National Watersports Equipment Manufacturer Confluence Announces Expansion in Upstate
August 24, 2011
GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC – August 24, 2011 – The South CarolinaDepartment of Commerce and the Greenville Area Development Corporationtoday announced that Confluence Watersports, a leading manufacturer andmarketer of kayaks, canoes and paddle sports accessories, will move to a new facility in Greenville County and expand its operations. The morethan $13 million investment is expected to generate 72 new jobs over the next five years.
It was important for us to consolidate our teams and all operationsinto one building while at the same time providing for expansion. Thenew Greenville facility allows us to retain our workforce and gainefficiencies across the organization that will translate back intoinvestments for our aggressive growth plan, said Sue Rechner, president and CEO of Confluence Watersports. This site will also help usachieve an important goal of providing a better quality of work life for our team. We’re excited to grow our business in the Upstate andappreciate all the support we’ve received from state and localofficials.
Confluence Watersports will consolidate two operations, amanufacturing facility and a distribution facility, into one building.The company’s new facility will be located in 300,000 square feet of abuilding previously occupied by Hitachi at 575 Mauldin Road. The moveis expected to be completed by the end of year.
It’s exciting to see one of our existing businesses expand, and wecelebrate the new jobs Confluence Watersports will create. Announcements like this show that South Carolina is on the right track in encouraging investment and job creation, said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Since January, the S.C. Department of Commerce has been involved in recruiting more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs.
South Carolina is home to a range of manufacturing companies, bothlarge and small. Confluence Watersports’ decision to grow its footprintin our state is another sign manufacturing continues to thrive in ourstate, said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.
Confluence Watersports’ decision to invest in Greenville County isthe result of a true team effort, added Chris Riley, chairman of theGreenville Area Development Corporation, noting that support from theCity of Greenville, Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and UpstateSC Alliance were also instrumental in landing therelocation. Confluence is a long-standing quality corporate citizen ofthe Upstate, and their relocation into expanded quarters in the formerHitachi facility will create quality jobs for our citizens whileaffirming that manufacturing will continue to thrive in our state.
The company plans to begin hiring for the new positions in September. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company can send aresume to Human Resources, Confluence Watersports, 111 Kayaker Way,Easley, S.C. 29642 or [email protected], or contact the McAlister Square One-Stop located at 225 S. Pleasantburg at 864-467-8080 or visit www.sconestop.org.
Confluence Watersports is the result of blending multiple uniquewatersports brands: Wilderness Systems®, Perception®, Dagger®, and WaveSport® kayaks, Mad River Canoe®, Adventure Technology® paddles, BomberGear and Harmony® accessories. With a full representation of canoes, and kayaks ranging from touring and recreational to high-performancewhitewater boats, the Confluence brands are well suited to outfit allpaddling enthusiasts. For more information about the company, visit www.confluencewatersports.com.
The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a non-profitorganization established by Greenville County Council to promote andenhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County. Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation ofmore than 12,000 new jobs and more than $2.3 billion in capitalinvestment in Greenville County. To learn more, visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008.
