Van body manufacturer coming to North Charleston

A Michigan manufacturer is joining the cluster of automotive businesses that have cropped up around the Daimler AG plant in North Charleston.

Morgan Olson LLC, a maker of walk-in van bodies, said Wednesday that it will invest $1 million to open a new plant that will employ 119 workers.

Morgan Olson’s factory will be housed in part of an existing industrial building at 7555 Palmetto Commerce Parkway. It will strip and retrofit Mercedes-Benz truck chassis from the nearby Daimler Vans plant.

The company said it also will upfit cargo vans with modular interiors for customers such as FedEx and Ryder System Inc.

The 100,000-square-foot plant is expected to be online by Oct. 1 and producing vehicles by Oct. 22.

“South Carolina offers a business-friendly environment and the skilled workforce we need for our operations,” said Dave Halladay, vice president of operations at Morgan Olson.

The rebounding automotive industry has been a bright spot for the state and the region, with much of the recent activity concentrated near the Daimler plant, which assembles Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.

“The automotive industry continues to be a real driver in our state’s economy and in our manufacturing sector. When companies like Morgan Olson choose to locate here, it not only creates jobs and wealth for South Carolinians, but also increases our reputation in the automotive club,” S.C. Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said.

The Post and Courier reported the Morgan Olson deal in July, when the Sturgis, Mich-based company began recruiting employees through the state-run readySC, including welders, painters, material handlers and general assemblers. Morgan Olson said Wednesday that it has completed its first hiring phase. It said information about future openings will be released later.

The company has been making and retrofitting delivery vehicles for more than 60 years. Its customers have included UPS and the U.S. Postal Service.

Reach John McDermott at 937-5572.