ANDREWS — New Jersey-based bathroom accessories manufacturer WingIts cuts the ribbon on its 50,000-square-foot distribution center at Georgetown County Business Center on Feb. 15.
The center began operations in a former speculative building on Technology Drive near Andrews in December when truckloads of the company’s products including grab bars, towel bars and fastening systems were sent south from New Jersey.
Several factors made Georgetown County an attractive candidate for the distribution center, WingIts President Tom Murphy said, especially its proximity to the Port of Charleston.
“South Carolina has a lot of economic incentives in attracting companies to come here, so that definitely influenced our decision,” Murphy said. “The fact that this building was a spec building already sitting, waiting to be fitted out, and that would decrease the timeline of overall construction, things like that, and this is a good opportunity for us to have a good-size facility in an areas where we can attract local talent to work with us.”
An announcement by Gov. Henry McMaster’s office said WingIts planned to create 40 jobs with its $7.4 million investment, although Murphy said the company wouldn’t be limiting itself to that number if it could grow then it would.
Murphy said he plans to work with local suppliers.
“A lot of the supply chain that we’re going to look to create down here is attractive, with the Port of Charleston, the steel factories and workshops that they have down here that we could work with,” Murphy said. “Different things like that made this a good spot for us.”
Georgetown County Councilman Louis Morant thanked Murphy and his company for choosing the county as its new home.
“Today we want to celebrate Georgetown County,” Morant said. “With the investment and growth of our workforce, this industrial facility provides 40 new jobs with meaningful opportunities for our community. This shows the continuous commitment to sustainability in our local economy and support for our workforce.”