Thorne Research Inc., a privately held maker of nutritional supplements, will build a new manufacturing plant and corporate office complex in Summerville, the S.C. Department of Commerce announced Thursday.
The $35 million project is expected to create 330 jobs in Berkeley County, the department said.
The 240,000-square-foot plant and headquarters will sit on a 26-acre parcel at 620 Omni Industrial Blvd. in the Omni Industrial Campus. Thorne expects it to be fully operational by the middle of 2018, with hiring projected to begin in the second quarter of 2018, according to the announcement.
Thorne was formed in Seattle in 1984 and moved its headquarters to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1990, The Post and Courier reported, citing the company’s website. Its research-based natural products include vitamins, minerals and therapeutic supplements, according to the department. It also offers customized preventive health services through an affiliate, WellnessFX.
Chief Executive Paul Jacobson said the company needs more capacity to keep up with growth from its work with the Mayo Clinic, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Colorado Hospital Association and others, along with rising sales to medical doctors and international customers.
“The State of South Carolina, particularly Governor Haley, who was personally involved, as well as so many officials with the Department of Commerce and Berkeley County, have been exceptionally helpful and worked tirelessly with us to make this a reality,” Jacobson said.
“The fact that Thorne Research has decided to move its headquarters to Summerville is a real reason to celebrate,” Gov. Nikki Haley said.
Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler called it “arguably the largest life science project in the Lowcountry.” Todd Gallati, chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, said the region competed against major U.S. metro areas for what he described as the largest life sciences headquarters and manufacturer in the community’s history.
The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits for the project, the department said.
