A new global company is officially making its way to the Midlands—bringing hundreds of jobs, new investment, and another sign that the region’s economy continues to strengthen. SODECIA AAPICO Joint Venture (Sodecia Aapico JV), an international automotive parts manufacturer, has selected Orangeburg County for its first South Carolina operation. The company will invest $120 million to build a 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on St. Matthews Road, creating nearly 400 new jobs.
This move further expands the growing economic impact of Scout Motors, the electric vehicle manufacturer building its new Production Center in nearby Blythewood. Sodecia Aapico JV will supply advanced ladder frames for Scout’s upcoming vehicles—making the company a key part of Scout’s local supply chain. For residents across the Midlands, this means more long-term job opportunities and greater stability as the region continues attracting global automotive leaders.
SODECIA, headquartered in Portugal, and AAPICO, based in Thailand, are both family-owned companies with decades of experience serving major automotive manufacturers. Their new U.S. joint venture combines those strengths to support Scout Motors and position the Midlands as a competitive hub in the automotive manufacturing sector. The Orangeburg facility is expected to feature modern production systems, advanced technology, and energy-efficient operations designed to meet high global standards.
Construction of the new plant is scheduled for completion in 2027, with a groundbreaking set for December 8, 2025. As Sodecia Aapico JV ramps up operations, the company’s presence is expected to support additional economic development in the area, strengthen the local workforce, and create opportunities for suppliers, workers, and families throughout the region.
This announcement continues a pattern of increasing investment driven by Scout Motors’ arrival in South Carolina. Each new supplier choosing to locate in the state strengthens the Midlands’ reputation as a growing automotive hub and reinforces the long-term opportunities that come with a modern, expanding manufacturing economy.
For the Midlands and surrounding communities, Sodecia Aapico JV represents more than a new industrial site—it’s a sign of continued economic momentum. With Scout Motors anchoring new growth and global partners beginning to plant roots here, the region is steadily shaping itself into an important center for the automotive industry in the Carolinas.
