By Scott Miller
Staff Writer

NORTH CHARLESTON -- Cummins Turbo Technologies said Tuesday that it will add 100 jobs and $11 million in equipment to its facility at Palmetto Commerce Park in North Charleston.

Federal mandates on fuel efficiency and emissions standards are driving demand for the Cummins turbochargers produced here, company President Jim Lyons said. The products are used on heavy- and medium-duty commercial trucks.

Lyons said he expects global revenue to increase 20% a year. Revenue is on pace to grow 30% this year, he said Tuesday at a news conference that included representatives from the S.C. Department of Commerce, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Charleston County and the city of North Charleston.

“I’m hoping in a couple more years, I’ll be standing in front of this group again, though no (future expansion) plans have been finalized,” Lyons said.

Britain-based Cummins also has a plant on Leeds Avenue. Between the facilities, Cummins has more than 750 local employees. Of the 100 new jobs, most will be associates or technicians with starting pay from $12.50 to $16.65.

Cummins’ announcement comes less than a week after jet engine parts maker Venture Aerobearings opened a plant just down the street. Venture also plans to hire about 100 people. 

“This sends a powerful message to the world that you can be successful in the Charleston region,” said David Ginn, president and CEO of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.

Cummins could have chosen to locate at existing plants in China or India, Lyons said, but chose North Charleston because most of these products are sold to North American customers.

“We have experience here,” he said. “We know the work force. The key leadership is in place.”

Cummins’ Palmetto Commerce Park facility, a $13 million, 110,000-square-foot manufacturing site for its Holset VGT turbochargers, opened in July 2006.

The Holset VGT has a complex induction system that varies with the speed of the engine. The company said its design allows for a more effective turbocharging system for diesel engines and allows the turbocharger to be more reliable for commercial service.

Cummins opened its Leeds Avenue manufacturing site, where it produces midrange and heavy-duty turbochargers, in 1989. In 1999, all of Cummins’ U.S. manufacturing operations were relocated to the Charleston area. The company also has marketing and distribution offices in Indiana and Tennessee.