state and local officials and to further supporting our expanding customer base with carbon textile solutions."

 

Aerospace hotbed

 

Sigmatex, which supplies the aerospace and automotive industries, adds to the growing number of aerospace-related companies that call Orangeburg County home. Its announcement marks the first company to locate in the John W. Matthews Industrial Park. The new 75,000-square-foot facility will be located on 20 acres at the entrance to the park. In order to meet the company’s future expansion goals, the facility will be constructed so that it can be expanded to 150,000 square feet and eventually up to 450,000 square feet to accommodate the prospective growth in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Locating in the South Carolina Global Logistics Triangle (I-26, U.S. 301 and I-95) aligns with Sigmatex’s strategic plan to expand into new targeted markets, the company said. This facility, along with its sister facilities, will give Sigmatex the ability to offer its customers a product that is made locally.

 

“We couldn’t be more excited that a company like Sigmatex has chosen Orangeburg as the location of their fifth manufacturing facility – it’s great news for the local community and the hardworking people who live there,” said S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley. “With an investment of $12 million and the creation of 50 new jobs, Sigmatex will further strengthen our reputation as a place where manufacturers of carbon fiber not only want to be but can grow and succeed for many years to come.”

Hiring for the 50 positions is expected to begin in May 2015.

 

Sigmatex at a glance

 

From global locations, Sigmatex supplies spread tow, 2D woven, unidirectional, multiaxial (non-crimp), 3D textiles and recycled fabrics across a broad range of industries. Sigmatex's capability converts millions of pounds of carbon fiber each year for major projects that require high levels of quality and reliability. Sigmatex works with customers to create carbon fiber textiles that meet various requirements, including fiber orientation, crimp, drapeability, thickness and resin permeability.