Company leaders from Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc. welcomed stakeholders and community allies to the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its newest manufacturing facility recently in Richland County. The 65,000-square-foot plant establishes the South Korea-based company’s first U.S. manufacturing site and 13th global location.
Located within the Pineview Industrial Park in Columbia, the company produces raw materials for inks, coatings, adhesives, photopolymer printing plates and dry film photoresists. These formulations are cured by an eco-friendly process with exposure to ultraviolet light. The materials are ultimately used in a variety of everyday products, from protective coatings on kitchen cabinets and furniture to wood floors, plastic coatings on flat-screen TVs, computers, mobile phones and plastic bottles. They are also used on a variety of paper coatings, from perfume boxes to dog food bags. 3-D printing is also a rapidly growing application.
Richland County Council Chair Overture Walker commented on the company’s economic impact.
“It is exciting to see Miwon Specialty Chemical wrapping up construction and being that much closer to operation here in Richland County,” Walker said. “Council wishes the company much success as it opens its doors, adding to our strong and vibrant local economy.”
Gov. Henry McMaster and the state’s commerce secretary weighed in on the day’s ribbon cutting, welcoming the company to the community.
“Congratulations to Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc.’s grand opening in Richland County,” McMaster said. “Today’s milestone further proves to the world that South Carolina’s business-friendly environment and talented workforce offer companies the tools necessary for success. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc. for many years to come.”
“Congratulations to Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc. on the grand opening of their new facility in Richland County,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “The state was thrilled when they announced their decision to establish operations in the Midlands back in 2019, and we couldn’t be more excited to see them officially open for business today. Congratulations to all.”
Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc. has filled more than half of the 25 new jobs planned at the facility and is actively hiring to fill the remainder. Workforce opportunities are just one of the effects already being felt locally.
H.W. Kim, chairman of parent company Miwon Specialty Chemical Co. Ltd., said the company takes pride in producing products of the highest quality possible.
“This is a very important step for us as the first production plant of Miwon Specialty Chemical in the United States,” Kim said. “Through this new investment, we expect we can contribute to improving supply chain management of our local customers. Our plant in Richland County will actively perform to supply quality products to customers spread widely throughout the United States. This new plant will operate at the highest standards of safety and technology. Part of our efforts have been dedicated to building a state-of-the-art laboratory within the brand-new facility.”
According to Chairman W. Keller Kissam with the Central SC Alliance, which assists Richland County in its economic development efforts, investments by foreign companies such as Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc. enhance global competitiveness.
“The continued growth of foreign direct investment in Richland County, as well as throughout the central S.C. region and the state, is an exciting sign of the opportunities we anticipate seeing in the future,” Kissam said. “As more and more companies take note of our pro-business environment, we’ll be here to help welcome them alongside our partners, allies and flourishing existing industries.”
Individuals interested in learning more about careers with the company can email Alicia Harper: [email protected].
Photo: Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown, Councilman Paul Livingston and Economic Development Director Jeff Ruble help with Tuesday’s ribbon cutting at Miwon Specialty Chemical USA Inc. in Columbia.
