Industrial truck maker Kion North America will invest an estimated $40 million to expand its South Carolina operations, state and company officials announced earlier this month.
The Summerville plant expansion is slated for completion in 2024 and will further the company’s aim of “reshoring the manufacturing of key components including forklift masts,” according to a release. The company will also add new assembly lines including automated weld systems, crane systems, paint facilities and more.
The expansion is part of the Summerville-based manufacturer’s efforts to expand in the North American market.
“The KION Group is highly committed to expanding in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and believes customers deserve products customized for these markets,” President and CEO Johnathan Dawley said in a statement. “We look forward to reaching more customers with our full-scale traditional lift truck portfolio and custom solutions such as automation, telematics and fleet management.”
South Carolina’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $500,000 grant to assist with site preparation and construction, as well as an undisclosed number of job development credits related to the project.
Kion said the expansion will generate around 450 jobs, however, the company did not respond to an inquiry on the types of new positions that will be created.
