Safe Rack Chooses Sumter for Headquarters

February 14, 2008

(Sumter, S.C.) − A company that manufactures steel loading racks for trucks and railcars has chosen Sumter as the location for its new headquarters.

Safe Rack, LLC, Loading Rack Technologies, has purchased land adjacent to the Black River Airport Industrial Park and plans to construct an 8,000 square foot headquarters facility that will eventually employ up to 40 workers, primarily in sales and engineering. The company makes truck loading platforms, rail car platforms and other similar products at its manufacturing facility in Andrews, SC.

Fred Harmon, co-owner of Safe Rack, said the company looked in other South Carolina communities, but chose Sumter because of the efforts of the Sumter Development Board and the City of Sumter.

“Our final decision to locate in Sumter is a direct result of the cooperation and assistance of the economic development team, that consisted of the City, the County and the Development Board,” Harmon said. “We’re glad to be in Sumter.”

Development Board Chairman Greg A. Thompson said Sumter’s expertise in the metal working sector makes Safe Rack and Sumter a good fit.

“Sumter has had one of the strongest metal working clusters in South Carolina for a long time now,” said Greg A. Thompson, Chairman of the Sumter Development Board. “This partnership between Sumter and Safe Rack will only make that cluster stronger, and better position us to gain new jobs in the future.”

Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen said the City is proud to be a member of Sumter’s economic development efforts, which includes not only the Development Board, County and City, but also the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Central Carolina Alliance. 

“Landing a prospect is a cooperative effort and includes existing businesses, which spread the word about our great people and their strong work ethic,” McElveen said. “We are very happy to retain Safe Rack and help them grow in our community.”

Sumter County Council Chairwoman Vivian McGhaney said it’s encouraging to find that Sumter is not only a great place for manufacturing, but for front-office operations as well.

“We’re extremely proud of our community and Council is very pleased Safe Rack has chosen to run its business from here,” McGhaney said. “We wish them great success.”