I get the daily "Midlandsbiz" Email Newsletter, which always provides some interesting information about friends, colleagues, and events in and around Columbia, South Carolina. If you are not on the email list, you should check it out.Recently, one of the articles had some interesting information that is pertinent to this blog (especially for any manufacturer readers). The article provided information about South Carolina's exports, their increase in 2011, and the primary product and industry sectors for South Carolina's exports. From a product liability standpoint, this article is useful because it provides information on what South Carolina businesses are making and the types of potential claims that may ultimately arise.
A link to the article is here. A cut and paste of it is provided below.
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South Carolina’s 2011 exports jump 21 percent
Germany, Canada and China top export markets
COLUMBIA, SC - February 28, 2012 - Gov. Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the State Ports Authority today announced the state’s 2011 exports totaled more than $24.6 billion in goods sold to 198 countries around the world. Figures represent a 21.4 percent increase over 2010 totals. In 2011, South Carolina’s 21.4 percent export growth ranked the state 14th in the U.S.
“This is great news for South Carolina. We will continue to work on improving and modernizing our ports system, which plays a key role in bringing companies from around the globe to our great state,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
The state’s top 10 export industries last year were vehicles, machinery, rubber, electrical machinery, plastics, paper and paperboard, organic chemicals, optics and medical equipment, wood pulp and cotton yarn and fabric. Of the top product sectors, the three experiencing the largest percentage increase were vehicles at a 52 percent increase, cotton yarn and fabric at nearly a 50 percent increase and electrical machinery at nearly a 25 percent increase.
“South Carolinians know how to make things – and we ship them the world over. Both Germany and Canada remain very important trade partners for South Carolina, and China is increasingly becoming a strong market for goods made in our state,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
South Carolina ranked first among U.S. states in tire exports, holding nearly 30% of the share of U.S. made exported tires.
"South Carolina is poised to become the number one tire producing state in the U.S. and the tires that we make here are exported all over the world,” said Pete Selleck, chairman and president, Michelin North America.
Posting a 36 percent increase from 2010, Germany overtook Canada again for the top spot as South Carolina’s number one export market in 2011, purchasing nearly $4 billion in products. Canada was a close second, purchasing more than $3.7 billion in products. China remained at number three in 2011, purchasing more than $3 billion. Rounding out the top 10 export markets in 2011 in order of rank were Mexico at number four, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
“Exporters in South Carolina's manufacturing and agricultural sectors benefit from access to competitive, deepwater port facilities,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “Growing our export base is essential to generating jobs in the maritime industry and across the state.”
South Carolina Commerce has also taken an active role in helping the state’s small businesses and homegrown companies reach markets outside the U.S.
2011 S.C. export rankings among states:
- Ranked 17th in exports.
- Ranked only behind California in exports to Germany
- Ranked 4th in exports to Saudi Arabia
- Ranked 9th in exports to India
- Ranked 10th in exports to China
- Ranked first in exports of tires, holding nearly 30% of the share of US made exported tires
- Ranked first in exports of automobiles to the world, surpassing Michigan.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce received the Silver Award from Business Facilities magazine, placing second in the 2011 Economic Development Deal of the Year competition. Commerce has been part of recruiting world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. Commerce also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and offers grants for community development. For more information, visit http://www.sccommerce.com/.
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