Solar Atmospheres opening first Southeastern facility in South Carolina
October 1, 2014
GREENVILLE, SC – Solar Atmospheres, a leading commercial heat treating company, is establishing its first Southeastern operations in South Carolina to better serve customers in the automotive and aerospace-rich region. The company’s more than $15 million investment will create 11 new jobs in the area.
Solar Atmospheres is one of the world’s largest providers of commercial vacuum heat treating services. The newest division of Solar Atmospheres will be operating out of 54,000 square feet of manufacturing space at 108 Progressive Court in Greenville. The facility is located on a 14-acre site south of Greenville near the intersection of I-85 and I-185, which is within a one-day trip from most industrial centers in the Southeast.
“This is a major expansion for our companies with an investment in excess of $15 million including building, property, new vacuum furnaces, and a facility-wide closed-loop water cooling system to ensure continuous uptime for our customers,” noted Roger Jones, Corporate President of Solar Atmospheres. Mr. Jones also expressed appreciation to the Greenville Area Development Corporation, the Upstate South Carolina Alliance and the South Carolina Department of Commerce for helping to make the announcement possible.
“Greenville was selected because of its logistical convenience to current and prospective customers, and the favorable business climate in South Carolina and especially in the Greenville area,” added Steve Prout, President of Solar Atmospheres Southeast.
“With this announcement we are once again proving that South Carolina is a place where businesses of all kinds can grow and succeed. We celebrate Solar Atmospheres for choosing Greenville County for their new facility, bringing $15 million in investment and creating 11 new jobs for the area,” said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Vacuum furnaces and support equipment are currently being scheduled for installation and startup. Furnace sizes will range from vacuum furnaces capable of supporting small production lots and development work to a 24-foot car bottom furnace for processing large, heavy loads. Process capabilities will range from standard vacuum heat treating to vacuum carburizing, vacuum annealing, vacuum stress relieving, vacuum brazing, and other specialized vacuum thermal processes as well as research and development activity.
“Companies that serve our growing automotive and aerospace sectors are quickly finding a home in South Carolina,” noted Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “What a testament to our business-friendly reputation that Solar Atmospheres will bring their first facility in the Southeastern United States to Greenville.”
Company representatives expect the Greenville facility to open by the end of the first quarter of 2015. The company operates three existing facilities in the United States: two in Pennsylvania and another in California. Solar Atmospheres today serves more than 18 industries, including aerospace, medical, automotive and power generation.
“Solar Atmospheres is an outstanding example of a company that is using world-class technology, unmatched technical expertise and performance-based processes to grow and succeed,” said Richard (Dick) Wilkerson, Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation. “Theirs is a technology-driven business with an entrepreneurial energy, and will be a great addition to Greenville County.”
“The Upstate region is primed to support innovation and growth among cutting-edge partners serving the automotive and aerospace industries. This area is home to a growing array of research-driven, technically advanced organizations whose expertise continues to fuel our regional economy. We welcome Solar Atmospheres to the Upstate,” said John Lummus, President and CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance.
Hiring will begin in January. Those interested in being a part of the new Solar Atmospheres Greenville team may visit the company’s careers page. For more information about Solar Atmospheres Southeast, please contact Steve Prout at (864) 970-0111 ext. 1401, or [email protected].
The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a non-profit organization established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County. Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 17,500 new jobs and more than $3 billion in capital investment in Greenville County, SC. To learn more, visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008.
