Area Development
CeramTec North America Corporation, a worldwide leader in advanced ceramics, will invest $13.2 million to expand its Laurens County, South Carolina, campus facility. The expansion is expected to generate 40 new jobs.

"This is a significant business venture for CTNA, underscoring our commitment to growth and continuous drive for customer satisfaction and business diversification. The added sales will solidify an already expanding ceramic business for the Laurens facility. Additional resources will be added in the coming months to fulfill the new requirements," said Brent Pahach, President of CTNA.

The firm’s expansion includes construction of a clean room to manufacture tube core aerosol generators, which will be used to deliver an antibiotic through inhalation for pneumonia patients. In 2009 the firm began a multimillion-dollar, ten-year, manufacturing and development agreement with a major pharmaceutical company. The first of four product lines is expected to be completed with qualification samples being delivered in December. The TCAG product line will utilize components manufactured in the company's Lauf, Germany facility, making this a high-profile project for the CeramTec Group.

"Our advanced manufacturing sector saw some exciting growth in 2013 and is building even more momentum in 2014," said Gov. Nikki Haley. "We celebrate CTNA's decision to expand and invest $13.2 million and create 40 new jobs in Laurens County. The future of South Carolina's economy is bright and we are excited for what lies ahead." The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits for the project.

"South Carolina is known as a center for manufacturing products of all kinds," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. "Not only is CTNA continuing to invest and create jobs in our state, this announcement also represents the company's expansion into a new healthcare application. This further proves that continuous innovation is taking place in the South Carolina's business community."

"CTNA has been a staple in Laurens County for many years, and we appreciate their continued commitment to our county. They are a great group of people to work with, and we always look forward to working with them on an exciting expansion project like this," said Jim Coleman, chairman of the Laurens County Council and chairman of the Laurens County Development Corporation. "This expansion is another example of the great things going on in Laurens County."