Commerce Department presents Industry Impact Awards

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Businesses from around South Carolina were honored for their contributions to their community and the state at the 2018 Industry Impact Awards.

The S.C. Department of Commerce selected winners in categories based on employment size and county development tier groups.

“South Carolina has developed a reputation as a place with a workforce that can meet any challenge," Gov. Henry McMaster said in a news release. “These local business leaders from all across our state are what make South Carolina such a wonderful place to live, work, and play."

Nominees were judged on capital investment, job creation, community engagement and environmental stewardship.

“These recipients represent the workforce that has made our ongoing success possible,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

The state also recognized three businesses with an export achievement award and one firm with a recycling industry excellence award. Three students were also recognized as young entrepreneurs.

2018 Industry Impact Award winners included:

• Tier 1 Small Company – Chargeurs Wool USA, Inc. (Berkeley)
• Tier 1 Medium Company – TideWater Boats, LLC (Lexington)
• Tier 1 Larger Company – Ingevity (Charleston)
• Tier 2 Small Company – Fab Fours Inc. (Lancaster)
• Tier 2 Medium Company – PCI Group (Lancaster)
• Tier 2 Larger Company – Movement Mortgage (Lancaster)
• Tier 3 Small Company – Integra Fabrics (Horry)
• Tier 3 Medium Company – CeramTec North America Corp. (Laurens)
• Tier 3 Large Company – Walmart Distribution Center (Laurens)
• Tier 4 Small Company – Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing Co. (Bamberg)
• Tier 4 Medium Company – GKN Aerospace South Carolina (Orangeburg)
• Tier 4 Large Company – Zeus Industrial Products (Orangeburg)

2018 Export Achievement Award winners included:

• JH Global Services Inc. (Greenville)
• MegaWatt Lasers Inc. (Beaufort)
• Morrison Textile Machinery (Chester)

2018 Recycling Industry Excellence Award:

• Atlas Organics (Spartanburg)

2018 Young Entrepreneurs of the Year:

• Andrew Eldridge – MapleAce Programming (Fort Mill High School)
• Aneelia Ma – La Trois B’s (River Bluff High School)
• Colin Posnanski – Brandz by Shoelace Society (Wando High School)