The Renfro building may still sit empty, but there is good business news for Whitmire.

Mayor Tim Carroll found out in January that OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. will open an assembly operation in the old thread building by the armory, says Carroll. The company’s plans were announced yesterday.

Start up for OTR will only require three to five employees, but there are plans to grow the facility in the near future.

“But that’s three or four jobs we didn’t have,” says Carroll. “And hopefully the company will expand in Whitmire.”

The company will seek to increase business by attracting additional OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers in South Carolina.

“We are excited to open this new facility in Whitmire,” said Chad Taylor, OTR Vice President. “It will allow us to meet growing customer demand for our products and better position us to serve our clients in the region. Newberry County will be an excellent fit for our company and we appreciate all the support from county and town officials.”

The new location will provide wheel assemblies for just-in-time delivery to the Komatsu plant in Newberry.

OTR Wheel Engineering manufactures and distributes wheels, tires and mounted tire/wheel assemblies used on “off the road” equipment.

The company will immediately occupy a vacant 16,000-square foot building adjacent to the town limits of Whitmire and expects to be fully operational by the first of March.

“It could grow bigger and bigger, it just depends on how big Komatsu’s business grows,” said Carroll.

“On behalf of Newberry County, I welcome OTR Wheel Engineering as our newest corporate citizen,” commented County Council Chairman Henry Livingston. “They join an impressive group of companies that have discovered Newberry County as a superior business location. We look forward to supporting their growth and success.”

“We looked at several towns outside Newberry County but Teresa Powers, NCED (Newberry County Economic Development) was instrumental in our locating to the Whitmire area,” said Taylor. “Her contacts and assistance made the transition effortless and she extended us true Southern hospitality.”

“We are pleased to have OTR Wheel join the Whitmire community and appreciate the county’s assistance in locating them here,” said Carroll. “We look forward to developing a long-term relationship that supports their ongoing growth and prosperity. The Town of Whitmire will diligently continue its efforts to fill vacant industrial property in the area and bring more opportunities to its residents.”

As far as the town’s industry that closed last January, Carroll said the Renfro sock manufacturing building is still empty, but he thinks companies are still looking.

“But they’re looking everywhere else too,” he said. “We’ll keep continuing to work hard with the Commerce Department to try to attract something to it.”

When Renfro closed its Whitmire plant, the town’s budget shrunk considerably and town residents were among the 570 employees that lost work.

Much of Whitmire’s budget was fed by its water plant with 40 percent of water business from Renfro.

To balance the loss, the town cut back, and for the first time in at least 15 years, borrowed from savings.

Four town workers were laid off and the town relied more on its volunteer reserve police crew.

About OTR Wheel Engineering Inc.

Established in 1987, OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. is a rapidly growing company producing high quality products to meet customer requirements on a global scale. OTR utilizes ultrasonic weld testing, for greater reliability.

The company uses 3D engineering, drawing, modeling, and FEA analyses. OTR’s use of proven design capabilities and extensive product innovations resolve customer performance requirements. Based in Rome, Ga., OTR is capable of global integration, importing, and exporting, with sales and service facilities located in the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa and China, with other affiliates in Australia and South America.

For more information visit www.otrwheel.comOTR Wheel Engineering

About Newberry County Economic Development

Newberry County Economic Development (NCED) is a department within the County of Newberry government and the lead economic development organization for the county. NCED works with existing and prospective business and industry to facilitate investment and economic growth in the county. Its mission is to create quality jobs, increase the per capita income, and broaden the Newberry County tax base.