1. Boeing South Carolina
What it does: The multinational corporation designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, and satellites. (See profile, opposite page.)
Factoid: When it decided to build the 787 Dreamliner passenger jet here, Boeing placed Charleston at the heart of one of the most unique global supply chains ever created, and then developed a special transport aircraft, the Dreamlifter, to ferry parts here from, well, everywhere.
Leadership: In May, Beverly Wyse will take over the post of vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina from Jack Jones, who is retiring.
Website: www.boeing.com
Location: North Charleston
Employees: 8,267 (in S.C.)
Revenue: BloombergBusiness reported that Boeing is reaping about $6 billion a year from the 787 Dreamliner program.
Years in business in the lowcountry: 6
2. Environmental Express Inc.
sWhat it does:
Develops, manufactures, and distributes environmental laboratory equipment and consumable supplies used in the analysis of water/wastewater, oil and grease, metals, and hazardous waste for commercial, governmental, industrial, and academic laboratories
sFactoid: In 2012, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce ranked Environmental Express as the state’s 13th “best place to work for small/medium employers.”
sLeadership:
Al Jurgela, president and CEO
sWebsite: envexp.com
sLocation: Charleston
sEmployees: 50
sRevenue: N/A
sYears in business: 26
3. Hawthorne Global Aviation Services
What it does: Provides general aviation services—the fueling, hangaring, and handling of private aircraft, as well as repair and maintenance—at five locations in the U.S. The company also manages a fleet of more than 20 corporate aircraft, including international jets, such as the Gulfstream G-V and the Bombardier Global 6000.
Factoid: Hawthorne’s first operation began at the Charleston Airport in 1932. During World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Hawthorne trained thousands of military pilots here.
Leadership: Bill Koch, chairman
Website: www.hawthorne.aero
Location: North Charleston
Employees: 12 local, 250 nationwide
Revenue: N/A
Years in Business: 83
4. The Intertech Group, Inc.
What it does: A holding company that operates in aerospace, specialty chemicals, leisure/entertainment, real estate, financial services, manufacturing, and investments sectors. Within the chemical division, Intertech manufactures elastomerics, packaging and sealing devices, gaskets, battery separator sheets, and woven and nonwoven fabrics.
Factoid: The Intertech Group was ranked the second most profitable company in South Carolina, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s 30th annual ranking of the state’s largest privately held firms. The chemical manufacturing company owned by Charleston’s Zucker family was one of five companies in the state that earned more than $1 billion during the most recent fiscal year.
Leadership: Anita G. Zucker, chairperson and CEO; Jonathan Zucker, president; and Joseph L. Myers, CFO
Website: www.theintertechgroup.com
Location: North Charleston
Employees: 15,000 worldwide
Revenue: $4.15 billion (fiscal year 2014)
Years in Business: 33
5. Marabu North America
What it does: Develops and manufactures high-quality inks for graphic and industrial applications
Factoid: In 2014, Marabu North America received the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) product of the year award in the Laminates, Adhesives, Films, and Coatings category for its MaraShield UV-Curable Liquid Coatings.
Leadership: Bob Keller, manager
Website: www.marabu-northamerica.com
Employees: 20-49
Revenue: $5-$10 million
Location: North Charleston
Years in Business: 150
