Jan. 22--Suminoe Textile of America, a subsidiary of Japan-based Suminoe Textile Co., announced Thursday it plans to invest $6.5 million to expand its operations in Cherokee County and create 50 new jobs.
The company will open a new manufacturing facility in a large industrial building off Victory Trail Road, less than two miles from the company's plant in the Meadow Creek Industrial Park. That plant will be converted into a needle punch carpet facility.
Cherokee County's jobless rate in November was 16.5 percent, the 16th-highest rate in South Carolina, according to the state Employment Security Commission.
"We're absolutely delighted at their expansion," said Ben Clary, Cherokee County administrator. "They were the first Japanese operation that we had in this county when they landed here in 2003. I've had the pleasure of working with some super people associated with their operation."
STA produces environmentally friendly seat coverings, flooring and throw mats for automotive manufacturers, including Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co.
Its parent company's profits have been hit hard by the global economic downturn. As a result, Suminoe's executive leadership made the decision last year to restructure its automobile seat coverings business with a special focus on STA.
"We are excited about this expansion," Satoru Kuninaka, president of STA, said in a statement. "Cherokee County has provided an excellent business environment for us, so we are pleased to continue growing our operations here. The new facility will allow us to add capacity and meet growing demand from our customers and clients."
Clary applauded the efforts of county officials who have worked hard to bring in jobs to replace losses from the disintegrating commodities textile industry.
"We've fought hard to make this happen," he said. "That's not to say that we're there now. We still have high unemployment, and jobs are at the front of our minds."
The company said it expects to begin hiring for the new positions in late February and March.
