Phase 2
BD enters construction phase of expansion BY BRUCE MILLS
Continuing to grow. That was a theme for everyone who took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at one of Sumter's top industrial employers, BD. In May 2018, the medical device manufacturer of blood tubes and needles for the health care industry announced a $150 million capital investment and 125 new jobs were coming to the Sumter facility at 1575 Airport Road. BD has held to that commitment, already hiring about 80 of those new full-time positions, and now is on Phase 2 of the project, which involves new warehouse construction at the facility. BD has been in Sumter for 51 years, dating back to 1970, and features about 950 current associate jobs, according to Plant Manager Ken Lee. The vast majority of those positions are in technical fields mechanical, electrical and robotics. With 25% to 30% of its workforce being Baby Boomers who will reach retirement age in the next few years, "technical skill sets are the future of BD," Lee said. That is why the manufacturer has developed partnerships in recent years with two nearby middle schools in Sumter School District to encourage STEM coursework and will continue to rely heavily on Central Carolina Technical College for workers, he said. Apprenticeships are also available for district high school seniors to help grow
the workforce pipeline. "We are trying to commit to growing technical talent at home," Lee said. Starting pay in many of those technical positions is $18 to $25 per hour, he added. Phase 2 of the expansion will last close to two years and will increase total facility size by about 25% to 620,000 square feet, according to Lee. Phase 3, likely in 202425, will include new amenities inside the plant, such as a new employee cafeteria and restrooms. "Get used to a construction zone at BD Sumter for the next four years or so," Lee said. Due to COVID-19, attendance at the groundbreaking was limited but did include Sumter Mayor David Merchant, Sumter County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. and Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Hardy, among a few others, who were all smiles. Merchant noted BD's history in Sumter and that the manufacturer is an integral part of the community and values the local workforce. "This is manufacturing of very precise, high-end medical devices that they do here," Merchant said. "It's super sterile, super clean and just very important, and they have their systems in place. To have an international company with locations all over to continue to invest here and add employees is great."
McCain and Hardy spoke on the economic boost that BD provides locally. "BD is a staple of our community," Hardy said. "They support our community, and their employees are part of the community. This is big from both a qualityof-life as well as economic development impact." By the end of the project, Lee said he hopes to exceed the investment total and new job totals. "Clearly, if you look around, we are definitely investing for the future," Lee said. "We've been here for 51 years, and there is no doubt about it, we want to be here for another 50 or more. It's a flagship facility for BD, and the people of Sumter should be proud that BD is here in the community and that we continue to provide good-paying jobs that are stable."
DID YOU KNOW? Of BD's 86 facilities across the world, the Sumter facility ranks among the top three sites for facility size, total employee headcount and annual production of cost of goods sold. T HE I TE M.C O M/L I FE I SGO O D |
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