outh Carolina's manufacturing sector thrives on exports. Jobs supported by exports account for nine percent of the state's private sector employment, tied with Washington for the highest share among states, according to the International Trade Administration and Bureau of the Census. The state's export shipments reached $16.6 billion in 2007, up more than 21 percent from 2006.
   Export figures show that the rubber does actually hit the road in South Carolina, as the state led the nation in tire exports in 2007. Tire exports totaled $773 million, up 20.3 percent from 2006. More than 95 percent of these new tires were for automobiles, trucks and buses.
   South Carolina has had a major tire manufacturing presence for many years, with Michelin and Bridgestone Firestone locating major operations. Now, another major industry name, Continental Tire, plans to move its North America headquarters 12 miles (19.3 km.) south from its current Charlotte, N.C., headquarters to Lancaster County, S.C.
   Rich Holcome, Continental Tire North America's senior legal counsel, says the move to a site just south of the North Carolina border will put the company in an enhanced competitive position. The company plans to move its corporate work force of more than 300 in 2009. Its production and warehouse facility, which employs 160, will remain in Charlotte.
   "This is an exciting move for CTNA and one that's good for employees and our business," says Holcome. "We have enjoyed our time in Charlotte and are appreciative of all of the support we have received here, but the move to South Carolina is an important step in our overall growth strategy."
   Holcome says CTNA also looked at sites in Georgia and Illinois, as well as staying in North Carolina, but chose South Carolina for its business climate and because the short move will mean minimal disruption to its work force and business.
   CTNA has signed a 10-year lease for the new $11-million, 74,844-sq.-ft. (6,953-sq.-m.) headquarters, which is being developed by Forsite Development. The 19-acre (7.7-hectare) site offers space to double the building's size in the future.
   "Continental Tire officials indicated that the expansion potential was critical in their choosing the McMillan Business Park site," said Tom McKittrick, president of Forsite Development.
   While Continental does not currently manufacture tires in South Carolina, its parent company did acquire powertrain diesel facilities in Columbia and Blythewood with the 2007 acquisition of Siemens VDO Automotive. Those facilities employ about 450.
   Michelin, which has had a manufacturing footprint in the Palmetto State since it opened a plant in Greenville in 1975, is on a major expansion program in the state. The company is investing $350 million through the end of 2011 to expand its Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Lexington plants. The investment will add about 100 manufacturing jobs to the company's current 7,850 employees in South Carolina.
   Michelin has invested more than $2 billion in South Carolina over the past 30 years, including construction of its North American headquarters and North American R&D headquarters, both in Greenville.
   Bridgestone Firestone is investing more than $50 million to upgrade its Graniteville plant in Aiken over the next several years. That facility employs more than 900.
   But not all of South Carolina's tire industry is geared toward cars, trucks and buses. Achieva Rubber, a manufacturer of tires for bicycles, wheelchairs, scooters, golf cars, motorcycles and ATVs, plans to open a 108,000-sq.-ft. (10,033-sq.-m.) sales and distribution facility in Cowpens.