Eastern Engineered Wood Products Selects Anderson County For First South Carolina Operation

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Eastern Engineered Wood Products, a wholesale distributor of engineered wood products, said it selected Anderson County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation.

The $18.7 million investment will create 31 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

Founded in Pennsylvania in 1998, Eastern supplies engineered wood products to building materials dealers and lumberyards across the East Coast.

The company also provides technical support to customers including product placement drawings, product specification assistance and sales education.

Eastern’s new distribution center, at 110 Milliken Drive in Belton, will service lumber dealers and component manufacturers in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Operations are expected to start later this year with full completion of the project in early 2026. Those interested in joining Eastern should go to the company’s careers page.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to Anderson County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

“Establishing this new location in Anderson County, South Carolina is an exciting next step in our growth and expansion strategy,” said Eastern Engineered Wood Products President Todd Lindsey.

Lindsey added, “We have long recognized the need for our products and services in the Southeast, and the Upstate of South Carolina is the ideal area from which to support that need. Support from the state and local authorities has been tremendous, and we look forward to working together as we grow our operation.” 

Sauer Brands Completes Acquisition by Advent International

Sauer Brands Inc., a scaled platform of leading condiments and seasonings brands, on Feb. 19, 2025, announced the completion of its previously announced transaction in which Advent International, a leading global private equity investor, has acquired Sauer Brands from Falfurrias Capital Partners.

Terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sauer Brands into our portfolio and build upon the success the Company has already achieved to date,” Tricia Glynn, a managing partner at Advent, said in a statement. “Our aspirations are to enable even more consumers to discover and fall in love with Sauer’s brands, including Duke’s Mayo, Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa and Kernel Season’s.”

In connection with the close of the transaction, Sauer Brands also announced that E. Yuri Hermida has been appointed as the company’s chief executive officer, effective March 12.

Hermida brings decades of experience in building and scaling consumer brands, including most recently serving as EVP, chief growth and strategy officer of Constellation Brands, a leading beverage alcohol company.

Hermida previously was president of Sovos Brands, a consumer-packaged food company focused on acquiring and building disruptive growth brands, and as executive vice president of Reckitt, a multinational producer of consumer goods in the health, hygiene and nutrition categories, where he oversaw the company’s multibillion-dollar North American hygiene business.

As previously announced, Todd Lachman, a seasoned consumer packaged goods executive, has joined Sauer Brands as chair of the Board of Directors.

“Now that the transaction is officially complete, we are thrilled to welcome Yuri to drive an ambitious growth strategy in concert with an accomplished leadership team for Sauer Brands,” said Lachman.

Lachman added, “With Yuri’s deep expertise and proven track record in leading and growing multibillion-dollar brands across geographies, we will be well-positioned to catapult Sauer Brands into its next chapter of growth.”

“I am honored to join Sauer Brands at such a pivotal time and am excited to partner with the talented Sauer team and Advent, a proven investor in the global food space," Hermida said.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as lead financial advisor and McGuireWoods LLP served as legal advisor to Sauer Brands.

William Blair & Company, L.L.C. served as co-financial advisor to Sauer Brands. Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal advisor to Advent.

Sauer Brands Inc. was founded as The C.F. Sauer Company in 1887, in Richmond, Virginia.

The company's manufacturing facilities are in Richmond, Virginia; Mauldin, South Carolina; New Century, Kansas; and San Luis Obispo, California.

The company sells well-known brands including Duke’s Mayonnaise, Kernel Season’s, The Spice Hunter, Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa and Sauer’s.

Sauer Brands Inc. also produces private label products for the retail and away-from-home channels.

It was at Camp Sevier in 1917 that the Duke’s Mayonnaise legacy began. Eugenia Duke of Greenville, South Carolina, made sandwiches in her home kitchen to sell to army canteens during WWI. 

Advent is a leading global private equity investor committed to working in partnership with management teams, entrepreneurs, and founders to help transform businesses.

With 16 offices across five continents, it oversees more than USD $93.5 billion in assets under management and has made more than 420 investments across 43 countries.

Goodwill Launches Tech Academy in SC for Careers in IT

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) has announced the launch of its Tech Academy Program, an innovative training program aimed at equipping participants with essential skills to excel in the rapidly evolving field of information technology.

The comprehensive free training initiative is designed to empower and equip a new generation of professionals with the knowledge and proficiency needed to succeed in the growing fields of IT support and cybersecurity.

Program Overview: The Tech Academy Program Offers:

Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge and proficiency in IT support and fundamentals.

Empowerment: Tools and strategies to safeguard digital landscapes.

Opportunity: Open doors to dynamic career possibilities in the IT industry.

Certifications Available: Participants will have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, including:

CompTIA IT Fundamentals

CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA Network+

Mandatory Information Sessions and Orientation: Information sessions will be held from Feb. 24-26, 2025, at various times and locations across Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, Greenwood, and Anderson.

Officials say these sessions will provide detailed insights into the program structure and career opportunities.

Mandatory Orientation: Orientation for enrolled participants will take place on March 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., ensuring a comprehensive introduction to the program and its expectations.

Class Schedule: Classes are scheduled to begin on March 31, 2025, running from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Participants can choose from two locations.

111 Highland Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29203

2550 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.

“We are excited to launch Goodwill’s Tech Academy to create new opportunities for individuals seeking careers in information technology,” said Monique McDaniels, vice president of Workforce Development at GIUMSC. “IT is a high-growth industry, and this program will provide the knowledge, hands-on-training, and certifications needed to help individuals secure rewarding careers in this field.”

Those interested in the Tech Academy can go to goodwillsc.org/techacademy to find orientation locations and fill out the information form to hear from a Goodwill career development specialist for an initial screening and more information about the program.

First Capital Bank Appoints Andy Thomas as New Lowcountry Market President

First Capital Bank announced Andy Thomas's appointment as its new Lowcountry Market president.

Officials said the appointment further strengthens First Capital's leadership team and underscores the bank's ongoing commitment to driving strategic growth in the region.

Thomas joins First Capital Bank with a background in commercial banking and client management.

With prior leadership experience in Charleston at regional and community banks, Thomas led a team of commercial bankers covering the Lowcountry and Grand Strand.

Said Joe Kassim, president and CEO of First Capital Bank: “Andy's proven 30-year track record in the banking industry in Charleston and exceptional leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to drive our strategic growth initiatives and strengthen our presence in the region."

“At First Capital Bank, I am entrusted to make crucial decisions in banking, from loans to treasury management, all aimed at serving our clients' needs effectively,” Thomas said. “Working alongside the accomplished team of bankers at First Capital Bank is an opportunity I am truly grateful for."

In addition to his professional background, Thomas is actively involved in the local community.

He serves on the Charleston County Board of Assessment Appeals and is the past chairman/commissioner of the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission.

Thomas has a long history of volunteering and serving in leadership roles for nonprofits and youth sports.

First Capital Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, with assets of approximately $967.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Capital Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates five branches and one loan production office in North Carolina and South Carolina. 

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