Manufacturing company to create nearly 200 jobs in Lexington. When it’ll open.
A Swedish company will invest $13.5 million and create 170 jobs when it opens its first North American branch in Lexington County, the governor’s office announced Tuesday.
Wijo Pouches, a producer of oral nicotine and caffeine pouches, is set to begin operations by March of next year, according to the release. The company will house its production facilities in a 55,000-square foot space at 381 Burton Road. Manufacturing is one of the county’s largest industries, employing some 12,000 workers across the area.
The company received a handful of state and local tax incentives for its planned investment. Lexington County Council gave final approval in mid-November for Wijo Pouches to receive tax credits and to place a decades-long cap on the property taxes it owes to the county. The state’s commerce department will also give the company tax credits for creating jobs.
The manufacturing investment is the fifth this calendar year in Lexington. One of the county’s largest employers, Michelin, was approved for tax incentives in June to invest $159 million, but no new jobs were linked to the project.
At least two other companies, Cardiff Products and AllTape Adhesive Manufacturing, announced plans this year to open plants in the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park – the county’s largest manufacturing hub wedged along Interstates 26 and 77 in the county. The park holds some of the county’s largest employers such as Amazon, Dominion and Nephron Pharmaceuticals.
