Swiss Krono Group, Switzerland, a global producer of engineered wood products, and its American subsidiary, KronotexUSA Holdings Inc., Barnwell, S.C., USA, will invest $230 million to build a high-density fiberboard (HDF) mill and expand its laminate flooring production plant in Barnwell County, S.C. The company expects to create 105 new jobs over the next few years. 

In an effort to meet increased customer demand, Swiss Krono Group is expanding its existing KronotexUSA facility located at 810 Technology Drive in Barnwell. This expansion will allow KronotexUSA to produce 300,000 cubic meters of HDF per year, which the company will use for laminate flooring manufacturing operations and sell to furniture, cabinet, fixture, door, and other wood-based manufacturers. In total, the project will increase the company’s annual laminate flooring capacity by an additional 8 million sq.meters.

"South Carolina has been a great investment partner for European countries. We appreciate the collaborative efforts of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and our many partners, including Barnwell County governmental agencies. Their patience, perseverance, and continuous support have been and will continue to be instrumental in the future success of our South Carolina operations," said Max Von Tippelskirch, a member of the Swiss Krono Group Management Board.

"We’ve been very happy with the quality of the workforce talent here in South Carolina. And we’re delighted to be able to employ more Americans here in Barnwell and grow our exceptional relationship with the local people, businesses, and government," Norm Voss, Former CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Kronotex USA Holdings, added.

Preliminary engineering has been completed and construction is expected to start by mid-2016, with HDF operations to begin by the summer of 2018. Once completed, this expansion will increase KronotexUSA’s Barnwell County’s workforce to 275 employees.

As an incentive, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits, as well as a $1 million Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Barnwell County to assist with the costs of real property improvements related to the project.

"To have a great international company like Swiss Krono Group continue to grow, succeed and invest in our state proves that the Team South Carolina approach to economic development is working. This $230 million investment, and the 105 new jobs it will create, is a real reason to celebrate, and we look forward to seeing the impact that this company will continue to have across our state," Governor Nikki Haley said.

"Kronotex USA has provided hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in our area over the last decade. We congratulate Kronotex on their phenomenal growth at the Barnwell facility. This announcement is a great way to end the year and to kick-off 2016 for our region," explained Southern Carolina Alliance Chairman Buddy Phillips.