April 15, 2020

Nestled inside a brand-new industrial park in a state with a burgeoning manufacturing sector, Horton’s newest plant is an extension of what’s allowed the engine cooling company to succeed for the better part of seven decades.

Unmatched technological innovations combined with a passion for solving customer challenges and supporting the surrounding community.

“Horton is thrilled about opening a new manufacturing facility in Oconee County,” South Carolina, president and CEO Cordell Dietz said. “This plant will position Horton well to meet our growth objectives over the coming years. The decision to build here was driven by the experienced industrial support we saw within the community. We are not only excited to tap into that, but also look forward to becoming a key contributor to the Oconee County community.”

The 112,000-square-foot facility is set for an early-May opening. COVID-19-related restrictions will likely delay a large formal grand opening but haven’t affected construction.

The factory’s staff currently sits at 10 individuals, with plans to grow to 125 in the next five years.

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“What was once just a drawing of the future building is now becoming reality,” Horton human resources manager Kellie Boone said.

That reality will include a brand-new e-coat line, state-of-the-art injection molding machine and a powder coat line that allows Horton to meet customer requests for custom-color engine cooling fans. The plant will focus on fan production early in existence with plans to add capacity for Horton’s growing portfolio of engine cooling solutions and front-engine accessories.

Horton is an essential part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Critical Manufacturing Sector. As is the case at the company’s Britton, South Dakota, Carmel, Indiana, Roseville, Minnesota and Schweinfurt, Germany locations, employee and customer safety will remain Horton’s No. 1 priority at the new location. Employees will follow all guidelines issued by relevant federal and local authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new plant, which features the southern Appalachian Mountains as a backdrop, is part of the recently-created, 400-acre Oconee Industry and Technology Park in Westminster, South Carolina. Horton’s new neighbors include Baxter Enterprises and Tri-County Technical College’s Oconee campus.

Westminster is a town of 2,555 located 17 miles west of Clemson University and about an hour’s drive from Greenville, South Carolina. Atlanta is less than a two-hour drive away to the southwest.

The area features three large man-made lakes and is known for its outdoor recreation and cultural activities, including the annual South Carolina Apple Festival each September.

[RELATED: Learn more about Horton’s new Oconee County plant]
 

Horton — which installed its first fan clutches in 1964 — already has a unique relationship with Tri-County Tech. A handful of employees attended the college, and Horton has sponsored a room at the Oconee campus and anticipates opportunities for future partnerships via continuing education.

“Oconee County is continuing to prove itself a leader in Upstate South Carolina, challenging the status quo and finding innovative ways to address workforce issues and economic development,” Oconee County Council Chairman Julian Davis said. “We are proud to welcome a company like Horton Holding into that environment. When I see the level of investment that Horton Holding is bringing into our community, I think about the 125 jobs they will provide and the families, children and local businesses that will benefit from their investment decision.

“This is another huge win for Oconee County, for the present and the future.”

Oconee, the easternmost county in South Carolina, is a key part of the state’s recent industrial boom. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the state’s manufacturing output has increased more than 50 percent in the past decade.

“South Carolina has become known the world over as a state that excels at manufacturing,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “This new investment by Horton Holding is a testament to that reputation, and I congratulate them for deciding to join our growing manufacturing community.”