JR Automation Technologies to Bring 54 Jobs

Pickens County will soon have 54 new high paying jobs and an added boost to local manufacturers.

JR Automation Technologies LLC, a Michigan-based maker of automation equipment for the automotive, pharmaceutical, food and general industries, announced plans Tuesday to expand and locate its new sales, engineering and manufacturing facility in Pickens County.

"This is going to be a great shot in the arm for Pickens," Alliance Pickens Executive Director Ray Farley said.

"JR adds to a growing niche that Pickens County has in automated industry and that's been seeded by Pickens County Schools. They need technically competent employees."

Students at the Easley Career and Technology Center and Tri-County Technical College are gaining necessary experience in the fields of mechatronics, industrial electronics and robotics, three areas that are increasingly attractive to employers.

"Our resources in Pickens County are great and we are thrilled to share them with our businesses, and we welcome JR Automation to our business community,” Pickens County Council Chairwoman Jennifer Willis said.  

The company will locate its new manufacturing facility at 1473 Walhalla Highway in Pickens. This will be the company’s first facility in South Carolina and its first outside of Michigan.

“Manufacturing plays a key role in our state’s economy, and we’re pleased to have JR Automation join that part of South Carolina’s business community,” said Bobby Hitt, S.C. commerce secretary.

The 54 new jobs is not all the manufacturer will bring to Pickens County.

"JR is going to outsource 30 percent of it's work to local manufacturers and machine shops," Farley said.

The addition of several large manufacturers such as Boeing, BMW, and JR Automation has given a boost to smaller manufacturing businesses in the county.

“South Carolina continues to put its best foot forward and our recruitment efforts are paying off," Gov. Nikki Haley said. "We’re excited that JR Automation has chosen to locate new operations here and has committed to create over 50 well-paying jobs in our state."

The company will begin hiring for the positions in the near future. Anyone interested in job opportunities in engineering and skilled manufacturing trades with the company should contact ReadySC.