Hydrite Bets Big on South Carolina with $63M Laurens County Hub

LAURENS, SC – February 10, 2026 – Wisconsin-based chemical provider Hydrite is making a significant strategic move into the American Southeast, announcing a $63 million investment to establish a new regional hub in Laurens, South Carolina. The family-owned company has purchased a 43-acre property in Hunter Industrial Park, with plans to construct a state-of-the-art facility projected to come online in 2028.

This expansion solidifies Hydrite’s commitment to the region, building directly upon its recent acquisition of Laurens-based Enterprise Specialty Products, Inc. (ESP). The new 50,000-square-foot facility is poised to become the nerve center for Hydrite's Southeast operations, integrating manufacturing, warehousing, laboratories, and logistics under one roof. The move signals a concerted effort to capture a larger share of the burgeoning industrial market in the Southeast and enhance service to a growing customer base.

A Strategic Play for the Southeast Market

The Laurens expansion is more than just new construction; it's the cornerstone of Hydrite’s aggressive strategy to consolidate its presence in the Southeast. The move follows the company's acquisition of Enterprise Specialty Products, Inc., a leading provider of foam control products, which became effective in September 2025. That acquisition gave Hydrite an immediate and established foothold in South Carolina, along with a specialized product line serving diverse markets from water treatment and textiles to paints and coatings.

The new facility will fully integrate the former ESP operations while dramatically expanding Hydrite's regional capabilities. It will enable the company to introduce its broader portfolio—spanning Food & Beverage Solutions, Manufactured Solutions, and Agriculture & Sulfur Solutions—directly to the Southeast. This creates a powerful synergy, combining ESP's specialized expertise with Hydrite's extensive resources and diverse chemical offerings.

"Building on our recent acquisition of Enterprise Specialty Products, Inc. in Laurens, we're proud to deepen our roots in South Carolina with a new greenfield facility that will bring the broader Hydrite portfolio to the Southeast and allow us to better serve existing and future customers across the region," said Kevin Honkamp, Hydrite CEO, in a statement.

The strategic importance of this hub is underscored by the competitive landscape. The Southeast is a dynamic and crowded market for chemical distribution, with established players like Colonial Chemical Solutions Inc. and Piedmont Chemical Industries actively competing for market share. By creating a centralized, modern hub, Hydrite aims to create a distinct competitive advantage through improved efficiency, localized support, and a more resilient supply chain.

Economic Infusion and a Warm Local Welcome

For Laurens County, Hydrite's decision represents a significant economic victory. The $63 million investment is slated to create 13 new jobs and anchor a key plot in the Hunter Industrial Park. The project has received strong backing from state and local economic development bodies, eager to attract high-value industrial partners.

To facilitate the project, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $300,000 Set-Aside grant for Laurens County. These funds will be allocated toward the costs of site preparation and construction, demonstrating a public-private partnership aimed at fostering local growth. The positive reception was echoed by officials across the state.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III both lauded the announcement, highlighting the state's business-friendly climate as a key factor in securing the investment. Laurens County Council Chairman Jeff Carroll also expressed enthusiasm, anticipating a "long and prosperous relationship" with the company.

This sentiment was reinforced by Hydrite's leadership. "We are grateful for the support from South Carolina and look forward to being an active, long–term contributor to the Laurens County community's growth," Honkamp stated, signaling the company's intent to become an integrated part of the local fabric.

Balancing Growth with Corporate Responsibility

As Hydrite prepares to break ground, its long history and corporate record will be a subject of local interest. Founded in 1929, the family-owned company has grown into one of the largest independent chemical providers in the U.S., with approximately 1,000 employees nationwide. With this scale comes a significant responsibility, particularly in the areas of environmental stewardship and community safety.

Hydrite has publicly committed to sustainability, publishing annual performance reports that outline its environmental goals. These include targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water withdrawal intensity by 2025. The company has also invested in clean energy projects, such as a solar installation at its California facility, and promotes efficiency technologies to its customers.

However, the company's operational history includes past environmental and safety compliance issues. In 2020, Hydrite settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on two separate occasions for alleged Clean Air Act violations. One settlement, involving a $480,500 penalty, concerned improper monitoring of hazardous air pollutants at its Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, facility. Another, resulting in a $79,900 penalty, related to the handling of anhydrous ammonia following an accidental release that injured an employee at its Waterloo, Iowa, plant. Historical reports from before 2013 also document various chemical spills and incidents at its Wisconsin facilities that required emergency response and led to financial settlements.

As the company establishes its new, modern facility in Laurens, its commitment to operating safely and in full compliance with South Carolina's environmental regulations will be closely watched by the community and regulatory bodies alike.

Fortifying a Coast-to-Coast Supply Chain

The new Laurens hub is engineered to be a logistical powerhouse, optimizing Hydrite's distribution network across the entire Southeast. By consolidating manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics, the facility will streamline operations that were previously fragmented. This centralization is expected to reduce lead times, improve inventory management, and enhance customer service throughout the region.

A key component of Hydrite's service model is its control over its own private fleet of tractors, tankers, and railcars. The Laurens facility will leverage this asset, serving as a central dispatch and maintenance point that ensures responsive and reliable delivery to customers. This logistical independence is a critical advantage in a market where supply chain disruptions can have significant impacts. The establishment of this hub marks the final piece in providing Hydrite with true coast-to-coast coverage, fulfilling a long-term strategic goal for the nearly century-old company.