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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: 250 New Jobs

Feb 04, 2025 09:33AM ● By Donna Walker

HII Selects Berkeley County to Establish First SC Operation

(123rf.com Image)

 

HII (NYSE: HII), a global defense provider, announced it selected Berkeley County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation through the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W International SC, LLC and Vivid Empire SC, LLC (collectively, “W International”), a South Carolina-based complex metal fabricator specializing in the manufacture of shipbuilding structures, modules and assemblies.

 

Through its investment, HII anticipates creating over 250 jobs.

 

Headquartered in Virginia, HII manufactures naval ships and defense technology solutions for customers including the U.S. Navy. The company has over 135 years of experience and has 44,000 employees nationwide.

In connection with the transaction, which was completed Jan. 22, 2025, HII will invest in new equipment as well as retrofit the acquired facility at 2040 Bushy Park Road in Goose Creek, to meet HII’s manufacturing requirements.

 

The renovated facility will operate within HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division and serve as a manufacturing center in support of Virginia-class, Columbia-class and aircraft carrier programs.

Officials said operations will remain ongoing. Individuals interested in joining the HII team should go to the company’s careers page.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

 

The council also awarded a $750,000 Set-Aside grant to Berkeley County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

Mobile Communications America Acquires SafetyCom

Mobile Communications America, Inc., the Spartanburg, South Carolina-based provider of wireless communication solutions, announced the acquisition of SafetyCom, Inc., a mass notification warning system provider based in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

 

Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

 

For 28 years, SafetyCom has been a provider of Whelen Mass Notification systems across the Southwest.

 

For nearly half that time, SafetyCom has partnered exclusively with RapidWarn/MCA to deliver advanced software control systems to its customers.

 

SafetyCom has secured two of the largest siren system contracts in recent history, including major projects in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Fort Worth, Texas.

 

"Our discussions about joining MCA quickly revealed a shared commitment to excellence," said David Miller, CEO of SafetyCom. "By combining our strengths, we can further enhance the customer experience and exceed expectations moving forward."

 

Of SafetyCom, Vince Foody, CEO of MCA, said, "Their strong customer relationships, strategic partnership with Whelen, and service-first culture align perfectly with our growth strategy."

 

Foody added, "The team brings invaluable expertise, and we look forward to growing together to enhance both the employee and customer experience."

LaBella Associates Announces Acquisition of Compass 5 Architects

LaBella Associates, DPC, an international architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm, said it acquired Compass 5 Architects.

 

Financial terms weren’t disclosed.  

 

Based in the Columbia, South Carolina, metro area, the Compass 5 team provides architectural and design services for institutional clients in health care and higher education.

 

Founded in 2006 by Maryellyn Cannizzaro, Compass 5 Architects is dedicated to the planning, design and project management of projects. 

 

With more than 20 years of operational management experience, Cannizzaro will continue to lead the Columbia-area team.

 

“I’m proud that a firm of LaBella’s caliber has recognized Compass 5, a women-owned business, as a strategic partner in its growth,” says Cannizzaro. “LaBella’s investment in our firm is an acknowledgement of our statewide reputation for excellence.”

 

Officials said all employees will be retained in the acquisition, with plans to hire additional staff.  Cannizzaro will assume the title of vice president at LaBella.

 

“LaBella has found long-term success in South Carolina, from our offices in Rock Hill and Charleston,” LaBella President Jeff Roloson said. “We are excited to further our investment in the state by adding a Columbia-based architecture team with strong client relationships."

 

Roloson added, "Our combined expertise will create benefits for clients and projects in the region.”

 

LaBella Associates is home to over 2,000 multi-disciplinary consultants who plan, design, engineer, and manage public and private projects that enrich our communities.

 

Its expertise is recognized in infrastructure, buildings, environmental, and energy projects throughout the eastern United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

 

Headquartered in Rochester, New York, LaBella is a certified Great Place to Work.

Balfour Beatty Wins Prestigious CAGC Pinnacle Award

Balfour Beatty, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has been honored with a 2024 Pinnacle Award from Carolinas AGC (CAGC) for its delivery of North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) $60 million Harkers Island Bridge Replacement project.

 

The award was presented during CAGC's 104th Annual Convention in Charleston, South Carolina.

 

The CAGC’s Pinnacle Awards, co-sponsored by CPA firm GreerWalker LLP and the law firm of Johnston, Allison & Hord, recognize construction projects in the Carolinas that enhance their communities and demonstrate excellence in the industry.

 

Entries are judged on unique aspects and challenges, special values, project management, budget and schedule, and safety performance.

 

The Harkers Island Bridge Replacement project involved constructing a new 3,200-foot fixed-span bridge connecting Harkers Island to mainland North Carolina, replacing the aging Earl C. Memorial Bridge and Bridge No. 96. 

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