EElectrification of U.S. industry will increase from 30 percent to 45 percent by 2030, a 50 percent increase, according to a new report from Schneider Electric. In parallel with these trends, the company plans to upgrade, modernize and maintain its manufacturing facilities in Seneca and Columbia, South Carolina. Schneider Electric will also electrify Seneca's HVAC system to increase its efficiency and reduce costs, advancing its own sustainability and decarbonization goals.

The report, prepared by the company's Sustainability Research Institute, also recognizes the potential for a corresponding 25 percent reduction in fossil fuel demand over the same period. It provides a detailed analysis by sector, predicting that 16 of 21 sectors will reach 60 percent electrification by 2030. In addition, it forecasts that U.S. industry as a whole will reach 64 percent electrification by 2040, representing a corresponding 50 percent reduction in fossil fuel use.

In total, Schneider Electric will invest $23.8 million in its manufacturing facilities in South Carolina. The company expects to create 280 new manufacturing jobs, including 130 jobs at its Seneca plant and 150 jobs at its Columbia plant, adding to the more than 1,200 employees the company currently employs in the state.

Schneider Electric's expanded workforce will manufacture customized power distribution products critical to electrification and energy efficiency, strengthening support for critical infrastructure and industries – particularly healthcare and wastewater treatment – as well as the growing demand for data center solutions in the United States.

“This new study shows why electrification is the most promising and practical means to rapidly decarbonize industry,” said Aamir Paul, Schneider Electric's president of North America, at the SelectUSA Investment Summit. “We expect to see significant acceleration across all sectors, even hard-to-abate industries, to meet decarbonization goals and maintain economic competitiveness. As we move ever more toward this electrified and digitized world, we are driving this transformation through our own investments in a robust domestic supply chain, including in the state of South Carolina, to strengthen our manufacturing efforts for customers.”

“Schneider Electric’s continued investment in South Carolina is a testament to our strong business climate and skilled manufacturing workforce, and we look forward to the economic opportunities this expansion will create for the residents of Oconee and Richland Counties,” said Governor Henry McMaster.

In March, Schneider Electric announced plans to invest $140 million in its U.S. manufacturing operations and create approximately 750 new manufacturing jobs nationwide in 2024. The company's investments in South Carolina, which are reflected in its 2024 financial and employment figures, follow recent announcements to expand manufacturing in Tennessee and Texas. Since 2020, Schneider Electric has invested more than $440 million in its American manufacturing network, which includes more than 22 facilities in 14 states.

ElringKlinger Group selects Pickens County for $40.3 million investment

German automotive supplier ElringKlinger Group has chosen Pickens County to establish its first plant in South Carolina. The $40.3 million investment will create 115 new jobs.

ElringKlinger focuses on two growth markets: the electrification of mobility and the promotion of the hydrogen economy. The company operates 44 production sites worldwide. At its new 226,000 square meter facility in Easley, ElringKlinger will manufacture contact systems for electric battery cells. Cell contact systems are critical components of a battery system that connect the individual cells and provide the energy for the drive system. The new site will be the company's main US site for the development and manufacture of battery products. The plant is scheduled to start operations in mid-2025.

“The new location in Pickens County is the next step for ElringKlinger in implementing its SHAPE30 transformation strategy,” said Thomas Jessulat, CEO of the ElringKlinger Group. “The American market generally offers great potential for battery technology applications. In order to leverage this potential, the US state of South Carolina is an ideal starting point for the development of the Group's Battery Center Americas.”

The Economic Development Coordinating Council approved loans for job creation related to the project. The council also awarded Pickens County a $750,000 grant to cover the costs of site preparation, building construction and road improvements.

Clarios invests $16 million in expansion in Oconee County, South Carolina

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“ElringKlinger's decision to open its first location in South Carolina is further proof that the automotive industry continues to drive our state's economy,” said Governor McMaster. “The company's new facility in Pickens County and the 115 new jobs it creates will bring great benefits to our state and its citizens for years to come.”

“We are pleased that ElringKlinger has chosen Pickens County as its U.S. manufacturing and development site,” commented John H. Lummus, President and CEO of Upstate SC Alliance. “The company is a global leader in automotive e-mobility technologies and another great example of an international high-tech company choosing Upstate because of our talented workforce, excellent manufacturing climate and proximity to markets. We look forward to seeing them grow in our region.”

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