Home goods provider invests $627K in Berkeley County facility

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A home good provider has expanded into Summerville, making the company’s first foray into East Coast operations.

The Wisconson-based DHI Corp., founded in 1872, is investing $672,000 with the hopes of creating 40 jobs.

The new distribution center at 300 Trade Zone Blvd. is already fully operational. The facility will help the company increase capacity and meet growing demand for its home furniture, lighting, ceiling fans, bath furniture and accessories, kitchen cabinets and more.

"As DHI Corp. looked to expand our distribution footprint to the eastern United States, we believe we made a great choice in moving to Summerville, South Carolina,” said DHI Corp. Vice President of Global Operations Mike Oberlander, in a statement. “It has the perfect combination of proximity to many U.S. online consumers, a new facility and an expanded port – as well as very supportive local and state teams."

The company’s growth expounds on the trend of booming home goods and furniture sales around the country.

Year-over year, the U.S. has experienced a 50% increase in furniture imports alone, with Charleston rising 55%, according to Port Import/Export Reporting Service data.

Because of South Carolina’s available warehouse space, accessible ports and efficiency moving imports and exports, the Charleston region in particular has become a destination to which home goods and furniture companies have expanded.

In October, Summerville’s Charleston Trade Center, one of the largest speculative buildings ever built in the Lowcountry, leased out 100% of its space before construction completed to two furniture companies: Twin Star Home, an omni-channel designer and manufacturer of indoor and outdoor living products, and Sagebrook Home, a California-based home décor company.

Twin Star Home will occupy a 1-million-square-foot building, while Sagebrook Home will establish its first East Coast distribution center in a neighboring 430,000-square-foot space.

“These furniture distribution centers build on Charleston’s centrality to the furniture and home goods segment,” said S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome. “The Keith Corp. and Singerman Real Estate’s successful development of the Charleston Trade Center, combined with JLL swiftly filling the industrial park with tenants, is symbolic of the sustained growth in the Charleston market.”

DHI’s latest expansion to South Carolina is another win for the state and Berkeley County, officials said.

“We are pleased that Design House has chosen Berkeley County for their new East Coast distribution center,” said Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb. “By adding dozens of new jobs to our workforce, this expansion will yield a positive impact on our local economy and enhance our citizens’ overall quality of life.”