Decolam Inc. announced Tuesday it will invest $1.5 million and add up to 41 jobs over the next three years at its facility on Five Chop Road in Orangeburg.

The expansion includes additional square footage as well as the addition of a thermal-fused melamine press.

“This is an important project for our company, its future and the community,” said Ozzie Fogle, president and chief executive officer of Decolam.

“It is an example of how the (Orangeburg County) Development Commission, County Council and the South Carolina Department of Commerce work together to help existing industry when a worthwhile expansion plan is submitted,” Fogle said.

The company is the largest independent laminator and fabricator of wood components in the United States.

Decolam provides a wide array of custom and made-to-order products to the furniture, kitchen cabinet and display industries. Its product line includes paper, vinyl, low-pressure laminates and thermally-fused melamine.

“We are very proud of Decolam,” Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller said. “The job creation that this expansion brings will definitely boost the economic growth of this area.”

The Decolam plant was originally built in the 1940s by U.S. Plywood. It was purchased by Champion and then Georgia Pacific before becoming Decolam in 1988.

The company has grown from 23 employees and one laminating line to approximately 75 employees and five laminating lines in 2004.

Annual payroll in 2004 was $1.8 million, with all employees hired locally at a pay rate of $6 to $15 an hour.

The company has paid about $250,000 in property taxes over the past three years, with annual utilities in excess of $250,000.

Approximately $8 million of the company’s raw materials come from other manufacturers throughout the state.

Community involvement includes the Boy Scouts of America, Cooperative Church Ministries of Orangeburg, Habitat for Humanity, TRMC Foundation and Meals on Wheels.

For its impact on the region’s economy and community, Decolam received a Silver Crescent Award for Manufacturing Excellence in May 2004.

Award recipients, chosen from a statewide slate of nominees, were selected based on their economic impact, commitment to the work force and involvement and contributions to their communities.

Decolam’s social involvement continued this year, as company employees in partnership with the Rotary Club of Orangeburg and the Sandy Run-based Country Clear Water Co. sent about 5,000 gallons of drinking water to Bogalusa, La., shortly after Hurricane Katrina.

“We are very excited about this great economic development news,” said John Rickenbacker, chairman of Orangeburg County Council. “This project shows evidence of the strong partnerships that exist in Orangeburg County.”

“I would like to commend Gregg Robinson and the staff of the Orangeburg County Development Commission for their hard work in facilitating the economic growth of the county,” Rickenbacker said.

“During this season of giving, we are pleased that one of our existing industries has chosen to expand both in jobs and capital expenditures,” said Jeannine Kees, chairman of the Orangeburg County Development Commission.

“This is an excellent sign for 2006 to be a banner year for Orangeburg County,” Kees said.

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