Growing firm moves in

Maverick Equipment Manufacturing Inc. makes giant hydraulic hammers that heavy-machine operators plunge into the ground, sending ripples through the freshly broken earth.

And the company might make a small dent in the Summerville economy as well.

The manufacturing and sales company, founded 12 years ago in Rhode Island, is now settling into a renovated 30,000-square-foot building at 2745 W. 5th North St.

Maverick Equipment currently employs about 20 workers in its new home but intends to hire about 70 workers more during the next five years, partly to fill gaps left by former employees who didn't want to relocate from New England and partly to keep up with its projected sales growth.

The company's capital investment totaled $1.5 million, according to the state Commerce Department.

Maverick Equipment sells between 500 and 1,000 of its specialty hammers annually to roughly 2,300 clients around the world. It operates sales offices in Miami, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

Buyers use them in mining, infra structure improvement and for major construction projects.

At the Summerville site, workers use molds and welding equipment to put together the industrial-grade implements, which weigh between 3,000 and 140,000 pounds each and are attached to and maneuvered by heavy machinery.

The property was previously occupied by Capital Imaging, a printing company.

When Maverick Equipment's president, Sean Raimbeault, began looking for a new location several years ago, he said he needed a spot with a good business climate and an accessible port, since most of the company's overseas orders are exported by cargo ship.

Quality of life was a top priority, too.

"South Carolina and Dorchester County were on the short list very quickly," Raimbeault said in a statement.

"Frankly, the dedication and unwavering support of the officials here made the decision easy for us."

The company will get a discount on its county tax bill for five years through a tax abatement, a perk available to companies that bring or buy more than $50,000 worth of equipment into the state.

Raimbeault said he also intends to apply for a $50,000 economic development grant through the Commerce Department, which could offset site-improvement costs.

Reach Katy Stech at 937-5549 or kstech@postandcourier.com.