Hickory Springs Bottling, Inc. Expanding Calhoun County Operations
March 25, 2015
Florida’s Largest Privately-held Bottled Water Firm Acquiring, Expanding Existing Calhoun County Operations
COLUMBIA, SC – Silver Springs Bottled Water Company, a bottled water manufacturing firm, is acquiring and expanding Hickory Springs Bottling, Inc.’s existing Calhoun County operations. The $16.3 million investment is expected to generate 37 new jobs over the next five years.
Established in 1986, Silver Springs Bottled Water Company was purchased by its existing owners, the Richmond family, in 1991. Since that time, the company, headquartered in Marion County, Fla., has become the largest privately-held bottled water firm in the state of Florida. In an effort to continue to expand its footprint beyond the Sunshine State, Silver Springs is acquiring the existing Hickory Springs operations in Calhoun County.
“The Silver Springs Bottled Water group of companies is pleased to announce the acquisition and expansion of Hickory Springs Bottling, Inc. We are excited to build on the foundation that has been established by Rick Stewart and his team at Hickory Springs Bottling. The positive environment established state of South Carolina, Calhoun County, and the Central S.C. Alliance were a key factor in making the timing and location of this expansion right, ” said Silver Springs Bottled Water CEO Kane Richmond.
The spring, which supplies the Calhoun County operations, was initially discovered in the early 1800s by a British naturalist. It flows to the surface from a 33-million-year-old aquifer. The existing bottling facility is located at 347 Old River Road in Elloree, S.C. To expand operations, Silver Springs will be adding new high-speed bottling equipment. Hiring for the new positions is expected to begin in the next several weeks. Those interested in applying for open positions may contact SC Works.
“The fact that Silver Springs Bottled Water has decided to expand the Hickory Springs operations in Calhoun County is a real reason to celebrate in South Carolina,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
FIVE FAST FACTS
- Silver Springs Bottled Water is acquiring and expanding Hickory Springs Bottling Water, Inc.’s existing Calhoun County operations.
- $16.3 million investment creating 37 new jobs.
- Silver Springs Bottled Water was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Marion County, Fla.
- The expansion is being achieved with a 60,000-square-foot addition to the existing facility located at 347 Old River Road in Elloree, S.C.
- Those interested in applying for open positions may contact SC Works.
About Silver Springs Bottled Water Company
Silver Springs Bottled Water Company was founded in 1986 and the Richmond Family purchased the company in 1991. Driven by the market’s demand for water as a beverage and with the customer as the controlling officer, Silver Springs Bottled Water Company has quickly become Florida’s largest privately held bottled water company. For more information, visit www.ssbwc.com.
