CONBRACO INDUSTRIES CHANGES TO AALBERTIS INTEGRATED

April 6, 2021

Aalberts Industries N.V. has reached agreement with the management of Conbraco Industries, Inc. to acquire 100% of the shares. Conbraco Industries in the United States is a leading manufacturer of a complete package of bronze, brass, steel and stainless steel valves and a range of backflow preventers sold mainly in the commercial, industrial and consumer market (retail) under the strong brand name “APOLLO^®“ Valves. The acquisition will be effected after finalizing all formalities and approvals, which is expected mid July 2010.

Conbraco Industries, “APOLLO^®“ Valves, is a key player in the North American market for ball valves, safety, relief and check valves, strainers and a new patented range of stainless steel and casted backflow preventers for the commercial and fire protection markets. Additionally the company has a strong position in the industrial market with US made steel and stainless steel valves. Towards the consumer products market Conbraco Industries offers different product lines and a complete service through a separate business unit.

With more than 1,000 employees Conbraco Industries generates an annual revenue of approximately USD 200 million. Conbraco Industries operates three manufacturing facilities in South Carolina: two in Pageland and one in Conway. The head office is based in Matthews, North Carolina.

Conbraco Industries was founded in 1928 by Clarence Mosack, grandfather of the current generation. The Mosack family has led the company for three generations. The President of Conbraco Industries, Glenn Mosack, and his management team will remain with the company and are motivated to realize the market opportunities together with the Aalberts Industries Flow Control companies within the United States and Europe

Based on three strong brands, the “APOLLO^®“ Valves together with EPC^® (Elkhart Products) metallic fitting range and the LASCO^® Fittings’ plastic fittings and other products, Aalberts Industries Flow Control can realize a more complete offering to the residential, commercial, consumer market, fire protection and industrial market in North America. The specification, sales and distribution channels of these three organizations will be working together to realize a strengthened and focused sales approach per market segment

The “APOLLO^®“ Valves range consists of many products which can also be sold through the existing sales and distribution network in Europe, where Aalberts Industries is present with own sales organizations in almost every country. Especially the product program of safety, relief and check valves and backflow preventers for commercial buildings is an extension of the portfolio in Europe.

Additionally Conbraco Industries’ product portfolio for the industrial sector opens new markets in Europe. There are many opportunities for cross-selling which can be jointly developed which will strengthen the market position in Europe. The dedicated management and sales approach and experience of Conbraco Industries’ business unit Consumer Markets gives a lot of potential in the future by introducing European product lines and concepts through the existing channels in the United States

Conbraco Industries uses production technologies - especially the casting of bronze, steel and stainless steel products in all kind of different dimensions - which Aalberts Industries does not operate in Europe and gives new possibilities of product development for present and new markets. On the other hand the European experience of automated machining and assembly can be used to optimize the manufacturing of Conbraco Industries. Also joining the procurement of especially raw materials can increase Aalberts Industries’ profitability.

Conbraco Industries’ results will make a direct contribution to earnings per share and are expected to be consolidated with effect from July 2010. The acquisition will be financed from credit facilities.

LETTER FROM THE SBA REGARDING COVID-19

March 27, 2020

We at the SC SBDC are aware that you, our small businesses, are being seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please be assured we are here to help you. The SC SBDC is fully operational and available to you via online, phone and email during this time of need. Reach out to your consultant for any assistance you need to mitigate issues you are facing and persevere through this crisis. If you are unsure of who to contact, click on this link for SC SBDC contacts by county. 

The situation is changing rapidly, and we realize you are being inundated with messages. You can trust the SC SBDC to filter incoming correspondence and relay to you information that directly impacts your small business. We are updating our website throughout each day to reflect the latest guidance. You can find this plus additional information and resources to help you manage your business and address issues related to COVID-19 at 

https://www.scsbdc.com/covid-19.

Governor Henry McMaster has announced that South Carolina is now designated as a federal disaster area. Therefore, the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application is now open to business owners in all of South Carolina’s 46 counties. To be eligible, businesses must meet the SBA requirements of a small business (typically 500 employees or fewer) and be adversely affected by COVID-19. For details about the EIDL program, visit https://www.scsbdc.com/covid-19-eidl. To save time and frustration, we encourage you to contact one of our consultants to guide you through completing the loan application - we are trained to do this. 

U.S. SBA Administrator, Jovita Carranza, announced today that the agency is automatically deferring existing SBA disaster loans through December 31, 2020, to help borrowers during this unprecedented time. In addition, they are changing the terms of new economic injury loans to allow for one-year deferments. 

In addition to providing private consulting services, we are also currently working on further expanding our online capacity in order to best serve your small business. This will include training sessions on critical topics related to managing your business during this situation.

The SC SBDC is here to help keep South Carolina’s Main Streets alive. Ask us. We can help.

2018

Southern Current launching new solar project in Chesterfield County

July 17, 2018

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Southern Current, a leading developer in the residential, commercial and utility-scale solar markets, is expanding its solar farm portfolio with a new facility in Chesterfield County. The company is investing $100 million in this latest project.

Southern Current is an owner and developer of utility-scale solar energy facilities across the southeastern United States. With an in-house team of development professionals, the company manages projects from site selection and origination through construction and operation.

For more information on Southern Current, visit www.southerncurrentllc.com

QUOTES

"Southern Current is excited to be working with Chesterfield County. The economic development team has been a strong supporter of the growth of clean energy, and we're excited to become part of the community. These types of partnerships are continuing to show the country what makes our state so great!" -Southern Current Chief Development Officer Paul Fleury

"Our approach to creating a business-friendly environment for all types of companies continues to pay off, and Southern Current's new investment in Chesterfield County is a testament to that. I look forward to seeing the impact that the renewable energy industry will continue to have in the region and across the state." -Gov. Henry McMaster

"The renewable energy market is increasingly a major driver of South Carolina's economy, and today's announcement in Chesterfield County is proof of that. I congratulate Southern Current on this latest $100 million project and wish them continued success." -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

"Chesterfield County is excited to welcome Southern Current's solar farm facility. This $100 million project represents a significant investment from a leading company in the solar energy market. Our county is and will continue to be an attractive place for new businesses to locate and existing businesses to prosper and grow." -Chesterfield County Council Chairman Al Johnson

"On behalf of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) executive committee, I would like to congratulate Southern Current and Chesterfield County. This is Southern Current's second announcement in as many days, and their significant investment shows that our region is a great place to invest and grow." -NESA Executive Committee Chairman Sen. Luke Rankin, Esq.

FIVE FAST FACTS

Southern Current is launching new solar operations in Chesterfield County.

$100 million of capital investment.

Southern Current is a leading owner and developer of residential, commercial and utility-scale solar projects across the southeastern United States.

The company manages projects from site selection and origination through construction and operation.

For more information on Southern Current, visit www.southerncurrentllc.com.

2016

NESTLÉ CELEBRATES WITH COMMUNITY

April 19, 2016

Several years of planning, followed by a year of construction, three months of employee training and test runs, in addition to seven weeks of production, culminated in the ribbon-cutting last Thursday and a grand opening Saturday of the Nestle Waters bottling plant.

Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed the festivities at the grand opening of the facility, which is located one-half mile southeast of McBee on S.C. Highway 151.

This free family-friendly event included tours of the new facility, a barbecue and hotdog lunch, face-painting and ice cream, in addition to prize drawings.

Four score guests from the local area, including state, county and municipal office-holders, in addition to leaders from public education, the private sector and the media were on hand at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Nestle Waters North America President and Chief Executive Tim Brown, who has been with the company for 30 years, flew in from Connecticut and mingled with the guests for a couple of hours.

Since late February, the plant, which is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has been shipping bottled water to wholesale distribution centers throughout the Carolinas and neighboring states.

Fifty-nine full-time employees were hired, which is about 30 percent more than the projected 45 jobs in the initial planning. According to plant manager Tom Strowe, a little over half, or 33, of these employees reside in Chesterfield and Darlington counties, while three-fourths of the employees live within a 60-mile radius of the plant. The annual payroll is about $2 million with wages and a benefit package in the top quarter of the area work force within a 60-mile radius.

The four-and-one-half acre plant was constructed on a 60-acre tract that is part of the new 497-acre Alligator Industrial Park. Based on demand, a range of 60-100 truckloads of bottled water is departing the plant daily for regional distribution.

During the year-long construction phase, there were about 310 jobs with a direct labor income of about $10.3 million, an average of $33,000 per employee.

The usage from the Swift Springs site will average about 216,000 gallons per day for the regular water processed line at the McBee plant, while Nestle is buying an additional daily average of 288,000 GPD from Alligator for the purified water line.

Nearly $400,000 in annual property taxes is expected to be generated annually for the local government and school district. The approximate breakdown will be $126,500 for the county coffers and $272,000 for Chesterfield County School District.

CONBRACO $10.9 MILLION EXPANSION MOVING FORWARD

April 19, 2016

Chesterfield County Council unanimously approved an ordinance at last Wednesday’s meeting that authorized a property tax incentive and infrastructure improvement package to aid Conbraco in its expansion of its distribution center in Pageland. This economic development is projected to create 62 jobs and $10.9 million of investment within five years, bringing the total employment of Conbraco’s Pageland facilities to about 300 jobs.

The tax incentive would establish a fee payment to the county in lieu of property taxes, the provision of revenue credits and other related matters in the joint industrial park with Lancaster County.

These incentives have become standard procedures by state and local governments to help convince private businesses, including Titan Stainless and Nestle Water, to locate to those government entities.

In addition to its distribution center, Conbraco, a privately-held company that was founded in 1928, operates a foundry and plant in Pageland that manufactures brass valves and fittings under the Apollo trademark. Headquartered in Matthews, N.C., the company has supplied product to 118 total projects worldwide in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

In other financial business, council also unanimously approved the perfunctory first readings of the 2016-17 budgets for the four rural fire departments and the 2016-17 general fund budget for operation of the county government.

The first readings of all budgets were duplicates of the current year’s financial plans that total $20.13 million, which includes the general fund ($16.5 million), all fire districts ($251,000), capital equipment ($890,000), grants ($62,000), E911 ($375,000), victims’ assistance ($48,000) and road maintenance ($2 million).

In related business, based on the recommendations of Public Works Director Tim Eubanks and Finance Director Michelle Stanley, with the concurrence of County Administrator Denise Douglass, council unanimously agreed to purchase two dump trucks from the Florence Truck Center totaling $339,400 and a roll-off truck from the Florence Truck Center for $192,778.

Council also approved the purchase of a new John Deere motor grader from Flint Equipment for a net cost of $57,811. The original purchase price of $239,436 was offset by a trade-in and buy-back.

Following a short executive session in which council discussed potential legal matters regarding Eagle Construction and the construction of the animal shelter, council took no action.

Prior to adjournment later that afternoon, council conducted a 2016-17 budget planning session where council heard financial presentations from the various departments for which council provides oversight, including elected positions such as sheriff and probate judge and appointed positions such as voter registration/elections and public works.

2015

NESTLÉ WATERS

August 25, 2015

Dear Friends,

I’m excited to announce that Nestlé Waters is partnering with SC Works, ReadySC and McBee High School to hold two job fairs this month:

• Wednesday, August 26 from 8 a.m. – noon and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at SC Works, 1319 S 4th Street in Hartsville
• Saturday, August 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McBee High School, 264 E Pine Ave in McBee.

We are looking to hire a variety of positions including production operators, forklift/loader operators, maintenance mechanics, team coordinators, raw material handlers, and dock coordinators. In order to be eligible for these positions, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Manufacturing experience is preferred. You must be willing to submit to a drug screen/background test and be willing to work any shift, including weekends.

Please bring an updated resume to the job fair and apply online at www.nestlewaterscareers.com/south-carolina for positions of interest prior to attending the job fair. If you are unable to attend a job fair, you many still apply for a position at www.nestlewaterscareers.com/south-carolina.

In addition to the good news about the job fairs, I’m pleased with the progress that is being made on our new bottling facility. Workers have started painting the outside, added skylights and much more!. Here are a few recent photos: