Gerber Childrenswear establishing Lowcountry operations
August 5, 2015
Company investing $33 million to construct new distribution center in Berkeley County
BERKELEY COUNTY, SC – Gerber Childrenswear LLC, a leading marketer of children’s apparel, is constructing a new distribution center in Berkeley County. The $33 million investment is expected to create 45 new jobs over the next five years.
Established in 1980, Gerber Childrenswear is based in Greenville, S.C., with offices in New York City and Bentonville, Arkansas. Providing a wide variety of everyday apparel for a child’s needs, some of the company’s licensed brands include its flagship brand, Gerber®, as well as Jockey®, NFL® and New Balance®. Proprietary brands include Onesies® and Always Baby®. Included in Gerber Childrenswear diverse product offerings are everything from layette, sleepwear, playwear and sports-related apparel to undergarments, hosiery, bibs and bedding, as well as cloth and reusable diapers.
The company’s new, state-of-the-art distribution center in Berkeley County will be located in The Rockefeller Group – MeadWestvaco Foreign Trade Zone, a joint-venture of The Rockefeller Group and WestRock Land and Development (formerly MWV). Located in close proximity to Interstate 26, the 477,000-square-foot facility will provide Gerber Childrenswear with convenient access to the Port of Charleston, as well as South Carolina’s network of five interstate highways, allowing the company to efficiently serve its growing customer base in North America and around the globe.
“Gerber Childrenswear is thrilled to invest in Berkeley County and to work with Rockefeller Group and MWV on our new facility, as we continue our relationship with the Charleston Port Zone. The investment in this new facility is one of our largest to date and reflects our commitment to South Carolina and plans for future growth,” said Gerber Childrenswear LLC President and CEO Gary Simmons.
Anticipated to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2016, hiring for this facility is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2016. Those interested in joining the Gerber Childrenswear team at the new facility should contact [email protected] December 1, 2015. For more information on the company, visit www.gerberchildrenswear.com.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to the project.
“It is with great excitement that we welcome Gerber Childrenswear here to Berkeley County, where Berkeley County means business, and Berkeley County is open for business. Berkeley County is proud to support Gerber Childrenswear and their work to serve young families throughout Berkeley County, South Carolina and the world. Our commitment is to assist Gerber Childrenswear in job creation opportunities and additional business opportunities for many years to come,” said Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler.
FIVE FAST FACTS
- Gerber Childrenswear is establishing distribution operations in Berkeley County.
- $33 million investment creating 45 new jobs over the next five years.
- Headquartered in Greenville SC, the company was established in 1980.
- The company’s new 477,000-square-foot facility will be located in The Rockefeller Group – MeadWestvaco Foreign Trade Zone in Berkeley County.
Those interested in joining the Gerber Childrenswear team should contact [email protected] after December 1, 2015.
About Gerber Childrenswear
Gerber Childrenswear LLC is a leading socially responsible marketer of children’s everyday basic/fashion apparel and related products which it offers under some of the world’s trusted brands. Licensed brands include our flagship brand, Gerber®, as well as New Balance®, Jockey® and NFL®. Proprietary brands include Onesies® and Always Baby®. The company sells layette, sleepwear, playwear, undergarments, accessories, hosiery, bibs/burp cloths, bath and bedding, as well as reusable and cloth diapers, to all channels of distribution. For additional information about the company, please visit www.Gerberchildrenswear.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Volvo Cars, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. Commerce partners with the S.C Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. Consistently, South Carolina has ranked as one of the top states in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International and FDI Markets reports. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012, 2014 and 2015. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com. ~
