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Columbia Business Monthly

The Business Narrative: New Investment in Dorchester County

Dec 02, 2022 05:26PM ● By David Dykes

KION North America Expanding in Dorchester County

KION North America, a member of the KION Group, announced plans to expand operations in Dorchester County. The company’s estimated $40 million investment will create approximately 450 jobs.

KION North America is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial trucks. The company’s brands, Linde Material Handling and Baoli, serve the specific requirements of the North American market with a comprehensive and complementary product portfolio known for innovative technologies, low energy consumption, and low operating costs.

Headquartered at 2450 W. 5th Street in Summerville, KION North America is reshoring the manufacturing of core components including forklift masts. The company is also adding assembly lines that will involve the installation of crane systems, automated weld systems, new paint facilities, and more.

The expansion is expected to be complete in 2024.

“We are proud to be investing in South Carolina, particularly in Dorchester County,” said KION North America President and CEO Jonathan Dawley.

“Both the state and county have been excellent partners in this process. The KION Group is highly committed to expanding in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and believes customers deserve products customized for these markets. We look forward to reaching more customers with our full-scale traditional lift truck portfolio and custom solutions such as automation, telematics and fleet management.”

Michelin Announces Price Increases

Michelin North America, headquartered in Greenville, is announcing price increases across its brands up to 9 percent on select passenger and light truck, on-road and mining commercial products and service offers. 

These increases will be effective on orders invoiced starting Jan. 1, 2023, in the United States and Canada. 

Price changes may vary across specific products, channels and countries within each brand portfolio.  

Accelecom Names New CEO

Accelecom, a leading fiber-based broadband provider, announced that Brad Kilbey has been appointed CEO to advance its carrier-grade business services.

Kilbey joins Accelecom just over one month following the company’s acquisition of Georgia Public Web (GPW), expanding Accelecom’s reach into Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

“As Accelecom ramps up new services in the GPW territories and continues to unleash business innovation and economic development in Kentucky, Brad brings vast experience and vision to guide the next phase of the company’s exciting journey,” said Andrew Ancone, managing director for Macquarie Capital.

“I want to thank David Flessas for his leadership in building Accelecom from the ground up as a pre-start-up to become a modern success story for its customers, partners, and employees.”  

A 20+ year veteran of the telecom industry, Kilbey most recently was senior vice president of sales for Zayo Group, where he was responsible for leading global strategy for revenue and network expansion. He also was responsible for reinforcing relationships with global public sector, healthcare, education, and transportation clients.

FNB Corporation Unveils New ATMs in South Carolina

FNB Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced the continued expansion of its physical delivery channel with the addition of nearly 300 new ATM locations in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Upon completion, FNB's overall ATM network will grow by more than 30 percent, with over 1,200 ATMs available throughout the bank's multi-state footprint.

The newest ATMs in FNB's network are featured in high-traffic locations, including Harris Teeter, Spinx convenience stores and other prominent retailers.

Nearly 100 new machines in South Carolina and 150 additional locations in North Carolina significantly expand FNB’s geographic coverage while improving its delivery channel throughout the region.

Coupled with FNB’s innovative digital solutions, led by its proprietary eStore, the strategic ATM access is intended to supplement the company's branch network and ensure customers have convenient access to cash and banking services.

FNB expects to soon operate more than 100 branches and provide customer access to approximately 450 ATMs in its total network in North Carolina and South Carolina, including the retail locations it will add through its planned acquisition of UB Bancorp.

“A unique combination of physical touchpoints and digital tools provide FNB's customers with flexibility and choice when it comes to managing all aspects of their banking relationship,” said Vincent J. Delie Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of FNB Corporation and First National Bank.

“Our ATM strategy and eStore rollout are efficient ways for us to augment our physical delivery channel and increase our reach to serve even more members of our communities in the Carolinas.”

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