COLUMBIA, S.C. – Roseburg Forest Products, a privately-owned, integrated forest products company based in the Pacific Northwest, is locating a new engineered wood products plant in Chester County. The development is projected to lead to the creation of more than 145 new jobs.
Employing more than 3,000 people in the United States, Roseburg Forest Products features a portfolio of products that includes lumber, softwood plywood, composite panels, engineered wood, wood chips and more. With a strong focus on environmental stewardship and sustainability, the company markets products to customers throughout North America. It also owns and sustainably manages more than 630,000 acres of timberland in Oregon and California.
Located off Highway 9, six miles east of Chester, S.C., Roseburg’s new Chester County plant will manufacture structural beams used in residential and commercial construction. Hiring for the new positions is projected to begin in spring 2018, and career information will soon be available on Ready SC’s website.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project.
Quotes
“This is an exciting strategic growth opportunity in a business that has done well for us. With the continued increase in housing starts in the southeastern U.S., we see ongoing demand growth for engineered wood products in the region and elsewhere. We are grateful to state and local officials in Chester for their hard work and collaborative efforts to facilitate this project.”
–Roseburg Forest Products President and CEO Grady Mulbery“Our state’s workforce has proven that it’s one of the best in the world, and that’s why we know a company like Roseburg Forest Products will succeed here. When a company chooses to call South Carolina home, we commit to having its back every step of the way, and we’re excited to see what the future will hold for this new partnership.”
–Gov. Henry McMaster“South Carolina continues to see its manufacturing and agribusiness sectors grow and create jobs. Roseburg Forest Products’ new investment builds on our state’s success in those sectors and strengthens our global reputation. I congratulate Chester County on this tremendous news, and we look forward to what the future has in store for this community.”
–Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt“Chester County is excited beyond belief with the announcement of Roseburg Forest Products’ investment. When you look at Roseburg Forest Products’ history, you know that Chester County is getting a first-class industrial customer in the community. Today is a big win for Chester County, Roseburg Forest Products and its customers.”
–Chester Development Association Chairman Mike Enoch“Roseburg Forest Products’ decision to build a structural beam plant in South Carolina is a vote of confidence in the state’s sustainable forest resource and industry. South Carolina’s forests contain the most timber ever recorded, and the productivity of our forest industry and forestland is world-class. We are pleased to have another top-quality company like Roseburg join our state’s forestry community and help it grow beyond its current $21 billion economic impact.”
–State Forester Gene Kodama“The South Carolina I-77 Alliance welcomes Roseburg Forest Products to Chester County and the I-77 region. Roseburg has become an industry leader through its commitment to its employees, customers and community. In Chester County and South Carolina, Roseburg has found a location that matches their core values, especially their Handshake Integrity. We look forward to Roseburg Forest Products’ successful and profitable integration into Chester County and the I-77 region.”
–I-77 Alliance President and CEO Rich Fletcher
Five Fast Facts
- Roseburg Forest Products is locating a new engineered wood manufacturing plant in Chester County.
- New development will create more than 145 jobs.
- Based in the Pacific Northwest, Roseburg Forest Products offers a diversified portfolio of wood products with a focus on sustainability.
- Roseburg Forest Products’ new Chester County plant will manufacture structural beams used in residential and commercial construction.
- Hiring for the new positions should begin in spring 2018, and interested applicants should visit Ready SC’s website.
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 BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Toray and Volvo Cars 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. In three of the last five years, IBM-Plant Location International reports ranked South Carolina first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, per capita. 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.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alex Clark
Deputy Director of Marketing & Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-0685
aclark@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com
-###-
