COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 18, 2010 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Greenville Area Development Corporation announced that SAATI Americas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Italy’s SAATI Group S.p.A., will establish its new U.S. Composites and Protection division operations and certain distribution operations in Greenville County. SAATI’s investment is expected to generate more than 80 new jobs within the next few years.
The company has purchased and plans to immediately begin renovations to a formerly vacant 260,000-square-foot facility, located at 201 Fairview Street Ext. in Fountain Inn, which was formerly owned by KEMET Electronics. Renovations will include extensive facility modifications and installation of new production and R&D equipment.
“This expansion is a critical component of SAATI’s global corporate strategy and symbolizes our commitment to bring SAATI’s world-class engineered materials and technical support to structural composite and protective armor product manufacturers in the Americas,” said Alberto Novarese, president of SAATI Group S.p.A. “Greenville County offers us a robust business environment and talented workforce to draw on, and Fountain Inn is a receptive community with a readily available building that is well suited to our needs. We look forward to beginning operations in the Upstate, and thank Greenville County, the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), the city of Fountain Inn, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Their support helped make this important SAATI expansion in North America possible.”
“SAATI Americas is a global leader in the advanced materials sector specializing in producing materials used in a wide range of applications from medical to ballistic protection. This announcement strengthens our state’s reputation as a leader in attracting advanced manufacturing and serves as a testament that our skilled workforce and business-friendly climate are working to attract new investment and jobs for South Carolinians. We congratulate SAATI on its investment in South Carolina and wish the company much success in its endeavors here,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“Greenville County is pleased to welcome SAATI Americas to our impressive family of technologically advanced companies,” noted H.G. “Butch” Kirven Jr., director for the Greenville Area Development Corporation and chairman of Greenville County Council. “As a leader in producing high quality textile and chemical products for the automotive, aviation, and advanced materials industries, they will provide good career opportunities for Greenville area citizens. SAATI’s decision to locate here is the result of a well coordinated effort locally and at the state level.”
“We’re pleased that SAATI recognized the many advantages that Fountain Inn and Greenville County offer their company,” said Eddie Case, city manager for Fountain Inn. “As an innovative organization with global opportunities in numerous industries, we’re pleased to welcome SAATI as the newest member of the Fountain Inn business community.”
“SAATI is a global advanced textiles and engineered materials company that develops and manufactures materials for printing, micro-filtration, light-weight protective armor and structural advanced composite applications, and exactly the type of organization we want to attract to Greenville County,” said Jo Hackl, chairperson of the Greenville Area Development Corporation. “This announcement strengthens our position as a destination of choice for advanced materials manufacturers, and we are pleased to welcome them to Greenville County.”
About SAATI
SAATI is a global advanced textiles and engineered materials company that develops and manufactures products for printing, micro-filtration, light-weight protective armor and structural composite applications. The company is currently a leading provider of engineered materials to structural composite and protective armor product manufacturers in Europe. Founded in 1935, in 2010 SAATI celebrates its 75th year worldwide and more than 20 years in the USA. Additional information about the Company and its businesses and products is available at www.saati.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic development professionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs and investments and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has been recognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economic impact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009 and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award from Business Facilities magazine. Southern Business & Development also awarded the S.C. Department of Commerce the “Deal of the Year” for the 2010 SB&D 100. Commerce received the recognitions for Boeing’s selection of North Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant to support the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investment recruitment, the agency provides a range of business support services and offers grants for community development and infrastructure improvements. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
SC Department of Commerce
1201 Main St., Suite 1600
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-1998 direct
(808) 737-0894 fax
There are no comments
Please login to post comments