EFP plans a $31.5 million packaging expansion in Bishopville

Molded foam cushioning for protective packaging — Foam inserts protecting packaged components

Additional production in Lee County

EFP, LLC., also known as Engineered Foam Packaging, plans a $31.5 million expansion at its Bishopville operation in Lee County, South Carolina. The project will add 200,000 square feet to the existing facility, with operations expected to come online in April 2026.

The company expects the investment to create 57 jobs and increase production capacity for expanded polystyrene and expanded polypropylene solutions. These materials serve three markets identified for the project:

Protective packaging.
Automotive applications.
Cold-chain packaging.

EFP

The original Bishopville proposal

EFP announced its first South Carolina manufacturing location on 12 January 2023. The original proposal involved a $15 million investment and a target of 53 jobs. It included adapting an existing 117,000-square-foot industrial building in Bishopville for manufacturing and distribution activities.

The initial schedule envisaged operations starting by August 2023. EFP also anticipated adding between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet within two to three years.

Original factory plan and opening ceremony — Original start target preceded the opening

Opening of the first facility

EFP brought the Bishopville plant into operation in spring 2024 and held its grand-opening ceremony in May 2024. The company identified it as its sixth location and its first South Carolina operation. The facility represented a $15 million investment and more than 30 jobs in the county.

The 117,000-square-foot building accommodated manufacturing and distribution serving South Carolina and nearby states. Burr & Forman handled legal work involving real estate, environmental matters and incentives. Thompson Construction carried out construction and maintenance work, while Carlisle Associates also supported the facility’s development.

Lowland woodland creek in South Carolina — Woodland beside a South Carolina creek

Infrastructure support and company background

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits for the expansion. It also awarded Lee County a $750,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to help meet water and sewer improvement costs and prepare the site.

EFP was established in 1954 and is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. The company provides protective and consumer packaging, cold-chain solutions and packaging supply-chain services. EFP is owned by J.B. Poindexter & Co., a privately held manufacturing business with operating subsidiaries across North America.