S.C. attracts Chinese fiberglass manufacturer

China Jushi, a manufactuerer of fiberglass products, is investing $300 million to establish a new plant in central South Carolina, which will move products internationally through the Port of Charleston.    South Carolina continues to gain foreign direct investment in manufacturing. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Commerce announced that China Jushi, a manufacturer of fiberglass products, will establish its first U.S. plant with an 80,000-ton production line in Columbia, S.C.
   The first phase of the project is expected to cost $300 million and create 400 jobs.
   China Jushi, based in Zhejiang, China, makes fiberglass reinforcements and fabrics to the reinforced plastics industry and has exported its composite materials to the U.S. for 20 years.
   The company plans to begin construction in the fourth quarter and complete the building in two years.
   The Port of Charleston is expected to gain additional business handling China Jushi’s exports.
   Other foreign companies that have announced plans to establish operations in South Carolina during the past year include Italian pipe fitting manufacturer Nupie Industrie, Volvo of Sweden and Husqvarna of Sweden, which manufacturers outdoor power products.