Dutch company relocating manufacturing HQ to Oconee County with $50M project

Poultry processing solutions company Meyn America LLC plans to spend $50 million to expand its Oconee County operations, an investment the company says will create 172 new jobs.

Meyn America’s first Oconee County facility, a parts distribution center, opened earlier this year in Westminster. That $10.8 million project was announced in May 2023, promising 25 new jobs.

A subsidiary of Meyn Food Processing Technology B.V., Meyn America specializes in manufacturing equipment and systems for the poultry processing industry. The company’s offerings include products and services designed to enhance efficiency, yield and capacity for customers, according to a news release from the Commerce Department.

Meyn America will relocate its Americas’ manufacturing center and corporate offices from Georgia to a new 200,000-square-foot facility in the Oconee Industry and Technology Park in Westminster adjacent to its distribution building, the release stated. The new facility will house manufacturing and assembly operations as well as sales, service, supply chain and finance functions.

“Meyn is excited to be expanding our manufacturing and corporate footprint as well as a new customer experience center in South Carolina,” Meyn Food Processing Technology Vice President and General Manager Americas Todd Rhodes said in the release. “This is not our first time working with the Oconee Economic Alliance, Upstate SC Alliance and South Carolina Department of Commerce. The successful completion of Meyn’s new parts distribution center that opened in Oconee County earlier this year gave us great insight into what was possible on a larger scale, and the county and state have delivered on those expectations.”

Rhodes said Oconee County has near access to both university and technical college training for its workforce.

“These three facilities will yield a world-class working campus that we expect will attract the region’s skilled workforce,” he said in the release. “And the accessibility of very reputable education institutions nearby for both skilled trades and professionals will provide an environment of continuous education for our employees. We’re especially excited about our new customer experience center which will serve all customers in the Americas region. With this investment, Meyn will have a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility to demonstrate Meyn’s newest innovations as well as provide maintenance trainings and continuous education seminars for our poultry processing solutions.”

Operations are expected to be online in spring 2027. Opportunities will be posted on the company’s career page.

“I am pleased that Meyn America has chosen to expand its existing operations in Oconee County. This announcement is yet another testament to the remarkable economic growth both here in Oconee County and across South Carolina,” South Carolina Senate President Thomas C. Alexander said in the release. “Meyn America will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to our business community. Having not only their manufacturing operations but also their corporate offices here emphasizes their commitment to being a long-term partner in our region. This dual presence strengthens our local economy, provides high-quality jobs and enhances Oconee County’s reputation as a hub for economic development.”

The Commerce Department Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project, the release stated. The council also awarded a $1.5 million Set-Aside grant to Oconee County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

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“Meyn America’s investment shows how important the poultry cluster, and the agribusiness industry as a whole, are to South Carolina’s economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers said in the release. “These new manufacturing jobs are great news for rural South Carolina and will help cement our reputation as a state that supports agribusiness.”

Oconee Economic Alliance President and CEO Jamie Gilbert called it a historic day for the county.

“The project is reflective of the state and county’s excellent business climate, workforce and industrial real estate opportunities,” Gilbert said in the release. “When we look at the county’s business recruitment priorities, Meyn checks nearly all the boxes. They are a highly respected and well-managed company, serve a stable and growing global market, and have employment needs that align well with our workforce strengths. Over the past two years we have built a strong and trusting partnership with them, and we couldn’t be more excited and appreciative that Meyn America has chosen to make Oconee County their home.”

Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO John Lummus said in the release: “Congratulations to Oconee County on the great news that Meyn America will move its manufacturing operations and corporate headquarters to Westminster. Meyn America is the latest food industry company to choose South Carolina as its home because of the state’s great support of agricultural related industries, our skilled workforce, and our proximity to customers and food resources. This is yet another example of a successful international company growing in the Upstate.”