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282 Thorpe St, Summerville, SC 29483
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282 Thorpe St, Summerville, SC 29483
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Commercial Electrician in Fort Lawn, SC

If you own a business, you should already know that at some point, you will need to hire an electrician in Fort Lawn to fix electrical issues and maintain your property's wiring systems. Unfortunately, many people forego certified, experienced electricians to save money. The reality is, trying to fix an electrical issue in your business is no small task and often costs more money than hiring a professional. Working with electricity can be dangerous to your property and, more importantly, your health.

It might seem like a good idea to try a DIY approach or call your "do it all" local handyman, but going pro will save you time and money when it comes to serious projects like thermal imaging and three-phase panel installations. Think about it: why spend money buying expensive supplies and countless hours watching electrical repair videos when there's a good chance you'll need professional help in the end? Many DIY electricians have good intentions but often end up damaging electrical systems worse than before.

At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we get the job done right the first time, so you can focus on enjoying running your business while we fix your electrical problem. We bring the same level of quality and reliability to every job we perform, whether it's a routine safety inspection or an entire commercial rewiring project. Unlike some electricians in South Carolina, we go above and beyond to ensure our customers are safe and satisfied with our work. We pride ourselves on keeping customers informed throughout their electrical job and follow up on our projects to make sure our fixes stick.

Service Areas

At the end of the day, excellent customer care is what we strive to achieve. We do so by providing the highest quality commercial services at affordable prices, all year long. Here are just a few reasons why Lowcountry residents trust Engineered Electrical Solutions:

  • We Have Decades of Electrical Repair Experience
  • We Offer Customer-Centric Electrical Services
  • We Treat Your Property Like Our Own
  • Our Electricians Provide Quality, Efficient Work
  • We Are Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Electricians in South Carolina
  • Commercial Electrician Services
  • Industrial Electrician Services

If you're looking for the very best electrician in South Carolina, put down the pen and paper and look no further than Engineered Electrical Solutions. Keep reading to learn more about some of our most popular services.

Commercial Electrical Fort Lawn, SC

Your Trustworthy Commercial Electrician in Fort Lawn

Having a reliable electrician on hand that you can trust with electrical repairs is of utmost importance when you own a business in South Carolina. For years, Engineered Electrical Solutions has provided business owners with the most effective electrical repair and installation services in the Lowcountry. Our team is adept at assisting businesses of all sizes, from small "mom and pop" shops to industrial plants and everything in between.

 Electrical Repair Fort Lawn, SC

We offer a wide range of electrical services, from electrical panel installation and business rewiring to transformer installation and thermal imaging. Modern businesses count on energy-efficient electricity to help run their day-to-day operations. If you need your electrical systems to run smoothly so you can stay focused on building your business, count on Engineered Electrical Solutions to be there when you need us the most.

A few of our most popular commercial and industrial electrical services include but are not limited to:

  • Parking Lot Light Installation
  • Transformer Installation
  • Electrical Safety Inspections
  • Circuit Testing for Businesses
  • Electrical Grounding for Businesses
  • Preventative Maintenance for Electrical Equipment
  • Generator and Motor Insulation Resistance Analysis
  • Electrical Wiring for New Businesses
  • Electrical Troubleshooting for Businesses
  • Electrical Service Upgrades
  • Ongoing Maintenance Plans for Vital Electrical Equipment

Why is Hiring a Commercial Electrician in Fort Lawn, SC, a Good Idea?

As a business owner, you know first-hand that closing your doors costs money, time, and possibly your clients. That's why, when you have an electrical issue that must be remedied, you need quick, cost-efficient help so you can keep running your business. But trusting the job of a trained electrician in the hands of an amateur can be a big mistake.

Sure, your uncle may know how to flip a few switches on the breaker in your home, but serving a commercial business is an entirely different animal. In fact, trusting your company's electrical needs to just anyone can end up costing you more in the long run. Here are just a few of the most important reasons to consider hiring an experienced commercial electrical contractor.

 Electrical Panel Installation Fort Lawn, SC

Adherence to South Carolina Electrical Codes

Did you know there is a litany of regulations and codes you must follow when servicing electrical components in a commercial setting? From remodels to maintenance, a knowledgeable electrician will know these codes in and out. If they don't, they've got the reference material and support to ensure their work is up to standard. Taking the time to hire a commercial electrical company with vetted technicians means you don't have to worry about legal fines and reprimands for not adhering to regulations associated with common services like commercial lighting installations and upgrades.

 Electrical Safety Inspection Fort Lawn, SC

Specialized Skills and Advanced Training

In general, a commercial electrical contractor in Fort Lawn, SC, must undergo extensive training and pass more tests in order to practice their trade in South Carolina. Like their counterparts in the residential electrical business, they must both pass exams and complete apprenticeships. But commercial electricians have more in-depth training. They must also prove their knowledge of the National Electrical Code, or NEC, which encompasses safety procedures and building codes in the U.S. The advanced training that commercial electricians complete sets the foundation for services such as:

 Electrical Safety Upgrades Fort Lawn, SC
  • Commercial Electrical Panel Maintenance and Replacement
  • Emergency Electrical Services for Businesses, Warehouses, Facilities, Etc.
  • Commercial Wiring and Electrical Component Installation
  • Commercial Retrofits
  • Commercial Renovations, Remodels, and Electrical for New Construction
  • Much More

When you break it down to the basics, commercial electricians in the Lowcountry require more experience because of factors like safety, complexity, and reliability. It's not unusual for a contractor to complete over 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience, to learn about complicated topics like voltage and phase balancing, control systems, and phase diagrams.

Avoid Electrical Hazards

If you're like most people, you hire professionals like corporate lawyers, helicopter pilots, and commercial electricians to handle the things you don't have the skills to do yourself. Because, if we're being honest, many services provided by commercial electrical contractors are dangerous and even downright deadly. While you can find "How-To" articles that insist that this type of work is simple, taking on an electrical project for your business can have catastrophic consequences - both for your business and for the family you're supporting.

Hiring a commercial electrician for your business safeguards you, your employees, and your business. That's because they're trained to spot commercial electrical hazards and have the tools to fix the problem correctly and according to South Carolina regulations.

 Electrical Service Upgrades Fort Lawn, SC
 Electrician For My Business Fort Lawn, SC

Minimize Cost

Some business owners make it a point to hire non-professionals to handle their electrical work, thinking they'll save money in the long run. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Cutting corners and hiring unlicensed friends or family members creates hazards that will set your company back much more than it would to hire a qualified commercial electrician. Mistakes are costly and often end up with you having to close your business while they're corrected. This downtime will affect your ability to do business and may even affect your brand loyalty and customer base.

5 Tips for Lowering Your Commercial Energy Costs

Energy mismanagement - it's one of the most common ways that businesses lose unnecessary money every year. Though every business in South Carolina will eventually face some sort of energy waste, that doesn't mean you have to settle for expenses you can prevent. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we're all about supporting our fellow business owners. To help you reduce electrical costs, follow these five tips.

light
01

Upgrade Your Lights

In terms of low-cost solutions, this one is among the best. If you've been using incandescent bulbs throughout your business, try installing compact fluorescents instead. They can last 9x longer and save you money over time. While you're at it, remove any incandescent lights powering exit signs in your building. Replace them with LED alternatives.

Lighting Control
02

Efficient Lighting Control Plans

Did you grow up in a household where your mom or dad constantly reminded you to turn off the lights when you're done in a room? That same basic principle holds true here. If lights are left on unnecessarily, be sure they're turned off before closing for the day. If you find that doesn't help, you may need to develop a shift-based system to turn off lights. Our team of commercial electricians for your business in cityname, state, have the expertise to help you establish a system to lower energy waste without affecting your company's productivity.

HVAC Maintenance
03

Perform HVAC Maintenance

According to the Small Business Administration, HVAC use accounts for nearly 40% of energy use in commercial buildings. It's clear, then, that poor-performing HVAC systems can rack up monthly energy costs quickly. To prevent this from getting out of control, make sure your AC and heating units are well-maintained and free of expensive issues. You may want to also consider installing programmable thermostats, which can automatically control the temperature settings on your property to help maximize your energy savings.

Insulate
04

Insulate

The EPA states that keeping your commercial building properly insulated can save you as much as 10% on your energy bill. Don't settle for obvious areas like walls and windows. Be sure your electrical outlets, pipes, and HVAC ducts are properly insulated too.

Energy Management
05

Consider an Energy Management System

At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we can provide you with an energy audit for your business that pinpoints areas of energy waste and how those areas can be improved. Having an electrical assessment is a great idea for any business owner, especially if you have a storefront where customers come and go because it can help lower your overall operational costs.

Common Commercial Electrical Issues

Commercial and industrial-sized buildings are large and complex by the nature of their construction. By proxy, commercial buildings have complicated wiring and electrical systems. Electrical work in the commercial market is best left to experienced, licensed professionals. If you're looking for the very best commercial electricians in Metro Fort Lawn, Engineered Electrical Solutions is here to serve you.

We have completed hundreds of commercial electrician projects for companies like Blue Oyster Restaurant, Shell Gas Stations, Flex Warehouses, Dentist Offices, and many more. With the most up-to-date equipment and years of professional experience, our team is ready to tackle your electrical problem, no matter how large.

 Safety Inspection Fort Lawn, SC

Here are just a few of the common electrical issues that we solve for Lowcountry business owners:

Commercial Electrical Fort Lawn, SC

Tripped Circuit Breakers

Your businesses' electrical system will trip when it has too much electricity running through it. These problems are very common in commercial properties and usually stem from one of three culprits: circuit overloads, short circuits, and ground fault surges. Obviously, when your circuits are tripped regularly, your business operations suffer. To help solve your circuit breaker problems, our commercial electricians will come to your location for in-depth troubleshooting. Once we discover the root cause, we'll get to work on repairing your circuit breaker, so you can continue working and serving your customers.

 Electrical Repair Fort Lawn, SC

Flickering Lights

Like tripped circuit breakers, dimming or flickering lights are among the most common commercial electrical problems in South Carolina. These issues typically stem from poor electrical connections. These poor connections will usually cause sparks, which can start fires and wreak havoc on your commercial building. While dimming lights might seem minor, if you leave this problem to fester, you could be looking at permanent damage to your businesses' electrical systems. Given the danger involved in fixing this problem, it's important that you work with a licensed business electrician like Engineered Electrical Solutions as soon as you're able to.

 Electrical Panel Installation Fort Lawn, SC

Dead Power Outlets

Dead power outlets aren't always dangerous, unlike other recurring commercial electrical issues. They are, however, disruptive to your company's productivity. Dead outlets are common in older commercial buildings and are often caused by circuit overloads. Connecting multiple high-wattage devices and appliances to the same power socket can cause overheating. When the power outlet overheats, it can lead to tripped circuit breakers. In some cases, the live wire catches fire and burns until it is disconnected. For a reliable solution using high-quality switches, sockets, and circuit breakers, it's best to hire a professional business electrician to get the job done right.

Residential Electrician vs. Commercial Electrician in Fort Lawn: What's the Difference?

Finding a real-deal, qualified commercial electrician in South Carolina is harder than you might think. Whether it's due to availability or budget, you might be tempted to hire a residential electrician for your commercial electrical problem. While it's true that great residential electricians can help solve commercial issues in theory, it's always best to hire a business electrician with professional experience.

Unlike their residential colleagues, commercial electricians are licensed to deal with different materials and procedures suited specifically for businesses. Commercial wiring is much more complex than other wiring and is strategically installed with maintenance, repair, and changes in mind. Additionally, commercial properties usually use a three-phase power supply, necessitating more schooling, skills, and technical ability to service.

The bottom line? If you're a business owner with commercial electricity problems, it's best to work with a licensed commercial electrician, like you will find at Engineered Electrical Solutions.

Professional and Efficient from Call to Technician

Engineered Electrical Solutions has built its reputation on a simple formula: give our customers the highest-quality commercial electrical services, the most helpful customer service, and the best prices available in town.

As a veteran-owned and operated business, we take pride in good old-fashioned hard work and dedication to our craft. No upselling. No misleading fine print. Only quality electrical work and reliable commercial electricians in Fort Lawn, SC.

We want to be sure every one of our customers is satisfied, which is why we offer a three-year guaranteed on our labor. If you're in need of a commercial electrician for your business or organization, give our office a call and discover the Engineered Electrical Solutions difference.

phone-number843-735-2275

Free Estimate

Latest News in Fort Lawn, SC

Comporium Expands Fiber Network in Fort Lawn

FORT LAWN, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Most residents in Fort Lawn, SC can now take advantage of Comporium's fiber-based services. Recently the company completed upgrades to its network in the community. Customers on Comporium’s network now have access to internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. Comporium also set up free public wi-fi access at the Fort Lawn Community Center as an additional service to the community.“Our crews worked for months to up...

FORT LAWN, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Most residents in Fort Lawn, SC can now take advantage of Comporium's fiber-based services. Recently the company completed upgrades to its network in the community. Customers on Comporium’s network now have access to internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. Comporium also set up free public wi-fi access at the Fort Lawn Community Center as an additional service to the community.

“Our crews worked for months to upgrade the network throughout Fort Lawn for internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second,” stated Matthew Dosch, Comporium’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Grants from the South Carolina Broadband Office provided the financial boost we needed to reach some very rural areas. Our state-of-the-art fiber-optic network ensures that this area is prepared for the future.”

Comporium continues to work with state and federal agencies to find ways to upgrade service to rural customers. Many recent upgrades were the result of Rural Broadband Grants, made possible through funding from the South Carolina Department of Commerce and administered by the South Carolina Broadband Office within the Office of Regulatory Staff.

By combining private investment with the State’s funding, Comporium made service available to more than 1,650 addresses in South Carolina this year. In May of this year the company completed a similar project and extended fiber access to more than 160 addresses in the Fort Lawn area. Comporium has extended high-speed internet access to more than 850 addresses in Chester and Lancaster Counties this year.

Comporium also takes part in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program. This federal program allows eligible homes to get a $30 discount off regular monthly rates for internet. This participation is a part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the community. At the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Comporium provided service at no charge to hundreds of student households when schools were closed for public health reasons, and continues to offer internet, voice, security, and video services with a variety of subscription options intended to suit every user’s needs.

Residents and businesses in Fort Lawn may place an order and schedule installation appointments through Comporium’s website at www.comporium.com.

About Comporium

Comporium, Inc., headquartered in Rock Hill, S.C., is a diversified, privately held communications company that employs nearly 1,000 people and provides broadband, TV, voice, wireless, smart home systems, and advertising services throughout the Carolinas. Comporium’s ventures include companies which offer business solutions, managed services, and digital signage. For more information, please visit www.comporium.com.

McMaster, Chester County SC celebrate opening of winemaker’s facility in Fort Lawn

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster talked Friday afternoon about all that comes with the new Gallo’s Operations Facility in Fort Lawn.“This is a great thing,” McMaster said. “This offe...

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster talked Friday afternoon about all that comes with the new Gallo’s Operations Facility in Fort Lawn.

“This is a great thing,” McMaster said. “This offers careers, long-term employment, with good benefits and good work in a great company. This was a great step forward, not only for the state but for this area.”

McMaster and E&J Gallo’s CEO Ernest Gallo were in Chester County for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at what has been reported to be the winemaker’s first facility on the East Coast. A fact sheet on the Gallow website says there is a winery in New York.

Construction of the regional distribution facility started in June 2021, and there was a push to get it ready by the projected date of Oct. 3. However, company officials said this is just the first phase en route to a long and successful partnership with this state.

“It feels fantastic,” said Stein Edwards, Gallo’s Senior Director of Operations in South Carolina. “This community has been very welcoming, bringing us in. They welcomed us with open arms.

“A lot of our folks that we’ve hired are from this very local area. And they’ve been watching this project for several years, and a lot of them said, ‘hey, we can’t wait to get started, and we’re so happy what you’re doing for the community.’ So it’s really neat to be a part of.”

Gallo officials said they expect to add manufacturing lines in 2023 as they begin production and making further investments in the state.

Brooke Clinton, president of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce, said the facility will have an impact on the local area both now and in the future.

The facility is expected to bring almost 500 jobs to Lancaster and Chester counties. Fort Lawn is in Chester County, but close to the Lancaster County border.

There are currently about 80 people working at the site, and Gallo is currently adding new employees.

“We’re training the folks right now,” said Erich Kaepp, the vice president of Eastern Operations at Gallo. “We’re going through a new warehouse management system, so they’re learning how to do all those kinds of things and get ready to ship. We’ve successfully gotten eight trucks so far. We’ve gotten them all received, so it seems to be going okay, so far.”

The company cited access to the Southeast market and South Carolina’s infrastructure as reasons for choosing South Carolina as its east coast operations location.

McMaster said there will be more business opportunities coming to the state. He said the people and culture are what draw companies here.

This story was originally published October 8, 2022, 10:36 AM.

Fort Fair Lawn, part of Liberty Trail, opens to the public

MONCKS CORNER — Check the box. Fort Fair Lawn is the first historic site that is part of South Carolina’s Liberty Trail to open to the public.The ribbon was cut the morning of Sept. 23, providing access to a remarkable, well-preserved British fort used during the American Revolution as a staging ground and strategic installation. It both deployed Redcoats to Charleston and the surrounding areas, and received Redcoats in retreat from battles such as the bloody one in 1781 at Eutaw Springs, the last big confrontation of the ...

MONCKS CORNER — Check the box. Fort Fair Lawn is the first historic site that is part of South Carolina’s Liberty Trail to open to the public.

The ribbon was cut the morning of Sept. 23, providing access to a remarkable, well-preserved British fort used during the American Revolution as a staging ground and strategic installation. It both deployed Redcoats to Charleston and the surrounding areas, and received Redcoats in retreat from battles such as the bloody one in 1781 at Eutaw Springs, the last big confrontation of the war in the state.

Tours are available via the Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner. Temporary signage is mounted with permanent signage interpreting this history to come.

The fort was manned by garrisons ordered to protect British interests and to make it easier to move troops. It was a crossroads and a base from which the British lay siege on Charleston.

During that siege and subsequent occupation, which spanned 32 months beginning in the spring of 1780, American fighters led by Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, Lt. Col. Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, Col. Wade Hampton, Col. Hezekiah Maham, Col. Isaac Shelby and other Patriots adopted guerrilla tactics and harassed British positions.

This strategy eroded the ability of the British to retain control of the territory. They were forced to engage in skirmishes, launch raids to procure food, forage for supplies and more, often finding themselves under fire.

Fort Fair Lawn was an extension of the Fair Lawn Barony, 12,000 acres along the west branch of the Cooper River owned by the Colleton family. It included a mansion the British would use as a retreat.

On Nov. 17, 1781, Marion dispatched Maham and Shelby and about 400 fighters to attack Fair Lawn. The British, taken by surprise, were forced to surrender.

The Lord Berkeley Trust began the process of acquiring the 80-acre Fort Fair Lawn tract in 2007, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the property was secured. It took $1 million in funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank, $500,000 in hydrology mitigation funding from the State Ports Authority, and $500,000 from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program.

A tiny bridge in the woods leads to the fort, surrounded by the remains of a moat that once had about 6 feet of water in it. A small mound marks the remains of a cannon barbette. In the center of the fort are some loose bricks that once were part of a kiln the British used to forge weapons and ammunition. From this location the fort’s earthen walls, now merely eroded and overgrown mounds, are easier to see.

Doug Bostick, executive director of the S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust, said the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration of the Revolutionary War surely has provided impetus to many to secure this and other historic sites. The trust, he said, has enjoyed notable success in recent years. Six properties are currently subject to negotiations, he said.

Among them is a site in Hollywood connected to the Battle of Stono Ferry. Another is Hammond’s Store in Laurens County. Another is Ports Ferry in Florence County.

All of these Revolutionary War sites will be part of the Liberty Trail, a joint effort between the S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust and the American Battlefield Trust to preserve, interpret and promote key battlefields of the Southern Campaign.

The network is made possible thanks to involvement from nonprofits such as the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust, the South Carolina Conservation Bank, municipal and county officials, and private and corporate philanthropy.

E. & J. Gallo Winery opens first piece of planned $1 billion Chester County complex

When E. & J. Gallo Winery announced its plans and began construction last June for a massive East Coast hub in Chester County, company leaders targeted October 2022 to open the first piece of the operation. The nation's largest winemaker held a ceremony today to celebrate the fact it achieved that goal despite supply-chain challenges stemming from the Covid...

When E. & J. Gallo Winery announced its plans and began construction last June for a massive East Coast hub in Chester County, company leaders targeted October 2022 to open the first piece of the operation. The nation's largest winemaker held a ceremony today to celebrate the fact it achieved that goal despite supply-chain challenges stemming from the Covid-19 outbreak.

Gallo welcomed a number of state and local leaders, including S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, to mark the opening of its regional distribution center in Fort Lawn. The distribution operation occupies just a piece of a large, 1.5 million-square-foot building that is under construction to accommodate the first phase of Gallo's East Coast operation.

Erich Kaepp, Gallo's vice president of eastern operations, said it was "a push up to the end" to prepare to launch the distribution operation, which officially opened on Oct. 3.

"Having achieved that milestone further demonstrates that choosing South Carolina was the correct decision," CEO Ernest Gallo said of the company staying on schedule despite pandemic-related challenges. "Although we are here to celebrate the opening of this facility, it is just the first of many anticipated phases."

Gallo pledged a $423 million investment and the creation of nearly 500 jobs for the first phase of the project that includes the regional distribution center, a production facility, warehousing, bottling, canning and an import and export hub.

The company plans to open the next piece of the operation in February, when it is targeting the opening of its first production line in Fort Lawn. That line will serve the company's High Noon brand. Kaepp said he is still eyeing May and August of next year, respectively, to open the second and third production lines at the first phase.

The Modesto, California-based Gallo has acquired well over 600 acres at the intersection of S.C. Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 21 for the East Coast hub. The first portion of Gallo's Chester County operations is expected to take up around 300 acres, leaving significant room for growth beyond the initial $423 million commitment.

In total, the master-planned site could have as many as five major phases. A construction timetable for the following phases is still being finalized. Upon full buildout of the site, Gallo's total investment is expected to surpass $1 billion and create over 1,000 jobs over the course of several decades.

Kaepp said Gallo has hired just shy of 80 workers thus far and will have another cohort of around 30 employees coming in November. The hiring process has been constant in recent months and will continue to move quickly, Kaepp said.

"We have much, much bigger plans for South Carolina in the future," Gallo's Rob Donoho said on Friday. "In the future, we envision have many more buildings similar to this over the decades to come. We see tremendous growth opportunities in South Carolina."

Gallo's announcement last year came after it secured incentives packages and S.C. lawmakers changed the state's alcohol laws for Gallo's operations. The project has widely been seen as a transformative one for Chester County and Fort Lawn, the tiny town with a population under 1,000.

McMaster said Friday was a "glorious day" for S.C. because of Gallo's investment. Friday's ceremony was McMaster's second visit in as many days to the S.C. portion of the Charlotte region. He attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for Nutramax Laboratories' latest expansion in Lancaster.

McMaster echoes the confidence of other local leaders that Gallo's investment could kickstart more development momentum along I-77 between Charlotte and Columbia. He and other state and local leaders have compared Gallo's potential impact on the I-77 corridor to that of BMW's on the I-85 corridor between Greenville and Charlotte.

"This is a great step forward not only for the state, but for this area," McMaster said.

Gallo opens first phase of South Carolina plant. It’s hiring at Modesto home, too

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster talked about all that comes with the new Gallo Operations Facility in Fort Lawn.“This is a great thing,” McMaster said. “This offers careers, lon...

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster talked about all that comes with the new Gallo Operations Facility in Fort Lawn.

“This is a great thing,” McMaster said. “This offers careers, long-term employment with good benefits and good work in a great company. This was a great step forward, not only for the state but for this area.”

McMaster and Ernest Gallo, the CEO of the Modesto-based E.&J. Gallo Winery, were in Chester County for the Oct. 7 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Gallo is the grandson and namesake of the co-founder in 1933 of what is now the world’s largest wine producer.

The new plant could add close to 500 people to the Gallo workforce of about 6,500. It has operations in the San Joaquin Valley, in coastal regions of California and in the states of Washington and New York. The company also imports wine from several nations and produces or distributes several types of liquor.

Gallo has said the South Carolina branch will not mean loss of jobs elsewhere. And in fact, its website listed 59 openings at the Yosemite Boulevard headquarters as of Wednesday.

Construction of the regional distribution facility in Fort Lawn started in June 2021, and there was a push to get it ready by the projected date of Oct. 3. However, company officials said this is just the first phase en route to a long and successful partnership with South Carolina.

“It feels fantastic,” said Stein Edwards, Gallo’s senior director of operations in South Carolina. “This community has been very welcoming, bringing us in. They welcomed us with open arms.

“A lot of our folks that we’ve hired are from this very local area. And they’ve been watching this project for several years, and a lot of them said, ‘Hey, we can’t wait to get started, and we’re so happy what you’re doing for the community.’ So it’s really neat to be a part of.”

Gallo officials said they expect to add manufacturing lines in 2023 as they begin production and making further investments in the state.

Brooke Clinton, president of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce, said the facility will have an impact on the local area both now and in the future.

There are about 80 people working at the site, and Gallo is adding employees.

“We’re training the folks right now,” said Erich Kaepp, the vice president of eastern operations at Gallo. “We’re going through a new warehouse management system, so they’re learning how to do all those kinds of things and get ready to ship. We’ve successfully gotten eight trucks so far. We’ve gotten them all received, so it seems to be going okay, so far.”

The company cited access to the Southeast market and South Carolina’s infrastructure as reasons for choosing its East Coast operations location.

McMaster said there will be more business opportunities coming to the state. He said the people and culture are what draw companies here.

Modesto Bee staff writer John Holland contributed to this report.

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