Xerxes: At Home in Blythewood

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (CADP) – Tucked away, off the beaten path in Blythewood, South Carolina, is the result of years of strategic development and planning. Xerxes, a market-leader of fiberglass underground storage tanks, has set up shop with its first new tank production site built since the 1980s.

The company announced it would locate in the growing town in 2023 following an extensive search throughout the Southeast and moved quickly on to renovating the facility to be production-ready by the following year. Today, the Blythewood facility – the largest of Xerxes’ six manufacturing sites in North America – manufactures tanks for fuel and water storage applications that you may never have thought about because they are hidden beneath your feet.

“Xerxes is essentially the leading brand when it comes to fuel storage. So, if you’re at a gas station, chances are that the fuel that’s stored under the ground at that gas station is going to be stored in one of our tanks,” describes Pascal Laferriere, Group President of Mattr’s Composite Technologies segment, which includes the Xerxes brand.

But these aren’t just ordinary tanks. They’re highly engineered storage systems with advanced technology that makes them durable and long-lasting whether they are installed at neighborhood convenience stores, hospitals, schools, airports or rest stops.

“The resin used to make the tanks is reinforced with glass fibers. This and other design features add strength. For instance, the high-profile ribs give the tank compressive strength for when it’s under the ground, under that convenience store or fuel station or any other facility, no matter what liquid is being stored,” Laferriere explains.

Quality workmanship isn’t the only high-valued item for Xerxes. The company hires a medley of talented workers, ranging from entry-level production to engineers and office staff who focus on making the plant more than just a place to get a paycheck.

LaQuaShaunda Belton is the Senior Human Resources Business Partner. The granddaughter of a longtime employee at a nearby industrial plant, she was hired to work for Xerxes in 2024 with nearly a decade of HR experience under her belt. Among her goals is creating an environment where team members want to show up and where future generations of workers understand it’s not a “cookie cutter pop up shop.”

“We are literally a huge family. It just makes a difference when you’re coming to work every day and knowing that you are wanting to come to work and not sitting in the parking lot like, ‘Hey, all right. Another day, another dollar.’”

Belton explains that Xerxes sees the value in investing in its workers, which includes covering the cost of personal protection equipment (PPE) for qualified employees to ensure they’re supporting a culture of safety.

Mitchell Howe gets to see the results of that culture up close. As the Quality Supervisor, he’s on the floor with the production teams to help ensure that the final product coming off the floor meets company standards and that it’s been done safely.

Howe’s path to Xerxes was unique. He was hired by a company in the Midlands while studying to become a cardiologist, and that diversion from his intended path resulted in a career revelation.

“I realized I liked working with my hands,” explains Mitchell Howe. “I like seeing the craftsmanship I could produce, and I also liked the quality aspect of making it the best I could with all those innovations and continuous improvements that we apply.”

Like Howe, Plant Administrator Sunni Santiago has found a passion for the business. Even more, the Columbia area native has seen how companies like Xerxes positively impact the community and create greater opportunities for residents.

“For Xerxes to build here – what a blessing. This is one of the best places to live and raise your children. So, what better way than to start a career? And this is a wonderful career,” Santiago says.

Such passion doesn’t go unnoticed by leadership. Laferriere reflects on the company’s choice to expand into Blythewood, not only because its research showed the area as a hub for manufacturing but also for the people.

“We chose this area very much because of the people and their capabilities and their character in the area. Expanding and growing the output at this facility, working with the team here has been a really, really great experience.”

Announced in 2023, Xerxes was assisted by the Columbia Area Development Partnership as it considered Richland County for it’s new home. The partnership was at hand for the company to provide negotiations for local and state incentives and for locating the ideal property to fit its production needs.

4 Months

Project engagement to announcement

LARGEST

Xerxes manufacturing site in the U.S.

80

New jobs created

Want to learn more about Xerxes growth in Blythewood, South Carolina? Check out this additional coverage chronicling the company’s groundbreaking and grand opening celebration, and visit the Xerxes website.

Produced in partnership between Xerxes – A Mattr Brand, Columbia Area Development Partnership and Richland County Government.

About Xerxes – A Mattr Brand
Xerxes is a key brand of Mattr, a growth-oriented global company that delivers advanced materials technology and complex manufacturing expertise through a diverse portfolio of brands that support critical infrastructure. The name Mattr reflects our expertise in materials technology, and affirms that what we do matters. It matters to our employees, our families, our customers, our communities, our world.

About Columbia Area Development Partnership
The Columbia Area Development Partnership (CADP) is public-private partnership (P3) serving as the lead authority for economic development in Richland County. By merging public- and private-sector support, it builds upon the area’s rapid economic development growth, facilitates continued global industry recruitment, and enhances innovation. The partnership enhances the county’s ability to attract and retain industry investments and high-quality jobs, positioning Richland County as a competitive destination for business and community opportunities.

About Richland County Government
Richland County Government is dedicated to providing exceptional public services through effective planning, proactive leadership, and inclusive governance to ensure that all residents, visitors, and businesses have equitable opportunities and improved quality of life today and in the future.