DARLINGTON — New South Lumber Co. announced its $7 million expansion in Darlington on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and visit from Gov. Mark Sanford.
“Today is .. an inspiration, not only of investment and teamwork, but frankly this notion that from dreams mighty things can grow,” Sanford said. “From little cones, mighty pine trees grow.”
Sanford also called the event a celebration of investment, teamwork and growth.
“We’re in a global race for investment,” he said. “South Carolina saw a record number of dollars invested last year. Four billion dollars were invested.”
Since 1939, the mill has been a fixture of the community and employs about 100 people in Darlington County today.
“It’s a great day in the Darlington mill’s history,” said Doug Warstler, president of New South Lumber Co. Warstler was elected president 21 days ago after Mack Singleton, CEO from 1986-2009, stepped down.
Steve Singleton, vice president of New South, introduced Warstler as “an instrumental leader in the acquisition of this facility and the modernization we’re talking about today.”
The company added a new edger and trimmer line system in the heart of the sawmill that will improve productivity 30 percent, Warstler said.
“This will protect jobs and allow us to expand down the road when times get better,” he said.
New South Lumber manufactures Southern Pine dimension lumber, a wide variety of specialty lumber products and treated lumber. The Darlington mill produces 90 million board feet of lumber on one shift, which is enough to build 5,000 to 6,000 houses. When the mill is able to return to two shifts, it can produce 160 million board feet.
“In terms of the project, not enough can be said of the team here,” Warstler said.
“We appreciate (New South Lumber) being in Darlington County,” Darlington County Council Chairman Wesley Blackwell said, “and their willingness to invest $7 million to upgrade this facility.”
“This is what Darlington County needs,” state Rep. Robert Q. Williams of Darlington said.
Canfor of Vancouver is the parent company of New South Lumber Co. Canfor bought New South in 2006 and gained control of the Darlington mill at the end of 2007, Warstler said. Canfor makes $3 billion in annual sales and employs 7,000 people. For more information about the company, visit www.canfor.com online.
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