Norfolk Southern REDI Site investment boosts Scout supply

Norfolk Southern REDI Site investment in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, is set to anchor SODECIA AAPICO JV’s new $120 million manufacturing facility and further strengthen the state’s fast-growing automotive supply chain.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The SODECIA AAPICO JV manufacturing facility will cover 400,000 square feet on the Tri-County Global Industrial Site — a Site Selectors Guild-recognized location with direct Norfolk Southern rail service and immediate connectivity to major transportation corridors, as detailed in a Norfolk Southern newsroom article on the project. Together, rail access and highway connectivity make the site a solid base for advanced automotive manufacturing and efficient regional logistics.

Why the Norfolk Southern REDI Site investment matters?

SODECIA and AAPICO, both family-owned global automotive manufacturers, are combining their core strengths and innovative capabilities to produce advanced ladder frames for Scout Motors, a key customer in the automotive sector.

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By choosing Orangeburg County, the joint venture supports the emerging Orangeburg County, South Carolina automotive supply chain while helping Scout Motors build a robust, local supply chain for its vehicles — a commitment also highlighted in a South Carolina Department of Commerce announcement.

Nearly 400 new jobs and related supplier growth are expected to fuel long-term economic development across the region. As production ramps up, the facility will help position South Carolina as an even stronger hub for automotive investment and manufacturing activity, directly tied into Norfolk Southern’s rail network.

Project scope and timeline

Several headline figures show the scale of this $120 million automotive investment:

• Total investment: $120 million
• Facility size: 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on the Tri-County Global Industrial Site
• Jobs created: nearly 400 new positions in Orangeburg County
• Timeline: construction is expected to be completed in 2027, with production slated to begin in March 2028

This schedule gives SODECIA AAPICO JV a clear path from construction to full production, aligning the new plant with Scout Motors’ long-term plans and the broader automotive ecosystem developing across South Carolina.

Company and customer perspectives

Craig Hudson, Norfolk Southern’s GVP Industrial Development, notes that the railroad was part of the recruitment team for the project and worked closely with partners such as the Orangeburg County Economic Development Commission. He stresses that the new plant strengthens the automotive supply chain taking shape across South Carolina and supports the shared customer, Scout Motors.

AAPICO CEO Swee Chuan Yeap describes the project as an important step toward expanding the company’s footprint in the United States. He points to the strong confidence Scout Motors has placed in both companies and underlines that success for the joint venture is the primary goal.

SODECIA CEO Rui Monteiro focuses on the strength of collaboration, explaining that by combining the best of both companies, the partners are creating a world-class facility designed to deliver value to their automotive sector customer and generate long-term opportunities for the local community. For Scout Motors, CEO Scott Keogh sees SODECIA AAPICO JV as a key Scout Motors supplier and calls the project another milestone in building a robust, local supply chain that brings hundreds of new jobs and meaningful opportunities for South Carolinians.

State leaders on jobs and growth

State and industry leaders view the Tri-County Global Industrial Site with Norfolk Southern rail service as a powerful tool for attracting investment. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster describes the Sodecia Aapico JV decision as another clear vote of confidence in the state’s world-class workforce and a reinforcement of its booming automotive industry. He also notes that Scout Motors’ arrival is driving additional investment and job creation across the state.

The state’s Secretary of Commerce and other economic development partners likewise welcome the project’s workforce and economic benefits, emphasizing that nearly 400 new jobs and supplier expansion in and around Orangeburg County will bring more opportunities and prosperity to local communities.

Norfolk Southern’s rail and site development role

At the core of the announcement is Norfolk Southern’s rail network and site development expertise. In this case, access to an NS rail-ready site made the location a top contender for advanced automotive manufacturing. The Tri-County Global Industrial Site, served directly by Norfolk Southern and connected to major transportation corridors, allowed SODECIA AAPICO JV and Scout Motors to align manufacturing with efficient logistics from the outset. Norfolk Southern’s broader work with shippers and industrial customers has also been covered by industry media such as Railway Supply, underscoring its role in freight rail development.

As a result, the Norfolk Southern REDI Site investment helps secure long-term industrial growth for South Carolina. It fuels job creation in Orangeburg County and neighboring communities, strengthens the state’s automotive ecosystem and local supply base for Scout Motors, and supports Scout Motors’ long-term success in the region. Norfolk Southern also points interested stakeholders to additional information on how it supports site selection and industrial growth through resources available on its website.

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