CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A Canadian company plans to invest nearly $400 million into Chester County by revitalizing a manufacturing plant that closed several years ago.
It’s good news for people in the Chester County area; on Wednesday, IKO Industries announced it will create 180 new jobs there.
The company creates fiberglass products used in roof shingles. It will start up operations in two facilities along Highway 9 in Chester County.
The announcement is a welcome one to neighbors who remember what the community could be like.
“Chester used to be a booming town with industry, and I think it’s about time for us to get it back,” said Joey Love.
Love has lived and worked in the Chester area for decades, and he said he’s grateful that the company is investing big in the area.
“Good high-paying jobs; union jobs would be great,” Love said.
Gov. Henry McMaster says IKO’s investment is one of several huge projects in the state recently.
“We were over $10 billion in one year in 2022, and that’s more than ever before,” McMaster said.
The CEO of IKO, David Koschitzky, said Wednesday’s announcement is just the start of longer-term plans in South Carolina.
“Today we’re planting the seeds of a company that hopes to take roots and blossom in the Chester County and Chester area,” said Koschitzky.
Nippon Electric Glass Company used to operate out of one of the facilities, but it closed before the pandemic and let go of 145 workers.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson told Channel 9′s Tina Terry that IKO could have positions for some of those workers who lost their jobs.
“Having a skilled labor force already familiar with the type of projects we’re going to manufacture at this facility is a huge benefit to us,” said Derek Fee, IKO’s manager of corporate communications.
IKO’s spokesperson said Chester County’s proximity to the interstate and to rail service made the location ideal.
According to IKO, the plant should start operations in 2025. If you’re interested in applying for a job, you can learn more by clicking this link.
>> On Channel 9 at 5 p.m., Terry will have more on when these jobs could be available.
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