South Carolina's Manufacturing Sector Grows as Elite Electronic Systems Expands

Elite Electronic Systems, a contract electronics manufacturer announced on Oct. 22 that it is expanding its U.S. operations, headquartered in Fairfield County. The company will relocate from its 30,000-square-foot facility in Winnsboro to the 50,000-square-foot speculative building in the Walter Brown II Industrial Park.

"This expansion demonstrates that South Carolina has laid the groundwork necessary to encourage investment and growth among our existing businesses. Our state's focus on the fundamentals such as keeping taxes and regulatory burdens low and maintaining a highly skilled workforce are working to attract new jobs and investment," said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor.

The company, based in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, opened Elite ES in Winnsboro in 2006 primarily to supply Caterpillar in Newberry, S.C. This expansion project provides the additional capacity the company needs to continue to supply Caterpillar as well as other customers in the future. Hiring is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2011 and details will be released at a later date.Five year plan calls for 100 jobs, $2.5 million capital investment