Southern Weaving Expands Manufacturing Operations, Workforce  in Greenville County

$1.5 million capital investment, addition of jobs strengthens

company’s position in industrial woven products industry

Greenville County, S.C. – June 30, 2010 – Southern Weaving Company CEO Ron Mohling and the Greenville Area Development Corporation today announced the company’s investment and expansion at its Greenville, S.C. manufacturing facility, including an estimated $1.5 million capital investment by the company, and the relocation or addition of about 20 positions to Greenville this summer.

Southern Weaving Company specializes in the design, development and manufacture of industrial woven products including nylon, cotton and polyester webbing. The material produced by Southern Weaving is primarily used for cargo restraints, safety harnesses, sling webs, and hydraulic hose sleeves and other containment applications.  The company is also a leading supplier of cotton transfer belts, serving the domestic and international markets including China.

“This initiative, already underway, will improve and expand our manufacturing capabilities and efficiencies in Greenville County,” said Mark Isbell, Vice President of Operations for Southern Weaving. “It will expand our capacity to serve customers globally as economic conditions continue their rebound over the next several years.”   

The expanded Greenville facility, located at 1005 West Bramlett Road, will benefit from the addition of equipment and talent from Southern Weaving’s ISO 9001:2000 certified Easley facility that is being consolidated into the Greenville operation, Isbell noted.  “We are currently in process of relocating those employees and equipment from Easley to Greenville, which will provide improved efficiency and productivity for both our operations and our customers,” he added.

The expansion, expected to be fully complete in July, will leave Southern Weaving Company facilities in Anderson, SC and in Ontario, Canada, in addition to the expanded Greenville operations.  Southern Weaving currently employs in excess of 175 associates in all locations, including over 160 in South Carolina. Even though most of the recent positions have been filled with associates transferring to the Greenville facility, the Company anticipates gradual hiring over the next several months as the economic recovery continues. Persons interested in job opportunities should visit the local employment office for more information or submit their resume to jobs@southernweaving.com.  

“Southern Weaving would like to thank Greenville County and the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) for their support in helping plan and execute this effort,” Isbell added.  “The GADC was particularly instrumental in helping us realize the value of investing and growing our organization within Greenville County.” 

Founded in Greenville in 1924, Southern Weaving Company has a long and storied history, and an even-brighter future, noted Rick Guarnaccia, VP of Sales and Marketing.  “From cotton webbings used by Ford Motor Company in Model-T’s to military tapes during World War II, and seat belt webbing in 1950s-era automobiles to our current line-up of high strength narrow fabrics used for engineered specialty applications, Southern Weaving has continued to change proactively by serving our customer base with superior products and service. This initiative is another important step for our organization, and we’re happy to take that step right here in Greenville County.” 

“Southern Weaving Company is a market leader in the production of industrial webbing. We’re delighted that they have selected Greenville County for this expansion,” said Jo Hackl, Chairperson of the Greenville Area Development Corporation. “As a home-grown manufacturer with innovative processes, an expansive customer base, and a history of success, the company is a valued member of our business community, and a reaffirmation that specialty manufacturing can thrive and succeed in South Carolina.”