Nikki Haley praises Beaufort family pillow company expansion as ‘huge win’

Gov. Nikki Haley praised a Beaufort pillow company’s upcoming expansion as a “huge win” for Beaufort County and South Carolina’s manufacturing industry this week.

Harris Pillow Supply plans a $2 million investment in moving into a new building and adding 22 new jobs during the next five years. The family company has operated at 3026 Trask Parkway and plans to move to a larger facility on Parker Drive by early next year.

“Our state is on the move in so many ways, and this $2.1 million investment that means 22 jobs is just one more example of Team South Carolina’s hard work paying off for the talented people who make up our elite workforce,” Haley said in a news release.

The company recently received a $225,000 grant from the county for the work on the new building, with the condition Harris Pillow meets its goal of added jobs.

The new space — previously home to Beaufort Liquidation and 84 Lumber — will double the size of the current building.

Harris Pillow started in 1956 by William Harris and has operated in Beaufort since 1980, now run by John Harris and his son, Patrick.

The company makes and sells pillows to a variety of customers, including hotel chains and private labels. Harris Pillow also makes a machine that renovates old pillows.

In Haley’s news release, Patrick Harris said the expansion will allow the company to install more equipment and reach more markets.

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Nikki Haley praises Beaufort family pillow company expansion as ‘huge win’."