ANDERSON COUNTY—South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was at the Anderson Civic Center on Monday to celebrate more jobs coming to the upstate.

McLaughlin Body Company, a manufacturer of operator protection systems, recently announced it will locate a new manufacturing facility in Anderson County, according to a release from the governor’s office.

The $22 million investment is expected to generate 250 new jobs over the next five years.

“The search for a new location was extensive and we felt South Carolina and Anderson County was the best choice for us,” said John Mann, president of McLaughlin Body Company. “Our new location provides our company an excellent opportunity for business development in this region of the country. South Carolina also provides a great business environment and with the excellent training resources provided by the state, we are confident of being able to access the required skilled workforce that we need for our products. We sincerely appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials.”

Anderson officials say they are happy with the news.

“We are very pleased to welcome the McLaughlin Body Company to Anderson County,” said Anderson County Councilman Tommy Dunn. “After looking at several states in the Southeast, the company chose Anderson County as the home for their new facility. Attracting a company of this caliber and reputation to our county was a team effort with many partners, all of whom worked together to make this day a reality.”

McLaughlin Body Company, based in Moline, Ill. since 1902, will locate their new subsidiary operation in the industrial park at 5121 Old Pearman Dairy Road, pending final approval by the Anderson County Council on April 15. The facility will manufacture operator stations and complex metal components. This location is strategically located to supply heavy-equipment manufacturers located in the southern and eastern regions of the U.S. The manufacturing facility will be the company’s first operation outside of its home state. Additionally, the company is the first supplier of the new Caterpillar facility in Georgia to locate in South Carolina.

Haley said the $22 million investment will be a greatly beneficial to all parties involved.

“We understand what businesses need in order to do well, and that’s why more firms like McLaughlin Body Company are choosing to establish operations in our state. We celebrate the company’s decision to invest $22 million and create 250 new jobs in Anderson,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “Today’s announcement is the result of Team South Carolina’s efforts.”

Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $8 billion in capital investment and more than 21,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing continues to be a creator of wealth and jobs for South Carolina. McLaughlin Body Company’s decision to locate new operations here provides another boost to our state’s manufacturing renaissance and is another sign that firms see the Palmetto State as just right for business and just right to find success,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

The expected date to have the facility fully operational is the first quarter of 2014. The new operation will create employment opportunities for a variety of skilled manufacturing and technical positions including engineering, robotic weld programming and welding.

The company will phase in hiring for the new positions as it ramps up to full production with various product introductions over the next several years. The initial hiring will commence in the third and fourth quarters of 2013, and the company will partner with ReadySC for recruitment and training for the new operation.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a Governor’s Closing Fund grant for $4 million for building acquisition and approved job development credits.

McLaughlin Body Company is a manufacturer of operator protection systems, including cab enclosures and metal components for construction, military, agriculture and other heavy-duty vehicles. For more information about the company, please visit www.mclbody.com.