CANFOR SOUTHERN PINE ANNOUNCES LOCAL EXPANSION
January 9, 2013 – Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Canfor Southern Pine, headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, today announced plans to expand its existing facility in Conway. Canfor is a manufacturer of dimension lumber and specialty southern yellow pine products. The company is making a 3.6 million dollar investment to their current facility that will create 56 new jobs. Canfor currently has 182 employees in Horry County.
“One reason we decided to expand our facility in Conway and invest in Horry County because of the quality of the workforce here. We have been pleased with the quality of the employees and low turnover rates in Horry County. In addition to that we were impressed with the incentive package we were offered by the MBREDC and Brad Lofton’s team. These two things helped make the decision to expand here possible,” said Debbie Sand, Canfor Director of Human Resources.
Canfor, headquartered in Vancouver, BC has been in business in Horry County since March of 2006 when it acquired locally owned New South Companies. The Conway facility located on Highway 501 Business was built in 1957. This location was one of four lumber manufacturing facilities acquired by the company in 2006. New South’s corporate office and trucking division were also part of the purchase. Canfor is a nationally recognized name in the lumber industry and supplies companies like Lowes and Home Depot with their lumber stock. Canfor plans to install a continuous kiln system to increase its lumber drying capacity at the facility by 50 percent. The expansion is expected to be complete by mid-July of this year.
Canfor’s decision to expand in Horry County is estimated to generate a $9.6 million annual economic impact to the area. It also brings the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation total jobs announced to 458 since January 2012. The average hourly wage for the new positions will be well above the current community average. New employees hired can expect a competitive salary and benefits package, and will be hired to work in manufacturing related positions.
“A major part of our mission with the Myrtle Beach Regional EDC is to not only bring in new businesses to the area but also to take care of our existing industries like Canfor. More than 80 percent of announcements made come from existing businesses within the community. We are proud to have the opportunity to help yet another local business expand and create more jobs,” said MBREDC Chairman, Doug Wendel.
The MBREDC, South Carolina Department of Commerce and Horry County Council all came together in support of this project.
“The agribusiness and forestry products sectors have been part of the South Carolina economy for centuries. Canfor’s expansion is another sign that those industries remain strong in the Palmetto State. This expansion also creates jobs that will have an impact in Horry County and throughout the region,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
“It’s exciting to see another South Carolina company decide to increase its operations right here at home. We celebrate Canfor Southern Pine’s decision to invest $3.6 million and create 56 new jobs in Conway. Announcements like this one show that our state’s business-friendly climate and skilled workers are helping companies succeed and grow in the Palmetto State,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
About CANFOR
Canfor Southern Pine has deep roots in the lumber industry of the south. The Wall, Sledge, Singleton, and Campbell families joined together with their diverse backgrounds in the forest products business to build a sawmill near Conway, SC in 1957. Joe Singleton became the President of the Company and headed up the business until his death in 1985 at which time he was succeeded by his son Mack. During 1983 a new modern sawmill was built in Camden, SC. Later, in 1992, a molding and finger-jointed stud facility was constructed in Marion, SC and in 1999 the company acquired a third sawmill facility in Graham, NC. In 2007, a fourth sawmill was purchased in Darlington County.
Over the years, New South built treated lumber facilities at both the Conway and Camden sawmills. They also developed a common carrier trucking company under the name of New South Express that operates over 50 trucks.
For more information about the company, please visit:
http://www.canfor.com/our-products/canfor-southern-pine
SOURCE: Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation