Germany-based IMO Group, a manufacturer of slewing rings and slew drives, will locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Dorchester County, S.C. The operation will be called IMO USA Corp. and is ultimately expected to employ 190 workers and generate a $47 million capital investment.

The company's slewing rings are used in many applications, including blade, yaw and single main bearings for wind turbines up to 5 MW; blade bearings for tidal stream systems; and slewing rings for construction machinery, tunneling and mining, medical technology and ship building.

"Armed with 20 years of experience, and focused on the exciting future of alternative energy, IMO promises to contribute quality jobs, quality products and quality thinking to this community," says Mitchell Bohannon, chairperson of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.

In seeking its first U.S. home, IMO executives were focused on locations within three hours of a major seaport, access to a major airport and a 40,000 square-foot facility, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. The company will utilize the Port of Charleston for both importing materials and exporting products and will service multiple markets from its Dorchester County operation, including the U.S., European and Asian markets.

IMO anticipates that its Dorchester County facility will be open by July. IMO will be filling a variety of positions, including jobs in engineering, production, sales and quality assurance.

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