VOLUME 23 NUMBER 14 ■ GSABUSINESS.COM
Part of the
JULY 27 - AUGUST 9, 2020 ■ $2.25
network
Companies partner to patch supply chain hole By Ross Norton
Managing through a literal tornado BorgWarner plant manager talks about lead the way during a crisis. Page 4
Ups and downs for port system
Tonnage rises for state ports as volume takes virus dip. Page 3
A
rnorton@scbiznews.com
s politicians and policy influencers make a case for bringing the manufacture of critical medical supplies to American soil, a pair of Greenville companies just started doing business together to make sure a critical step in the testing supply chain is not just made in the USA, but made in Greenville. Hoowaki President Ralph Hulseman said in June he hoped the company’s newest innovation — the NP Collection Swab with Hoowaki Microgrip technology — would make a difference in the national and international battle to gain control over COVID-19. The Hoowaki
product is produced through injection molding and therefore can be made faster, in more places and in greater quantities than the standard filament swab. The product was something of a pivot for the company, which produces microengineered surfaces with a variety of commercial applications, some of them medical. At about the same time Hoowaki was pulling swabs to the front burner, another Greenville company was making a pivot of its own. CPT Medical was doing a swift business producing surgical medical trays — a variety self-contained kits with all the tools a surgeon needs to perform specific procedures. But the kits for elective surgeries were on the wane as the country battened down to withstand a
pandemic. With surgical tray business falling, CPT Medical found a way to keep its workforce busy while contributing to the COVID19 challenge. They started selling viral transport medium, a solution that makes it possible for the sample swabbed from nostrils to make it to the lab with the integrity necessary to test for maladies at a molecular level, including COVID-19. The viral transport medium requires a container similar to a test tube. Securing them in a troubled supply chain of tools, materials and chemicals was a complex challenge that kept CPT Medical’s vice president of commercial operations on his toes. See SUPPLIES, Page 6
Markley Station opens doors with new owners
Urban Wren Winery, Todaro Pizza and Hoppin’ Greenville are tenants at Markley Station. (Photos/ Molly Hulsey)
Billions borrowed, thousands saved S.C. business operators borrow big to saves jobs. Pages 9-13
Molly Hulsey
W
Workers face child care challenge
mhulsey@scbiznews.com
ith Upstate retail leasing activity down by 66% during the last quarter, according to a recent Avison Young report, some would consider it risky business to purchase 30,000 square feet of revitalized retail space with plans for expansion during a pandemic. Don Lincoln, president of N&H Holdings — the parent company of Greenville’s Urban Wren Winery — and a former machinist and programmer, sees it as a family passion. And an opportunity to jump on the outdoor dining train. “We’ve been in the restaurant industry eight years now, because we own two restaurants in Naples, Fla. ... We’ve always loved the atmosphere. People say we’re nuts,” Lincoln said, adding that he had admired Greenville’s
Concerns about safety of schools, child care shortage put parents in tight spot. Page 5
INSIDE
Leading Off .......................... 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 C-Suite ................................ 4 In Focus: Transportation and Logistics ............................ 15 LIST: Third-Party Logistics Providers ........................... 19 Bonus List: Warehouse Services............................ 20 At Work ..............................22 Viewpoint ...........................23
See MARKLEY, Page 8
Truckers keep on
Drivers grapple with regulations as pandemic brings new challenges. Page 15
Leading Off
BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | C-SUITE
Building a bridge
T
he Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge opened 15 years ago this month, on July 14, 2005. As anniversaries go, 15 years isn’t one of those milestones that gets celebrated like Charleston’s 350th, but 15 years ago was a significant moment in how people and commerce move throughout the Lowcountry.
It’s hard now to remember when crossing the Cooper felt like a roller coaster ride, but thousands of commuters did it every day. More than a few of us recall gripping the wheel while crossing the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge, opened in 1929, and the Silas N. Pearman Bridge, opened in 1966. The Ravenel bridge replaced them both. You had to hope for a lot of grace going across the Grace, to be sure. Those skinny railings, that singular break-down spot in the dip between the humps — it sure felt like you were rolling the dice at times. And back before the Pearman was built, the Grace was a two-way thoroughfare. For a small sense of scale, you can still walk across the pilings of the Pearman bridge, which were used to build the pier at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park.
Photo/Ryan Wilcox
$675.2 MILLION
The price for replacing the bridges with the newest Cooper River bridge, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The bridge was paid for through several sources, including a $325 million grant from the S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank, a federal transportation loan of $215 million, and another $135.2 million from other federal and state sources.
537 FEET
The height of each of the two towers of the Ravenel Bridge. For comparison, the top of the Pearman bridge came just above the roadway of the Ravenel.
1,546 FEET
At the time the new Cooper River Bridge was built, it was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. That has since been surpassed, but it’s still a massive bridge.
The John P. Grace Memorial Bridge opened in 1929, crossing the Cooper River between Charleston and Mount Pleasant. This photo from 1953 shows the approach to the Grace from the Charleston side of the river. (Photo/S.C. Department of Transportation)
128
30 MILES
1,396,000 POUNDS
1995
Number of cables supporting the bridge deck, using two spans.
Nearly 1.4 million pounds of stone, or 698,000 tons, were used to secure and build the bridge, which was designed to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and even a ship collision. That actually happened in 1946, when a freighter knocked out a 240-foot section of the Grace bridge.
8 LANES, 12 FEET
The bridge was built for eight lanes of traffic, but at one point, the design of the bridge did not include a pedestrian and bike lane. Stakeholders in Charleston, including Mayor Joe Riley, insisted that residents and visitors be able to cross the bridge on foot, so the 12-foot-wide lane was added on the ocean side of the bridge.
Distance from which the bridge can be seen across the Lowcountry. The bridge’s two spans were designed to look like the sails of a ship.
If you want an up-close look at the old bridges, Die Hard with a Vengeance, the 1995 Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis action thriller, was partially filmed on the Grace bridge.
50 CENTS
The old Grace bridge originally had a toll of 50 cents per car, with a 15-cent-per-passenger premium, and more for trucks. Today, that would be $7.58. The toll was eventually lifted after the state purchased the bridge for $4.15 million in 1945 from the Cooper River Bridge Co., which completed the bridge two months before the stock market crash that signaled the start of the Great Depression.
Source: S.C. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Flatiron, one of the partners in designing and building the bridge, Charleston County Parks, IMDb, Library of Congress, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
ON THE
RECORD
“Really, our whole economy is based on in-person school taking place on so many levels.” — Mark Bakker, member, Nexsen Pruet
WEBSITE: www.GSABusiness.com
FOLLOW US:
@GSABusiness
@GSABusiness
facebook.com/GSABusiness
July 27 - August 9, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 3
SC Biz News Briefs COLUMBIA
Staff Report, Columbia Regional Business Report
New data shows COVID-19’s disparate impact on Black communities A brief released by the S.C. Institute of Medicine and Public Health and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control found that while Black people account for 27% of the state’s population, they represent 49% of those hospitalized because of the coronavirus and 45% of those who have died. The largest racial disparity was found in the Pee Dee region, where Black people have 2.43 times the rate of COVID-19-related deaths as white people. The Upstate has a death rate disparity of 2.42, the Lowcountry 2.18 and the Midlands 1.67. DHEC has conducted outreach efforts in minority and at-risk populations through partnerships with organizations including the Commission of Minority Affairs, the S.C. Office of Rural Health, PASOS, the S.C. Department on Aging and Columbia housing authorities. DHEC and its partners also have hosted 443 free COVID-19 testing clinics since May.
Overall, 2.32 million 20-foot equivalent container units were handled at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in fiscal 2020 — a 2.8% drop from the previous fiscal year. (Photo/File)
CHARLESTON
Staff Report, Charleston Regional Business Journal
2020 brings fewer pier containers, more pier tons through state ports Thanks to strong import numbers from July 2019 to January of this year, the S.C. Ports Authority concluded the 2020 fiscal year with steady volumes, despite some losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 2.32 million 20-foot equivalent container units were handled at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in fiscal 2020 — a 2.8% drop from the past fiscal year. The port system moved 1.32 million pier containers, down 3.4% from the prior year, but saw a 2.5% increase in motor vehicle imports, as 199,825 vehicles rolled across the dock of the Columbus Street Terminal during the 2020 fiscal year. 217,673 cruise passengers came through the Charleston port throughout the year, an increase of 2.2% year over year. Greer’s inland port reported a 2.1% decrease in shipments during the 2020 fiscal year, with 140,155 rail moves. JEFF HOWARD Owner of The Howard Agency, Brightway
PAGE 4 VOLUME 13 NUMBER 10 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM
Part of the
JULY 20-AUGUST 16, 2020 ■ $2.25
network
VOLUME 26 NUMBER 16 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM
Part of the
Businesses use billions to save 658,000 jobs
Cable stayed
Nephron growing
The new, new Cooper River bridge turned 15 in July. Check out the stats under the bridge. Page 2
Pharmaceutical company plans $215.8M expansion. Page 2
JULY 27 - AUGUST 9, 2020 ■ $2.25
network
SUMMER 2020
By Andy Owens
B
Take me out ... oh
Mortgage issues
Minor League Baseball sees 2020 season canceled. Page 3
With $600 jobless benefit set to expire, mortgages might hit a crisis point. Page 11
Retailers hopeful
Otarre Pointe
Cayce land site of planned mixed-use development. Page 4
Retailers learning to adapt and diversify during the coronavirus pandemic. Page 6
HOME SWEET HOME?
Affordable housing scarce for many in S.C. Photo/File
Eviction worries
Expiration of moratorium looming for renters. Page 34
INSIDE
Upfront................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs................ 3 In Focus: Residential Real Estate.........................29 List: Mortgage Companies..33 At Work ..............................37 Viewpoint ...........................39
By Christina Lee Knauss
C
Contributing writer
OLUMBIA — Nearly every day of the week, the phone rings in Alisa Mosley’s Columbia office. On the other end is someone looking for help finding an affordable place to live. Mosley’s job as executive director of the Affordable Housing Coalition of South Carolina makes her seem like the logical person to call for someone in need, but all she can do is
offer advice on where to look. The calls, however, never stop coming. “Our group does policy and advocacy work, but I get calls every day from people looking for housing and reaching out to us trying to find it. It’s constant,” Mosley said. “It’s a constant problem in this state. I get calls from people in cities. There’s a huge problem in rural areas. I also get calls from seniors looking for housing, especially along the coast where wealthier retirees can often afford housing and those on a fixed income can’t. The
need out there is just so much greater than the number of units available in this state.” Mosley and her organization are on the front lines of an ongoing fight to get more access to affordable housing for people across South Carolina. It’s a battle that’s not unique to the state. Nationwide, no state has enough affordable rental housing for the lowest income renters, and the situation is not much better for those with slightly higher incomes, See HOUSING, Page 32
Rooms for rent
Hotel industry hopes to bounce back after 2020 undercut business outlook. Page 7
INSIDE
Upfront................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs................ 3 Best Advice.......................... 4 In Focus: Banking and Finance .......... 9 List: Credit Unions.............. 14 Bonus List: Accounting Firms............... 15 At Work ..............................35 Business Digest...................35 People in the News..............35 Hot Properties .....................37 Viewpoint ...........................39
aowens@scbiznews.com
illions of dollars in federally backed loans flowed onto the balance sheets of 63,000 S.C. companies over the past few months, all against a backdrop of a global pandemic that transformed into an economic crisis. The Paycheck Protection Program, quickly passed by Congress under a larger coronavirus relief package, made low-interest loans available for businesses to keep employees safely at home but still on a company’s payroll. In thousands of loan applications, S.C. businesses said the money would help save a total of 657,957 jobs See PPP, Page 8
LIFTING UP The International African American Museum reached a significant structural milestone with the lifting of the topmost beam onto the structure overlooking Gadsden’s Wharf. The steel beam carried signatures of community leaders and supporters atop the museum, set to open in 2022. Page 5
Virtual Legal Clinic helps small businesses navigate COVID-19 By Jenny Peterson
S
Contributing writer
mall-business owners and nonprofit operators can get help navigating the uncharted waters of legal issues caused by COVID-19. Any business or nonprofit organization in the state with up to 25 employees can apply to the S.C. Virtual Legal Clinic for a free, 45-minute consultation to discuss their COVID-19-related business concerns with a lawyer and expert in the field.
Economic upheaval S.C. industries respond to unprecedented shutdown
See LEGAL, Page 6 ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED
Icons & Phenoms
The Columbia Regional Business Report salutes its 2020 class of business and community leaders. Page 15
ColumbiaBusinessReport.com
Forty Under 40
SC Biz News 1439 Stuart Engals Blvd. Suite 200 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
With publications in the Upstate, Columbia and Charleston, as well as a statewide magazine, SC Biz News covers the pulse of business across South Carolina. Above are excerpts from our other publications.
Meet the class of Forty Under 40 for 2020, including photos, profiles and, in some cases, advice from the honorees. Page 17
County Spotlight: Dillon | Trending: COVID-19 in S.C. | S.C. Delivers
CharlestonBusiness.com
SCBIZmag.com
4
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
Publisher - Rick Jenkins rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1224 UPSTATE NEWSROOM Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222 Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223 Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269 MIDLANDS NEWSROOM Editor - Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542 LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield bbarfield@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3115 Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Research Specialist - Paige Hardy phardy@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125 Digital Editorial Assistant - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3124 UPSTATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Account Executive - Ryan Downing rdowning@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1221 Account Executive - Angie Hammond ahammond@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1974
South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth
President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103
C-Suite
Photo Provided
JOE MCCULLOCH
PLANT MANAGER, BORGWARNER, SENECA
THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED The shop floor (workplace) is a reflection of
the standards we accept, not those we expect.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE?
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Newspaper delivery: meet commitment every day regardless of rain or tough Midwest winters.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO? BorgWarner is a Fortune 500 company that provides propulsion systems solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric passenger vehicles as well as the commercial vehicle market. The company has 67 locations in 19 countries and employs 29,000 people globally.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE ADVERSITY? Surround yourself with a team that is willing to roll up their sleeves and truly embrace
Success comes from teamwork with talent
collaboration regardless of rank or role while having the self-awareness to pause as leaders
and humility, a shared vision and decisions
and adjust the path taken, if necessary. *
guided by data.
Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox
*BorgWarner, while shut down in response to COVID-19 concerns, took a direct hit from a fatal tornado April 13, but reopened as scheduled, even as construction continued.
rwilcox@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3117 Events Account Executive - Melissa Tomberg
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
mtomberg@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1220 Events Manager - Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116 Accounting - Robin Tillotson ar@pbmbrands.com • 336.605.1025 CUSTOM MEDIA DIVISION Director of Business Development - Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3143 Business Development Executive Elizabeth Hodges lhodges@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3105
GSA Business Report (USPS 8460) is published twice monthly by SC Biz News, 35 Cessna Court, Suite A, Greenville, SC 29607-2700. Periodicals postage paid at Greenville, SC and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Subscription Services PO Box 1051 Williamsport, PA 17703-9940.
Annual subscribers receive 24 issues of GSA Business Report, including Book of Experts, Market Facts, and the Book of Lists. 24 issues for $57.95; 48 issues for $92.95; 72 issues for $129.95. Subscribe, renew, change your address or pay your invoice online at www.gsabusiness.com or call 877-615-9536.
NWS Company LLC A portfolio company of BridgeTower Media
The entire contents of this newspaper are copyright by NWS Company LLC with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. SCBIZ and South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
©2020 NWS Company LLC
July 27 - August 9, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 5
Employers solidify child care solutions as S.C. daycares shutter By Molly Hulsey
D
mhulsey@scbiznews.com
espite Gov. Henry McMaster’s call for schools to offer five-day, in-person classes, opposition from some school districts and mounting COVID-19 cases raise questions about child care availability for working parents as summer rolls into fall. Meanwhile, day care facilities have begun to disappear in droves from South Carolina’s child care landscape, a blow to a sector that, according to a 2015 analysis, has a $1.3 billion economic impact across the state. The issue is far from a new one, according to the Institute for Child Success, a nonprofit research and policy group based in Greenville. “The child care sector was always a vulnerable sector in terms of its economic fragility,” said Jamie Moon, president and CEO of ICS. “Child care runs on an extraordinarily tight margins to begin with and the pandemic only served to highlight that fragility and the importance of trying to bolster the sector.” Pre-pandemic, Greenville was already a child care desert — only one out of every three applicants for child care could secure a spot — in a state where 42% of all fami-
lies live with a similar child care shortage, according to Megan Carolan, ICS’s policy research director. Following the closure of about 50% of the state’s child care facilities this spring, reopened child care facilities are operating at lower capacities. One-third of the facilities surveyed by ICS in May reported they would be unable to weather any future closures, she said. As parents remain in a lurch juggling child care, education and work life with even fewer child care opportunities than before, employers also grapple with the best way to extend accommodations for employees while ensuring the work gets finished — and communicating those policies. Tony Powell, managing director of Knowledge Capital Group, a Charleston-based health care consulting firm, said one of his employees announced a child on the way over a Zoom call this spring. The parent is already struggling to find a Charleston day care slot a year in advance. “Child care is obviously going to be a huge issue,” Powell said. Thanks to the flexibility of a work-from-home scenario and open dialogue with employees, Powell said he hasn’t had an issue with employees keeping an eye on their children from the home office.
As for employers who manage a workforce that does not have the luxury of clocking in from the home office — such as some of the health care systems advised by Knowledge Capital Group — he sees flexible swing shifts and onsite child care as possible solutions. “Employers who can’t enable their staff to work remotely all the time or part of the time are going to have to be part of the solution to develop a child care infrastructure and safety net, so their employees can come back,” he said. Mark Bakker, a member of Nexsen Pruet, said few of his clients are concerned about employees’ parental responsibilities interfering with their work, but some had asked his advice for taking care of vulnerable individuals at home. “I think there has to be some flexibility on behalf of the employer, but if this is a voluntary agreement, the employer can dictate how those agreements look and what expectations look like in that situation,” he said. Aside from communicating provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Bakker suggested that employers take the initiative to introduce accommodations to the office as a whole, allowing employees to approach them later to discuss individual circumstances
without concerns about job security or other repercussions. “Draft good policies and have provisions in those policies...There is room for creativity there for allowing telework and managing it but also having the expectation that your employees are going to be doing the work that they need to do,” Bakker said. One of Bakker’s clients has attempted to establish a child care facility onsite, but obtaining a license and registration from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control sometimes proves to be challenging for companies. “I don’t think those type of thoughts are all that practical unless South Carolina DHEC relaxes some of its licensure requirements to make that work,” Bakker said. “And then you have all sorts of potential liabilities and issues with regard to child care onsite and providing that opportunity, but I do think, if this keeps going, in order to get some work done in health care and other fields, employers are going to have to step in the breech for child care options because schools and day cares may not be what gives them relief for their workers.” Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter.
6
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
in South Carolina to help South Carolinians get over this crisis. It’s kind of nice to help your neighbors.” The contract is also job security for Hoowaki employees. “Going into the first of March and looking at all our customers falling away and COVID-19 started heading in, there was a lot of consternation within the
SUPPLIES, from Page 1
“Very early on we started to notice service supply chain shortages,” Austin Shirley said. “They were across the board with equipment and reagents and everything else. But number one is collection kits because if you can’t collect it, you can’t test for it, no matter how much reagent you have.” By summer, CPT Medical had a solid business line making 100,000 COVID19 test kits a week that used an aspirate collection method approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What they wanted, though, was a swab — or, specifically, hundreds of thousands of swabs. “We were using the nasal aspirate kit, which was not the preferred method — even though it was CDC approved — but swabs were the gold standard,” Shirley said. “Hoowaki’s swab allows us to make a complete kit. The two components of a collection kit are a swab — ideally a nasopharyngeal swab — and adding that with our viral transport media, so it’s a complete kit and it’s all U.S. manufactured and it’s all Greenville, S.C., manufactured.” CPT Medical brought on 25 additional workers and invested in automation equipment. By the end of the month the operation will be fully automated and producing about 200,000 test kits weekly, with swabs. Shirley said he expects about 15 to 20 of the new jobs to become per-
“It’s satisfying to know our product will be used in South Carolina to help South Carolinians get over a crisis.” Ralph Hulseman president, Hoowaki
Before the month is over, injection molding technology will enable Hoowaki to produce swabs by the millions for COVID-19 testing, and other applications when the pandemic subsides. (Photo/Provided)
manent. CPT Medical and Hoowaki will continue to sell their individual products separately in addition to the kits that contain the products of both. For Hoowaki, CPT Medical is the first big customer for a new product that’s just now going into full production. “To find a partner just down the street, so to speak, that is aligned with us, the same interests and so on, is just really
satisfying to really get things going,” Hulseman said. “It’s very satisfying to have a customer who’s willing to step up and publicly validate that they’re sourcing our swabs, that they value their performance, they value the comfort and quality. And a third thing that is satisfying for me is a lot of small hospitals in South Carolina worry about the big guys buying everything up and not having access. … It’s satisfying to know our product will be used
company about being able to keep people employed and this, of course, sweeps away all those concerns,” Hulseman said. “We are able to give people fine jobs and preserve their careers and just do something very helpful.” For both companies, the Hoowaki swab promises business after the pandemic subsides because the swabs have other applications, including testing for common illnesses such as strep throat and flu. Reach Ross Norton at 864-720-1222 or @ RossNorton13 on Twitter.
D E V E LO P YO U R WO R K F O R C E W I T H ON-DEMAND TRAINING
Helping South Carolina Companies Grow
SCMEP now offers SCMEP Online, a new online training portal specifically for manufacturers. We realize time is valuable and flexible online learning provides critical training in a wide array of operational disciplines.
Learn how SCMEP Online can streamline your training program by visiting SCMEP-ONLINE.org COLUMBIA 250 Berryhill Road, Suite 512 Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 252-6976
GREENVILLE 250 Executive Center Drive, Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29615 (864) 288-5687
SCMEP is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization affiliated with The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a network of more than 60 MEP centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
July 27 - August 9, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 7
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Join us in virtually honoring the best and brightest young professionals in the Upstate! Given our new normal, social distancing protocols and overall uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, this event will air virtually on YouTube. Will it be as fun and entertaining as a live event? We absolutely think it will! This event is being produced as a high-quality web show. It will include award presentations and interviews with our honorees, along with a few surprises!
To register, go to bit.ly/gsa2020fortyreg After registering, you’ll receive return communication with a link, which will allow you to access the YouTube page immediately. Be sure to subscribe to the page to ensure you receive reminders about the upcoming event.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m
Thursday, August 27
YouTube
Presented by:
For sponsorship information, call Rick Jenkins at (846) 720-1224.
#40GSA
8
www.gsabusiness.com
MARKLEY, from Page 1
culinary scene since visiting in 2001. As the owner of the largest tenant, N&H has wanted to purchase the 175 parking spaces, courtyards and two historic buildings fully occupied by Urban Wren, Hoppin’ Beer and Wine Tap Room and Todaro Pizza since 2018 after Greenville-based owner and developer RealOps Investment broached the discussion last summer. N&H’s “sizable investment” ajoins plans to make the space an openair destination place with potential as an outdoor concert venue, Lincoln said. According to a report from Avison Young, Markley Station’s Building 1 — housing Todaro Pizza — sold for $7.1 million. The building at 120 N. Markley St. sold for $1.8 million. The properties, acquired at $197.47 per square foot, are two of the five sales transactions referenced by Avison Young’s second quarter report. The report used the purchases as an example of how “quality real estate with solid tenants” still continued to attract “high caliber investors,” leading to the 18 retail property purchases in the Greenville area, adding up to $29 million, despite 69,000 square feet of negative absorption in the Greenville-Spartanburg market. The report compared the deal with similar transactions including Med Realty LLC’s $6 million purchase of a 17,472-square-foot retail space at 2008 Laurens Road and Windward Partners’
July 27 - August 9, 2020
acquisition of a 10,908-square-foot property at 1 E. Stone Ave. for $2,550,000. Lincoln and his wife and co-owner, Roberta, also own Trail Café & Grill and Locale Eatery in Naples, Fla., run by their daughter and son-in-law, but Urban Wren Winery — managed by their son Nick — remains their largest holding. “He has a great vision. He just thought
“People love to eat outside. Even when it’s 95 degrees out.” Don Lincoln president, N&H Holdings
he saw what he could do with it, and then we found out who else was going to be moving in there,” Lincoln said about his son’s plans to open a cheese shop in 2018. No other place quite felt right. Then, the family discovered the West End site and stood in the courtyard, imagining what it would be like to open up shop by the railroad tracks. “We liked the history and the old train depot station. You know, we liked the brick, we liked the iron. When you get to see the restaurant, you’ll be able to see really what
we did,” Lincoln said, adding that his wife, the designer, helped open up the space while retaining its rustic character. And with the Upstate’s temperate weather and economic climate, Lincoln is grateful he and his son began to tap into the development’s potential for al fresco, or open-air, dining before indoor seating became a national health concern. “People love to eat outside. Even when it’s 95 degrees out,” he said, adding that in Florida, outdoor seating was much more limited before COVID-19 reached the state. Now, 75% of their Florida customers have been on the hunt for outdoor seating. Earlier in the year, Markley Station hosted an outdoor concert drawing 250 people, but even with the elbow room provided by the space, Lincoln said uncontrollability of social distancing has put a concert line-up on hold for now. Still, expansive outdoor seating has proved to be a boon for Clemson-based Todaro, Hoppin’s self-pour taproom and the Lincolns’ winery. At least 75% of the customers at N&H’s other holdings favor outdoor seating, and Lincoln’s next project will expand Markley’s rail-side dining by 120 seats. Urban Wren also plans to extend their wine, vinaigrette and olive oil offerings as the sole distributor of a private Tuscan winery when pandemic-related import complications improve. Last year, the 43,732-square-foot redevelopment project at 116 to 120 N. Mar-
kley St. was deemed the March of Dimes Development of the Year due to its centrality as a “a catalyst for extending development in the West End beyond Main Street and serving as an anchor for other developments on Markley Street,” according to a news release. New storefront windows, roof, exterior lighting and railings aside, Markley Station’s 1950-era exterior underwent an extensive restoration process married with landscaping and courtyard installations. “Although they were utilitarian structures, they possessed characteristics of Greenville’s industrial West End during the early part of the 20th century,” Robert Benedict, chairman of the March of Dimes leadership team, said in the release. “It was a sensitive rehabilitation that retained the building’s character with a tenant mix that would complement the vibe of the WE (West End) Historic District.” The location was also expected to propel the momentum of West End growth toward the burgeoning Unity Park Development across Academy Street. “For us, we knew the westside was up and coming, and with everything that’s going on and people still building, we believed that it was really the right decision to buy it and protect our investment,” Lincoln said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter
FEATURED INDUSTRIAL LISTINGS ±121,160 SF
54 INDUSTRIAL LISTINGS IN THE UPSTATE
WILSON BRIDGE FOUNTAIN INN, SC ±150,660 SF
CONNEXIAL CENTER GRAY COURT, SC ±158,240 SF
NAIEARLEFURMAN.COM
1700 OLD GROVE ROAD PIEDMONT, SC
±320,427 SF
130 COMMERCE CENTER GREENVILLE, SC ±158,886 SF
GROVE RESERVE PARKWAY PIEDMONT, SC ±206,410 SF
FOX HILL BUSINESS PARK FOUNTAIN INN, SC
July 27 - August 9, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 9
Businesses use billions to save 658,000 jobs in S.C. By Andy Owens
B
aowens@scbiznews.com
illions of dollars in federally backed loans flowed onto the balance sheets of 63,000 S.C. companies over the past few months, all against a backdrop of a global pandemic that transformed into an economic crisis. The Paycheck Protection Program, quickly passed by Congress under a larger coronavirus relief package, made low-interest loans available for businesses to keep employees safely at home but still on a company’s payroll. In thousands of loan applications, S.C. businesses said the money would help save 657,957 jobs across the state after coronavirus shutdowns began cutting demand for products and services in early March. Many of the companies receiving loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act are small businesses, and 88% of the loans in South Carolina were under $150,000. An analysis of Small Business Administration data by SC Biz News shows that the fallout from the pandemic threatened employees in every county with job losses and salary reductions. Statewide unemployment in February was 3.2%, a rate that had held steady for eight months.
Searchable online database SC Biz News generated a searchable online database of companies in South Carolina receiving Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 and above as of June 30. This database includes company names, number of jobs retained, loan amount categories, city and ZIP code. Search the database using the QR code at right or by pointing a browser to: bit.ly/ppp-sc By May, the jobless rate had risen to 12.4%, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce reported, before dipping back down to 8.7% in June. Elena Bottari, co-owner and CFO of Mariplast North America in Greer, said a loan saved jobs and salaries for workers at her company. The Italy-based manufacturer has 21 employees in South Carolina. “We only had a very small layoff before we received the money, then we didn’t lay off anybody or terminate anybody,” Bottari said. “We were able to preserve all employees. We didn’t reduce salaries. We didn’t reduce time.” Mariplast lost 70% of its business when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Bottari said the company was ready with safety
guidelines and procedures before the full effect of coronavirus infections hit the Palmetto State. “We are from Italy, so we knew in advance what was coming, so we started all of the precautions very early,” she said. Across the state, thousands of companies in a variety of sectors received loans. SC Biz News contacted several companies in the state’s largest cities, but few were willing to talk about their experience. Robert A. Chisholm, president of M.B. Kahn Construction, a builder in Columbia that works on large-scale commercial projects across the state, said the PPP loan prevented layoffs and kept workers on the job with benefits, including health insurance. “We have seen projects completed
INLAND
PORT GREER
Next-day direct rail service to port of Charleston scspa.com
during the pandemic period, have seen new opportunities shrink, and have seen other jobs placed on hold or canceled,” Chisholm said. “Ordinarily we would have had layoffs in these situations.” Fred Green, president and CEO of the S.C. Bankers Association, said $5.7 billion in loans have been written for S.C. companies. “It has worked very well for the banking community, primarily because they have been able to help so many of their customers,” Green said. “It was a costly program, but a very worthwhile one based on the end results and saving a lot of companies and keeping their employees on the payroll.” Green said COVID-19 has changed how customers see banks, which had a somewhat damaged reputation after the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. “I’m so proud of all of them, because they all did everything they could to help their clients,” Green said. “It just makes me proud to be a banker.”
Loans big and small
Even though the majority of the Paycheck Protection Program loans in South Carolina were for less than $150,000, each loan had to have documentation and a See LOANS, Page 18
GSP
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Direct domestic flights Direct international freight flights to continental Europe and Mexico gspairport.com
2
NATIONAL INTERSTATES From the intersection of I-85 and I-26, 239.7 million people are reachable within 2 days by truck KYLE A. SOX Vice President of Industrial Development
3+
MILLION FT 2 spec space available or under construction
SPARK CENTER SC at Spartanburg Community College — soft landing office and warehouse space for new and expanding projects sparkcentersc.com ksox@spartanburgchamber.com www.economicfuturesgroup.com
10 www.gsabusiness.com 2 www.charlestonbusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020 July 13 - 26, 2020
PPP data for South Carolina 63,168
Jobs retained in Southeast
The following data shows companies and jobs retained through the loan program for all loans made under the Payroll Protection Program in the following states, ranked by number of jobs.
Number of companies approved for payroll protection assistance in S.C.
55,553
- 1,000 companies receiving loans
Florida Georgia North Carolina Virginia Tennessee Louisiana Alabama South Carolina Mississippi
Companies approved for less than $150,000, totaling nearly $1.87 billion.
7,582
Companies approved for more than $150,000 - $4.9 million in assistance.
33
Companies approved to receive $5 million-$10 million.
657,957
52,393
Nonprofit organizations approved for loans across South Carolina.
3,224,664 1,471,782 1,246,594 973,961 916,996 800,221 672,861 657,957 412,492
Companies who received loans
Total Number of jobs saved statewide
2,567
Jobs retained
Number of nonprofit jobs retained through loans.
11,190
Number of companies with a listing in government data of 0 or no answer provided for number of jobs retained from emergency payroll loans.
Florida Georgia North Carolina Virginia Tennessee Louisiana Alabama South Carolina Mississippi
393,016 156,810 121,913 109,227 93,287 73,827 65,803 63,168 45,814 Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
GREENVILLE COUNTY 8,668
presents
Number of companies approved for assistance
Companies retaining 500 Jobs Company
101,159
Number of jobs retained
83 1 + 2 3 8
Loans awarded by amount
Management Accounting
724
$150,000-$350,000
What’s the Difference?
Financial Accounting and 7,432 Management Accounting?
Less than $150,000
370
$350,000-$1 million
90
$1 million-$2 million
43
$2 million-$5 million
9 Read Now at ATLOCKEInsights.com Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
$5 million-$10 million
City
Just Dandy Inc.
Greenville
Greenwood Inc.
Greenville
Cliffs Club Services LLC
Travelers Rest
First Sun Management Corp.
Piedmont
ACM Fatz VII LLC
Greenville
Kudzu Staffing
Piedmont
Whitefords Inc.
Greenville
Human Technologies Inc.
Greenville
InvestSouth IHC LLC
Greenville
S. B. Phillips Co. Inc.
Greenville
The Sunshine House Inc.
Greenville
Approved for the Most Money The following companies approved for $5 million to $10 million loans. Company Beverage South Inc.
Lender Truist Bank
Commercial Food Service Repair Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
Eldeco Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
Human Technologies Inc.
Truist
InvestSouth IHC LLC
South State Bank
S. B. Phillips Co. Inc.
First Horizon Bank
The Sunshine House Inc. Essential Cabinetry Holdings Inc. ACM Fatz VII LLC
Trian Business Bank The Huntington National Bank Synovus
from emergency payroll loans.
Mississippi
45,814 Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
July 27 - August 9, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 11
GREENVILLE COUNTY 8,668
Number of companies approved for assistance
Companies retaining 500 Jobs Company
101,159
Number of jobs retained
83 1 + 2 3 8
Loans awarded by amount
724
$150,000-$350,000
370
$350,000-$1 million
7,432
90
$1 million-$2 million
Less than $150,000
43
$2 million-$5 million
9
$5 million-$10 million Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
City
Just Dandy Inc.
Greenville
Greenwood Inc.
Greenville
Cliffs Club Services LLC
Travelers Rest
First Sun Management Corp.
Piedmont
ACM Fatz VII LLC
Greenville
Kudzu Staffing
Piedmont
Whitefords Inc.
Greenville
Human Technologies Inc.
Greenville
InvestSouth IHC LLC
Greenville
S. B. Phillips Co. Inc.
Greenville
The Sunshine House Inc.
Greenville
Approved for the Most Money The following companies approved for $5 million to $10 million loans. Company
Lender
Beverage South Inc.
Truist Bank
Commercial Food Service Repair Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
Eldeco Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
Human Technologies Inc.
Truist
InvestSouth IHC LLC
South State Bank
S. B. Phillips Co. Inc.
First Horizon Bank
The Sunshine House Inc. Essential Cabinetry Holdings Inc.
Trian Business Bank The Huntington National Bank
ACM Fatz VII LLC
Synovus
Visit the GSA Business Report YouTube page to see these and many other informative videos.
Coffee With‌John Lummus Our popular Coffee With‌series has accumulated thousands of views
Women of Influence - A digital event show honoring 25 influential women in the Upstate 4,200 views and counting
Coping with Covid with Dr. Matt Bitner, from Prisma Health 4,400 views and counting
See What All the Fuss is About
Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News 12
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
SPARTANBURG COUNTY 2,902
Number of companies approved for assistance
More than 300 Jobs Retained
37,727
Company
City
Jobs
Duncan
500
Kiki’s Kare LLC
Spartanburg
498
Southeastern Paper Group Inc.
Spartanburg
485
Converse College
Spartanburg
482
East Coast Underwriters LLC
Spartanburg
438
R. L. Jordan Oil Co. of N.C. Inc.
Spartanburg
350
Inman
334
Spartanburg
333
Duncan
325
Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg
322
YMCA of Greater Spartanburg
Spartanburg
310
HKA Enterprises LLC
Number of jobs retained
82 1 + 2 3 5 7
Loans awarded by amount
223
$150,000-$350,000
142
Inman Mills Spartanburg Steel Products Inc. AMC Management Corp.
$350,000-$1 million
2,485
Less than $150,000
37
$1 million-$2 million
11
$2 million-$5 million
4
$5 million-$10 million
Approved for the Most Money The following companies approved for $5 million to $10 million loans. Company
Lender
Inman Mills
South State Bank
Southeastern Paper Group Inc.
Truist Bank
Spartanburg Steel Products Inc.
Comerica Bank
HKA Enterprises LLC
Fifth Third Bank
Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
2020 | SOUTH CAROLINA
MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EXPO The Most Significant Manufacturing Event of the Year Presented by:
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO October 29th–30th, 2020
Join us virtually for the most significant manufacturing event of the year! The SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo – the state’s most significant manufacturing event of the year -- is going virtual! The two-day conference will stream live on October 29th-30th. Will it be as informative and all-encompassing as the traditional live event? We think absolutely it will!
A passion for innovation Stäubli is a global mechatronics solution provider with three core activities: Connectors, Robotics and Textile. We are an international group, with a presence today in 29 countries and agents in 50 countries on four continents.
www.staubli.com
The virtual format will provide the type of convenience needed for nationally-renown speakers to fit us into their busy schedules. We are in the process of scheduling those speakers and formulating the agenda now. More details to come, but this is what you can expect: • Virtual Expo that includes live chat feature, video and link uploads, and more! • 10 Keynote Speakers • Three CEO Conversations on Industry 4.0 • Conversations with Facility Managers on Industry 4.0 • Three CEO Conversations on Workforce Challenges • Conversations with HR execs on Workforce Challenges
• Economic Outlook Presentations on Aerospace and Auto Industries • Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The Future of Aerospace Event • Building the Workforce of the Future Event • Executive Women in Manufacturing Panel Discussion • 20 Training Classes on a Wide Variety of Topics • And MUCH More!
For more information and the complete Agenda, visit www.scmanufacturingconference.com Conference Partners:
Contact Melissa Tomberg at mtomberg@scbiznews.com or call 864-720-1220 for sponsorship opportunities or to reserve your virtual booth.
July 27 - August 9, 2020 July 13 - 26, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 13 www.charlestonbusiness.com 3
ANDERSON COUNTY 1,917
Number of companies approved for assistance
More than 200 Jobs Retained
19,437
Company
Number of jobs retained
Loans awarded by amount
86 1 2 4 7 135
City
Jobs
Southern Wesleyan University
Central
494
Cornell Dubilier Marketing Inc.
Liberty
415
Young Men’s Christian Association of Anderson Inc.
Anderson
397
Orian Rugs Inc.
Anderson
330
Newspring Church Inc.
Anderson
282
Upstate Staffing Inc.
Anderson
244
Anderson Industries LLC
Anderson
217
$150,000-$350,000
59
$350,000-$1 million
1,697
22
Less than $150,000
Approved for the Most Money The following companies approved for $2 million to $5 million loans, the most approved for companies and organizations in Anderson County.
$1 million-$2 million
Company Southern Wesleyan University
Truist Bank
4
Cornell Dubilier Marketing Inc.
TD Bank
$2 million-$5 million
Orian Rugs Inc.
Lender
South State Bank
Newspring Church Inc.
TD Bank
Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
SPARTANBURG COUNTY 2,902
Number of companies approved for assistance
More than 300 Jobs Retained
37,727
Company
City
Jobs
Duncan
500
Kiki’s Kare LLC
Spartanburg
498
Southeastern Paper Group Inc.
Spartanburg
485
Converse College
Spartanburg
482
East Coast Underwriters LLC
Spartanburg
438
R. L. Jordan Oil Co. of N.C. Inc.
Spartanburg
350
Inman
334
Spartanburg
333
Duncan
325
Spartanburg
322
Follow your path. Lead the way. HKA Enterprises LLC
Number of jobs retained
82 1 + 2 3 5 7
Loans awarded by amount
223
$150,000-$350,000
Inman Mills
Spartanburg Steel Products Inc.
Workforce solutions AMC Management Corp.
Spartanburg Methodist College
Register for professional and workforce310 YMCAnow of Greater Spartanburg Spartanburg 142 development training and certificates in: $350,000-$1 million
2,485
Less than $150,000
37
$1 million-$2 million
11
$2 million-$5 million
4 www.gvltec.edu/edct/ Source: Small Business Administration data, analysis by SC Biz News
$5 million-$10 million
• Building Operator Certification (BOC®) • Certification in Logistics, Transportation Distribution (CLTD) Theand following companies approved for $5 million to $10 million loans. • Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) Lender •Company Certificate in Safety for Supervisors Mills Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) South State Bank •Inman Certified •Southeastern Forklift Driving (Certified NCS) Paper Group Inc. Truist Bank • Lean & Lean Six Sigma Spartanburg Steel Products Inc. Comerica Bank
Approved for the Most Money
HKA Enterprises LLC
Fifth Third Bank
14
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
Monday, August 10 Holly Tree Country Club Sponsorships and team spots limited
The Greater Mauldin 29th Annual Golf Tournament has been rescheduled for Monday, August 10 at Holly Tree Country Club and is filling fast! Spot are limited. If you planned to sponsor or play in the tournament originally scheduled for May, we need you to confirm you will be participating Monday, August 10. If you would like to play in August, we have a few sponsorships/team spots available.
Fore more details & registration Pat Pomeroy at 864-297-1323 or pat.pomeroy@mauldinchamber.org
In Focus
TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS LISTS: Third-Party Logistics Providers, Page 19 Bonus List: Warehouse Services, Page 20
NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS: Banking & Finance
ELD regulations could regionalize supply chains By Molly Husley
B
mhulsey@scbiznews.com
eyond the chain-link fence cordoning off one of Greer’s three U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones stretches hundreds of square feet of wheels stacked almost to the ceiling, boxes of lubricants in all colors and crates of components used to ready milk for shipping — to name a few items awaiting delivery. Most have wound their way up to the Inland Port from Charleston. Others have been flown in from a customs station about three miles down the road. But no matter how these products reached Swafford Transport and Warehousing, Dusty Locke, vice president of the operation, is grateful – now more than ever – to have storage capabilities alongside a trucking fleet. The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought with it a host of complications for the logistics and transportation sector, as well as an urge to regionalize operations, but according to Locke, national regulations — and state-specific regulation disparities — in the trucking industry over the past few years had already begun to reconfigure and reconnect supply chain nodes due to losses fielded by the industry. “The intent is always pure. It’s always good, and you think it’s going to be helpful,” Locke said, about regulatory laws on the trucking industry. “But if you haven’t lived it and done it, you haven’t come from that business background and you’re just at a 30,000-foot view, this looks like an easy fix. Well, it’s not.” Predominant snags, he said, are the
A red tractor used for overnight trips is parked beside two day cabs. The tractors are part of Swafford’s 20-tractor and 250-trailer fleet. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)
regulations surrounding electronic devices used to track hours-of-service requirements prescribed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The stipulations, mandated by Congress a little under a decade ago under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, according to an FMCSA statement, require electronic logging devices to keep tabs on trucker’s 10-hour and 11-hour driving limits instead of relying on paper logs or, in its newest iteration, legacy automatic onboard recording devices. According to existing hour-of-ser-
vice requirements, drivers must rest in sleeper cabs or go off-duty for at least 30 minutes every nine hours or less, while drivers who have been on-duty for 60 or 70 hours over seven or eight consecutive days must take 35 consecutive hours off before jumping back on the road again, aside from some exemptions, according to the FMCSA site. Some hours-of-service requirements were temporarily set aside for the delivery of emergency medical supplies this spring. ELD or AORD installations monitoring these hour-of-service transi-
tions were required by law in 2017, but all fleets were expected to replace AORDs with ELDs, which displays and records a wealth of compliance data compared to the grandfathered AORDs, by December 2019. “The rule is intended to help create a safer work environment for drivers, and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage and share RODS (record of duty status),” according to a statement from the FMCSA. The FMCSA estimates that full implementation of ELDs will result in See REGULATIONS, Page 17
Buy and Sell with Confidence with Allen Tate’s 100% Money Back Guarantee program* *Certain restrictions apply
16
www.gsabusiness.com
IN FOCUS: TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
July 27 - August 9, 2020
Invest in your success. The story of the Upstate business market is a story told in numbers. Market Facts includes data and statistics critical to commerce in our region. Topics range from employment to education to logistics, with data presented in readable charts and graphs. Take advantage of this opportunity to get your marketing message to our business community, and in front of the businesses and people planning a move to our area.
PUBLICATION DATE: August 24, 2020
| ADVERTISING DEADLINE: July 17, 2020
For advertising information, contact Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224 or rjenkins@scbiznews.com
IN FOCUS: TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
July 27 - August 9, 2020
REGULATIONS, from Page 15
1,844 fewer crashes, 562 related injuries and 26 fewer deaths each year, according to a statement on the agency’s site. Data from an April 2020 also shows that the rollout of ELD compliance also brought the percentage of driver inspections with a HOS violation down from 1.19% in December 2017 to .28% in March 2020. Locke agrees that some of the hourof-service regulations have been helpful in preventing sleep-induced wrecks, but he also argues that some of the criteria and lack of flexibility has put greater strains on truck drivers to speed to make deadlines. The regulations also
www.gsabusiness.com 17
all fleets were prepared to shoulder. Locke knows of at least two companies that had to shutter due to the ELD costs. “It’s a huge expense; it put a lot of smaller operators out of business,” he said, adding that a 1992-tractor with a refurbished engine may have worked well under past requirements but is not electronically compatible with ELDs. At a baseline price, new trucks are more than $100,000. Installation of the device alone is at least $3,000 per truck. “They could not afford to comply,” he said. Swafford was able to adapt existing trucks but compliance still came with a hefty cost of time, sweat and money. When one truck wasn’t compatible
“If you haven’t lived it and done it, you haven’t come from that business background and you’re just at a 30,000-foot view, this looks like an easy fix. Well, it’s not.”
Swafford operates warehouses in one of Spartanburg’s three foreign-trade zones and one in Greenville. Duty payments are deferred until delivery in foreign-trade zones. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)
Dusty Locke vice president of operations, Swafford Transport and Warehousing
priced smaller trucking companies out of the market, he said. “There have been more accidents, more speeding tickets, because the drivers, they’ve only got this window. … My driver needs to earn this much and I need to earn this much per hour to cover my costs for the equipment, the payroll and the fuel and I’d said I could do it in 10 (hours). Well, it just became 18 (hours). Now, we just lost money; the driver just lost money, and now he feels that pressure continuously to drive a little faster, get there a little sooner,” Locke said. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation study from 2018, the year after ELDs were enforced, largetruck accident-related deaths reached 885 incidents, a .9% increase from the year before. All other traffic fatalities decreased by 2.4%. Greater speed also puts additional wear and tear on trucking parts. Furthermore, retrofitting a tractor-trailer with new ELD equipment also comes with extensive monetary costs that not
because it needed a camera, the company retired it to local runs only. “We’ve even got a some tractors that we put ELDs in, and it took a lot of work, a lot of work to adapt the wiring harnesses so it can communicate with all the different parts of the truck that it had to,” he said. Some companies adjust through tag-teaming. On a larger scale, Locke sees that trucking regulations, lifestyle shifts and the supply chain disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic are all driving increased regionalization of logistics hubs. Driver turnover is high in the industry, he said, as truckers increasingly want to stick closer to home and families. The “Amazon effect” has also prompted consumers to expect ever shortening delivery times. Lastly, thanks to ELDs and other regulations, the cost of driving beyond the scope of a day’s trip is just not as profitable as it used to be — or even feasible for some companies, he said.
Stacks of imported goods await delivery in one of the Upstate’s foreign-trade zones. (Photo/Molly Hulsey)
Greer is in a sound spot for the transition, however. Distribution centers in Charleston may have lost out with the construction of the Greer port due to its location within a one-day trucking radius for major cities across the Southeast, Locke said. Not so for Swafford. And with costs come changes and with changes, new opportunities.
“We are within one day of something like 55% of the population of the United States right here in Greer. You could drive eight hours and you could make it to Nashville, Louisville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, D.C.,” he said. Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1222 or @mollyhulsey_gsa on Twitter
WE CAN HANDLE IT LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING SERVICES
YOU CAN DEPEND ON
1630 Old Hwy 14 South | Greer, SC 29651 864-848-3854 | 1-800-366-1895 | www.swaffordtransport.com
18
IN FOCUS: TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
www.gsabusiness.com
LOANS, from Page 9
Target your market in an upcoming issue of the GSA Business Report
AUGUST 10
BANKING AND FINANCE List: Accounting Firms Advertising Deadline: July 27 AUGUST 24
MARKET FACTS
Advertising Deadline: July 17 SEPTEMBER 7
ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: Engineering Firms Advertising Deadline: August 24 SEPTEMBER 21
MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE Special Section: Preview Guide Advertising Deadline: September 7
lender to be approved before time ran out June 30. The program has since been extended to Aug. 8. Many financial institutions set aside other priorities to focus on paycheck protection loans even as they were adjusting to working remotely and ensuring the health and safety of their own employees. Banks that participated in the SBA program received federal repayment guarantees. If a business can’t repay the loan, the federal government will cover 100% of the amount. Typically, SBA-backed loans have a 50% to 85% guarantee. Under the Cares Act program, the banks charge 1% interest. Not a large amount, but bankers said that wasn’t what mattered during the chaotic run-up before the deadline was extended. “There have been economic hardship periods before, but there were so many circumstances in this that made it unlike anything we’ve seen up to this point,” said Cutter Davis, an executive vice president and director of commercial banking for South State Bank. “It’s been unprecedented. Companies were trying to survive and adapt and figure out how they were going to move through this.” Davis said at one point, the bank had every functional and technological resource directed toward these loans. “This became sort of mission No. 1
July 27 - August 9, 2020
when it happened,” Davis said. “We ended up installing a new technology platform and network tool to support this process. We are proud of the role that we played.”
Paying back the money
One of the signature parts of the Cares Act was that some loans would not have to be repaid, but the regulations remain unclear, Green said. He said the pandemic isn’t over, and businesses are concerned about being required to repay the loans. “The process by which you get that loan forgiven has not been defined by SBA, so at this point in time, even though there are quite a few who would like to apply for forgiveness, there’s no mechanism to do it,” he said. Congress is considering a measure to make it easier for loans to be forgiven, but a lot depends on what is passed. M.B. Kahn said because federal guidelines increased the window from eight weeks to 24 weeks during which the money can be used, the company has not addressed the forgiveness of the loan. Bottari indicated her company is eager to see regulations on repayment.The company received a loan of between $150,000 and $350,000, and she said business has picked up but a lot of her customers still aren’t placing orders. “It has improved a little bit, but we still are very down compared to last year,” Bottari said.
TOP TALENT. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP. MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
OCTOBER 5
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT List: Colleges and Universities Bonus List: Technical Colleges and Trade Schools Advertising Deadline: September 21
For advertising information, call Rick Jenkins at (864) 720-1224
As the global leader in commercial real estate services, CBRE delivers world-class consulting and advisory services to all of our clients in Greenville and beyond. Our unparalleled local market insight, integrated services and proven expertise continue to unlock the power and potential of real estate for everyone we proudly serve.
Learn more at cbre.us/greenville
IN FOCUS: TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
July 27 - August 9, 2020
www.gsabusiness.com 19
Third-Party Logistics Providers Ranked by No. of Employees in the Upstate
Employees: Upstate / Statewide / Worldwide
Company
Phone / Website / Email
Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
Benore Logistic Systems Inc. 2501 S.C. Highway 101 S. Greer, SC 29651
864-655-8100 www.benorelogistics.com businessdevelopment@benorelogistics.com
Jeffery Benore, Ron Sellers, Dave Benore 1994
1100 -
Transportation services including end-to-end supply chain management, JIT and JIS services, OTR services, inter-plant shuttle services, on-site switching services, dedicated transportation network services, cross dock services and more
Warehouse Services Inc. 58 S. Burty Road Piedmont, SC 29673
864-422-9955 www.wsionline.com sales@wsi-ismi.com
M. Jill Cox, Max Dieterle, Chris Apple 1986
925 1,000 4,000
Warehousing, transportation, IT services, VAS services
Sunland Logistics Solutions 1312 Old Stage Road Simpsonville, SC 29681
864-295-0081 www.sunlandlogisticssolutions.com solutions@sunlandls.com
Elijah Ray 1982
250 300 350
Order fulfillment, warehousing, inventory management, pick and pack, quality inspection, plant support, systems integration, supply chain visibility, data insight, reverse logistics, shuttle transportation and value added services
PackIQ LLC 1 American Way Anderson, SC 29621
864-356-5578 www.packiq.com mbeck@packiq.com
Mark J. Beck 2000
225 225 225
material handling, managed warehousing, steel shipping racks, wood crates
Averitt Express 775 Berry Shoals Road Duncan, SC 29334
800-283-7488 www.averittexpress.com averittnews@averittexpress.com
Larry Mason 1971
200 200 9,500
Final mile, intermodal, international, LTL, truckload
HTI 105 N. Spring St., Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601
864-467-0330 www.htijobs.com sales@htijobs.com
John Knight, David Sewell, Herbert W. Dew 1999
110 2,400 3,200
Sequencing, kitting, repack, washing, sorting, containment
The TSC Agency Landstar 600 S. Packs Mountain Road Taylors, SC 29687
864-414-2321 www.thebillcooneragency.com bill.landstar@charter.net
Jeff Pell 2002
100 -
Truck load broker
Swafford Transport & Warehouse 1630 Old S.C. Highway 14 S. Greer, SC 29651
864-848-3854 www.swaffordtransport.com info@swaffordtransport.com
Dusty Locke, Jessica Bruce 1983
59 59 59
Foreign trade zone
Rogers & Brown Custom Brokers Inc. 150 W. Phillips Road, Suite L Greer, SC 29650
864-879-2157 www.rogers-brown.com
Raymond Kelley, Cathy Jones 1968
30 -
Domestic transportation, warehousing
Rogers & Brown North American Logistics Inc. 146 W. Phillips Road, Suite A Greer, SC 29650
864-801-8300 www.rogers-brown.com
Raymond Kelley 1999
30 -
Domestic logistics, warehousing
D/C Transport Inc. 1629 S.C. Highway 14 S. Greer, SC 29650
843-989-0434 www.dctransport.com rfq@dcexport.com
1991
16 -
Transportation, container and flat-rack loading and unloading
John Perkins Industries Inc. 712 Antioch Church Road Greenville, SC 29604
864-672-4204 jperk4@aol.com
Joel M. Perkins 1968
10 10 10
Order fulfillment
Upstate Logistics & Distribution 254 Franklin St. Spartanburg, SC 29303
864-582-0290 www.upstatelogistics.com info@upstatelogistics.com
Ryan Delaney 2005
10 -
Rail transloading for boxcars and bulk, as well as general warehousing and logistics services
Interglobal Forwarders Inc. 1000 W. Poinsett St. Greer, SC 29650
864-879-4852 www.interglobalforwarders.com steve@interglobalforwarders.com
Steve Dew 1997
9 9 9
Freight forwarding, short term warehouse, intermodal
Transales Inc. 1801 Rutherford Road Greenville, SC 29609
803-774-1328 www.transales.us
Wilkes Brown 1996
8 20 22
Container drayage
H.D. Auston Moving Systems LLC 200 Pate Drive, Suite C Greenville, SC 29609
864-269-0073 www.austonmoving.com info@austonmoving.com
Hardy D. Auston 1945
6 -
Household goods
UCW Logistics 325 W. McBee Ave., Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601
864-516-1980 www.ucwlogistics.com info@ucwlogistics.com
Jim Moore, Evan C. Cramer 2013
6 -
Transportation management
Tiger Enterprises & Trading Inc. 512 John Ross Court Pelzer, SC 29669
864-862-3838 www.tigerenterprises.com dwalker@tigerenterprises.com
Dwight D. Walker, Bonnie L. Walker, Dan Hansen 1993
4 4 4
Disassembly of aircraft items
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to lists@scbiznews.com.
Services Offered
Researched by Paige Hardy
20
IN FOCUS: TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
Warehouse Services
✔
864-422-9955 www.wsionline.com sales@wsi-ismi.com
M. Jill Cox, Max Dieterle, Chris Apple 1986
1,216,936
✔
Swafford Transport & Warehouse 1630 Old S.C. Highway 14 S. Greer, SC 29651
864-848-3854 www.swaffordtransport.com info@swaffordtransport.com
Dusty Locke, Jessica Bruce 1983
436,000
Eastern Distribution Inc. 1510 Antioch Church Road Greenville, SC 29606
864-277-2800 www.easterndistributioninc.com info@easterndistributioninc.com
Stevan Eaton, Missy Riley, Carolyn Segars Smith, Terrence L. Smith 1965
375,000
Upstate Logistics & Distribution 254 Franklin St. Spartanburg, SC 29303
864-582-0290 www.upstatelogistics.com info@upstatelogistics.com
Ryan Delaney 2005
335,000
PackIQ LLC 1 American Way Anderson, SC 29621
864-356-5578 www.packiq.com mbeck@packiq.com
Mark J. Beck 2000
315,000
John Perkins Industries Inc. 712 Antioch Church Road Greenville, SC 29604
864-672-4204 jperk4@aol.com
Joel M. Perkins 1968
276,000
Averitt Express 775 Berry Shoals Road Duncan, SC 29334
800-283-7488 www.averittexpress.com averittnews@averittexpress.com
Larry Mason 1971
205,000
✔
RPM Transportation LLC 10395 Greenville Highway Wellford, SC 29385
864-801-3334 jerry@rpmtransportationco.com
1999
125,000
✔
Crossdocking, distribution center management, dry storage, inventory management
Palmetto State Transportation 1050 Park West Blvd. Greenville, SC 29611
864-672-3800 www.palmettostatetrans.com dispatch@palmettostatetrans.com
Bob Dumit, Anthony Dumit, Barry Martin 1991
77,000
✔
Dry storage, hazardous materials
Hilldrup Companies 750 Berry Shoals Road Duncan, SC 29334
864-879-0021 www.hilldrup.com
Billy Morrison 1903
75,000
✔
H.D. Auston Moving Systems LLC 200 Pate Drive, Suite C Greenville, SC 29609
864-269-0073 www.austonmoving.com info@austonmoving.com
Hardy D. Auston 1945
33,000
Advanced Rigging & Machinery Movers 2117 Three and Twenty Road Easley, SC 29642
864-850-9829 www.advanced-rigging.com mlhinty@advanced-rigging.com
Gene Burnett, Matthew Hinty 2003
12,000
✔
Dry storage, pick/pack, subassembly
Tiger Enterprises & Trading Inc. 512 John Ross Court Pelzer, SC 29669
864-862-3838 www.tigerenterprises.com dwalker@tigerenterprises.com
Dwight D. Walker, Bonnie L. Walker, Dan Hansen 1993
12,000
✔
Distribution center management, dry storage, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/pack, subassembly
Rogers & Brown Custom Brokers Inc. 150 W. Phillips Road, Suite L Greer, SC 29650
864-879-2157 www.rogers-brown.com
Raymond Kelley, Cathy Jones 1968
10,000
✔
Rogers & Brown North American Logistics Inc. 146 W. Phillips Road, Suite A Greer, SC 29650
864-801-8300 www.rogers-brown.com
Raymond Kelley 1999
10,000
864-295-0081 www.sunlandlogisticssolutions.com solutions@sunlandls.com
Warehouse Services Inc. 58 S. Burty Road Piedmont, SC 29673
Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to lists@scbiznews.com.
✔
ISO
Sunland Logistics Solutions 1312 Old Stage Road Simpsonville, SC 29681
FTZ
Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded
✔
✔
Crossdocking, distribution center management, dry storage, hazardous materials, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/pack, subassembly
✔
✔
Crossdocking, distribution center management, dry storage, hazardous materials, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/pack, subassembly
✔
✔
✔
Crossdocking, distribution center management, dry storage, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/ pack, subassembly
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
USDA
1,900,000
Phone / Website / Email
FDA
Elijah Ray 1982
Company
C-TPAT
Square Footage
Bonded
Ranked by Square Footage of Warehouse Space in the Upstate
✔
Warehouse Services
Crossdocking, dry storage, frozen/refrigerated, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/pack, subassembly
Crossdocking, distribution center management, dry storage, inventory management
Distribution center management, inventory management, pick/pack, subassembly
✔
Crossdocking, dry storage, inventory management, order fulfillment
Crossdocking, distribution center management, dry storage, hazardous materials, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/pack, subassembly
✔
Dry storage, inventory management
✔
Crossdocking, dry storage, inventory management, order fulfillment, pick/pack, subassembly
Crossdocking, dry storage
✔
✔
Crossdocking, dry storage, order fulfillment
Researched by Paige Hardy
At Work
BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Business Digest Nursing program accredited
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education granted accreditation for the RN to BSN degree program at Southern Wesleyan University. The accreditation takes effect Oct. 7 and will be for five years, extending to June 30, 2025. The CCNE board determined that Southern Wesleyan’s program fully met all four accreditation standards. For details about the Nursing program at Southern Wesleyan, visit swu.edu.
Company works for clean energy
E4 Carolinas, a collaborator with the S.C. Clean Energy Business Alliance, is expanding to provide clean-energy promotion in South Carolina. The E4 Carolinas board of directors has created a task force to promote clean energy and attract related companies to the state. The Task Force will specifically focus on energy created from low-carbon fuel sources, such as renewables, hydrogen and nuclear.
ity is located at 1990 Hood Road in Greer
Colleges work out transfer program
National retailers coming to Easley
Rise Partners announced that Five Below, HomeGoods, Ross Dress for Less and Ulta Beauty have signed leases for new stores at the Town N’ Country shopping center on Calhoun Memorial Highway. The four retailers — all new to Easley — will occupy newly created spaces at the former JCPenney building at Town N’ Country, which was acquired by Rise Partners in April 2019. Construction is scheduled to be complete this fall, with opening date announcements coming soon from each of the retailers. In addition, Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed a lease for 2,400 square feet at a freestanding building under construction near the front of the shopping center, Rise Partners said.
NHE adds Riverstone to portfolio
Property management firm NHE Inc. has added the Riverstone community in Simpsonville to its portfolio of managed community associations. The community is being developed by Mark III of Spartanburg, homes being built by Ryan Homes. Riverstone is a 427-home residential community with a community pool, clubhouse, riverside walking trails, recreational field and tennis courts, community amphitheater, riverfront pavilion and playground.
Lush opens store at Haywood Mall
Lush, a cosmetics retailer based in the United Kingdom, announced the opening of its first Greenville store, located in Haywood Mall between LoveSac and the Lego Store on the lower level. The shop is more than 1,350 square feet and features skincare and haircare areas. The store is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Kopis offers Furman internship Southern Wesleyan revises schedule Southern Wesleyan University will begin in-person instruction for the fall semester on Aug. 17 and conclude the semester by Nov. 24. The university also announced that it plans to hold winter commencement on Nov. 21, rather than the original date in December. The university also will forego the Labor Day holiday and fall break, previously scheduled for Oct. 15 and 16. The changes have been made to mitigate the risks of COVID-19, the university said.
Infinity earns 7 Telly awards
Infinity Marketing won seven awards in the 2020 Telly Awards competition for various client video projects. This is the largest number of accolades the firm has ever received from the Telly Awards in a single year, bringing its total creative award count to more than 150 in the past three years, Infinity said.
New building honors Rick Sumerel
The newest anchor building at 325 Rocky Slope Road within Legacy Square will be known as The Sumerel, named in honor of the late Rick Sumerel, former president and CEO of Verdae Development. NHE recently relocated its corporate headquarters to the new 50,000-squarefoot building along with Southeastern insurance defense law firm Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A. and DeHollander and Janse Financial Group, a Greenville-based wealth management firm. The building’s ground-floor tenant will be AO-The Space, a day spa and salon. Sumerel led the 2005 launch of the 1,100-acre Verdae master plan. He died in 2019.
Greenville software development company Kopis has partnered with Furman University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summer Bootcamp and Next to bring in summer interns to learn more about technology careers. The internship willsimulate the feel of a startup through Furman University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summer Bootcamp, a three-week program designed to help non-business students learn business basics.
Refresco expanding in Greer
Refresco, a global independent bottler for both retailers and brands in Europe and North America, announced plans to expand operations for the second time in 2020 at its Greer facility. The company is projected to add 40 jobs. Refresco provides a variety of services from developing new beverage flavors to providing packaging, storage and distribution. Additional packaging, processing and quality testing equipment will be procured as part of this expansion. The facil-
Greenville Technical College and Clemson University have a new agreement that allows students enrolled in a Greenville Technical College associate in arts or science degree with a social science track to be accepted as transfers into the anthropology and sociology degree programs at Clemson. Final admission to Clemson will be subject to a review of the applicant’s official transcript and academic records at Greenville Tech. An individualized advising plan will be developed by both institutions to guide students as they move from one institution to the next.
Fuel launches design review
Greenville-based marketing agency Fuel announced the Fuel for Good Portfolio Review, offering design students an opportunity to showcase their work and receive constructive feedback from Fuel’s creative director and creative team. Design students majoring in graphic design, advertising, marketing communications, or related fields are invited to apply for consideration. The 25-minute review will be held with a panel of Fuel professionals who will evaluate their portfolio and provide feedback to help them prepare as they move toward the start of their careers. The opportunity is open to juniors and seniors currently enrolled and attending an accredited college in and around the Greenville area.
Supply chain programs accredited
After assessing 136 colleges and universities across the nation, the website Intelligent.com has ranked Southern Wesleyan University’s supply chain management program as the No. 1 program. Intelligent. com evaluated 442 programs on the basis of reputation, course strength, cost, faculty and flexibility. Southern Wesleyan offers a supply chain management concentration online and on-campus within its business administration degree program.
Mauldin adopts $35M budget
Mauldin City Council approved a $35.3 million budget that includes investments in transportation and sewer infrastructure, enhancements to City Park, city buildings and facilities, and construction of a pedestrian bridge across Interstate 385. The budget does not require a millage or tax increase and will not draw on the city’s reserve funds, according to a news release.
Submit items using our online submission portal: www.GSABizWire.com. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.
22
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
People in the News ENGINEERING
McCarter
BookerLAB hired James McCarter as business development representative. McCarter most recently worked as commercial sales manager for Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet in Greenville.
HEALTH CARE
Howe
Carolina.
Valerie Howe has been named executive director of Fairview Park, an assisted living community in Simpsonville. Howe has more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry in South
HOSPITALITY The Cliffs promoted Jeff Tyrrell to operations director of both The Cliffs Valley and The Cliffs at Glassy and Jennifer Strom to clubhouse manager of The Cliffs Valley. The company hired Sian Smart as the food and beverage director of The Cliffs at Glassy.
LAW Cindy Crick, a former assistant solicitor in Spartanburg and chief of staff for former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, has formed a new law firm. Her primary practice areas include Title IX and student conduct issues, government and internal investigations and criminal matters. Elmore Goldsmith announced the addition of two named partners and one new associate. Bryan Kelley, who has practiced with the firm since 2009, has been recognized as a named partner. Robert A. deHoll, who recently left Fox Rothschild to join the firm, is also becoming a named partner. Alan G. Jones joins the firm as an associate. Going forward, the firm will be known as Elmore Goldsmith Kelley & deHoll P.A.
NONPROFITS Junior Achievement of Upstate South Carolina announced that President Connie Lanzl is retiring from the organization after leading its development over
the past 10 years. The organization merged with Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina, which already operates in the Lowcountry and MidLanzl lands. Casey Pash, president of Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina, will serve as president and CEO of the combined organization.
first joined as vice president and was named chief operating officer in 2011 and a shareholder in 2016.
League
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors announced that Ronda Redding joined the company’s Simpsonville office as a sales associate. RedRedding ding recently moved to the Upstate from California, where she was a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties.
Riley
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors announced that Nichole Riley joined the company’s Greer office as a sales associate.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors announced that Len Scruggs joined the company’s Spartanburg office as a sales associate. He has Scruggs more than 30 years of experience in commodity chemical and medical sales. NAI Earle Furman named Jason Richards global business director. Richards, who has worked at the firm for 13 years,
AVIATION
Richards
TECHNOLOGY
REAL ESTATE NAI Earle Furman hired Chris League as chief operating officer. League has a background in sales, operations, consulting and business development that spans more than two decades.
assistant to the director of the Brooklyn Museum.
MacMillan
Pettigrew
IMS Solutions Group promoted Edward MacMillan to senior director of support services. MacMillan joined Immedion in 2015 as director of customer services. Immedion LLC hired Sheldon Pettigrew as account manager at its Greenville office. Pettigrew joins Immedion with more than 20 years of sales and account management experience.
SITE SELECTION
Jerry Howard has been named president of Greenville-based InSite Consulting. Howard is the former president and CEO of Greenville Area Development Corp.
ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PR
Fowler
Crawford Strategy hired Kate Lupo Fowler as executive communications liaison. Fowler comes to Crawford from New York, where she worked as executive
Alexander
Stanley G. Mays, a retired engineer, was elected chairman of the Greenville Airport Commission, the owner and operator of the Greenville Downtown Airport. Matthew C. Alexander, manager of investments and development at Auro Hotels, has been elected vice chairman.
BANKING & FINANCE
Wheeler
Global Location Strategies announced that Kelly Craig has been promoted to director of operations. Craig has been with GLS since 2015, originally hired as Craig office manager and promoted in 2018 to director of administration.
Howard
Mays
University.
Bernard Wheeler joined First Reliance Bank as a relationship banker in Greenville. Wheeler has more than 15 years of professional banking experience and received an MBA from Webster
Argent Trust promoted Nicole Nally to chief fiduciary officer of the company’s eastern region and regional manager of the Greenville market. Nally Nally previously served as market president of Argent Trust’s Louisville, Ky., office.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Heather Simmons Jones announced her resignation from the Greenwood Partnership Alliance after serving seven years as CEO. Art Bush will serve as interim CEO. He has served as a member of the executive committee over the past year, representing Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works.
HUMAN RESOURCES Interactive Business Training hired Jason Chantelau as vice president of training and development.
Submit items using our online submission portal: www.GSABizWire.com. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.
Viewpoint
VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS
South Carolina supports expressing breastmilk at work
F
ollowing the enactment of the S.C. Pregnancy Accommodations Act in 2018, which did not include language about breastfeeding or pumping, state Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, D-Spartanburg, sponsored and introduced in the House a slight partisan bill to expand the protection for employees to JOHN express breastmilk CONNELL in the workplace. After undergoing amendments in the House and Senate, both chambers ultimately voted in favor of the bill. On June 25, 2020, South Carolina’s Governor Henry McMaster signed into law the S.C. Lactation Support Act — the “S.C. Lactation Act.” While the S.C. Lactation Act is not a
comprehensive piece of legislation at less than 600 words, it provides integral support and protection for employees needing time and a place to express breastmilk. More specifically, the S.C. Lactation Act requires employers to provide unpaid break time, or paid break time or mealtime, each day to express breast milk. In addition, the S.C. Lactation Act requires that employers make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, in proximity to the work area, for an employee to express milk in privacy. Importantly, however, the S.C. Lactation Act does not require employers to construct a permanent, dedicated space for expressing milk. Federal law already provides some protections in this space, but there are some notable differences in the S.C. Lactation Act. Under federal law, employers are required to provide that break time for up to one year. However, employers are not required to provide reasonable
break time to exempt employees. Similarly, under federal law, if the employer has fewer than 50 employees, employers are not required to provide reasonable break time to nonexempt employees, if doing so would create an undue hardship on the business. The S.C. Lactation Act expands the scope of protections in several ways. First, it applies to smaller employers: It requires that as long as an employer has one employee, that employee is afforded protection. Second, it applies to all employees, and not simply nonexempt employees as under federal law. Finally, there is no time limit on the employer’s obligations under the S.C. Lactation Act. The S.C. Lactation Act’s expanded protection will also afford many employees the ability to express breastmilk without fear of retaliation or discrimination. Notably, the S.C. Lactation Act allows
employees to file a complaint with the S.C. Human Affairs Commission, the state agency charged with enforcing claims of discrimination, for any alleged violations of the law. Therefore, employers need to be cognizant of the changing protections afforded to employees and be sure to maintain a workplace that is compliant with the S.C. Lactation Act. The Human Affairs Commission is required to post on its website information to educate employers, employees and employment agencies about their rights under this act by July 25. Employers will then have 30 days after the website post to comply with the new act. John Connell is an employment lawyer in the Greenville office of Jackson Lewis P.C., focusing predominantly on employment litigation, particularly sexual harassment, discrimination, breach of contract, and wage and hour disputes. He can be reached at john.connell@jacksonlewis.com.
There’s no going back to the pre-pandemic economy
C
ongress so far has been focusing on trying to turn back the clock to February 2020: treating the economy as if it were Sleeping Beauty, merely needing to be awakened to be fully restored. This strategy is a mistake. Congress needs to stop solely backing efforts to restore the old economic reality and STEVE focus on how to CASE develop a new one. Most of the $1 trillion that Congress has put into business support so far during the pandemic has been directed to preserving existing firms through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Main Street Relief Fund. Helping those businesses and their workers is vital, but that alone won’t fuel the economic recovery the country needs. The problem is that many of the businesses backed by PPP or Main Street are going to wind up shutting down. Even when they aren’t facing a global pandemic or economic crisis, about 100,000 small and midsize businesses fail in the United States every year. New businesses will be needed to replace the ones that permanently close.
Moreover, the failure rate is likely to be higher, as many firms were on the wrong side of trends — such as the move to online shopping, convenient food delivery or watching streaming content at home — that the pandemic lockdown has accelerated. Another consideration: The protests stirred by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody have made clear how many Americans were left behind in the pre-coronavirus economy; restoring the way things were before the virus hit won’t address these needs. Here are three ways Congress can help launch a new, more equitable era of entrepreneurship. First: Make it easier for the earlieststage startups to receive PPP dollars and for all startups to access the Main Street Relief Fund. PPP loans go to existing businesses to maintain jobs but not to new businesses that want to create them. Main Street loans go only to companies that are already profitable; most startups are not. That approach is backward: Studies show that nearly all net new job creation comes from startups, not established businesses. A PPP revision should allow startups to obtain loans based on their plans to create jobs — with loan forgiveness granted only if those jobs materialize. If they don’t, the startups should be required to
repay the loans before any other obligations. And the barrier in the Main Street lending program that makes businesses ineligible for aid if they were not profitable in 2019 should be removed. Second: The government needs to be a counterweight to private capital that exacerbates geographic disparities in opportunity as the country responds to the crisis. The pandemic is a devastating tragedy, but adversity tends to be met by the creation of new industries and new businesses. This crisis will stir innovations in medicine, goods and services delivered at home, remote work and learning, and more. Where will these new firms grow? If the decision is left to the private sector alone, almost all of them will be in three states: New York, California and Massachusetts, which attract 75% of all venture capital. Great ideas to respond to this crisis are spread widely across the country — but capital is not. Business assistance programs created by Congress should have a special focus on getting startups off the ground in places that have lacked venture capital backing in the past. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and others have already proposed such legislation; members of Congress from these neglected areas should insist it is part of any Phase 4 bill. Finally, lawmakers should step in
to address unintended inequalities of opportunity for female and minority entrepreneurs caused by the earlier relief bills. Because these programs fund only existing businesses, they reinforce opportunity gaps. Communities with thriving businesses get more PPP and Main Street aid; those that have lacked capital to get businesses off the ground in the past see little help now. The solution would be for Congress to direct unused PPP funds to startups led by female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color, creating opportunities where they have not existed before. The Main Street Lending program could be modified to extend special debt options to community development groups and minority-focused accelerators to back a new wave of startups founded by historically underrepresented entrepreneurs. There’s no going back to the pre-pandemic U.S. economy. Too much has changed; too many new needs exist. This is a rare opportunity to break with the past and create a better future. Congress should grab it. This column originally ran in the Washington Post. Steve Case, a co-founder of America Online, is chairman and chief executive of Revolution and author of The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future.
24
www.gsabusiness.com
July 27 - August 9, 2020
2020 | SOUTH CAROLINA
MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE AND EXPO The Most Significant Manufacturing Event of the Year Presented by:
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO October 29th–30th, 2020
Join us virtually for the most significant manufacturing event of the year! The SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo – the state’s most significant manufacturing event of the year -- is going virtual! The two-day conference will stream live on October 29th-30th. Will it be as informative and all-encompassing as the traditional live event? We think absolutely it will! The virtual format will provide the type of convenience needed for nationally-renown speakers to fit us into their busy schedules. We are in the process of scheduling those speakers and formulating the agenda now. More details to come, but this is what you can expect: • Virtual Expo that includes live chat feature, video and link uploads, and more! • 10 Keynote Speakers • Three CEO Conversations on Industry 4.0 • Conversations with Facility Managers on Industry 4.0 • Three CEO Conversations on Workforce Challenges • Conversations with HR execs on Workforce Challenges
• Economic Outlook Presentations on Aerospace and Auto Industries • Manufacturing Excellence Awards • The Future of Aerospace Event • Building the Workforce of the Future Event • Executive Women in Manufacturing Panel Discussion • 20 Training Classes on a Wide Variety of Topics • And MUCH More!
For more information and the complete Agenda, visit www.scmanufacturingconference.com Conference Partners:
Contact Melissa Tomberg at mtomberg@scbiznews.com or call 864-720-1220 for sponsorship opportunities or to reserve your virtual booth.