Manufacturing industry leaders across South Carolina and the United States came together last week at the Nephron Nitrile plant located in West Columbia to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, observed October 7 this year.  They were joined by members of the community as well as students and teachers from several nearby schools.

The holiday, as described on its self-proclaimed website, is described as, “manufacturing’s biggest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation to start careers in modern manufacturing through a series of focused events to promote manufacturing to students, parents and educators on the first Friday of October continuing throughout the rest of the month.”

The manufacturing industry’s influence on the South Carolina economy was reported in a 2021 study by SC Future Makers, an affiliate of the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance, showing an average annual impact of $200 billion.  Additionally, it reflects that the industry is responsible for approximately 16% of South Carolina’s statewide GDP.

Jobs in manufacturing also pay higher, the report shows.  Those with careers in the manufacturing industry reported salaries that surpassed the South Carolina average annual salary by 33%.  Over the span of five years, the state has created over 45,000 new job position, particularly in the dominant sectors of aerospace, automotive, and tires.  Sara Hazzard, CEO/president of the SCMA, shared that she is, “proud of the impact manufacturing has in South Carolina.”

This event closely followed Governor Henry McMaster’s announcement on the 5th, deeming October as South Carolina Manufacturing Month.  He hopes that in recognizing the industry’s strong presence and impact, we can celebrate milestone accomplishments and draw young people towards manufacturing careers both in-state and nationwide.

WebsterRogers LLP has a long history of working with manufacturing clients in South Carolina, where it was founded, and throughout the region. Our team delivers on a client-centric business model that leverages our competitive edge of unmatched accessibility from offices throughout the state, strategic partnerships to broaden service offerings, and our access to global resources.  To learn more about the services we offer, visit our Manufacturing & Distribution page.