ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A new manufacturer has officially moved into one of Orangeburg County’s industrial parks, bringing with it job opportunities and a significant investment to the region.
Superior Wellness, a hot tub manufacturer based in the United Kingdom, has chosen Orangeburg County for its first operation in the United States. The company is making an $11.3 million investment in the area, which will create 35 new jobs.
“We’re excited because now we see first hand that the park is beginning to grow and these hot tub vendors is a great benefit to the county because it's more jobs for the citizens that we represent,” said Johnny Ravenell, Vice Chair of Orangeburg County Council.
The company has set up operations in a 75,000-square-foot facility located at the John W. Matthews Jr. Industrial Park, right off of Interstate 26. This building will serve as Superior Wellness’s U.S. headquarters, as well as its warehousing and logistics operations.
Mathew Day, Operations Manager for Superior Wellness, explained that the company plans to recruit locally, with a focus on finding employees who fit their culture.
"Already we’ve got a couple people starting with us today," Day said. "We want to recruit local people who fit our culture and continue expanding. Superior Wellness is known for growing very fast. We want to get good people in who want to join the team and be a part of the journey.”
The company’s decision to locate in Orangeburg County was influenced by the proximity to the Charleston port and logistical advantages, including the ability to provide fast service to dealers on the East Coast.
“When we initially flew out, we visited a few places," Day said. "I think for us, being close to the local port, which is Charleston, and the logistics, cost involved, and also the ability to be able to provide quick service to all of our dealers, especially on the East coast is something that attracted us to the area. It’s a great place to be. We’re happy to be here.”
Ravenell emphasized the importance of job creation for the region. "I know it's going to help Orangeburg County because anytime you get more jobs in our county, that means you have more people, that means everyone needs to work. And anytime we have a new manufacturing job like this comes about, that means we got more people in our workforce."
Operations at the new facility are expected to begin in January 2025.
Superior Wellness has also expressed interest in opening a showroom in the Midlands area, giving residents the opportunity to see their products first hand.