This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
A global supplier behind everyday food packaging is expanding into the American market with a new manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County, creating jobs and strengthening the region’s growing reputation as a destination for international manufacturers.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. A company whose products are used every day in restaurants, cafés and takeout businesses across the country is making a major investment in South Carolina.
Detpak USA, the American subsidiary of Australia-based Detmold Group, is opening its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County, bringing more than 50 new jobs and creating a new production hub for paper-based food packaging.
The roughly 175,000-square-foot facility at 2781 New Cut Road is expected to begin operations in August 2026. The project represents a major step for Detmold Group, which has supplied packaging solutions to American customers for more than two decades but has previously relied on overseas production.
The move will allow the company to manufacture closer to its North American customers while improving supply-chain reliability and reducing dependence on international shipping.
What is Detpak bringing to Spartanburg?
Detpak specializes in paper-based packaging products used by quick-service restaurants, retailers, and food businesses.
Its products include items such as:
- Coffee cups
- Food containers
- Paper trays
- Takeout packaging
- Custom-branded food-service materials
While many consumers may not recognize the Detpak name, its packaging is part of the daily experience of millions of customers who purchase coffee, meals, and takeaway food.
The Spartanburg facility will mark the first time Detpak manufactures these products directly in the United States under its own operations.
Detmold Group CEO Sascha Detmold Cox described the project as a major milestone for the company, saying the new plant would allow Detpak to serve customers more efficiently by producing closer to the markets it supports.
Why did Detpak choose Spartanburg?
Spartanburg County was selected because of its strong manufacturing infrastructure, workforce and logistics network.
The Upstate South Carolina region has become one of the Southeast’s leading manufacturing centers, attracting companies from around the world. The area is already home to major industrial operations, including BMW’s large manufacturing facility in nearby Greer.
Local officials say that existing manufacturing expertise helped demonstrate that Spartanburg could support another international company looking to establish a long-term U.S. presence.
Spartanburg County Council Chair Manning Lynch said the decision reflected confidence in the community’s ability to support advanced manufacturing operations.
Transportation access was also a major factor. The facility is located near major highways and benefits from connections to Inland Port Greer, which links Upstate manufacturers directly with the Port of Charleston. That connection gives companies access to international shipping routes while maintaining a manufacturing base inland, an advantage that has helped South Carolina compete for global investment.
How much is the company investing?
Detpak’s expansion includes a multimillion-dollar investment in the Spartanburg facility.
As part of the economic development agreement, Spartanburg County approved a fee-in-lieu-of-tax arrangement connected to approximately $9.8 million in planned investment over five years.
South Carolina’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development also awarded Spartanburg County a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to support improvements at the site. The agreement reduces the property tax assessment rate from 10.5% to 6% for up to 30 years, provided the company meets its investment and job commitments.
Economic incentives like these are common tools used by states and local governments to compete for manufacturing projects. Supporters argue they help attract companies that create jobs and expand the tax base over time, while critics often debate whether the long-term benefits justify the upfront incentives.
What does the factory mean for local workers?
The immediate impact for Spartanburg residents will be new employment opportunities.
Detpak expects to create more than 50 jobs during the initial phase of operations. Positions are expected to include manufacturing, production, quality control and other facility-related roles.
While the number is smaller than that of some large industrial projects, local officials say mid-sized manufacturing investments are important because they create steady employment and diversify the county’s economic base.
The company has already begun directing interested applicants toward available career opportunities as it prepares for production. For workers in the region, the opening represents another option in an area where manufacturing continues to play a major role in the economy. Why are manufacturers choosing South Carolina?
Detpak’s decision reflects a broader trend.
South Carolina has spent years positioning itself as a manufacturing destination by combining available industrial land, transportation infrastructure, workforce development programs and business incentives.
The Upstate region has been particularly successful in attracting international manufacturers because it offers access to major transportation routes while maintaining lower operating costs compared with many coastal markets.
The presence of established companies has also created a supplier network and experienced manufacturing workforce that can help new businesses establish operations more quickly.
State officials say Detpak’s investment is another example of companies recognizing South Carolina as a competitive location for expansion.
South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey III said projects like Detpak’s demonstrate continued interest from companies seeking reliable manufacturing locations.
What happens next?
Construction and preparation work will continue at the New Cut Road site ahead of the planned August 2026 launch.
Once production begins, the company will focus on building its U.S. manufacturing capacity and supplying customers across North America. The first phase will create more than 50 jobs, but future growth could depend on customer demand, production performance and Detpak’s ability to secure additional contracts with restaurant and retail companies.
For Spartanburg County, the project represents more than a new factory. It represents another step in the region’s transformation into a major manufacturing hub where global companies see long-term opportunity. For Detpak, it marks a shift from serving American customers from overseas to building products directly where those customers are. A company many consumers have never heard of is now becoming part of Spartanburg’s industrial story, one package at a time.
