COLUMBIA -- Starflo Corp., a division of the William Powell Co., announced Wednesday the third expansion of its facility in the Clarendon County Industrial Park.

The $8 million expansion has four projects: a company-wide 40,000-square-foot distribution warehouse for its North American operations; a turnaround facility; a modification, actuation and trim-change shop, and addition of new product lines to its Clarendon County facility. As a result of the expansion, the company expects to create 50 new jobs within five years.

Starflo's Vice President Frank Parker said, "The Wm. Powell Company held a meeting recently, reaffirming our commitment to Clarendon County. We are especially proud of our association with Bill Buyck, chairman of the Bank of Clarendon; Barry Ham, chairman of Clarendon County Development Board; John Truluck, executive director of Clarendon County Development Board, and Bob Marriott, project manager, S.C. Department of Commerce, who all worked tirelessly to make this project a reality.''

Randy Cowart, president and CEO of Starflo said, "We selected our Clarendon County facility for this expansion -- over other locations in South Carolina and in Texas -- based on our positive working experiences with Santee Electric Cooperative and with area state, county and local officials for our mutual success. We appreciate the state of South Carolina's attitude toward manufacturing, and the William Powell Co. is pleased to grow its Starflo facility in this wonderful community.''

Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith said, "Starflo and the William Powell Co. have a history of making quality products. It's quite an achievement to have Starflo expanding here, recognizing that it's greatest success comes from its talented employees.''

"On behalf of the Clarendon County Council, I'd like to thank the management of Starflo for their continued confidence in Clarendon County. We have enjoyed a long-term relationship that began almost 20 years ago. I'd also like to thank John Truluck, executive director, and the Clarendon County Development Board. They have worked hard, along with the Department of Commerce, to help bring this expansion and jobs to our county. We hope that other potential companies can see that our county is a great place in which to do business,'' said Dwight L. Stewart Jr., chairman, Clarendon County Council.

"Starflo's expansion speaks volumes for Clarendon County's labor force and business climate,'' said John Truluck, executive director, Clarendon County Development Board. "Starflo and Frank Parker have been super corporate citizens and we are excited and proud that their business is continuing to grow and thrive here.''

Starflo has another manufacturing site in Orangeburg. The parent company has manufacturing sites in Ohio, Romania, India, China, South Korea and Japan.

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