UBJ MANUFACTURING
Pet Product Manufacturer Expands in Greenville County O’Donnell Industries to invest $1.8 million, create 39 jobs to reach out to European market JOE TOPPE | STAFF
jtoppe@communityjournals.com A Greenville-based manufacturer of pet beds, travel products and accessories is expanding its presence in the county to accommodate its growth in the European market. O’Donnell Industries will invest $1.8 million in the expansion and create approximately 39 new jobs. The company will relocate its manufacturing operations to a 43,000-square-foot renovated facility in Piedmont. According to a statement issued by the company, the expansion will more than double the manufacturer’s existing facility. South Carolina has been home to O’Donnell Industries since its inception in 1985, said Gary O’Don-
nell, vice president of marketing for O’Donnell Industries. The remodeling will integrate the use of lean manufacturing principles to support accelerated volume production and enhanced operational efficiency, enabling the company to grow domestic sales while expanding into the European market for the first time. Construction is underway with a July 2014 move-in date anticipated.
Beginning as a basement start-up in 1985 by Norman O’Donnell, the company remains family-owned and operated and sells products under both the Snoozer Pet and Restless Tails brand names, along with numerous private-label lines for specialty retailers such as PetSmart and Petco. Dr. Bob Taylor, board member of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and chairman of Green-
Proterra Raises $30M to Advance EV Technology JOE TOPPE | STAFF
jtoppe@communityjournals.com Proterra Inc., a battery electric
CARLTON
ville County Council, said he commended O’Donnell Industries for their dogged pursuit of success and their decision to develop a new manufacturing facility in Piedmont. “Whenever a locally established company chooses to expand operations here in Greenville County and to continue to enjoy the talent pool and business climate that we offer, it’s a time for celebration,” he said.
bus manufacturer, has raised over $30 million to fund continued deployment of its zero-emission EV transit technology. Based in Greenville, the company provides the design and production of clean technology and clean energy. With Kleiner Perkins and GM Ventures leading the financing, the round of funding was heightened by the growing demand for electric vehicles and additional deployments by the existing customer base. With transit agency customers in cities across the U.S. and meeting requests coming in from across the globe, Proterra is riding a wave of mounting interest, said Proterra CEO Ryan Popple. “The performance of our buses in these cities has made a clear case for the benefits of EV,” he said. “The
funding will allow us to continue our aggressive growth trajectory.” An additional $10 million in funding is expected to close within the coming weeks, bringing the total to $40 million. Edison Energy Inc. and Constellation Technology Ventures have reinvested and expressed enthusiasm in the technology’s ability to allow the electrical grid to benefit consumers, Proterra said. With Mitsui & Co. Global Investment Inc., and 88 Green Ventures set to follow by month’s end, Tao Invest, Vision Ridge Partners and Hennessey Capital also joined Kleiner Perkins and GM Ventures. Joby Pritzker of Tao Invest said the electric bus manufacturing company is committed to clean technologies. “Proterra is a natural fit for this investment strategy, and has led the charge with electrifying transit,” he said.
MOTORCARS
www.CarltonMotorcars.com 864-213-8000 | 800-801-3131 2446 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC 29607
June 27, 2014
UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL
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