South Carolina has quietly emerged as an aerospace hub. More than 200 aerospace companies and suppliers now operate in South Carolina, employing 23,000 people. Boeing opened its facility directly employing 6,000 people in 2009. The South Carolina Department of Commerce has established an aerospace task force focused on the growing aerospace supply chain. In August 2013, as part of the restructuring of Boeing’s IT operations, the company Boeing announced a $1 billion expansion of its facilities, creating an additional 2,000 jobs. Other major aerospace players located in close proximity include Gulfstream, Spirit Aerosystems, and Sikorsky.
The University of South Carolina’s McNAIR Center for Aerospace Research and Innovation encourages innovative aerospace research, interdisciplinary education, economic development, outreach and collaboration. The Center offers a Master’s Program in Aerospace Engineering.
The northern part of the state has established itself as a major center for automotive manufacturing. Clemson University has revolutionized automotive research by collaborating with BMW and other private sector partners from around the world, to establish the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), an advanced-technology research campus for automotive education, research, and economic development. Clemson’s CU-ICAR houses the nation’s only graduate Department of Automotive Engineering.
There are approximately 45,000 individuals employed at more than 250 automotive-related manufacturing companies in the state. Over the last 20 years, the automotive-related sector has grown 4x, adding 34,000 jobs. Leading manufacturers include BMW and Michelin.
Participants:
David Ginn, President and CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
George Patrick, Deputy Secretary, South Carolina Department of Commerce
Nick Rigas, Associate Director, Senior Scientist, Clemson University
Tom Vogt, Director of the NanoCenter, University of South Carolina
Jonathan Zucker, President, The InterTech Group and Chair of the South Carolina Israel Collaboration
Stephen Bohot, Supplier Management Leader Israel, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Moderator: Morris Ellison, Partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice