Cummins Technical Center Charleston Announces Expansion in Charleston County
November 16, 2011
More than $24 million investment expected to create 31 new jobs
COLUMBIA, SC – November 16, 2011 – Cummins Technical CenterCharleston, a designer and tester of diesel engines and parts, todayannounced plans to expand its operations in Charleston County. The morethan $24 million investment is expected to generate 31 new jobs.
“The expansion nearly doubles capacity at this site withstate-of-the-art facilities to enable testing on diesel, natural gas and biofuel engines and help the company in its drive to be the innovationleader in the industry,” said Jim Trueblood, vice president – CumminsHigh Horsepower Engineering. “We are excited to be able to partner withthe state of South Carolina and expand our testing facilities right here in North Charleston.”
“A package put together by state and local officials, access to askilled workforce and community amenities capable of drawing skilledworkers in the future all played an important role in our decision,”said Gary Johnson, operations manager, Cummins Technical Center. “Having a company facility that could be renovated was an important factor aswell.”
Cummins Technical Center Charleston is a research and developmentcenter. The center focuses primarily on diesel engine technology butalternate fuels technology is an important part of their work as well.
“It’s exciting to see another South Carolina business succeed and buildon its presence here. We celebrate Cummins’ decision to expandoperations in Charleston County and create 31 new well-paying jobs,”said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Since the beginning of the year, South Carolina has recruited more than$3.3 billion in investment and more than 11,000 new jobs in themanufacturing sector.
“South Carolina’s manufacturing sector continues to grow and createwealth. Cummins has been an important part of the South Carolinabusiness community for years, and this announcement is anotherindication of the company’s commitment to our state,” said Bobby Hitt,Secretary of Commerce.
Cummins has operated in the region for more than three decades. Cumminshad previously announced expanded operations in Charleston in July 2008.
“As one of Charleston County’s most long-standing corporate citizens,Cummins has been a major employer in our community for the past 30years. This exciting news concerning the growth of the Technical Center in North Charleston is a gratifying testimonial to the company’s faithin our workforce,” said Charleston County Council Chairman TeddiePryor. “The Cummins Technical Center provides cutting edge automotiveR&D careers that are the envy of any community, and the expansion of this critical facility grows our regional ‘brain power.’ CharlestonCounty is proud to be a partner with Cummins, and we look forward tosupporting this expansion team for many years to come.”
“We thank Cummins Technical Center for their continued commitment todoing business in North Charleston. Cummins’ research and developmentfacility is a catalyst to our advancing high tech economy,” said NorthCharleston Mayor Keith Summey.
“A long-standing automotive manufacturer in the Charleston region,Cummins’ addition of these high-quality, high-paying research anddevelopment jobs is a testament to our thriving knowledge economy,” said Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman, R.M. Singletary.“Smart companies like Cummins are using innovation as a key driver ofeconomic growth and we’re pleased to celebrate their continuedinvestment in our community.”
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved the companyfor job development credits, which will be available when hiring targets are met.
The company will begin hiring for the new positions immediately. Anyoneinterested in job opportunities with the company should apply throughMonster.com.
About Cummins
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation ofcomplementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute andservice engines and related technologies, including fuel systems,controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electricalpower generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Ind., Cumminsemploys approximately 40,000 people worldwide and serves customers inapproximately 190 countries and territories through a network of morethan 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations andapproximately 6,000 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.0 billion onsales of $13.2 billion in 2010. For more information, please visit cummins.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, theDepartment of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. This year, Commerce won the Gold Shovel Award and theDeal of Year Award from Area Development magazine. Commerce has beenpart of recruiting world-class companies to South Carolina such asBoeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW andGoogle Inc. Commerce also supports small and existing business, ruraldevelopment initiatives and offers grants for community development. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
