Consider the Carolinas » Industry Site Selection and Relocation » Glass Manufacturing Site Selection

Glass Manufacturing Site Selection

Construction in the Carolinas is growing faster than in any other part of the U.S. That growth is creating a great demand for suppliers to the construction industry, resulting in significant glass manufacturing site selection activity. The Carolinas provide excellent access to Southeastern markets. Within 300 miles (500 km) of the Carolinas’ borders is a population of more than 40 million, including growing Southeastern metropolitan centers such as Charlotte, Columbia, Atlanta, Richmond, and Jacksonville. The Carolinas is an ideal choice for companies involved in glass industry site selection.

Duke Energy offers one of the most powerful site selection tools available. For companies involved in glass manufacturing site selection work, the tool is designed to: Evaluate the demographics, wages, labor pool, transportation system, as well as search for sites, buildings, suppliers, competitors or customers throughout North or South Carolina.

Proximity to Major Southeastern Markets

The Carolinas offer a robust business climate and access to diverse markets within 300 miles/500 kilometers of its boarders.

  • Population of more than 40 million people.
  • Growing Southeastern metropolitan centers such as Charlotte (N.C.), Columbia (S.C.), Atlanta (Ga.), Richmond (Va.), and Jacksonville (Fla.).
  • In 2003, the Carolinas issued 117,417 residential building permits, which accounted for 6.2 percent of all permits issued in the U.S. North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia are among the top 10 permit issuing states.
  • The 5-year state population growth is 7 percent in N.C., 6 percent in S.C., 7 percent in Va. and 10 percent in both Ga. and Fla.

Superior Transportation Infrastructure

A sufficient transportation system is critical for glass manufacturing site selection. The Carolinas are centrally located on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and have a robust transportation network.

  • Four Class I railroads with 37 freight lines operate over 5,500 miles of track throughout the Carolinas.
  • The Carolinas recognize the importance of suitable roadways when being considered for glass manufacturing site selection. Crisscrossed with 6 major interstates (I-85, I-26, I-77, I-95, I-20 and I-40) and over 140,000 miles of highway, the Carolinas are linked to seaports, businesses and consumers in all directions. Approximately 96 percent of N.C. has access to four-lane highways within 10 minutes.
  • Five deep water ports, specializing in intermodal system terminals with interstate and rail access to markets throughout the U.S., are located in the Carolinas. N.C. was the first port operated inland container staging and storage facility in the nation. S.C. is the fourth largest container port in the U.S.
  • Charleston ranked 30th for tonnage transported across its transportation network (30 Million Short Tons).
  • Seven international airports (Charlotte-Douglas, Piedmont Triad, Raleigh/Durham, Wilmington, Greenville-Spartanburg, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach International), along with nine regional airports, provide a global gateway to and from the Carolinas.

Quality Workforce and Competitive Wages

The Carolinas profited from the presence of the textile industry for many years. As this industry continued to move its operations off shore, many highly-skilled manufacturing employees were left behind. Companies in the process of glass manufacturing site selection in the Carolinas have a ready pool of talented and affordable workforce.

  • Affordable wages is a significant criteria for glass manufacturing site selection. The average manufacturing wage in the Carolinas is $13.20 per hour vs. $18.10 per hour nationwide.
  • The Carolinas’ 75-campus Community College System has emerged as one of the largest in the nation and is recognized as the national leader for its support of economic work force development and training. Companies involved in glass manufacturing site selection should evaluate the assistance available to them through programs such as ISO 9000, Total Quality Management, Team Building, Supervisory Development Training, Statistical Process Control and World Class Concepts.
  • North Carolina and South Carolina have the lowest union membership rates among the fifty states, 3.6 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively.

Industry Presence

Companies can be assured that the Carolinas are a viable option when evaluating for glass manufacturing site selection. Some of the largest glass producers in the world call the Carolinas home:

  • North Carolina ranks fourth in the U.S. in terms of glass industry shipments and South Carolina ranks ninth.
  • Many glass industry leaders have a presence in the Carolinas including PPG Industries, Pilkington, Saint-Gobain, Cardinal Glass, Guardian Industries, Owens-Illinois and Asahi Glass America.

Environmental Permitting

For companies that anticipate permitting to be a risk in their glass manufacturing site selection efforts, the Carolinas have environmental programs to assist companies in moving through the process quickly.

  • Pro-business environment
  • Quick turnaround for most applicants (average 6 weeks)
  • In line with federal standards

Incentives/Tax Advantages

To demonstrate North Carolinas’ commitment to glass manufacturing site selection, the North Carolina General Assembly made significant enhancements to its existing incentive tools:

  • The Jobs Development Investment Grant, a key incentive tool, was expanded to 25 grants per year, and the cap was raised from $10 to $15 million, extended to 2006.
  • An additional $20 million was secured for the One North Carolina Fund (cash incentives).
  • The wage test was eliminated for Industrial Revenue Bonds.

South Carolina has one of the most attractive tax climates in the Southeast—no state property tax, no local income tax, no inventory tax, no wholesale tax, and no unitary tax on worldwide profits.

Reliable and Affordable Energy

Duke Energy has highly qualified energy experts and site consultants who can assist in any glass manufacturing site selection project. The service is free and confidential.