GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) — Pennsylvania-based EnerSys said Wednesday that it plans to invest $500 million in a new manufacturing facility that will bring more than 500 jobs to the area.
The company makes and distributes batteries for electric forklifts. Leaders said the 500,000-square-foot facility will produce different forms of lithium-ion cells.
The company said it chose Greenville as a way to attract engineers to the area. Clemson University will help with recruiting workers.
“We just have to reduce our reliance on non-U.S. sourcing for these lithium-ion sales,” said David Shaffer, the company’s director, president and CEO. “We looked across the country and to me, it was an easy choice. You have to attract talent and it has to be a place where people want to live and work. There’s so much going on here and there is so much to be proud of for you folks that live here.”
The company expects to open the plant next year.
“This is another half a billion dollars, it will grow, there will be more later and more and more good, strong companies…coming to our state and hiring our people,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said.