Marlboro Co. brick company announces new expansion, jobs

MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Palmetto Brick announced Wednesday during a news conference at the Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership office that the company is expanding and creating more jobs at its site in Wallace.

The company is automating its operations and investing $5,000,000 in an additional 25 jobs.

Palmetto Brick is also building a new robotic packaging system that will make it one of the most technologically advanced brick manufacturers in the United States, officials said.

“This new packaging system means that none of our bricks will be touched by human hands until the brick mason puts them into the wall” states Vice President of Palmetto Brick, Kevin Light.

“We already had one plant that was fully robotic but this new project gives both of our plants this awesome technology,” Light added.

“This new packaging system makes us one of the few brick manufacturers in the Country that has two plants that are both packaging robotically” stated President Andy Rogers. “Having been a past Chairman of the Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership, it really makes me appreciate how Marlboro County is dedicated to not only seeking new industries but is steadfast in their support of our existing industry” Rogers added.

Palmetto is one of the largest family-owned brick manufacturers in the Southeast and has been in business for over 105 years. Palmetto Brick has 115 employees company-wide and has an annual capacity of 90,000,000 bricks per year.

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Marlboro County Economic Development Director, Tonny McNeil, said other states were trying to lure Palmetto Brick away from the county, but they worked hard to keep them in Marlboro County.

“We really want the surrounding communities and the world to know that Marlboro County is open for business. So, we now have a real economic development director that’s really serious about economic development. And so, what we are doing here in Marlboro County for economic development. We are creating better opportunities in Marlboro County for everybody,” said McNeil.

Senator Gerald Malloy talked about the hard work of his office along with the county to attract and retain industries.

“Existing industries are the backbone of our local economy. Their success is our success,” said Senator Gerald Malloy.

“Marlboro County is in the business of creating better opportunities for everyone. Available products, abundant infrastructure, and a talented workforce were key components to this announcement. Palmetto Brick has been in Marlboro County for over 105 years and we are going to ensure they’re here for many more years to come.”

Marlboro County Council Chairman, Anthony Woods, expressed his gratitude for Palmetto Brick and their 105 years of commitment to the county.

Woods said the county’s location is key to them recruiting industries.

“Marlboro County is the gateway to everywhere and has acres of opportunity. We are centrally located between I-74, I-20, and I-95 and within a day’s drive of 75 percent of the U.S. population. Marlboro County has a low cost of living which equates to a low cost of doing business which means that any business that is located in our community will thrive. Our economic development garden is growing and bearing fruit. Today’s announcement is the perfect example of that. We were very happy to assist Palmetto Brick with this expansion,” said Woods.

Marlboro County Representative, Patricia Moore Henegan, said 25 new jobs mean a lot to the county’s workforce.

“Marlboro County needs jobs. We need them desperately. There are so many people that don’t have jobs here. And it’s not that they don’t want to work. It’s just the jobs are not here. And we need to work together to bring industry to Marlboro County. No matter what it takes, to get it here,” said Henegan.

Henegan praised county leaders for working hard to bring jobs to the community.

Marlboro County Administrator, Tony Clyburn, said it was a team approach and they’re proud that Palmetto Brick Company chose to stay put in the county.

Clyburn said, “105 years and they’re very important to our community. Very important to Marlboro County Very important to the State of South Carolina. And yes, there were other people courting Palmetto Brick and we realize that. But, again our focus in Marlboro County has been to take care of our existing industry. We’re going to get other industries as well. But, we have to take care of our existing industry in order to build what we have already.”

You can learn more about the new jobs at Palmetto Brick by clicking hereto visit the company’s website.