Softee will expand in Marion County, create 262 jobs

MARION — Softee Supreme Diaper Corp. is making a $6 million investment expected to create 262 jobs in Marion County during the next four years.

Company officials joined Gov. Mark Sanford, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, other legislators and county leaders for the announcement made Tuesday morning at the Marion County Economic Development Commission Office.

“We are pleased to expand our operations to Marion County. Our company spent considerable time looking for a place for our operations, and Marion County seemed like the perfect fit for us,” Collin Brown, president of Softee Supreme, said. “The business environment is excellent and we will be able to tap into a strong, available labor force. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials.”

Softee Supreme Diaper Corp. was founded in 1999 in Decatur, Ga. and manufactures disposable baby diapers. According to a press release from the state Department of Commerce, the company has grown to be a major supplier of disposable baby diapers to grocery outlets, inner city markets and export markets, serving customers throughout North, South and Central America.

The company will locate its Marion County operations in the Fabric Resources building, a 294,000-square-foot facility on U.S. 76 in Mullins. It expects to begin production there by the end of October.

“I think it’s a beautiful place with a lot of opportunities,” Brown said of the site.

“Here is a part of South Carolina that needs jobs and I think it’s great news that will make a difference in people’s lives,” Sanford said.

Marion County, ranked third in the state for unemployment in August, but saw its rate decline from 21.2 in July to 20.9 percent.

“We’ve had unemployment numbers over 21 percent in Marion County,” Clyburn said. “Marion County is no stranger to international global operations and have been home to these type of operation before and will be home to these type of operations again.”

Marion County Administrator Tim Harper said the move took teamwork and is the first of many opportunities that will change the economic conditions in the county.

“It’s important to get our unemployment rate down but also to provide good paying jobs,” he said.

Marion County Economic Development Commission Director Rodney Berry said he came into contact with Softee Supreme Diaper Corp. five months ago.

“It just speaks volumes on how Marion County is kept in mind by our legislative delegation, which has helped during this process, showing we can get the job done,” said Berry, who also serves as Marion mayor.

Sanford said Tuesday’s announcement is another sign efforts to strengthen South Carolina’s business climate are working to attract new jobs and investments.

“We remain committed to improving the state’s economic soil conditions, and this announcement indeed reminds us how vital that commitment is,” Sanford in a S.C. Department of Commerce press release.

State Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor said Softee Supreme’s investment represents one of the largest single job creation efforts to be recruited to Marion County.

“The company’s decision to locate its operations in South Carolina is the result of a true team effort by state and local officials,” he said in the press release. Marion County has laid the ground work to make itself an attractive environment for business investment and job creation and we believe this will be the beginning of more good things to come to this area.”

“Marion County has a wonderful work force that is eager to get back to work, and we appreciate Softee Supreme Diaper Corp. giving us that opportunity,” state Rep. Jim Battle of Nichols said. “We must provide business opportunities in every part of the state, especially in rural areas like Marion County.”

“We’re trying to poise ourselves for growth and finally it’s paying off,” Marion Council Chairman John Atkinson Jr. said. “We’re just getting started.”

Softee Supreme Diaper Corp. General Manager Bill McEwen said the facility is being equipped and applicant interviews will start this week.

The company has been working with readySC on the screening and training process for new employees. Anyone interested in finding out more on possible employment should contact the Marion County One-Stop Center at 1305 N. Main St. in Marion or by phone at (843) 423-8288.

On the Web

Softee Supreme Diaper Corp., http://www.softeesupreme.com