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WEB EXCLUSIVE
Sterilite Corporation announces plans to build a new plant and distribution facility in South Carolina.

Sterilite Corporation of Townsend, MA, announced plans in November to expand by creating a new manufacturing and distribution center in Clinton, SC. Plans call for first phase construction to begin immediately, with manufacturing to begin next summer.

According to Albert Stone, Chairman of Sterilite Corporation, the company's decision was the culmination of a thorough search of the southeastern region.

"We found a most suitable site in Clinton with all of the necessary infrastructure, including excellent rail and highway access," Stone says. "Even more important, we found a community and a populace ready to wholeheartedly support our plans, our goals and our personnel needs, including a broad range of skills."

It is expected that the plant will open with about 200 employees and will grow over a few years to 600 employees. The capital investment is estimated at $65 million.

Sterilite Corporation is the largest independent producer of plastic products for the home with plants in Massachusetts, Ohio, Alabama, Texas, and Arizona. Sterilite products are distributed throughout major discount, drug, hardware, and supermarket chains throughout the U.S.

"This is a very significant jobs and capital investment announcement for our state," says Governor Mark Sanford. "It's a perfect example of South Carolina leveraging its competitive advantage to the benefit of our rural communities."

"South Carolina is proud to have landed this highly competitive project and pleased that Sterilite, after searching throughout the Southeastern region, has selected Clinton for its home," says Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith. "In many ways the landing of 600 jobs is a model for state and local collaboration."

"Our marketing efforts are targeting the plastics industry for future growth in Laurens County," says Marvin Moss, President/CEO of Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. "Sterilite will be an impressive addition to our existing plastic base. With the infrastructure that is already in place and the addition of a quality company like Sterilite, we are positioned to be a serious contender for other plastic companies."