GSA Technology Council

On March 20, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley joined Bosch Rexroth Americas President Berend Bracht and executives from Robert Bosch LLC to formally mark the start of production at the company’s newly expanded hydraulics manufacturing campus in Fountain Inn.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Bosch Rexroth is investing $80 million over five years to expand production in the new campus and convert an existing 260,000-square-foot industrial warehouse into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will initially produce the industry-leading Rexroth A10VO hydraulic pump. The pump is used in a variety of applications, including mobile construction and agricultural machinery, mining, materials handling, and heavy industries, such as steel and automotive production.

With the addition of the new building, “Building 103,” Bosch Rexroth has doubled its production capabilities at the location, making the Fountain Inn campus its largest hydraulics manufacturing site in the Americas.

“The Bosch investment for expanded production in Fountain Inn increases our ability to serve the needs of our local and regional customers,” said Bracht. “In turn, this enhances their opportunity to participate in industrial and mobile equipment markets on a global basis, drawing on the support of a partner like Bosch Rexroth that is recognized around the world for superior technology, reliability, applications expertise and service.”

Governor Haley praised the company for its decision to invest in South Carolina. “We truly value the commitment Bosch has made to be a part of our state’s business community, and we are excited to see them invest in South Carolina,” she said. “We celebrate the 160 new jobs the company will create with this campus and look forward to its continued success.”

Building 103 is just the latest example of Bosch Rexroth’s strategy to invest locally to serve global customers in key markets, and also to increase its market share in the Americas. Both strategies are seen as critical to long-term global growth for the company. Other recent programs contributing to The Drive & Control Company’s growth include the expansion of its Charlotte, N.C., linear motion and assembly products facility; a new Houston Service Center dedicated to serving Gulf of Mexico oil and gas exploration; and the GoTo Focused Delivery Program, which provides industry-best lead times for delivery of more than 3,500 in-demand Rexroth drive, control and motion products.

Fountain Inn Building 103 is the largest investment by Bosch Rexroth in North America. To date, five assembly lines and multiple state-of-the-art machining centers have been installed for the production of the A10VO, along with one line for vane motor assembly. The entire facility operates utilizing a lean manufacturing and continuous quality improvement system called the Bosch Production System, which is used by Bosch production operations worldwide to ensure the highest levels of product quality.

The Fountain Inn project showcases Bosch Rexroth’s desire to work cooperatively with local and state governments to improve U.S. manufacturing infrastructure.

Rexroth’s commitment to local economic and workforce development was also highlighted through a $420,000 monetary and equipment donation from Bosch Rexroth together with the Bosch Community Fund to the Greenville Technical College to support the school’s hands-on training program.

via Bosch Rexroth

Gov. Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the State Ports Authority today announced the state’s 2012 exports totaled nearly $25.3 billion in goods sold to 197 countries around the world, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Figures represent a 2.23 percent increase over 2011 totals, and a record for the state. In 2012, South Carolina’s export growth ranked the state 17th in the U.S.

“It is great to see South Carolina’s export numbers continue to grow. Companies want to be able to reach world markets with their products, and our state certainly provides that opportunity with world-class port facilities. These numbers also show the strong economic ties our state has with countries around the globe,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

The state’s top 10 export industries last year were vehicles, machinery, rubber products, electrical machinery, plastics, optical and medical equipment, paper and paperboard, organic chemicals, wood pulp and cotton yarn and fabric. Of the top product sectors, the three experiencing the largest percentage increase were optical and medical equipment at a 19 percent increase, rubber products at more than an 8.6 percent increase and plastics at more than an 8.2 percent increase.

“Our state manufactures the things people and industries around the world want to buy, and our growing export numbers show it. Canada, Germany and China remain very important export markets for South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “We look forward to building on our relationships with all our trading partners. Commerce’s export program is one way to do that, by helping South Carolina’s small- and medium-sized businesses enter new export markets.”

South Carolina ranked first among U.S. states in tire exports, holding nearly 30 percent of the share of U.S. made exported tires for the second consecutive year.

Posting a 5.37 percent increase from 2011, Canada overtook Germany for the top spot as South Carolina’s number one export market in 2012, purchasing nearly $4 billion in products. Germany was a close second, purchasing more than $3.7 billion in products. China remained at number three in 2012, purchasing more than $3.2 billion. Rounding out the top 10 export markets in 2012 in order of rank were Mexico at number four, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“South Carolina is rich in exports, both finished goods and agricultural products, which tend to be heavier to ship and which require access to deep water facilities like the Port of Charleston,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “We expect exports from our port to outpace imports in the coming years, and we are making major strides to enhance our port’s infrastructure and deepen Charleston Harbor in order to continue the positive impacts trade brings to our state.”

2012 S.C. export rankings among states:

• Ranked 17th in exports
• Ranked only behind California in exports to Germany
• Ranked 3rd in exports to Iraq and the Czech Republic
• Ranked 4th in exports to Egypt, Hungary and Sweden
• Ranked 9th in exports to China
• Ranked first in exports of tires, holding nearly 30 percent of the share of U.S. made exported tires (second year in a row)
• Ranked second in exports of gas turbines and automobiles to the world

The U.S. Department of Commerce is the data source for South Carolina’s export statistics.

via South Carolina Department of Commerce

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. announced it has acquired an interest in approximately 144 million tons of production at four quarries from Vulcan Materials Companyfor $75 million. The quarries are located near the Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina markets. Beginning in January 2013, Plum Creek expects to receive royalty payments from the production and sale of the crushed stone from the quarries for approximately 25 years.

“This is an attractive, cash-accretive investment in a familiar natural resource asset for Plum Creek,” said Rick Holley, president and chief executive officer of Plum Creek. “The investment adds to our existing construction materials royalty streams, and the quarries will continue to be owned and operated by Vulcan, a leader in the industry. We are optimistic that the favorable growth prospects for aggregate demand in these markets will enhance future earnings potential.”

Plum Creek is one of the largest landowners in the nation and the most geographically diverse, with approximately 6.4 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest.

via Plum Creek

EDTS, a full-service technology consulting firm specializing in networking, security and managed IT services for business, has opened a new office in downtown Columbia, South Carolina to serve its growing portfolio of Midlands-based clients. EDTS already has offices in Augusta, GA and Greenville, SC.

The office, located at 1320 Main Street in the Central Business District about 3 blocks from the state Capitol, is the latest step in the firm’s planned expansion throughout the Southeast. EDTS was recently named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for the third consecutive year. The firm was also honored as the seventh fastest-growing small company in South Carolina on the inaugural statewide Roaring Twenties list, which cited EDTS’s growth rate of 198.4 percent in overall revenues since 2010.

With a current staff of 50 professionals, the new state-of-the-art facility will provide EDTS the opportunity to expand their local presence in Columbia and the ability to add 15-20 network engineers and sales professionals in the next 18 months. The new office, situated about 5 blocks from the University of South Carolina downtown, houses a variety of professional and service organizations, and features offices, meeting space, training facilities and excellent proximity to the Central Business District of Columbia, Johnson noted.

“EDTS has served clients in Columbia since 1999, and our new office gives us the opportunity to expand our local support staff and to support a growing Midlands client base,” said EDTS CEO Charles Johnson. “We are excited to be part of the business environment in Columbia and look forward to supporting local community initiatives.”

Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, and Columbia and Greenville, SC. A full service technology consulting firm, EDTS specializes in networking, security and managed IT services for businesses. The firm helps customers increase productivity and reduce cost associated with information technology.

via EDTS 

Immedion, LLC has been named one of the SC 25 Fastest Growing Companies, the annual program that recognizes the achievements of South Carolina’s top-performing private and publicly owned companies.  Immedion will be recognized at an Awards Luncheon to be held in Columbia, SC on November 14th.  Since 2001, South Carolina’s 25 Fastest Growing Companies has honored the state’s most dynamic businesses and their contributions to our state’s economic vitality.  Nominees are required to be headquartered in South Carolina and to meet operational and financial benchmarks.

“We are proud to have been named one of South Carolina’s fastest growing companies,” said Frank Mobley, CEO of Immedion, “And we are grateful to the many South Carolina companies that have put their trust in Immedion to protect their critical data and ensure their uptime.  This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without their belief in us and the services we provide.”

via Immedion

 As part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), IT-oLogy, SC Regional Education Centers and Winthrop University are seeking applications from young women with outstanding achievements and aspirations in computing and technology for the NCWIT SC Affiliate Award for Aspirations in Computing.

“Encouraging young women’s interest in technology careers is critical: our workforce needs their creativity and their innovation,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and Co-founder of NCWIT. “This award helps us recognize and encourage talent that might otherwise be overlooked.”

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing was created to acknowledge the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field and generate visibility for women’s participation in computing-related pursuits.

The SC Affiliate Award prize package will include an iPad for winning students. Visit www.ncwit.org/award for details. An awards event will be held at IT-oLogy in Columbia on Saturday, April 27, 2013.  Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 PM ET, Oct. 31, 2012.

via IT-oLogy

On May 1 the Clemson Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the GSA Technology Council and Upstate SC Alliance presented “Expanding Your Business in the Aerospace Industry,” to introduce a variety of leaders from the 180 aerospace and aviation firms located in South Carolina.

The informational forum featured briefings from Carbures, Lockheed Martin, ADEX Machining Technologies, GKN Aerospace and the South Carolina Aerospace Task Force of the South Carolina Dept of Commerce. Each presentation highlighted future projects and shared best practices for success in this growing market.

Below are the day’s presentations.

Steve Townes, Ranger Aerospace LLC

Jody Bryson, South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center

Chris Wayne, SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Robert Bunchman, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Jason Premo, ADEX Machining Technologies

Ivan Contreras, Carbures

Sherry Pittinger, the South Carolina Department of Commerce

tw telecom, a global provider of managed services, including Business Ethernet, converged and IP VPN solutions for enterprise and government entities in South Carolina and throughout the U.S., announced today that it was awarded a multi-year contract by the State of South Carolina to offer industry-leading enhanced data transmission and co-location services to the State’s agencies and educational institutions.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the State of South Carolina and its agencies and are excited to prove how our solutions can help government agencies become more effective,” said Christopher Oberg, Vice President and General Manager of tw telecom in South Carolina. “We are looking forward to delivering these innovative solutions and our world-class customer care to the State of South Carolina.”

tw telecom is an industry leader in delivering cost-effective networking solutions that improve efficiencies for enterprise and government customers in the U.S. and globally. The agreement with the South Carolina Budget and Control Board authorizes state departments, agencies and colleges and universities to obtain MPLS, Ethernet and DS1 services from tw telecom to improve data transmission, connectivity and networking performance while minimizing costs.

tw telecom connects more commercial buildings to its resilient, fiber network than any other competitive communications provider. It has the third highest market share of retail Ethernet ports in service, maintains its own metro fiber networks and has developed one of the ten most interconnected IP backbones in the world. tw telecom has the national capability, robust product portfolio and national/local customer care teams to support mission critical enterprise and government agency applications and to deliver the most sought after customer experience in the industry.

via tw telecom

Serendipite Studios of Mount Pleasant is one of twelve new companies in the United States selected as a finalist for the O’Reilly Publishing Startup Showcase. The competition is part of O’Reilly’s Tools of
Change Publishing Conference in New York City on February 13 -15, 2012.

Frustrated with current economic models in publishing, Founder and CEO Kathy Meis started Serendipite Studios about a year ago with a mission to protect quality literature and journalism. In late December 2011, the company introduced Pappus, a revolutionary book discovery tool that enables authors and publishers to blog directly from their books and reach their readers in seconds.

“Digital books are technically giant web pages. You can do amazing things with them,” says Meis. “Our goal is to help authors and publishers engage with readers from within their books without interrupting the reading experience.” A writer herself, Meis spent a year studying the problems facing authors and readers. The biggest problem she found was discovery.

“It’s difficult to imagine,” Meis says, “but at a recent conference, attendees were told ‘there were more books published this week than there were in all of 1950.’ So think of 2012 as introducing the equivalent of 52 years’ worth of new books. That’s a very crowded marketplace! Yet stores where readers discover new books are closing at an alarming rate. We decided it was important to put book discovery in the hands of writers and publishers. We wanted to empower them with a tool that could recreate the bookstore browsing experience online while making it less time consuming for them to reach out and engage with readers. With Pappus, authors can now blog directly from their digital books and reach their readers in seconds. We also built in metrics so they can learn what’s resonating. We’re excited to see authors experiment and grow their audiences using Pappus, and we’re thrilled to be part of the O’Reilly competition in February.”

You can tour Pappus by clicking Serendipite Studios Introducing Pappus.

via Serendipite Studios

The Federal Transit Administration announced a $4.1 million grant, as part of their Transit Investments in Greenhouse Gas and Emissions Reduction program, for Seneca and Southern Co. for the electric bus initiative they have been exploring with Proterra Inc. since May.

“As you know, Proterra is the only company with full size, fast charge, battery-electric buses in service in the U.S., and its buses are made with more than 80% U.S. content from 33 states. Your selection will have the benefit of supporting the creation of more U.S. jobs, along with the environmental and national security benefits” states Al Gore in his note of congratulations to the city of Seneca’s officials, Mayor Alexander, City Administrator Diettrick and Clemson Area Transit Executive Director, Al Babinicz.

Once the county of Seneca completes the purchase of at least five 35-foot, fast-charge, battery-powered buses from Proterra Inc. to replace the three diesel buses that the city has been using for routes around town, the country will be the first in the nation with an entirely electric bus system.