Glass manufacturer announces plans to locate in Marion County

MARION — Super Duper Glass will locate its new facility in Marion County, the S.C. Department of Commerce and Marion County officials announced Thursday.

Super Duper Glass is locating at the old Datwyler Rubber and Plastics site in the Marion County Industrial Park, but it remains unclear how many jobs will be created as a result. Datwyler, which once employed as many as 200 people, closed in October.

Super Duper Glass will conduct research and development in oversize flat glass and fitting for the architectural market. The company expects to begin operations at the Marion facility in the first quarter of 2011.

“We are pleased to move forward with our plans for our Marion County facility,” Chris Boyles, president of Super Duper Glass, said in a press release. “The new plant will provide us with the capacity we need to meet customer demands for research and development of structural glass and fitting. Marion County had a building that met our needs, and the business environment that we think we can be successful in.”

Boyles said the company looks forward to starting up operations at the facility and appreciate all the support received from state and local officials.

“Super Duper Glass delivers diversity to the growing Marion County industrial family,” Marion County Economic Development Director and Marion Mayor Rodney Berry said in the release. “The company has participated in some impressive projects where large custom built glass products dominated the end product. I believe this is the type of company poised to grow and we look forward to being a part of that growth.”

Marion County Councilman John Q. Atkinson Jr. said the county is excited by the company’s decision to relocate to an existing building at the industrial park.

“Marion County is working hard to bring new industries and businesses to the area. The partnerships of working together are important in this process,” he said in the release. “We are happy to have Mr. Boyles and Super Duper Glass become a shining example of the work we are doing to help our county grow and prosper, and wish Super Duper Glass a prosperous future in our county.”

“We anticipate a fruitful relationship with Super Duper Glass. Their decision to locate in Marion County substantiates our growing reputation as a great place to do business, state Sen. Kent Williams of Marion said in the release. “As a company committed to hiring employees and contributing to our tax base, we pledge our continuing support to this fine addition to Marion County.”

The company will be looking to hire 3-D draftsman who can work with solidworks and mastercam or similar programs; machinists to work planner mill and or CNC 5 X turning and milling machinery; welders TIG, MIG, STICK of stainless steel parts; a project manager with expertise in construction industry; an accountant and bookkeeper; and maintenance workers.

Officials said Super Duper Glass will begin hiring in the next month. Those interested in job opportunities with the company are asked to call the Marion One-Stop Workforce Center at (843) 423-8288 or visit its offices in Marion at 1305 N. Main St.; call the Marion Workforce Center at (843) 423-6900 or visit its offices at 2413 U.S. 76 East; or e-mail resumes to Superglass@me.com.

Marion County maintains the highest unemployment rate in the state in June, according to the latest S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce report issued Tuesday. For June, the figure rose to 19.3 percent from May at 18.6 percent.