These days, one city doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to successful economic development or supply-chain management. The ultimate example is the Triangle area of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, in North Carolina. Then there are twin-city zones like Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y., or Stamford-Norwalk, Conn. But tri-city regions may be the hottest thing going. Just ask the people in Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson, S.C.
      With a population of 1.2 million and an average hourly wage of $11.13, the upstate South Carolina area, anchored by Greenville, is home to a lot more than the headlining BMW plant location in Spartanburg. Anderson County's population alone has mushroomed 14.1 percent since 1990.
      The area has seen international investment of more than $8.8 billion since 1990, creating 25,000 jobs, many of them in the automotive realm. One of the latest projects is a $17 million expansion in Duncan, S.C. (Spartanburg County), by Seeber USA, a German manufacturer specializing in thermoplastic parts and assemblies for the European auto market in the U.S. It's the company's second expansion in two years, and it will allow the company to grow its employee roster from 74 to around 100.
      "The capital investments and the dedication of our trained employees have given us the ability to be successful thus far," says Dr. J. Kevin Smith, Seeber's vice president of operations. "Given the increase in capacity, we can sustain this growth and be uniquely positioned to supply the European carmakers in the North American market."
      The Seeber Group has eight plants in its native Germany, and one each in Belgium, Great Britain, the People's Republic of China, Brazil and the United States. The company's core business is the making of panel systems for both passenger and engine compartments. Besides serving virtually every major European make, their systems also fit the insides of Ford and Chrysler vehicles.
      South Carilina's Alliance is a recently formed economic development agency that markets the entire 10-county region. Over 30 BMW Tier 1 suppliers have located in the area, and Upstate Alliance marketing director Holly Matheson points to a total of 244 plastics facilities and more than 10,000 workers involved in metalworking ventures, many with an international reach. "Recent plant closings have sent a clear message regarding the need for proactive marketing initiatives," says Irv Welling, the Alliance's investor campaign co-chair.
      Some of the projects getting under way in the area in 2001 include an $800,000 expansion by Thanex in Abbeville; new locations or expansions by Delavan ($4.6 million), Gloenco ($7 million) and Tomos USA ($2 million) in Greenville; and major new projects by Thompson Steel ($8.4 million) and Fukuko ($16 million) in the town of Laurens.