Volvo supplier Gnotec investing $5.9M in new Orangeburg County operations

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Automobile component manufacturer Gnotec Group is investing $5.9 million to locate its first U.S. operations in Orangeburg County, a move expected to create 78 jobs.

Gnotec, which specializes in the engineering and manufacturing of metal components for chassis structures, has operations in China, Slovakia and Sweden. Among its clients it counts Volvo Cars, which just began full production on the S60 sedan at its new plant near Ridgeville in September.

"We at Gnotec Group are excited to take the next step in our development to support our global customers by adding operations in the United States,” Gnotec Group CEO Joergen Oldenstedt said in a news release. “We are very satisfied with Orangeburg County's great logistics position, as well as South Carolina’s growing automotive industry, skilled workforce and excellent support for our establishment.”

The company will establish production, expected to come online in the first quarter of 2019, in a 30,000-square-foot facility at 152 Regional Parkway in Orangeburg. Hiring is slated to begin later this quarter.

“We are grateful and honored that Orangeburg County has been selected by Gnotec for their first North American location,” Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright said. “Gnotec is a leading Scandinavian company that will support nearby Volvo Cars.”