Carolina Canners, Inc. expanding Chesterfield County operations

October 19, 2016

Latest Expansion To Bring $45 Million Investment And Create 40 New Jobs

An independent Pepsi bottler and production cooperative, Carolina Canners, Inc., is expanding its Chesterfield County operations. The $45 million capital investment is expected to generate 40 new jobs.

Operating in Cheraw, S.C. since 1968, Carolina Canners has expanded its South Carolina operations multiple times over the last 40 years. The facility specializes in bottle injection molding and features two bottle-filling production lines, two can-filling production lines and a fountain syrup production line. The company also serves as a joint purchasing agent for many of the region’s other bottlers.

Located at 300 Highway 1 South in Cheraw, Carolina Canners’ facility will be expanded by 45,000 square feet. Additionally, the company will be adding new, state-of-the-art equipment capable of hot-fill. The new hot-fill line will be used primarily to produce the Pepsi-Lipton Tea Partnership’s fast-growing Pure Leaf, a premium iced tea brewed from real tea leaves.

Hiring for the new positions will begin in the second quarter of 2017, and those interested in joining the Carolina Canners team should visit the SC Works website.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project.

“We are excited to move forward with this investment, which represents a true partnership between Carolina Canners and PepsiCo. For 48 years, the City of Cheraw, Chesterfield County and the State of South Carolina have provided a great business climate for us to operate and compete in, and we look forward to continuing this positive relationship for many years to come.” – Carolina Canners CEO Jeff Stevens

“We are very humbled and proud to be able to make this announcement. This event would not have been possible without many people at Carolina Canners, the Pepsi-Lipton Tea Partnership, Governor Nikki Haley and her staff, the S.C. Department of Commerce, Chesterfield County, the Town of Cheraw, the Department of Transportation, several utility companies and numerous others. This is proof of what can happen when there is a collaborative effort on the part of business and government, as well as a progressive and pro-business climate like there is here in the great State of South Carolina. We hope that this is just the beginning of many future ventures for Carolina Canners and for our affiliates.” –Carolina Canners Board President Mark Avent

“Pure Leaf is one of the fastest-selling products in our portfolio – so fast it’s been hard to keep it on the shelf. As supply has struggled to meet demand, this groundbreaking is a saving grace for Pure Leaf and genuine iced tea lovers in the Southeast. It’s the quintessential win-win scenario: a win for the State of South Carolina, a win for local trade customers and consumers and a win for our expanding alliance with CCI.” –Pepsi-Lipton Tea Partnership Vice President and General Manager Emily Silver

“Carolina Canners is and always has been an asset to our community and its citizens. Chesterfield County thanks Carolina Canners for their confidence in our workforce, and we appreciate their continued investment and support.” –Chesterfield County Economic Development Board Director Kim Burch

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Carolina Canners, Inc. is further expanding its operations in Chesterfield County.
• $45 million investment to create 40 new jobs.
• Carolina Canners is an independent Pepsi bottler and production cooperative.
• Located at 300 Highway 1 South in Cheraw, S.C., the company will be expanding its existing building by 45,000 square feet and adding new, state-of-the-art equipment.
• Those interested in joining the Carolina Canners team should visit the SC Works website when the company starts hiring in the second quarter of 2017.