From Q-tips to lollipops, a new Laurens County company has a stick for it. And with a global push to eliminate single-use plastic, Setterstix Corp.’s paper-only products are only seeing intensified demand.
To keep up, the paper stick manufacturer, headquartered in Cattaraugus, N.Y., will establish a new facility at 830 International Blvd., Fountain Inn, through an $11.7 million investment, according to a news release. The new facility is expected to bring 80 new jobs to the area after a February 2021 completion date.
“Fountain Inn, S.C, is Setterstix’s first U.S. manufacturing location outside of Cattaraugus, N.Y., where we have been operational for 82 years,” Eric Pritchard, president of Setterstix, said in the release. “We are delighted to be expanding our global footprint in this community and growing our brand from South Carolina. Laurens County, the S.C. Department of Commerce, S.C. Ports and readySC have been key partners in us making this location decision. It is our honor to now be a part of the South Carolina manufacturing community.”
Since 1938, the company has manufactured and shipped more than 17 billion paper sticks across North America and beyond for cotton candy, cotton swabs and candied apples. The move, facilitated through job development credits from the state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development, will cut logistics costs for the company and move its facilities closer to regional paper sources.
“South Carolina Ports’ efficient operations and access to global markets attracts companies like Setterstix to invest in South Carolina,” Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the S.C. Ports Authority, said in a release. “S.C. Ports excels at meeting companies’ supply chain needs with excellent customer service and reliable operations. We look forward to partnering with Setterstix to ensure future growth.”
Laurens County Development Corp. Chairman Randy Garrett echoed that the announcement was indicative of continued job growth and capital investment in the county as a whole over the past year.
“The Laurens County Development Corp. continues to be successful at recruiting great companies like Setterstix Corp. to Laurens County,” Garrett said in the release. “We look forward to them becoming a part of our corporate community and helping them continue to grow in our county.”
