Statement on Infrastructure from Sonoco CEO Jack Sanders

Today, I want to publicly thank the vast majority of the House and Senate for passing a comprehensive infrastructure bill as well as swiftly overriding its veto this week. I want to specifically thank House Speaker Jay Lucas and Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, who both led this effort from the beginning, and with overwhelming support from both legislative bodies have finally moved it across the finish line.

The business community has been working to support a comprehensive solution for our infrastructure for many years. This bill’s passage is truly a victory for all South Carolinians, who value safety, economic development and job creation. Each day Sonoco has more than 225 truckloads of freight in and out of our largest manufacturing operation in Hartsville. Annually, our trucks travel more than 5.6 million miles, so we know a bit about the poor shape of South Carolina’s infrastructure.

But, this infrastructure discussion was not just about money for us. Our associates travel the state’s roads every day, many of them on rural roads to get to our headquarters in Hartsville and our facilities in Columbia, Greenville, Greer, North Charleston, Spartanburg and Union. Today, we took a step toward improving their travel safety, and that means a great deal to us.

I often remind Sonoco associates about the difference between management and leadership. Management is about doing things right, but leadership is about doing the right things. The General Assembly has shown great leadership, and the business community thanks them.