Halton invests $2.6 million to establish a new manufacturing facility in Anderson

Finland-based Halton MEI USA has chosen Anderson County as the site of its first manufacturing facility in South Carolina.

The organization is leasing a 39,000-square-foot space at 120 Exchange Logistics Park Drive in Piedmont. The Class A industrial building features immediate access to I-85 and 11 dock door locations.

Company officials said Anderson County's location makes it ideal since it provides access to major highways, which will help facilitate the movement of products and resources. The Anderson facility marks the company's 15th manufacturing unit.

Founded in 1969 in Finland, Halton Group operates in nearly 40 countries globally. Aulis Koivisto, director of Strategic Business Development, said, "Halton Marine has been in the USA for four years already, but we have been importing all the goods and products we are selling here."

Koivisto mentioned that it's becoming increasingly difficult to import goods from abroad. He explained that many customers are interested in utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act and Buy America, which requires a manufacturing presence in the United States.

"Obviously, when we are building or performing all the value-adding operations closer to our customers, it will reduce our emissions, waste, and energy usage by not exporting things," he said.

"The decision to establish the Anderson facility reflects Halton’s commitment to serving global and local customers in North America," according to Sami Piirainen, Halton Marine’s managing director.

"It also aligns with our growth strategy, especially for the green transition to support our customers’ needs for local supplies and local content," he said. "We have identified great growth potential across all our segments in America.”

Halton MEI designs, manufactures, and delivers indoor environment products, including marine, energy, and heavy industry environments. This new facility will serve Halton’s clients in America's marine, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

The $2.6 million investment will create 65 new jobs.

"This year, we will employ about 20 people in total," according to Samuel Monn Halton, MEI USA SBU director. "However, we expect to grow quickly, and by 2028, we expect this number to grow to more than 65 employees."

Operations are expected to be online in August 2024, Halton said.

"A soft opening is targeted for the end of August," he said. "We will be planning a larger grand opening' for Q1 of 2025 and anticipate inviting internal, state, regional, and local leaders who have helped make this project possible at that time."

Anderson attracting numerous companies

Over the years, Anderson County has attracted numerous companies, contributing to the city’s success as a manufacturing hub, increased local employment, and positive economic impact.

According to a recent report from the S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce , Anderson County's skilled labor force has contributed to the job market's growth. Industrial engineers, technologists, laborers, supervisors, machinists, and technicians are among the Top 20 occupational openings in Anderson County.

The average annual wage for employees in the manufacturing industry is $61,048.

Halton to partner with vocational schools

Halton would like to form partnerships with vocational schools such as Tri-County Tech, which they say are positioned to help source local skilled talent but are also in a position to help develop curriculums for programs and certifications they may need.

"After evaluating several options, Anderson was chosen due to its dynamic business environment and the availability of skilled labor," Piirainen said.

Here is what you should know about Halton MEI USA.

Anderson County awarded Set-Aside Grant

Anderson County Council was awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to assist with the costs of building improvements for Halton's Upstate location.

According to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Set-Aside Program assists companies in locating or expanding in South Carolina by providing road or site improvements and other costs related to a business location or expansion.

A set-aside grant is a form of financial assistance administered by the South Carolina Coordination Council for Economic Development. The Coordinating Council evaluates each project on a case-by-case basis and may award a grant depending on the project's needs.

It is the council’s primary business development tool for assisting local governments with road, water/sewer infrastructure, or site improvements related to business location or expansion.

"As indicated in the performance agreement of the CCED Grant, we will use the grant award to assist with building improvements and, through its use, agree to abide by the county procurement process that requires us to go through a competitive bid process," Piirainen said.

"Our plan is to submit reimbursement to the county for work associated with internal network wiring, which is required for our need for fiber internet and access/security control, which are requirements from the industries we work in," he added.

What is Halton MEI, and what do they do?

Halton MEI USA Inc. is a globally renowned, family-owned company that offers indoor air solutions to clients in nearly 40 countries. The organization designs, manufactures, and delivers indoor environment solutions for commercial and public buildings, healthcare institutions, laboratories, professional kitchens, restaurants, energy production, heavy industry environments, and marine vessels.

Their product range includes room and cabin air conditioning, kitchen and galley ventilation, airflow management and outdoor intake, air handling, fire and smoke safety equipment, and central vacuum systems. These products are designed to ensure safe and comfortable conditions in productive indoor environments, help with efficiency, and comply with sustainable principles.

"Through our products and solutions, our target is to reduce our customers' environmental impact by optimizing energy usage, providing safety, and extending the lifetime of the assets," Piirainen said.

What to know about Halton's Anderson Facility?

Halton's Anderson facility will serve clients in the Marine, Energy, and Infrastructure sectors across the U.S. This strategic location will enable Halton to provide faster and more efficient services.

"The initial products will consist of a variety of different types of dampers (blast, fire, pressure relief, etc.) for these market segments," Halton said. Examples include specialized applications for cruise ship cabin ventilation, government projects for the USN and USCG, onshore/offshore oil, gas, and wind platforms, nuclear facilities, and subway tunnels.

How does Halton put their employees first?

Summers in South Carolina can be long, hot, and humid. "At Halton, we prioritize the well-being of our employees by ensuring that our manufacturing areas are fully climate-controlled and as comfortable to work in as our office environments are important to us," Halton said.

Halton's manufacturing processes involve metal cutting, bending, and welding.

"It is crucial for us to consider factors such as air quality in the manufacturing areas," Monn said. "To achieve this, we use air diffusion, localized fume extraction, and high-end welding equipment to ensure that our employees are not negatively affected by the byproducts of our welding processes."

What to know about Halton's community involvement?

With the assistance of the Upstate Alliance and the Anderson County government, Halton is joining organizations such as the Anderson Chamber of Commerce, local SHRM organizations, and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

"Anderson County is pleased to welcome Halton to our international family of industries," said Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator . "They are the first company from Finland to establish a presence in our community, and we look forward to working with them for years to come."

Photographer Ken Ruinard contributed to this article.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Halton invests $2.6 million to establish a new manufacturing facility in Anderson