Illinois-headquartered McLaughlin is awaiting final approval of the subsidiary operation to be located on Old Pearman Dairy Road in Columbia. The Anderson County Council is set to vote on the plan on April 15.

When operational, the facility will manufacture operator stations and complex metal componentry.

McLaughlin said the decision on location was strategic, as it would be central to supplying the needs of heavy equipment manufacturers in the southern and eastern regions of the US.

The complex will be the company’s first operation outside its home state and will serve as the first supplier to a Caterpillar facility being set up in Georgia.

“The search for a new location was extensive and we felt South Carolina and Anderson County was the best choice for us,” company president John Mann said.

“Our new location provides our company an excellent opportunity for business development in this region of the country.”

The facility is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of next year.

It will begin hiring in the third quarter of this year. Officials will be seeking to fill skilled manufacturing and technical positions, including engineering, robotic weld programming and welding.

McLaughlin specializes in operator protection systems, including cab enclosures and metal components for mining as well as construction, military, agriculture and other heavy-duty vehicles.