Area Development
AstenJohnson, Inc., a global leader in the production of press fabrics, is expanding its existing Laurens County manufacturing facility, located at 400 Asten Road in Clinton, South Carolina. The company is planning to invest $32 million on new equipment in the next five years, with the largest purchase being a new needle loom in 2016.

Headquartered in Charleston, the origins of AstenJohnson can be traced back to 1790, when the Johnson family opened the Manchester Wire Works in Manchester, England. Nearly 100 years later, the Asten family launched the Asten Manufacturing Company in Belgium. In 1999, Asten Manufacturing and JWI merged, forming AstenJohnson.

“The plan for new equipment in Clinton shows AstenJohnson’s commitment to the continued growth of our Press Fabrics division. The new needle loom will enable us to manufacture press felts for the largest paper machines in the world,” AstenJohnson Press Business Leader Bob Huck said.

“It’s always exciting when a company decides to expand in our state, but it’s truly special when a South Carolina-based company like AstenJohnson finds success here and makes the decision to invest in our people further. We’re proud of the partnership our state has built with AstenJohnson and look forward to continuing that partnership for many years to come,” noted Governor Nikki Haley.

“South Carolina’s manufacturing industry continues to thrive, and today we celebrate yet another victory for that sector as AstenJohnson announces the expansion of their operations in Laurens County. We celebrate all that they’ve achieved both in our state and around the world and look forward to watching them enjoy even greater success in the future,” added Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.