Why another Charlotte manufacturer is hopping the state line to move to Rock Hill
A $12.3 million Southeastern Architectural Systems move from Charlotte to Rock Hill is happening because of a strong workforce, smooth drive into work and room for all its employees.
The company plans to open this fall at 483 Lakeshore Parkway in Tech Park. Southeastern is an ornamental metal fabricator for interior and exterior products.
Economic incentives, traffic flow and workforce opportunities are some of the reasons behind several company moves from Charlotte into the Rock Hill region over the past year or so. Riverstone Logistics and Hissho Sushi are recent examples.
“This is a growing area,” said Southeastern Architectural Systems President Mac Winget. “Great work force right here, we’re excited about having York Tech so close. There are a lot of great benefits to being in Rock Hill.”
York County began approving economic incentives for the move last fall, The Herald reported in September. Code-named Project Cornice, the project would move 46 employees and add 28 jobs.
The new company would receive incentives tied to the Tech Park building from its previous owners Composite Resources, Autosport Resources and WorkSpace Resources. Composite Resources moved to another location in Rock Hill last year, in Aspen Business Park.
Box Turtle Holdings, a company affiliated with Southeastern Architectural Systems, bought the Tech Park building in late September for $6.1 million, The Herald reported. It’s more than 60,000 square feet on nearly 5 acres.
Southeastern Architectural Systems’ plan for Rock Hill
An independent manufacturer, Southeastern lists arenas, high rises, healthcare facilities and education sites among its list of projects across the Carolinas.
The company has separate office and manufacturing sites more than a mile apart along Westinghouse Boulevard. “It’s going to allow us to put manufacturing and office under one roof,” Winget said of the move.
The company looked for a site within 30 minutes of uptown Charlotte. Leaders preferred to stay on its south side.
Winget has some experience with a similar move. He grew up on a family farm in Steele Creek, but moved 13 years ago to a farm in Clover.
The company won’t lose any employees due to the location change of about 18 miles, he said. Winget’s drive to Rock Hill will be about 10 minutes longer compared to heading a different direction into Charlotte, but it’ll be more consistent. He won’t have to battle S.C. 49 traffic in Lake Wylie or commuting traffic into Charlotte.
“It’s an easy ride for us,” Winget said.
One major draw area economic and transportation officials in York County have pushed in recent years is the idea of reverse commuting. Having jobs in places like Kingsley in Fort Mill or any of Rock Hill’s business parks can offer workers the perk of avoiding the typical rush-hour traffic of working in Charlotte.
The Southeastern Architectural Systems move aims to create growth in Rock Hill, both for the company and its workers.
“We are humbly trying to grow this business,” Winget said, “just to provide other opportunities for some of our young folks.”
