Precision Machine Shop M.C. Tool LLC Expands South Carolina Operation To Offer Greater One-Stop-Services For Aerospace, Energy And Defense Customers

The Greenville Area Development Corporation and M.C. Tool LLC have announced plans for significant expansion of the company's operations in Greer, South Carolina, including the addition of more than 20 high-salaried jobs, advanced machining equipment, and aggressive targeting of "niche one-stop-shopping services" to help Aerospace, Automotive, Defense and Energy industries achieve their supply chain goals.

Founded in 1987, M.C. Tool has developed a niche in machining tough exotic materials such as Titanium and Inconel, while holding tolerances of .0002 inch or better on intricate parts. The company recently expanded these capabilities to provide higher volume "lights-out" manufacturing and greater full-service offerings in what company principals stated is a "multimillion dollar capital investment".

The highly modern one-stop-shop facility includes multi-axis CNC (computer numerical controlled) milling and turning, EDM (electro-discharge machine) wire and ram, CMM (coordinate measuring machine), CAD (computer-aided design) engineering design and build, reverse engineering, certified welding, conventional machining, and ISO9000 / AS9100 / FAR 145 quality capabilities. Examples of the company's diverse applications include rocket motor and missile prototypes, gas-turbine investment castings, jet engine and wingspan components, and automotive tooling and fixtures.

"Our vision is to provide outstanding personal-touch customer service, excellence in quality and productivity, and rapid just-in-time delivery that growing manufacturers in the southeast need to win more business," said Jason Premo, a principal in the company. "We are pleased to expand operations in Greenville County, and very appreciative for the support and leadership of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, city of Greer, and everyone in making this announcement a reality."

The expansion includes significant up-fitting of the existing 12,000 square foot facility, additional capital equipment, and establishing a full 24 hour - 3 shift operation to "create more productive space," said Premo, a Lean-Six Sigma Master Black Belt whose career has encompassed engineering, operations, sales and executive roles with a variety of small, medium and Fortune 500 organizations around the globe. "We are reorganizing our facility into lean work cells and value-streams, employing modern software technology, and most importantly instilling a mindset of continuous improvement in everyone. In some companies, Lean and Six Sigma are buzz-words. At M.C. Tool, it is part of our DNA."

"Ultimately, it was the positive economic climate of South Carolina and the commitment of the area's economic development teams that helped cinch the decision to expand here," said Sean Witty, also a principal in M.C. Tool. Witty, who met Premo when they were undergraduates at Georgia Tech, began his career at GE's Gas Turbine plant in Greenville as an engineer and manager, and was most recently a senior partner in a Raleigh-based private equity firm before he and Premo purchased MC Tool last year.

"Before investing in the acquisition and expansion of M.C. Tool, we considered more than 30 businesses from Mississippi to Virginia, yet we kept coming back to this area for its balance of economic opportunity, quality of life, access to talent, and central location to a growing and sophisticated manufacturing base," said Witty. "We see incredible opportunity in South Carolina and the sky's-the-limit for M.C. Tool. In our industry, we need the right mix of talent, training, equipment, quality systems and precision processes. Not only did we find it all here in Greenville, we found it all under one roof at M.C. Tool."

"Early in our decision process, we met with the Greenville Area Development Corporation regarding what resources and assistance they could identify for recruiting, training, expansion of facilities, and for adding quality jobs. They were extremely helpful in walking us through the process. Growing this company here in South Carolina is absolutely the right strategic decision for M.C. Tool," added Witty. "After acquiring the company in 2007, we've grown from 20 employees on one shift to over 40 on three shifts, and expect to end 2008 with potentially 50 total associates and further facility expansion." The company is also currently working with Ready SC! and Greenville Technical College's Brashier Industrial Programs in the recruiting and training of master machinists and apprentices, paying well-above-market wages with full benefits based on experience.

"M.C. Tool is a precision tool and advanced machining equipment manufacturer servicing the aerospace, automotive, and a variety of additional industries. Their decision to locate in South Carolina speaks positively to the strength of the state's market accessibility, quality workforce, and the value that has resulted from improving the business climate to attract investment and encourage job creation. M.C. Tool is a welcomed addition to our business community and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship in the years ahead," said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

"M.C. Tool's decision to grow its headquarters and precision manufacturing operations here in Greenville County is the product of a team effort involving many participants at the local and state level," added H.G. "Butch" Kirven, Jr., chairman of Greenville County Council. "Their specialized capabilities reinforce this area's attractiveness to Fortune 500 enterprises and tier one and two providers, and affirms that specialty manufacturing companies can thrive and succeed in our state. We're pleased to have them here in Greenville County."

"MC Tool is a wonderful example of a company that is using world-class technology, lean processes and home-grown talent to succeed here in the Upstate," said Jay Rogers, Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Board. "The company is an entrepreneurial business with innovative processes and rapid growth potential, and is a wonderful example of the opportunity to be found here in Greenville County and South Carolina."

For more information visit www.mctool-usa.com