North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Industrial truck manufacturer Kion North America will expand its operations in Dorchester County, S.C., with a $40 million investment that will create about 450 local jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
Based in Summerville, S.C., Kion is expanding to expand manufacturing of core components for its trucks, including forklift masts. The construction project will include assembly lines that will involve the installation of crane systems, automated weld systems and new paint facilities, and more.
“We are proud to be investing in South Carolina, particularly in Dorchester County. Both the state and county have been excellent partners in this process,” Kion North America’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Dawley said in a statement. “The [Kion] Group is highly committed to expanding in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and believes customers deserve products customized for these markets. We look forward to reaching more customers with our full-scale traditional lift truck portfolio and custom solutions such as automation, telematics and fleet management.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2024.
“Thanks to our state’s exceptional workforce and business-friendly environment, global leaders like KION Group are finding success here and driving our economy forward. Congratulations to KION North America on this latest expansion,” said Governor Henry McMaster.