A Chinese company that manufactures above-ground storage tanks will locate its first US facility in northwest South Carolina.

Earlier this month 3S International Corporation opened a plant in Laurens County, South Carolina, about 180 miles from Charleston. The $15 million investment is expected to result in 45 new jobs over the next five years.

"The majority of the jobs will be in welding, fabrication and manufacturing," said Allison Skipper, spokeswoman for the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Founded in Hong Kong in 2000, 3S International initially focused on strategic sourcing. In 2008, the company launched its first manufacturing operation with a plant in Jiangsu. Now 3S employs more than 500 workers with operations in the Philippines, China and the US.The company's Laurens County operation will be in an existing 58,000-square-foot plant. To accommodate administrative needs, 3S is building an additional 4,000 square feet of office space.

"The building fit real well for what their needs are as it used to house a tent manufacturer," Marvin Moss, executive director of the Laurens County South Carolina Development Corporation said in an interview. "They will have room for expansion."

Moss said this isn't the first time Laurens County has dealt with a Chinese company. "Last year a Chinese company called Uniscite opened up a facility. Eventually they were sold to a much larger company," he said. The Uniscite plant employs about 25-30 and makes flexible packaging.

"Any investment is important to Laurens County as is the job creation that comes from the investment," said Moss.

Skipper said Laurens County has a population of about 66,000 according to a US Census estimate and is expected to have a population of 82,000 by 2023. "It's located in the upstate region of South Carolina known as a manufacturing area," Skipper said.

Skipper said South Carolina has been experiencing an increase in Chinese investment in the state. "In 2013, the Keer Group opened an industrial yarn plant in Lancaster County that provided about 500 jobs," she said.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com